Zambia is as popular as ever as a tourist destination. With the ascendancy of its economy and accommodation of tourists to its lucrative attractions, Zambia has been recognised as a hotspot for South African travel. This has aided the construction of new Zambian corporate accommodation.
The South African state of Zambia is landlocked, bordering countries from all angles, such as Tanzania, DR Congo, Angola and Botswana to name a few. Zambia has a population of over seventeen million people, who occupy over 750,000 square kilometres of land. The country is significantly urbanised, with almost half the population living in the fewer urban areas, leaving rural destinations to be sparsely populated. Almost two million of the population inhabit the largest city and country capital Lusaka. The capital presents itself as a business and wealth hub of Zambia, which has caused the great migration of the people from their less extravagant rural lives in the hope of urban prosperity. Serviced accommodation is also most concentrated in Lusaka. Zambian rurality possesses qualities that urban locations cannot, with Zambia taking pride in its lakes, rivers and mountainous regions assisted by the high plateau. Impressively, thirty per cent of Zambia’s landmass is also reserved for wildlife.
Sub-Saharan tribal history in Zambia is vast, with the indigenous being displaced by border population over two thousand years ago. One of these tribes were the Chewa, who still largely populate eastern Zambia today. European discovery of Zambia did not arrive until Scottish David Livingstone was the first to see the wonderful Zambezi River waterfalls in 1885. His presence led to the falls being named after Queen Victoria and the nearby town being named after Livingstone himself. The British then managed to claim Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi, known as Rhodesia at the time, as their territory through the Berlin Conference. It was not until 1950 that resistance to this colonisation emerged, with Dr Kenneth Kauda leading the United National Independence Party (UNIP) to eventual independence in 1964 and North Rhodesia becoming known as Zambia. After Kauda’s loss of power, Zambia was plagued with decades of political instability and uncertainty. Nowadays the Zambian economy is on aiming to get back on track following unfortunate natural disaster and floods. It would seem the Zambian government priorities the economy and is aiming for future prosperity.
Foreign relations are important for Zambia’s economy. The country is the second largest producer of copper and future growth in world mineral prices would excel higher overseas output and export recipients. Zambia is also the second largest supplier of emeralds in the world, with profitable resources such as cobalt, manganese and gold being in abundance. Also after a slump, the Zambian economy was enabled to pay off most of its debts with assistance from the International Monetary Fund. Debt relief has allowed macroeconomic stability and gradual GDP and economic growth. Stability of the Zambian Kwacha (ZK) currency has also allowed economic progression.
Since 2014 the Zambian economy has been on the up, with the government prioritising aims to encourage foreign investment. The focus is placed on bettering infrastructure and adding value to industrialisation and the private sector. Construction, manufacturing and energy industries are also on the rise. The country’s seventh National Development Plan calls for a fundamental shift in all these areas. As a member of the International Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes and with the investment guarantee regime back by World Bank, investors have a reliable, promising environment to work in within Zambia. An example of advancing consumerism can be seen in the capital Lusaka, encouraging corporates to take the plunge into Zambian urban centres. These ambitions are achievable too with the support of growing corporate accommodation in Zambia.
Zambia visa policy is not particularly straightforward. Forty-four countries are exempt from visa requirements, including much of southern Africa and five European states. Nationals of Britain, the US, Canada and Australia all require visas, but these can be granted upon arrival. Its advised that you visit Zambia’s high commission or embassy, for information on how long your visa can be valid for and what the rules for extension are.
Travelling through Zambia can be an immensely fulfilling experience. The locals are known to be friendly and the landscapes are like nowhere else in the world. However, it is always important to travel with caution, considering the local customs and beliefs. Politically the country has not been immensely stable and attitudes towards sexuality and marriage are varied. Belongs as you avoid potential hazards and act respectfully towards establishments and the people, there is no reason why your trip to Zambia should not be hassle-free.
To drive in Zambia, you will need to provide your own national driving license, purchase third party insurance as well as an International Driving Permit and Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD), depending on your length of stay and national residency. Its worth preparing in advance and conducting relevant research before your trip. Driving conditions are not consistent throughout Zambia. Whilst some of the city roads are adequate, yet chaotic, in rural areas the impact of climate and terrain make driving a challenge. We recommend hiring a four-wheel drive car if you plan to explore Zambia to the full. A popular suggestion amongst travels is that you purchase the Tracks4Africa in-car GPS navigation system, which highlights petrol stations and simplifies difficult routes. Similarly, you could also download the taxi app ‘Ulendo’, which works in an Uber style-fashion and grants you a taxi at the click of a button. Taxis are available anyway all across the major cities otherwise.
Besides the ongoing progression to the economic climate, Zambia has always maintained wildlife and scenery that cannot be replicated by the rest of the world. Its National Parks are superb, with South Luangwa, Kafue and Lower Zambezi amongst the outstanding in the world. South Luangwa stands out as an amazing wildlife sanctuary. Its responsible for the ‘walking safari’ system that has spread worldwide. There is nowhere better to witness African wildlife first-hand, and the park’s sixty different animal species and four hundred different bird species
Equally impressive is the Victoria Falls. One of the greatest natural wonders and the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is brimming with astonishing views and beauty. It’s been described as the greatest curtain of falling water in the world, and this is no surprise, with more than five hundred million cubic meters of water plummet of the edge every minute. The falls add to the iconic status of the Zambezi River, the original home to many Zambian tributaries. It’s fair to say that Zambian does not lack water resources. Zambia’s notorious lakes exemplify this. Lake Tanganyika is the second deepest natural lake in the world, Lake Kariba is the largest man-made river in Africa, and Lake Zambezi Africa’s fourth largest and a great symbol of Zambian history. These landmarks, exclusive to Zambia, can all be on your doorstep when you stay in a Situ serviced apartment.
It is no shock that the annual number of international arrivals to Zambia has doubled since 2005. Business travellers are obviously contributing to this, recognising the modern economic progression. There is no better time to stay in serviced accommodation in Zambia.
Renamed in 2011 to commemorate Zambia’s first president, this international airport serves the capital city of Lusaka.
The airport is located around seventeen miles from Lusaka’s city centre, and a range of minibus services and taxi services enable easy transportation to your Zambia serviced apartment. Domestic airports also operate from cities such as Livingstone, Kitwe, Kasama and Ndola.
Zambia functions on two major railway systems, Zambia Railways (ZR) and Tazara Railway.
ZR is under development, as it only stretches 890km, but does provide useful domestic links across Zambia. Tazara trains, on the other hand, operate between the town of Kapiri Mposhi and the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam, whilst also interconnecting with Zambia railways. Trains are typically either ‘ordinary’ or ‘express’.
Buses vary in quality and price depending on what you opt for. The more you pay, the quicker and more comfortable your journey is likely to be.
Local city buses can operate on a ‘leave-when-full’ system, but European-style express buses do service major routes which provide more comfort for a higher price.
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