Zambia
24 days,
August 09
INTRO ZAMBIA
Kind of travel:
me and my girlfriend Elisa in an independent travel
When:
08th Aug- 02nd Sept09
Do
I need a visa?
Yes, and you get at the Livingstone airport for 50$ (single
entry 15days, 80$ for double entry) or at the land borders (not
in all)
How
I moved:
bus and minibuses connects all the main centres, but once off
of the beaten track, means of transport get scarce and trucks
become the option; in Mufwe we waited more than 8 hours for
a lift
Freezing
or baking?
Perfect temperature ranging from 18C to 26C, but in
the very early morning or in the night consider to wear a medium
thick sweater. Forget rains and the clouds
Where
I slept:
plenty of guesthouses charging 15- 25€ for a double room
with few dorms (Livingstone, Lusaka) for 4- 8€/ bed. On
the other hand lodge prices fly high: at the Luangwa N. Park
in the Flatdogs Lodge (www.flatdogscamp.com)
a double tent cost 80$/night, but the hippo rolling outside
is included
What
I liked:
the jaw-dropping view of Victoria Falls from the chopper, and
the unforgettable staying at the Flatdogs Lodge in the Luangwa
National Park in a tent among the freely-wandering elephants
and hippos; and as for the towns, Chipata is a great African-style
place to pass by
What I disliked:
the anonimous and suspicious Lusaka, the crazy bus driver who
smashed the front glass of our bus against a truck without then
even stopping, and being unbearably crammed like animals in
the back of the truck with other 20people on the way to Senga
bay.
How much
daily:
Zambia can be medium costy or outrageously expensive: for a
low budget by minibuses in couple it's around 33€/each
per day (food+ accommod. + transp.). On top of in Victoria Falls
or in any park everything is overcharged (ie safari walk 70$!
15min in helicopter: 130$!....). To explore the Victoria Falls,
Zambia and Zimbawbe visa can be a cost (80$+50$)!
Dangers/
hassles:
malaria is a risk, Lusaka dodgey but car crashes are still the
main danger
What
you do need:
if you travel cheap carry your mosquito net and the stuff to
put up with travelling in the back of the trucks as a wind-jacket,
a cap or a bandana to cover the hair from the dust. Flash lamp
is a must
IMPRESSIONS ABOUT ZAMBIA
Zambia is definitely the country I appreciated most of the five
we visited in this travel, since it's the one where I felt a
real African atmosphere. Surely its highlights as Victoria Fall,
and South Luangwa National Park contribute a lot to its charming,
but Zambia it's not only that.
I had the perception in Zambia traditions are still eradicated
as eating the traditional Inshasha and fish at the restaurant
without fork and knife after having rigorously rinsed the hand
in the dedicated cup.
The other side of the coin is that Zambia is not cheap, in particular
if considered the quality of the services as accommodation and
transports. For instance, 8h stuffed from Lusaka to Chipata
on the bus like an hamburger in the sandwich cost 23€,
with a crash against a truck included!
However travelling in Zambia it's still far worth the cost
Alby
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