Welcome To Nsumbu National Park; Zambia's Own Hidden Animal Paradise

Nsumbu Natitional Park

Nsumbu National Park also known as Sumbu by the locals, is located on the western shores of Lake Tanganyika. The lake is also the largest water body in the park. Lake Tanganyika is shared with Tanzania and we have the Lufubu, Ruzizi and Magarazi rivers on the Zambian side flowing into the Lake Tanganyika and passing through the Nsumbu National Park. The park covers an area of about 2020 square kilometres.

Though Nsumbu National Park is the least visited park in present time, it was one of the leading national parks in Africa back in the 1970s, with the largest density of Rhinos on the continent. Come the 1980s and the 1990s, the animals almost went into extinct because of serious poaching by the locals. However, the conditions have changed over the years, poaching has come under control and animal numbers have increased. Thanks to the Zambian government for putting up strong measures in protecting wildlife under ZAWA.

Nsumbu National Park

In the park, you will spot some elephants, buffaloes, lots of antelope..,roan and sable antelope, waterbuck and sitatunga. And along the shores of the lake Tanganyika, you will find lots of hippos and some of the largest crocodiles in Africa.

For adventure seekers; you will enjoy the fishing sports and hope you catch yourself some huge tigerfish, golden perck, nkupi (yellow belly). There is also about 300 species of birds for the birdwatchers.

You really wanna visit this park and its diffidently on my top list of places to visit in Zambia. The beauty of this park is that it is located right at the Lake shores of Lake Tanganyika and and we have about four bays that lays on the shores along the park. You can enjoy some scuba diving at the Ndole bay. We have a few pictures of the park on our facebook page.

When you visit, be sure to take lots of pictures and share them with us on our facebook page.

                                HAPPY ADVENTURE!!!

Welcome To The Lusaka National Park. Going Wild in The City!

Well, I would like to thank the Zambian governmen through the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) for making a sanctuary of Wildlife in the Capital City.

This new and exciting national park is the 20th National Park to be established in Zambia. And Lusaka National Park is the second National Park to be established in a city environment, the first one is the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park in Livingstone.

This is very exciting for me. I dont really have to go to Kafue National Park or any other National Park in Zambia for safari and I guess you are excited too. Its good to travel outside the city to go on safari but in a case of you having an "empty pocket", you can have the same experience right here in the city of Lusaka.

WHAT TO EXPERIENCE
Game viewing, boating, walking safaris, photographic safaris, bird watching and picnics.

ON YOUR GAME DRIVE, YOU WONT MISS THE FOLLOWING WILDLIFE;
Sable Antelope, White Rhino, Bushbuck, Duiker (common), Eland, Heartebeest, Impala, Kudu, Black Lechwe, Puku, Spotted deer, Waterbuck, Zebra and many more.

LOCATION AND FEES
Situated South-east of Lusaka, about 15km southeast of the city central business centre.

Park Fees
Zambian Citizens: ZMK15.10/person/day
Established Residents: ZMK23.60/person/day
SADC: US$10/person/day
Non Residents: US$10/person/day

Vehicle Fees
<3tone weight
Local vehicle ZMK15.30/day
Foreign vehicle US$15/day

>3tone weight
Local vehicle ZMK25.60/day
Foreign vehicle US$30/day

The Zambia Travel Expo (zatex) 2015

From the 21st of May to the 23rd of May 2015, Zambia tourism Board held The "Zambia Travel Expo" with the THEME; Promoting Tourism Through Collaboration Not Competition". This inaugural tourism indaba, brought together international buyers, exhibitors, the media and the general public to one market place at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia. I went there on the second day and i should say that it was well organised and it was a very good initiative that brought everyone in the hospitality industry together and interact. I managed to interact with some of the exhibitors and it was very successful. I am glad that I was recognised as a Zambia Travel blogger and hoping to work with some of them in future. I have an invitation for the next Expo which will be held in Zimbabwe next month. I will let you all know how it goes. Look out for lots of interesting posts and my adventures too in the coming months and years.

PICTURES FROM YESTERDAY

Exhibition for Mika Lodges

I am just trying to dance with these women.

With Caristo Chitamfya, the Public Relations and Media Manager at the Zambia Tourism Board

                                       It was a wonderful and successful day.

The Kafue River Cliff Experience.....

A view of the Kafue River Cliff from the Lady Betty Boat.

Kafue is a small town located in the outskirts of Lusaka, about 47km from Lusaka City and it takes about an hour to get there. Just about 7km from Kafue town, is Kafue River Cliff. The sign post for the Cliff is on your left side if you are coming from Lusaka and thats where you branch off from to go to the Kafue River Cliff. When you turn, the road isn't bad, its a gravel road but it has been maintained quite well.

Just Arrived!! with my girlfriends

My friends and I decided to go for a boat cruise last Saturday as part of the Easter Holiday celebrations. We started off from Lusaka around 10:30am and we got there around 12:30.pm. We were delayed on the road because of the traffic police who were doing some check-ups on the road. We passed two traffic road-blocks, one in Lilayi town and the other past Chilanga town. Make sure that you have all the papers for your vehicle and your drivers licence if you are the one driving..,those police officers are HARD lol!! Apart from that, we took a bit of time taking pictures with some cows along the way. It was lots of fun!

When you reach the gate at the Kafue River Cliff, you pay k15.00 as entry fee per person. I didn't find out if the charges vary for adults and children though. For the Lady Betty Boat Cruise, its k100.00 per person. I can't give you the prices in dollars for the exchange rate keeps changing all the time.

Its Lunch Time! Bon appetit!

When we got there, it was already lunch time and we had to order some food. Believe me, the best meal to order is the bream fish! it is delicious, it is very fresh from the Kafue River and it is smocked. They serve it with some french fries and some salads. You better be very hungry because the fish is very big.

The Lady Betty Boat

We went there because of the famous Lady Betty Boat Cruise which goes along the Kafue river twice a day taking people. The first trip is at 2pm and the last cruise is at 4pm (the sunset cruise they call it, its the one we picked). the cruise is for two hours only and you better hurry if you are planning to get on the sunset cruise because it gets full fast...,by the time its 4pm, the tickets are sold out. We were smart enough to get the tickets the moment we got there and before we could even have lunch. There is always a DJ playing some music in the garden so you don't get bored waiting. They also have a small play area where there is a play house for the kids.

Wish I caught some fish ;-( 

After having lunch, while we were waiting for our boat cruise, i found myself with some Chines guys who were catching some fish and hey, why not try and learn to catch some fish with these guys while we are waiting for the cruise lol! That didn't go very well.., I didn't catch any fish.

THE WHOLE TRIP IN PICTURES.......HAVING LOTS OF FUN WITH MY LADIES.

Getting ready for the trip

On the Lady Betty Boat

Kids play area

"HAVE AS MUCH FUN IN YOUR LIFE AS YOU CAN, FOR LIFE IS TOO DAMN SHORT NOT TO!"

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE...

WALKING WITH LIONS IN LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA.

Recently, a friend of mine (Kate) went on a little adventure in Livingstone, Zambia and she sent me a few pictures...,and guess what she was doing....She was walking with the lions! I am very adventurous but walking with the lions is "adventure on another level for me". While, it seems like fun and am sure lots of you adventurous people reading this would love to try. I will share with you some pictures of Kate as well as some information on "walks with lions" just in case you want to try it.

My friend Kate with the wild cats

Walking with the lions is actually part of the program called "THE LION ENCOUNTER" which is an active conversation program about ensuring a secure future for the African lions. The Lion Encounter has two operations on either side of the Victoria Falls boarder. You can visit either on the Zimbabwean side which is the Victoria Falls town or Livingstone Town on the Zambian side where my friend Kate was. The Lion Encounter offers people a chance to walk with this magnificent species, I would say they offer an experience of a lifetime. These Lions are within the Mosi Oa Tunya National Park. They are all captive bred and raised by well trained and experienced team. For more information about the "LION ENCOUNTER" program please click here . The lion Encounter also operate the African Lion Rehabilitation and Release into the Wild program.

My friend Kate with the beautiful BIG CATS.

While, before you take walks with the lions, there will be an introduction to these beautiful creatures which will involve the background of the conversation efforts in place to rehabilitate them and to protect their natural environment. You will also be briefed with a list of DO's and DON T's. You will be accompanied by an experienced guide, scouts and handlers to make sure that you have the best and smooth experience.

Don't forget to buy a souvenir to take home with you from the art-market in Livingstone. Looking beautiful Kate.

NOTE; Minimum age for the Lion Walk is 15 years and minimum height is 1.5m or 5ft. A person must meet both the years and height requirements to qualify for a walk with the lions.

Zambia at 5O! Golden Jubilee Celebrations

Zambia at 50 logo and the Northern Rhodesia coat of Arms

24th of October was the biggest day for Zambians across the globe. Zambia turned 50 years old! We gained independence back in 1964 from the colonial rule. This was a golden Jubilee celebration and the biggest celebration the country has had in the past recent years...I think since we won the Africa cup back in 2012 (it was a mass celebration and everyone took a day off from work to celebrate, i was part of this celebration).

Zambian coat of Arms

Zambia was formally known as the Northern Rhodesia ruled by the British colony. It was part of the Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and Nyasaland (now Malawi). Zambia broke off the chains and gained independence from the colonial rule under the leadership of Dr Kenneth Kaunda who became Zambia's first president. Kenneth Kaunda was the leader of the United National Independence Party (UNIP). In 1968 Kaunda was re-elected as president, running unopposed.

From the time of Independence in 1964 to 1991, the country had only one political party policy till 1991 when the multy party democracy was introduced, this resulted in the quick formation of eleven new parties, among these was the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) led by Fredrick Chiluba. After the new constitution had been drafted, elections were held in 1991 and they were regarded as free and fair. Fredrick Chiluba won 76% of the president vote and MMD 125 of the 250 seats in the National Assembly with UNIP taking the remaining 25 seats and that was the end of UNIP. I remember when these elections were conducted, i was about five years old but i remember the chaos that came with the elections. Removing UNIP from power didn't happen without a fight, but MMD was the people's favourite and the people needed change.

The Zambian Flag

Since 1964, Zambia has seen five heads of states.

FIRST; Dr Kenneth Kaunda from 1964-1991. Who became the vegetarian in protest against ban of Africans entering bucthers and the first leader to admit publicly that a family member had died from HIV/AIDS.

SECOND; Fredrick Chiluba from1991-2002. At just over 1.5m tall, he was fond of wearing platform shoes, hence the nickname "Short Stuff". He was stripped off his immunity from prosecution on corruption charges. He died in June, 2011 at age 68.

THIRD; Patrick Levy Mwanawasa from 2002-2008. He became known by his bad temper after a serious traffic accident which occurred on the 8th December, 1991. He was nicknamed "tiger". Mwanawasa was one of the few African leaders to condemn the Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe publicly. He died in office on August 19th, 2008 at a hospital in Paris, France at age 59.

FOURTH; Rupiah Banda from 2008-2011. The die-hard football fun and a big fun for Arsenal football club. He is the second president in the Zambian history to have his presidential immunity removed.

FIRTH; Michael Chilufya Sata from 2011-present. His nicknamed "King Cobra", the name came about because of abrasive manner and his sharp tongue.

THE FIVE ZAMBIAN HEADS OF STATES FROM 1964-PRESENT (2014)

ZAMBIA AT 50! THE GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS IN PICTURES.

A Chinese martial Arts performs at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka

The first Zambian President Dr Kenneth Kaunda with the current Vice-President Dr Guy Scott

Performance at the stadium

Kids from Naboonga Private School celebrating in style

My friend and I celebrating in style in Denmark

OH YES!!!!!!!! WE MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOD BLESS OUR NATION! 5O YEARS OF PEACE AND STABILITY. CONGRATULATIONS ZAMBIA!

(On a sad NOTE; The President Michael Chilufya Sata died in London yesterday while this post was being published. Zambia now has the Vice-president Dr Guy Scott as the acting president till we hold elections within the next 90 days)

MHSRIP

MICHAEL CHILUFYA SATA (1937 - 2014)

Niamkolo Church, The oldest Stone Church in Zambia

Niamkolo Church

About two kilometres east of the town of Mpulungu is Niamkolo Church, this Church has been said to be the oldest stone Church in Zambia. It was built in 1895 by the London Missionary Society. It all started with James Swan of the London Missionary in May, 1893 when he negotiated to purchase some land at the Niamkolo and a mission was established there. The fifteen meter tower was a landmark for boats using the port of Mpulungu.

Two years later, the building was taken over by Adam Purves who had joined the mission as an industrial helper and a teacher, it is also said that Adam might have been the architect. There is the main hall an a three-storey tower. The walls' thickness comprises of two thin skins of roughly dressed sandstone quarried on the mission estate, with mud or ant-hill bonding. The gap between the the skins were filled with rubbie. In 1908 the mission decided to move inland due to the high incidence of sleeping sickness and the church fell into disuse and decay.

For half a century after the Niamkolo Church was deserted, the upper part of the building crumbled and fell.

In 1954, the Church's preservation was needed and this prompted some action from the London Missionary Society who handed the church over to the National Monuments Commission. The Niamkolo Church was declared a National Monument in April, 1955. Preservation work was carried away.

"What a significant piece of history, this Church will sure stand time for the next and the next generation to see it. A true National Monument".

My visit to Solwezi, North Western Zambia

Solwezi is the capital of North Western Province. It has the population of over 60,000 people mostly of the Lunda and the Luvale speaking people. Solwezi was once a sleeping little town with nothing much to see, no attractions whatsoever, but the recent development has put the town in motion. The reopening of Kansanshi Mine and the opening of the Lumwana Mine which is owned by First Quantum Minerals has attracted lots of people including myself. 

I personally visited Solwezi back in 2011 for the same reason many of you visited; to see if there were any investment opportunities, i was living in Malawi then and investing in my country was really something i wanted to do. There was nothing much to see then but you could spot lots of buildings being put up, the town as coming around.

At the Mutunda Falls

There isn't much to see in the region in terms of tourism but i was glad to come across Mutunda Falls, its not a massive waterfall but it is very quite and very refreshing, i liked it. I plan to visit again, hopefully soon. 

WHERE I STAYED; The Royal Solwezi.

I stayed at the Royal Solwezi, the picture above. Its really a five star hotel and the service was amazing. I realised that i only have one good picture that i kept, its been a while but i have the best memories. The royal Solwezi is situated on the old Chingola road about 10km from the First Quantum´s Kansanshi Mine and about 15min from the airport. I would say that this is the best and high standard hotel in the region. For more details about the hotel, click HERE

At the Royal Solwezi