The New Eden: Zambia
Like Botswana, Zambia is a vast country, sparsely populated and politically stable, with four huge national parks with game concentrations that rival Botswana. But unlike Botswana, where you can struggle to find a bed in season, Zambia is relatively uncharted, a new frontier. So it's hardly surprising that it's been touted as the hot new African destination.
Zambia rests on a central African plateau with three of Africa's largest rivers -- the Zambezi, Kafue, and Luangwa -- and is cohost to Victoria Falls. So it was only a matter of time before the top wilderness operators started moving in, providing access to huge tracts of untouched wilderness via charter plane, boat and -- in most cases, given the wildness of the terrain -- helicopter.
Wilderness Safaris (www.wilderness-safaris.com), the biggest and most successful southern Africa operator, specializing in top-end accommodations in remote wilderness locations, has -- predictably -- nabbed some of the best locations. The company continues to open new bush camps and lodges in Kafue National Park (its current portfolio includes Busanga Bush Camp, Shumba and Kapinga Camp, and Lunga River Lodge), with plans to explore more options in South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi national parks within the next few years; look for Kalamu Tented Camp to open in late 2007 in South Luangwa National Park. Following closely behind is Ker & Downey, which will have five Zambian camps in its portfolio by the end of 2007. Another reputable tour operator in Zambia, offering luxury and tented lodges in four of Zambia's national parks, is Star of Africa; for details, visit www.starofafrica.com. For background information, visit the official site, www.zambiatourism.com.
-- by Sally Munro, travel editor, Condé Nast House & Garden
