The key to Zambia's tourist potential is its climate. Although it lies Tin the tropical belt, the country's 1,300-metre elevation produces a temperate, 'air-condition' climate with little humidity. There are three distinct seasons:

Cool, dry season
May-August, 15
degree Celsius to 27
degrees Celsius

Hot, dry season
September - November, 27 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius

Warm wet season
December-April

Although Zambia is one of the little-known destinations in Africa, it has however, enjoyed considerable growth in tourist arrivals over the last five years.

The industry is helping Zambia's economy and its conservation policy by making a major contribution to the preservation of the 19 national parks and 34 game management areas, run by the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), which make up a third of the country's area.

Currently, Zambia has an accommodation stock of over 4,300 rooms. Over half of these are in hotels, with the remaining half in lodges, motels, guesthouses and camps.

The Zambia National Tourist Board estimates that tourism revenue to be about US$ 85 million in 1999, excluding revenue to Government, through airport departure tax of approximately US$ 9 million. The number of international tourist arrivals was 456,000 in 1999. According to latest figures, the Tourism Sector employs about 1 1,000 people.

As Zambia's foreign exchange earnings from the traditional sale of copper continues to decline, the Government is increasingly looking to tourism as an alternative to its mineral exports.

The Zambian Government has long recognised the economic importance of its wilderness and is acutely aware of environmental concerns: almost 90 percent of the country is given over to national parks and game reserves. Most tourism is concentrated in eight of the 19 parks Nsumbu, Kafue, Lochinvar, South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, North Luangwa, Kasanka, and Mosi oa-tunya, the remaining having fewer facilities. In general, safaris are limited to six to eight persons per vehicle and are always accompanied by experienced guides, permitting the animal/bird lover to appreciate an uninterrupted peace, the African wildlife roaming through an unspoilt environment. The usual method of animal watching is from an open-topped Land Cruiser. Walking safaris are available for the more adventurous and as a precaution, these are aided by an armed guide. All the main national parks are accessible by car and plane. National Parks require an entry permit bought from the main gate during operational hours (from 0600 hours - 1800 hours seven days a week). Park entry fees range from US$ 10 - 20 per person per day.