Explora la cultura de Zambia: Tradición viva
Sumérgete en la rica historia y cultura de Zambia a través de sus museos y monumentos.
Zambia is an extraordinary landlocked country located in southern Africa. It is world-renowned for being home to the spectacular Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya, 'the smoke that thunders'), being the birthplace of walking safaris in the Luangwa Valley, offering canoe safaris on the mighty Zambezi River and protecting remote, pristine wildlife sanctuaries such as Kafue and the Bangweulu Wetlands.
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Culture & Heritage
Discover the rich history, art and traditions of Zambia
Zambia is an extraordinary landlocked country located in southern Africa. It is world-renowned for being home to the spectacular Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya, 'the smoke that thunders'), being the birthplace of walking safaris in the Luangwa Valley, offering canoe safaris on the mighty Zambezi River and protecting remote, pristine wildlife sanctuaries such as Kafue and the Bangweulu Wetlands.
Festivals & Events
Livingstone is the undisputed capital of adventure. In addition to Victoria Falls and Falls Bridge (where bungee jumping is practiced), Batoka Canyon offers world-class whitewater rafting, microlight or helicopter flights ('The Flight of Angels') and luxury sunset river cruises.
South Luangwa is one of Africa's best parks: lagoons formed by ancient river bends with massive concentrations of hippos, Crawshay's zebras and night safaris to spot leopards. Further north, North Luangwa offers an even more remote and wild experience with mobile camps to track lions and reintroduced black rhinos.
Located opposite Zimbabwe's Mana Pools Park, Lower Zambezi combines escarpment mountains with acacia forested floodplains. It is the perfect sanctuary to combine safaris in open 4x4 vehicles with motorboat navigation, canoeing and catch-and-release sport fishing for the combative tiger fish (*Hydrocynus vittatus*).
Peek into the Abyss at Victoria Falls and Devil's Pool
In Livingstone, Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya) displays a curtain of water more than 1.7 km wide falling more than 100 meters deep. During the season of low flow (August to December), the most intrepid can access Livingstone Island and immerse themselves in the 'Devil's Pool', a natural rock pool located exactly on the edge of the cliff, contemplating the free fall of the water just a few centimeters away.
Experience the Birthplace of Walking Safari in South Luangwa
Invented by celebrated conservationist Norman Carr in the 1950s, the South Luangwa National Park walking safari is the ultimate experience for wildlife lovers. Accompanied by an expert guide and an armed ranger ('scout'), you will walk in single file learning to read fresh footprints in the sand, interpret the alarm sounds of birds and approach elephants, Thornicroft's giraffes and herds of buffalo on foot.
Canoe Safari on the Lower Zambezi River
Lower Zambezi National Park offers one of the most exciting water safaris in Africa. Gliding silently in a canoe with the current allows you to skirt river islands where elephants swim among water lilies, while hundreds of hippos puff in the backwaters and giant crocodiles sunbathe on the sandy shores.
Witness the Great Bat Migration in Kasanka
Between late October and December, the small Kasanka National Park hosts the largest concentration of mammals on the planet: more than 10 million straw-colored fruit bats arrive from the Congo basin to feed on wild berries. Climbing platforms built in the treetops at dawn and dusk to see the sky completely covered by millions of winged silhouettes is a hypnotic natural spectacle.
Search for the Mythical Shoebill in Bangweulu
The Bangweulu Wetlands ('where the water meets the sky') are a vast lake and swamp paradise. Sailing in small wooden boats through papyrus canals guided by local fishermen allows you to track the emblematic shoebill (*Balaeniceps rex*), a solitary bird with a prehistoric appearance and imposing gaze, in addition to spotting thousands of endemic black lechwe antelopes.
Live the Traditional Kuomboka Ceremony
Celebrated at the end of the rainy season (March or April) by the Lozi people on the Barotseland Plain, the Kuomboka ('coming out of the waters') commemorates the transfer of the king ('Litunga') from the flooded palace of Lealui to the Limulunga plateau. The king sails on the colossal royal barge 'Nalikwanda', decorated with black and white stripes and topped by a replica elephant, propelled by more than 100 rowers to the beat of sacred war drums.
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Visas and KAZA UniVisa
Zambia has relaxed its entry requirements by waiving visa fees for many nationalities (including EU, UK and US citizens for short stays). If you plan to frequently cross into Zimbabwe to see Victoria Falls from both sides or take a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana, apply for the 'KAZA UniVisa' ($50) upon arrival at the airport or land border.
Health, Vaccines and Malaria Prevention
There is a risk of malaria throughout the year in most of Zambia (especially in river valleys such as Luangwa and Zambezi). It is essential to take antimalarial prophylaxis prescribed by a doctor, use repellent with DEET at dawn and dusk, and sleep under a mosquito net. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you come from an endemic country.
Driving on the Left and 4x4 Rental
It drives on the left side. The main paved roads linking Lusaka, Livingstone and Chipata are in good condition, but access roads within the national parks (South Luangwa, Kafue) are dirt or deep sand. To travel on your own ('self-drive'), a 4x4 vehicle with a gearbox, air compressor and shovel is essential; During the rainy season (December to April) many tracks are completely impassable.
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