ABOUT ZAMBIA

Zambia encompasses everything magnificent about Africa - Wetlands, Wildlife, Birds, Safaris, Lakes, Rivers, Culture and Adventure Sports! 

Zambia is packed full with smiling, friendly people, breathtaking scenery and genuinely wild National Parks. From the tranquil shores of Lake Tanganyika to the rushing waters of the Victoria Falls, Zambia is home to an amazing array of beautiful places and cultures.Until recently, Zambia has been overlooked by tourists, which was a pity because it has so much to offer tourists. Recently, however, the country has been gaining a reputation for being one of the greatest destinations to go to for a unique experience.

On entering the country, you're instantly welcomed by generous locals and friendly faces. This will continue throughout your stay, either from a dozen school children running to greet you or a park ranger as he swerves the vehicle to get a better view of a lion! Zambia has such a diversity of activities and attractions that it is impossible to see everything unless you are there for a good amount of time.

This magnificent country in the heart of Africa is a haven for wildlife and has some spectacular scenery and natural wonders. It is fast developing into a must-see destination.

Like most Africans, the people are very friendly and quick to flash their broad grins at you. The children, in particular, enjoy seeing foreigners and absolutely love getting your attention!

Travellers' Projects are located in the quaint town of Livingstone, close to the incredible Victoria Falls. You'll have plenty of opportunities to participate in the multitude of activities that surround the Falls. Livingstone is, without a doubt, the adrenaline capital of Zambia. In fact, the Victoria Falls region is probably one of the biggest hot spots on the continent. Whether you want to throw yourself off a cliff or brave some of the best rapids on the planet, this is definitely the place to be! Big game, big water, big rush and big fun!

At the hostel where you'll be living, you can book some amazing activities in the region - nice and easily! For example, Go to Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park where you can see giraffe, elephant, hippos, crocs, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, antelope and many species of birds ... plus the only 3 white rhinos in Zambia. You can take part in a half-day safari which includes a game drive to and from the walking area - then hold your breath and be as quiet as possible as you tip toe up to giraffe, elephant, zebra, rhino, buffalo and all of the other wild critters! Certainly an amazing experience and not to be missed!

FUN AND ADVENTURE:
White water rafting is a must! If you are keen for the ultimate thrill then a multi-day trip along the Zambezi is it! The Zambezi provides the best rafting trip on the planet! You'll crash through some of the biggest commercially run rapids in the world. Batoka Gorge provides one of the most intense sensory thrills imaginable. Its twenty three whitewater rapids and striking scenery deep within the sheer black cliffs afford the adrenaline junkie a wild roller coaster ride along a route carved over millenia by the Great Zambezi.

Bungee Jumping for the very brave: The highest commercial bridge jump in the world in the most spectacular setting over the Zambezi River! This must be the ultimate adrenaline rush. It’s an indescribable feeling that will probably change your life !

And more: You can do riverboarding, abseiling, kayaking, canoeing, walking safaris, elephant back safaris, fishing, flights over Victoria Falls, quadbiking, golf and scuba diving. This is a real adventure playground!

The terrain is mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains, and the flora in Zambia is amongst the best in the world. The great Zambezi River also forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe, making Zambia one of the most beautiful countries to visit.

Along the southern border of the country stretches Lake Kariba, the largest man made lake in Africa and the second largest in the world. It is about 280kms long and 40kms across at its widest point.

"It is an unbelievable experience to go down the river on a boat and watch a herd of elephant bathing in the shallows and throwing water in their with their trunks while they keep a wary eye on you to ensure you don't get too close to their babies - it's an experience you never forget. I never have!"

Zambia has a population of 11,261,795, a total land area of 752,614 sq km (land: 740,724 sq km, water: 11,890 sq km), and 19 national parks. It boarders Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Zambia has a fairly stable economy which is based around mining, transport, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, and textiles, and has a British style parliamentary democracy with a president and national assembly.

Climate: The general height of the land gives Zambia a more pleasant climate than that experienced in most tropical countries. There are three seasons - cool and dry from May to August, hot and dry from September to November, warm and wet from December to April.

 Teaching: You can teach anything from English to Maths and Sports to children aged between 2 and 16 years.

 Teaching Orphans: Teach at a school that accommodates permanent male orphans aged between 7 and 19 years. It is a very poor school and needs as much support from volunteers as possible.

Walk With Lions: Lion Rehabilitation and Release Project: in Livingstone, where you will get the chance to have extremely close encounters with lions! This is a unique project where you can take lions for a walk through a Game Reserve - an unbelievable experience!

Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Orphanage In Zambia: Witness incredible animal relationships in close knit chimpanzee family structure, and be part of the day to day care of the orphanage inhabitants.

Coaching Sports: On our Total Sports project you can coach Basketball, Cricket, Football, Netball, Rugby or Volleyball - or all of them!

Medical Work Experience Internships: Excellent for professional development and your CV!
 The Southern Africa Triangle: Combine volunteering with organized travel for a unique 6 week experience!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

LUSAKA
Lusaka is the Capital of Zambia and is very typical of a dusty African city. It has a friendly vibe and lots of colour and contrasts, from the bustling business centre to the very poor townships on the outskirts of town. It's a good place to get access to lots of sightseeing in the surrounding regions and parks.

In the 20^th Century Lusaka became the geographic and political hub and, in 1935, it was declared the capital of Zambia. Lusaka is the central province of Zambia and the most densely populated and tribally diverse region. It is a sprawling chaotic city, with very friendly people, and still retains a unique African atmosphere.

Unemployment rates in the capital are high, but the city still has a lively and exciting feel to it. In the past, Lusaka was never renowned for its tourist attractions, but in recent years they city has received a face-lift with new shops, fast food outlets and even a multimillion-dollar shopping mall being built.  The City also has a great transport system for tourists to travel around this beautiful country.  

For anyone visiting Lusaka there is nothing better then taking an additional trip to the spectacular and untamed Lunsemfwa River which is a 3 hour drive away.

LIVINGSTONE
Livingstone is a fun town where tourists come for adventure, sports and an adrenalin kick. It's very close to the awesome Victoria Falls and the powerful Zambezi River. Water sports are everywhere!

The quaint town of Livingstone was first documented by the explorer David Livingstone in 1855 and then founded in 1905, upon completion of the railway bridge across the Zambezi, when residents of an earlier riverside settlement called ‘Old Drift’ moved to the new site beside the rail line. Since the town has flourished and is now a major destination for Travellers to Africa, giving great opportunities to travel around this beautiful country and the amazing sights such as superb game reserves and picturesque landscapes. Livingstone is the capital of the Southern Province and is situated just north of the Zambezi River, which forms the border with Zimbabwe. It is a major tourist centre serving visitors to the falls, but the main street of this colonial town, Mosi-oa-Tunya, are lined with classic colonial buildings, with Victorian tin roofed houses and wooden verandas.

The spectacular Victoria Falls Bridge is only about 10km away from Livingstone, and the area surrounding the Falls and Livingstone town have given it the name of ‘adrenaline capital of the world’.

Local attractions include not only the impressive Victoria Falls, but also Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, located adjacent to Victoria Falls, and Livingstone Game Park. Livingstone Museum has displays of historical African artefacts and memorabilia related to Scottish missionary David Livingstone and his exploration of the region in the 1850s.

Livingstone restaurant

Bridge Over Victoria Falls near Livingstone - Rainbows gather in the mist at this popular Bungee Jumping spot!

The Victoria Falls are legendary and probably Zambia’s most famous attraction - A ferocious curtain of water 1,700 metres wide that plunges deep into the gorge of the mighty Zambezi River. Upstream from the falls the river is placid and tranquil. The famous Zambezi National Park preserves 56,000 acres along the river and wildlife can be viewed in cruises along the river or on explorations into the park's interior. 

Downstream from the falls, the river offers spectacular whitewater rafting. Adventures range from a day or two to a spectacular week of rafting all the way to Lake Kariba. This huge inland sea is adorned with submarine forests, open skies and spectacular sunsets.

Victoria Falls is described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800’s as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ - ‘the Smoke that Thunders’. At the end of the rainy season, the immense amount of water thundering over the edge of the Falls literally forms an enormous cloud of thin spraying mist. You're absolutely drenched long before you reach the Falls themselves. The sound of thundering water falling over the 2 km wide Falls is overwhelming and can be heard from up to 25 miles away at times.

David Livingstone was the first European to visit the Falls (this was in 1855) and he named them in honour of his Queen. The falls are surrounded by jungle and you can spot wild game such as waterbuck through the leaves. If you find a quiet spot to sit and view the Falls and absorb the beautiful surroundings, you feel totally at one with Nature - both dwarfed and overwhelmed and at the same time powerfully inspired -  a wonderful feeling! 

The walk along the Zambezi above the Falls is excellent and is packed with wildlife. It’s usually easy to sport warthog, crocodile, hippo, and even elephant, buffalo and lion.

Activities around the Falls
There are all sorts of activities offered at Victoria Falls, including bungee jumping, small plane flights over the Falls, and raft trips to the Boiling Pot at the base of the Falls where the water cascades down into the river. In addition, Victoria Falls is also the centre for some of the best safari and adventure opportunities in Africa. Above the Falls, outstanding canoe and kayaking safaris are available, offering one of the most exciting and memorable ways to experience both the Zambezi and the abundant game of Zambezi National Park.

Below the falls, the Zambezi becomes a whitewater rafting paradise. The rafting trips that run through the river's gorges are internationally known as the most exciting, and least dangerous, to be found anywhere. .

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