Zambia is a landlocked country situated mostly on a plateau with great valleys, hills, and some mountains. The Zambezi is the main river with its tributaries of Luangwa and Kafue. There are three great natural lakes in northern Zambia: Bangweulu, Mweru (shared with the DR of Congo), and the southern section of Lake Tanganyika, one of the deepest natural lakes in the world. Zambia is characterized by its miombo woodlands, large lakes and vast floodplains, as well as spectacular waterfalls and mighty rivers.
Topography of Zambia
General Facts About Zambia
- As of 2021, the population of Zambia is almost 19.2 million.
- The capital city is Lusaka, which has 2.7 million inhabitants.
- Zambia is a landlocked country.
1. Zambia is Named for a River
The Republic of Zambia takes its name from the Zambezi River, which flows along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Zambezi is the fourth-longest river in Africa after the rivers Nile, Congo, and Niger.
Zambezi River Basin
2. Zambia Has No Coast
Zambia is a landlocked country and its eight neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the north, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique to the east, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south and Angola to the west.
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3. More Than 72 Languages Are Spoken in Zambia
The official language of Zambia is English; however, there are over 72 languages spoken in the country. The seven local languages taught in schools and used in official communications are Bemba, Konde, Lozi, Luna, Luvale and Nyanja and Tonga. The most widely spoken and understood of these languages are Bemba and Nyanja.
4. Zambia is Home to One of the World’s Biggest Waterfalls
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. The local name in the Kololo and Lozi languages is Mosi-oa-tunya, which means “the smoke that thunders”. Scottish explorer David Livingstone named the waterfall after Queen Victoria.
UNESCO inscribed Victoria Falls on its World Heritage list because of both its geological and ecological importance due to it being a breeding site for four species of endangered birds and migratory bird species too, including the Taita Falcon and Black Eagle.
Victoria Falls
The falls span the entire breadth of the Zambezi River at more than 1,700m wide and drop approximately 108m. The Victoria Falls are home to the Devil’s Pool, a natural pool that can be safely swum in during the dry season. Zambia is also home to the second-highest waterfall in Africa after the Tugela Falls in South Africa.
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5. Zambia Has the Largest Man-Made Lake in the World
Lake Kariba is the largest man-made lake and reservoir in the world by volume. It is 226km long and up to 40km wide in some places. Located along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, it provides electricity to both countries.
There’s a thriving commercial fishing industry on Lake Kariba, but, apart from fish, you’ll also find Nile crocodiles and hippopotami living in the lake. In Zambia, you’ll also find Lake Tanganyika, which is the second-largest and deepest freshwater lake in the world.
6. Zambia is Home to the Big Five
You’ll find all of Africa’s Big Five animals in Zambia. The Big Five animals are lions, elephants, leopards, rhinoceros and Cape buffalos. South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia is a protected area for these animals.
The park is also home to over 400 species of birds. Zambia is also home to wild dogs, one of the most endangered species in the world. Zambia is one of only six countries where wild dogs still live. You’ll also see the critically endangered black rhinos and shoebill storks.
African Safari 4K - Scenic Wildlife Film With African Music
The wonderful wildlife living in Zambia is why safaris are so popular here. New Zambia safari destinations such as Kafue National Park as well as the more popular parks like South Luangwa offer amazing wildlife viewing. Zambia is famous for pioneering the walking safari.
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7. Zambia’s Flag is Full of Meaning
On 24 October 1964, Zambia became independent of the United Kingdom and it was on this day that officials raised the Zambian national flag for the first time. The flag is green with an orange coloured eagle flying over a rectangular block of three vertical stripes in red, black, and orange.
Flag of Zambia
The red colour represents the struggle for freedom. The black represents the people of Zambia. Orange symbolises the nation’s mineral wealth and green, its natural resources. The flying eagle represents the freedom in Zambia and the ability of the country to rise above its problems. The green symbolises agriculture, red is for the freedom struggle, black for the African people and orange for copper.
Additional Facts About Zambia
- Zambia has a diverse population and with it a wide range of artistic skills, including magnificent basketry in which the people of the western provinces are especially skilled.
- The design and firing of traditional pottery is also still practiced.
- Christian beliefs are followed by most Zambians; there are also Muslim and Hindu communities.
- Many traditional musical instruments are still used today, these include the hand piano, the silima (type of xylophone) and of course a variety of drums which are all important for any kind of ceremony and community communication.
- The most common cuisine in Zambia is a dish called nshima, made from ground maize and resembling sweetened cooked porridge early in the day, usually breakfast, becoming thicker, much like mashed potatoes for savoury dishes at lunch and dinner, it is often served with chicken, meat or fish.
- Although Zambia lodges, hotels and camps serve international cuisine of high standard, this dish can often be prepared in safari camps if visitors request it.
Climate and Best Time to Visit
The best time to view game is during the dry season as the flora is sparse affording better opportunities to see the game.
- December to April is very warm and wet with heavy downpours usually late in the day.
- May to August is dry and cool, getting cooler toward the end of this period.
- The nights are generally cool throughout the year.
Many rural roads are impassable in the rainy season. Some roads are suitable for standard vehicles but to get to some of the most scenic spots, off-road vehicles will be needed. Road conditions vary and can be very poor. Repairs are constantly being undertaken but visitors should always exercise caution.
Zambians are friendly people, very keen to talk and learn about others as they are to share knowledge about their own country and assist travellers where possible, many villagers along main roads will offer tyre mending services for a small fee!
Some say Zambia is the best kept secret in Africa, an undiscovered mecca for a variety of safari and game viewing activities.
Cities in Zambia
- LUSAKA - The capital city which lies at the junction of the main highways to all directions.
- LIVINGSTONE - Known as the adventure capital is only 10km (6 miles) from Victoria Falls.
- The COPPERBELT - incorporates the mining towns of Ndola, Kitwe, Chingola and Luanshya.
- CHIPATA - A busy town that was once an important trading post.
- MONGO - A busy town overlooking the Zambezi River floodplain.
- SIAVONGA - On the north shore of Lake Kariba with good amenities, its great to see and walk on the massive Kariba Dam wall.
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