Cultural Safaris

Cultural Safaris are one of Nyanja Safaris specialties.

Zambian People

Zambia is home to a diverse ethnic heritage of many tribal cultures. There are 73 different official ethnic groups each with their own language and traditional cultural ceremonies that remain very much alive today. Some of these ceremonies have become internationally recognized and are in themselves a reason for many travellers to visit Zambia.

The Ku’omboka ceremony

The Ku’omboka ceremony is probably the best known of these. Ku’omboka takes place annually. Ku’omboka literally means “getting out of the water” – which is what this event is all about. The floods submerge the land where centuries past the Litunga, or chief of the Lozi tribe, established his court on a mound in the fertile flood plains of the Zambezi. When the Lealui Knoll – the royal court’s traditional home – becomes flooded, a festival-like evacuation of the area begins. As the water rises, the people await the Litunga’s decision to vacate. The Lozi people pack all their possessions including livestock in canoes and prepare for the exodus. The Litunga’s Nalikwanda, a zebra striped royal barge, starts off the flotilla. Thirty men, dressed in matching ceremonial garb, chanting songs of the Ku’omboka & propel the royal barge. The Moyo or Lutinga’s wife, is the next to depart. Her barge is followed by hundreds of canoes following their leaders to dry high ground for the duration of the rainy season. The Ku’omboka occurs some time in February or March. The exact dates depend on the seasonal rains that flood the Zambezi River which determine the water level.

Kawaza Village Experience

Visit Kawaza Village ( Luangwa ) for the day or stay for a while. Kawaza is a genuine Zambian village, get involved with the people and village life. This is NOT a tourist village but part of the local community and a very rewarding and educational experience especially for children. It is possible to stay in the village overnight or for a few days. Get to know the people and experience a part of their lives.

Lower Zambezi Cultural Lunch Experience

Visit Mushonga’ndende Village, a last village before you enter the GMA in the Lower Zambezi, for a typically local lunch. The villagers will prepare all the specific local Zambian dishes, the food will be served under a beautiful tree in the village and of course as tradition yoyu will eat with your hand. A few villagers will join, so there is plenty of possibility to ask all about their life in the Valley.  A visit to the borehole is included and after of before lunch you visit the agricultural field next to the Zambezi where you can see how the villagers try to grow their crops in this difficult circumstances like the heat, the wild animals such as Elephant and hippo’s  and the river.

Below a list of more local seremonies, if you are interested please contact us:

• Livingstone Town Tours
• Lwiindi (Toka Leya- Livingstone)
• N’cwala (Ngani – Chipata)
• Lunda Lubanza (Lunda – Zambezi)

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CULTURAL SAFARIS, OR BOOKING ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT US