Southern Africa on the Move: Tourism set for take-off in Zambia, Angola and Mozambique

Sub-Saharan Africa already enjoys the lion's share of international tourist arrivals to the continent. While the attractions of South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and Swaziland are well known, the tourism potential of Zambia and neighbouring Mozambique and Angola has just begun to be tapped. Regional co-operation and investment is helping do just that.

Tourism in Zambia

How can you identify a Zambian drunk driver? He's the one driving straight. People in Zambia tend to drive on the side of the road that has the best surface. Zambia's disintegrating road network has long been a standing joke. That seems set to change as Zimbabwe's economic decline fuels Zambia's recovery.

Political stability is the first prerequisite for tourism. Infrastructure is the second. Zimbabwean tour guides and tourism operators are flocking into Zambia. Its infamous roads are being restored, game parks are being restocked and new lodges established around the country.

Zambia's President, Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, is actively encouraging tourism using foreign donor aid and private enterprise to provide the necessary infrastructure. This is no mean feat as Zambia is a large and under-developed country the size of France, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands combined.

Zambia's National Parks

Almost a quarter of Zambia's 750 000 square kilometres is set aside as National Parks. However, these have been much neglected over the years. Recognising the tourism potential, the government, despite internal opposition, has leased two of the country's National Parks out to a South African company.

African Parks uses both public and private resources to develop degraded parks in Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya and Uganda. Another National Park in Zambia that is being developed as a joint effort is Lochinvar National Park in south-central Zambia.