Population - 11.8 million Ethnic groups - Black 98.7% - There are over 73 different ethnic groups among Zambia's indigenous population. Major groups are the Bemba, Tonga and Lozi – white 1.1% Languages - English (official), many indigenous languages Geography - Zambia is high and land-locked, with plenty of fresh water (Zaambezi, Kafue, Congo and Luangwa basins). Rich mineral resources in the northwest Copperbelt region, now largely depleted. Climate - Warm all year round, with three distinct seasons: December to April - hot and wet; from May to August - cooler and dry; September to November - hot and dry. We will arrive in late May. Roads - 38,763 km, of which 8,200 km paved

THE CYCLE OF LIFE IN ZAMBIA

Zambia is little to known to the world outside Africa. This is probably because its geographical location kept it free for longer from foreign influences. When the Cycle of Life first crosses the border, we are unlikely to notice anything unusual. Such inconspicuousness masks Zambian struggles since independence in 1964. Currently 70% of the population live in poverty, and per capita levels have fallen to half the level at independence. Zambia ranks very low in the United Nations Development Programme’s 2006 Human Development Index, at 165 out of 177 countries.

The major reason for this is the decline in the value of the mineral resources that made Zambia attractive to foreign investment. The negative effect of the fall in copper prices in the 1970s and 1980s was exacerbated by Zambia’s concurrent failure to develop other sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture. Much of the worst poverty, however, can be found in densely populated urban areas, as Zambia is one of the most heavily urbanised countries in sub-Saharan Africa (44%). As our route will take us past the capital Lusaka, this may represent a rare opportunity for the expedition to visit community projects in urban areas.

ROUTE

• We will cross into Zambia at one of Africa’s most famous borderlines – the bridge over the Zambezi within striking distance of Victoria Falls.
• Moving north, we will head along the country’s major transport artery past Lusaka and on up into the Copperbelt.
• Here we will find the Chimfunshi project within 5 km of the Congoese border.
• From Chimfunshi, we will move east towards the Luangwa valley, stopping on the way at Kasanka National Park.
• In and around the Luangwa valley we will find some of the densest wildlife populations on our route.