Zambia lies in Southern Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the south. With an abundance of wildlife, impressive scenery and a dry and temperate climate the country has plenty to offer. Bantu-speaking settlers immigrated to the area beginning in the 15th century, mostly from what today is southern Democratic Republic of Congo and northern Angola. European visitors did not reach the country until the mid-19th century, including David Livingstone (the Dr. Livingstone of “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”), who came upon waterfalls on the Zambezi River in 1855 and named them after Queen Victoria. The territory became known as Northern Rhodesia, administered by the British South Africa Company from 1891 until the British government gained control in 1923. Upon independence in 1964 the country’s name changed to Zambia.
The Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya to the local Kololo tribe, meaning “the smoke that thunders”), on the Zambezi River bordering Zimbabwe, is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, referred to as “the greatest known curtain of falling water.” The more tranquil portion of the river is an attraction itself with some protected areas along the banks with ample game viewing. Safaris throughout the country, on foot, in canoes and even on elephants are available throughout the country.