Page 37 - Start Up_Genesis

THE CRADLE OF

CIVILIZATION

Claudia Zimba-Staff Writer

ambia is commonly regarded as one of
the friendliest, most beautiful and diverse
Zcountries in Africa. This is due to its
abundance in natural and cultural value, historical
significance and built beauty that offers leisure and
amusement.
Aside from Livingstone, home to one of the Seven
Wonders of the World- the majestic Victoria
Falls-Zambia has more tourism destinations than
any other southern African country, including a
countless number of other waterfalls, parks and
heritage sites dotted across the country.
One such place is Muchinga Province, the newest
among Zambia’s ten provinces. Separated from the
Northern Province in 2011, Muchinga has some
key tourist attractions whose investment potential
has not been fully tapped.
With an average surface area of approximately
87,000 km2, the province hosts one of the greatest
wildlife sanctuaries in the world, the North and
South Luangwa National Park. Supported by
the Luangwa River, the 13, 695 km2 park is
home to 60 different animal species and over
400 different bird species. Stretched over Mpika
and Chama Districts of Muchinga Province, the
North Luangwa National Park is the only place in
Zambia where the “Big Five” (Elephant, Leopard,
Buffalo, Lion and Rhino) are all found together in
one environment.
Another prominent tourist destination is the
Bangweulu which covers about 600, 000 hectares
of land that comprises the seasonally flooded
grasslands, wetlands and huge virgin miombo
woodlands. Animals that inhabit this ecosystem
are zebra, reedbuck, hippo, hyena, black lechwe,
tsessebe, oribi and the sitatunga. Bangweulu has
some beautiful waterfalls such as the Chipoma
Falls from the Chinamabubwe River. It also has
the Namudela Falls which is located 5 km from
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