Zambia Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Zambia, ZM, Southern Africa)

Until recently, Zambia's tourist attractions have never been widely advertised. In recent years, however, the country has become one of Africa's most up-and-coming tourist destinations. That said, the country still has a way to go before it fully taps into its tourist potential.

Most tourist trails through the country of Zambia tend to include a handful of historic buildings and sites, particularly in Lusaka and Livingstone. In Lusaka, both the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross and the Kalimba Reptile Park stand out in particular.

A host of other attractions can be found around the country, from animal parks and sanctuaries, to prehistoric hot springs and even a fossil forest.

Gwisho Hot Springs

Address: Lochinvar National Park, Zambia, ZM, Africa
Situated around 24 miles / 40 km from Monze, the Gwisho Hot Springs site and neighbouring mounds were first excavated by archaeologists in the 1960s, who discovered that it had once been inhabited by Stone Age people. The artefacts they uncovered are now housed elsewhere, in Lochinvar.

The hot springs themselves remain undisturbed for tourists to visit, although there is nothing in the way of facilities in the area. The water is naturally maintained at a pretty much constant heat of between 60°C / 140°F and 90°c / 194°F, depending on the time of year.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Chirundu Fossil Forest

Address: Chirundu, Zambia, ZM, Africa
In this fascinating forest-with-a-difference, the fossilised trees date back some 150 million years to the Karoo period. Some of the tree trunk fossils measure as much as 1.2 metres / 4 feet in diameter and are a reminder that, at that time, coniferous trees spread in great swathes over this part of Africa.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Niamkolo Church

Address: Mpulungu, Zambia, ZM, Africa
Niamkolo Church is the oldest church in Zambia. It is thought to date back to the final years of the 19th century. Situated on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the church was built by members of the London Missionary Society, who had arrived in the area to set up a mission station some years before. It wasn't until 1893, however, that land was purchased and work could go ahead. The mission and its church were abandoned following an epidemic of sleeping sickness. Many years later, in the 1960s, much-needed renovation work on the decaying building was finally begun, although its original thatched roof has not been recreated.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross

Address: Cathedral Hill, Chikwa Road, Lusaka, Zambia, ZM, Africa
Amidst the hubbub of Lusaka's city centre, one building in particular stands out - the Anglican Cathedral, which has become an icon of modern architecture in Zambia. Built on a grassy mound, it is widely regarded as one of Lusaka's top tourist attractions.

The cathedral's stained-glass windows are of particular note, because of their lack of decoration. In fact, the whole building screams simplicity. The cathedral was built in the late 1950s and consecrated in 1970. Today, it continues to attract a sizable congregation of worshippers, as well as crowds of tourists.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage

Address: Chingola, Zambia, ZM, Africa
Run by a non-profit making international organisation, this animal orphanage aims not just to support its resident chimps, but also to raise the awareness of orphaned, sick or wounded chimpanzees in this country.

The chimps who arrive in the orphanage have usually been confiscated, whilst others have been born here. Chimfunshi does not actually have any tourist facilities as yet. However, guests that have a particular and genuine interest in chimpanzees are able to stay here by prior arrangement.
Open hours: daily - by prior arrangement
Admission: charge

Kalimba Reptile Park

Address: Lusaka, Zambia, ZM, Africa
Kalimba's popularity with groups of tourists and visiting families remains unabated. Not only is it a very short drive from Lusaka itself, making it a convenient day out, but the park's inhabitants are quite fun to look at, too. If you want to find out all there is to know about scaly creatures in general, it is best to take advantage of the guided tours offered by the reptile park.

Giant Nile crocodiles, slender-nosed crocs, snakes and tortoises all live within the park, which also serves as a reptile breeding centre. The park has extended its tourists facilities to include crazy golf, volleyball and table tennis, as well as a decent selection of refreshments.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge