Etiquette while on Safari

In the middle of Africa, things run very differently from at home. It’s very important to be sensitive to your surroundings, both cultural and environmental – not only will it make your safari experience more enjoyable, but it will also have substantially less impact on the animals you’re viewing and your hosts.

Here are some tips for anyone going on safari:

• Be as quiet possible at all times (this is extra important if you’re considering taking small children on safari). Avoid making any noise that will attract or frighten wildlife.
• Be as unobtrusive as possible: wear the neutral coloured clothing (khaki, white, light brown) while walking in the bush.
• Dress and behave respectfully to avoid offending local people.
• Do not litter – everything you carry in you must carry out. Aside from the environmental damage, litter can be harmful to the wildlife. Waste disposal can be difficult in remote areas – remove all unnecessary packaging before you travel.
• Don’t encourage your guide to take you too close to the animals or to change the driving route; they will feel pressured. Remember that they are the professionals and know best.
• Never pick plants and flowers.
• Obey all game laws and regulations, and respect the fact that your guide must also obey these rules.
• Do not buy or trade for any articles covered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). These include ivory, turtle products, rhino horn, furs, butterflies and many plant species.

• Support the community by buying locally crafted souvenirs. Haggling is expected, but be aware that what may seem to be a very small sum to you can make a big difference to a local, so don’t force them into reducing their prices too drastically.
• If you wish to make a charitable donation – such as writing equipment for students – it’s better to give through a local organisation or school, as handing things out on the street encourages begging.
• As a courtesy, ask before you take a picture of someone, but think twice if they request payment.
• Be aware that water is a scarce resource in many places, so use it very sparingly. Sign up to Tourism Concern’s WET pledge to support the organisation’s campaign to ensure water rights are protected.

By observing these suggestions (many of which are simply common sense), you’ll find yourself at ease with locals and your surroundings. Avoiding tension or embarrassment with the locals, and respecting the animals and their habitat will mean that your safari holiday is a better experience for all involved.

Zambia is often called the "real Africa"...

Zambia attracts foreign tourists by its primeval nature: 19 national parks, one of the largest in the world - Victoria Falls. Not far from the cultural center Livingstone lies Maramba - Open Air Ethnographic Museum: over 50 buildings represent typical homes of different peoples. Some are folk artisans demonstrate their art in traditional crafts.

In Zambia are living more than 70 nationalities: Bemba (43%), Tonga (17%), Luvale (12%), Malawi (12%), Lozi (10%), etc. Each of the nations are divided into smaller subgroups, each nation speaks its own language, but over the years of independence, the language of interethnic communication in the country has become the language of the people Bemba - Tshibembe. All nations belong to the Bantu linguistic group.

The most common type of housing - round huts with mud walls or wattle with a conical thatched roof. Traditions and consciousness of belonging to one's clan plays an exceptional role in the lives of Zambians, defining their everyday behavior. There are 2 systems of kinship: patrilineal - kinship patrilineal and matrilineal - the female line. The first is found in Tonga, the second - a Bemba.

Two hours drive from Lusaka - and you're in the country's largest national park, Kafue with the area of 22 thousand square kilometers. Vast plains with soft evergreen grass, forests with tree species, as well as groves of teak, which love to be elephants. This park - the most famous habitat of elephants, buffalo, hippos, antelopes and their many "relatives". And besides - 400 species of birds! Hotels and Hunting Lodge with all the modern amenities of higher-level concerts of traditional African music and dance performed by amateur actors from the local tribes are here for the tourists. These entertainment tourists can get in safari (in fact in Africa do not go to parks and reservations, but go on a safari!). The country has 73 officially recognized ethnic groups, and each boasts cult ceremonies and dances. Tribal ceremonies in different parts of the country are almost throughout the year, but most often in August and October, during the most favorable season.

Luangwa Valley is one of the most prestigious nature reserves in the world. Fed by the waters of the river vegetation, it serves as a refuge for a variety of mammals. Especially there are many elephants, lions and antelopes. Throughout the world around you look down giraffes. River inhabits the largest in the country's population of Nile crocodiles.

Zambia is often called the "real Africa" because it is one of the wonders of the world - Victoria Falls, the large animals that are included in the "top ten", and species that occur only here and nowhere else in the world, the richness of bird flocks, the possibility for the most amazing safari and active sports. Finally - original tribal art. And no wonder that tourists coming to this country from around the globe.

An African hunting safari...

An African hunting safari will be an event that will be one of the great adventures and most exciting experience of your whole life. Hunting South Africa in the hauntingly beautiful and historic Eastern Cape Province, in the true Bushveld where the Kudu, Impala, Springbok and Bushbuck call home, will leave you with unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. You not only will be treated like royalty but will discover the nature and the ambience of Africa in the most comfortable and relaxing environment possible in the Dark Continent.

South Africa provides some of Africa's best hunting but don't expect to forage into the vast untrammeled wilderness fighting off marauding Lion and fierce warlike savages, much like Selous or Burton did, you'll will be disappointed.

Zambia offers hunting in the classical sense, vast open wilderness concessions where Africa's large beasts wander freely, pretty much as they did a 100 years ago in relative solitude. Of all Africa's hunting countries, Zambia must stand amongst the top 3 as the destination of choice for those seeking the true African hunting experience. No matter if you're after the larger beasts or simply seeking the solitude of an African wilderness hunt, Zambia is where you'll find the safari of your dreams.

Zambia offers lion, leopard, cape buffalo, sable, sitatunga, roan, plus many of Africa's other common plains antelope.

In addition, Zambia has some magnificent private unfenced hunting properties which have excellent trophy quality and species not found in South Africa or Namibia - the best available trophies in the country are: Sable, Sitatunga, Roan, Livingstone's Eland, Puku, Chobe Bushbuck, Sharpe's Grysbok, Kafue Lechwe, Black Lechwe, Defassa Waterbuck plus all the other prime animals like very big Kudu (55" plus), Warthog etc.