Zambia celebrates 150yrs since Victoria Falls' discovery

Zambia today celebrates the 150th anniversary of the first sighting of Victoria Falls by explorer Dr David Livingstone.

And tourism officials are using the event, which Livingstone described as ". . . the most wonderful sight I had witnessed in Africa", to encourage tourists to holiday in the country.

As part of the celebrations, modern day explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes set out with Simon Wilde in traditional dug-out canoes to retrace Livingstone's steps to the falls, known locally by the Kololo tribe as 'the Smoke that Thunders'.

Upon arriving on Livingstone Island today, they will unveil a plaque to commemorate the anniversary. Nearby, two new statues of Livingstone will be unveiled in the town of the same name, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this month.

Zambia promotes itself as the 'real Africa' because, according to Zambia tourism minister Kabinga Pande: "Most parts of Zambia are still unspoilt. They are still in their original form."

Safaris are the most popular form of tourism in Zambia, and Wanderlust editor Lyn Hughes is a confirmed fan.

"It really felt as if I was there in Livingstone's time, in that I never saw any other vehicles . . . I went on a walking safari for several days and didn't see anyone else in that time except my friends and my guide," she said.

Her hope of seeing a leopard was also realised – four times.

"These weren't quick viewings at night, these were all daytime viewings," she said.

"In one of these sightings we were watching one for half an hour. In another one, while we were on foot and only 20 yards away from the leopard, we were able to watch it for a few minutes without disturbing it and without it realising we were there."

Ms Hughes, who hasn't risen to her current position by promoting tourist boards, also described the standard of guiding as "astonishing", adding: "It really did make it probably the best wildlife experience that I've ever had in all my years of travelling."

For more information on holidays in Zambia see: www.zambiatourism.com

And to read about Sir Ranulph Fiennes' attempts to retrace the steps of Dr David Livingstone see: www.vicfallsexpedition.