Attractions Nearby Zambia, Day Trips and Excursions

(Zambia, ZM, Southern Africa)

Landlocked Zambia has a host of African neighbours. To the north is the giant that is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of Africa's largest countries.

In the north-east, Zambia shares a border with Tanzania and offers more than a handful of quality attractions and national parks.

To the east are both Malawi and Mozambique, while looking southward, the country borders with Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Of note, a lengthy stretch of western Zambia has Angola as its nearest neighbour.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe resides directly to the south of Zambia and has over a decade of political instability. This has meant that fewer tourists come to explore Zimbabwe than should be the case, considering its wealth of national assets. These include an impressive array of wilderness areas, wildlife reserves and national parks, such as the Hwange National Park. Visitors can also view that most spectacular of natural wonders, the Victoria Falls, a few hours' drive from Hwange, or Zimbabwe's other leading attraction, Mana Pools.

Mozambique

Lying to the east of Zambia, Mozambique boasts a rich cultural heritage, beautiful sandy beaches and spectacular natural surroundings. These attractions are all starting to draw tourists back to Mozambique, which is slowly recovering from years of political instability. Southern Mozambique is the more tourist-friendly part of the country, both in terms of transport links and facilities. Hence, it tends to be most popular with international visitors. However, northern Mozambique has its own attractions, including mile upon mile of wilderness, unspoilt beaches and cultural sites. The Ilha de Mocambique, with its causeway, colonial houses and palm trees, is a real must-see.

Malawi

If you are new to African holidays, then Malawi, sited to the east of Zambia, is a great place to start. The country's magnificent scenery extends from the Liwonde National Park and Lake Malawi, a vast 'inland sea', to the heady heights of Mount Mulanje. Here in Malawi's highland region, wilderness hiking routes abound. Some of the country's larger towns and cities, such as Blantyre, have a number of interesting historic buildings and monuments. Undoubtedly, though, Malawi's biggest draw are its people, who are renowned for the warm welcome they extend to visitors.

Tanzania

Tanzania's attractions seem endless, ranging from wilderness areas and scenic freshwater lakes to pristine beaches and historic monuments. The official political capital is Dodoma, located at the heart of Tanzania, although Dar es Salaam reigns supreme as the larger, commercial hub of the country. The majority of the most popular reserves and national parks are located in the north, while Southern Tanzania is much more remote.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Years of decline have left the third-largest country in Africa without the sort of infrastructure and facilities that usually support a growing tourist industry. However, in recent years, the situation has greatly improved and, although getting around the country can still prove to be a somewhat tricky experience, there is much that is worth discovering. Top of the list of attractions here are the country's rich natural resources. Several wildlife parks and reserves are situated in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the Upemba National Park.

Angola

The lengthy civil war that followed independence has meant that Angola remains pretty much undisturbed by tourism. However, the last few years have been characterised by a period of peace, allowing the capital Luanda to gradually open up to the outside world. Consequently, development is moving apace in the city. Tourists can relax on its many beaches or visit one of the natural parks and reserves that have been set up to save some of Angola's most endangered species. Closest to the Zambian border are both the Luiana National Park and the Mucusso National Park. Independent travellers should check in advance as to the status of road access between Angola and Zambia.