World Tourism Organisation and Zambia Safari

Come September this year Zambia will host a seminar for World Tourism Orgainsation (WTO). Patrick Kalifungwa, President of the African Travel Association and Zambia’s minister of tourism announced this recently. It’s another kudu for Zambia safari.

This seminar will discuss ways to upgrade, enrich and empower tourism operators and experts in Africa. They will share experiences and best practices on tourism quality and systems. It will be a safari capacity building in an atmosphere that only Zambia safari can come up with.

What are the challenges? Product quality, market access, air access, finances and human skills are some of the real issues in tourism development in Africa. Above all, there is the image of the African continent as a unique safari destination. These and many other issues will be discussed at a round table in order to raise African safaris to a higher level.

And Zambia’s safari , just as Africa’s safaris are poised to become the 21st century world tourism destination.

Zambia Safari to Host World Trade Organisation

Again Zambia safari is poised to give leaders “the real African” safari treat.

About fifty trade ministers will meet in Livigstone, Zambia to plot. Wow… not to remove any leadership but rather to prepare for the sixth World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting for Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The ministers will meet in June to take stock of all key issues in the on going Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations.

They will formulate a joint LDC’s strategy and negotiate positions with respect to the forthcoming 6th ministerial meeting of the WTO to be held in Hong Kong towards the end of the year.

Zambia will again chair the meeting and the attendance will also include trade ministers from rich countries. After all that’s the target.

And Zambia safari will be on hand to avail them the rarest of opportunities the finest Zambia safaris can give.

LEO Gears Up Zambia Safari

The Livingstone Events Organisation (LEO) one of the organisers of the visit Zambia campaign has arranged FREE helicopter flights. These are on offer to residents of Livingstone town Zambia’s safari and tourist capital. These flights will be provided by the same copters that tourists enjoy using when they fly past and over the Victoria Falls. It’s a rare sight not to be forgotten, not too soon anyway!

United Air Charter otherwise known as "The Flight of Angels" in conjunction with Livingstone Lodge are offering this scenic flight which normally entertain tourists for 30 minutes. The helicopters are very comfortable, state of the art Eurocopters and Bell helicopters. They’re smart with immaculate maintenance and safety standard.

"The helicopter flight gives you a stunning view on the Victoria Falls as it flies slower and lower than a fixed wing aircraft, offering you excellent photo opportunities," says their web site.

In all 42 free flights to Livingstone residents are on offer as part of the Visit Zambia 2005 campaign. People will be chosen randomly and will enjoy a free ride in the chopper designed for the pleasure of tourists. It will start with a “Road Show” and end up with the free flights on 23 and 24 May this year.

Janice Reul deputy CEO of Livingstone Events Organisation (LEO) announced this recently. This is part of the events in the commemoration of the centenary celebrations of Livingstone and 150 years since Dr David Livingstone, extraordinary explorer, missionary and medical doctor first saw the Victoria Falls on November 16, 1855.

Soccer… A Zambia Safari Pastime

Every year April 28 is a sad day in Zambia. Slightly over twelve years ago on this day a terrible tragedy befell Zambia. A planeload carrying an entire national football team, its officials, journalist and the planes’ crew crashed off the coast of Gabon. All perished. It was a black April Day in Zambia.

The plane had taken off from Libreville the capital city of Gabon on its way to Senegal. The Zambian team was to play a world cup qualifier against Senegal. It was never to be. After noticing some problem the pilot turned the plane back to try and land but unfortunately it exploded a few metres above the sea. It plunged down into the sea.

For this year’s memorial of our national team we decided on a social game of football. After all they died for soccer and we wanted to remember this team considered the best Zambia ever produced. A monument to their honour stands at the burial ground near the Independence Stadium in Lusaka.

Here Enters Our Safari Striker
The forward striker appeared as if from nowhere on the left flank intent on getting the ball from the defender, the opposite side fullback. His chin thrust forward, chest pushed out like a soldier, he ran forward. Eyes on the ball… He might have been thinking he was moving very fast but to onlookers he was just about the slowest striker ever seen on a pitch.

Like the titans, they clashed. Our striker somersaulted through the air and landed with a sickening thud on his back. Just imagine a heavy weight doing that. He lifted himself up and started running forward in the same direction as if nothing had happened. Eyes darting everywhere and unfortunately the ball was nowhere to be seen. Like a thief the defender was on the run with the ball in the opposite direction. Realisation dawned and our striker suddenly stopped in his track. He was confused. He didn’t know what had happened.

The spectators went agog, gagging and cackling... The somber mood forgotten! Clearly his talents were not anywhere near playing football.

Now the USAID Supports Zambia Safari

For Zambia safari its fun time and support time again. The Visit Zambia in 2005 campaign is still growing. Just a couple of days ago the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) gave a donation to Zambian safaris. This important donation of vehicles, computers and office equipment was made to the Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB). This is a government regulatory board that markets Zambia’s safaris and tourism. It also provides a guide with maps and information about travel and lodging.

The Livingstone Events Organisation (LEO), the Livingstone Tourism Association (LTA), the Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB), the National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC), are front runners in spearheading the Visit Zambia campaign.

What’s all this "Visit Zambia 2005"? Zambia will this year commemorate a few important events. And these events are uniquely found here and are Africa’s best kept secrets in tourism.

1. The centenary celebration of Livingstone town established 100 years ago in April of 1905.
   
2. Another centenary celebration of the Victoria Falls Bridge built close to the awesome wonder of the world, the Victoria Falls. The construction of the bridge was completed in April 1905. That’s 100 years ago.
   
3. The centenary celebration of the establishment for the Seventh Day Adventist church in Zambia in April of 1905. Again 100 years ago.
   
4. The 100 years birth day remembrance of the peace maker and writer the late Secretary General of the United Nations Organisation, Dag Hammerskjeold, who died in a plane crash at Ndola, Zambia on September 18, 1961 while travelling to Congo to negotiate peace during that country’s civil war.
   
5. and finally in November this year Zambia will celebrate the 150 years since the famous Scottish explorer, missionary and medical doctor David Livingstone "discovered" the mystic, mighty Victoria Falls. He named it after Queen Victoria of England. This was on November 16, 1855. Dr David Livingstone’s grand children and great grand children will participate in this memorial celebration

So it’s a celebration of a few centenaries and 150 years! What a combination. Very rare and only found here in Zambia, Africa’s best kept secret.

Airport Rehabilitations for Zambia Safari

Great news for Zambia safaris! The National Airport Corporation has started major airport rehabilitations. Initially the programme will involve two airports. The funding is from the European Development Fund (EDF) who has shown a lot of confidence in the Zambia’s world-class reception.

At Livingstone the works involve extending the airport runway to enable larger aircrafts to land. Currently, only the Boeing 737s land there. Then there are the general improvements to the airport facilities and surroundings. This will gobble 9.6 million pounds sterling.

Do you remember the Livingstone town? The city recently cerebrated a centenary of its founding. More importantly it’s the home of the Victoria Falls and the national’s tourist capital. Livingstone is now considered southern Africa Adventure Centre.

The rehabilitations at Lusaka’s airport involve improvements to taxing way and general improvements. 2.75 million pounds sterling is budgeted for this. The Lusaka International Airport is Zambia’s main gateway being in the country’s capital city.

The general works for both airports will be the supply of vehicles, airport maintenance equipment, terminal buildings equipment, fire emergency equipment and meteorological equipment.

There are two other major airports in Zambia. One is at Ndola the headquarters of the Copperbelt Province named after Zambia’s main mineral export copper. The other is the Mfuwe International Airport right next to the world-class famous and Zambia’s premier national park. The South Luangwa is considered one of the world’s best ‘packed’ animal sanctuaries. The variety of wildlife species is amazing and some are only found here. South Luangwa National Park, covering 9,990 square kilometres, is the home of the legendary walking safaris originated by Normal Carr in the 1950’s.

The international airports at Lusaka, Livingstone and South Laungwa have custom and immigration facilities. So you may fly right into any of three airports. On your next safari why not take a direct flight to one. The immigration and custom formalities will be available right there at the airport.

Now its South African Airways for Zambia Safaris

South African Airways (SAA) is setting up an office in Zambia. A Zambian country manager who knows Zambia safaris and tourism will run it. It will be officially opened in two months time.

SAA are keen to get a 'piece of the pie' in the expanding tourism industry in Zambia. This is good news to Zambia safaris and the safari operators too. It’s also a real big short in the arm for the "Visit Zambia 2005" campaign.

SAA is a large carrier with many passenger airliners. And Zambia has no airline of her own. But now Zambia has a good chance to use an already established airline, and a big one too, to boost her tourism potential. It will be easier to travel to and from Zambia.

This arrangement will enable SAA to fly from Zambia to many destinations in the world …and fly back with many a safari enthusiast and tourist. Tour packages into Zambia will be easier to organise.

Khaya Ngqula the CEO of SAA says, "we want to integrate ourselves in the Zambian tourism sector and so far we have put up packages with the Sun International and other tour operators that will formally link the country to the regional tourism industry."

Beginning July 1 SAA will increase the number of flights into Livingstone to three per week. Do you remember Livingstone? It’s the home of the Victoria Falls and the Southern Africa’s Adventure Center. Discover why Zambia is considered Africa's best-kept secret.

South African Jazz Maestro Arrives for Zambia Safari

Hugh Masekela the South Africa jazz king was in Livingstone Zambia. He was in Zambia to play his renowned jazz tunes to celebrate the centennial of the Victoria Falls Bridge. This bridge connects Livingstone in Zambia and Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe.

Sun International resort built right next to the Victoria Falls was host to the night of festivities for the joint Zambia-Zimbabwe centennial carnival celebrations. Many Zambian bands were on hand to support Hugh Masekela entertain the people who were commemorating the 100 years of Victoria Falls Bridge.

During the day two mayors and a government minister officiated at the 100 years memorial celebration right on the bridge site. This bridge was built a century ago.