The Best of Zambia magazine (September 2011)

thebestofzambia.comthe magazine

showcasing our members’ news

Image features Robin Pope Safaris’ Luangwa Safari House

Issue 2 >> September 2011

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Arabian Nights Restaurant Lusakathebestofzambia.com/arabian-nights-lusaka

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Pulse Financial Services Ltdthebestofzambia.com/pulse-financial

Radio Phoenixthebestofzambia.com/radio-phoenix

Robin Pope Safaristhebestofzambia.com/robin-pope-safaris

Sunset Villasthebestofzambia.com/sunset-villas

Tanfreight Zambia Ltdthebestofzambia.com/tanfreight

Zambia Adventist Pressthebestofzambia.com/adventist-press

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Welcome to the second issue of our magazine, the September 2011 issue.

The content is rather travel heavy this month because that’s the flavour of the month with our members. Travel lovers will be pleased! We’re working on ensuring that future issues cater for those of you interested in industry, business, organisations and living in Zambia. Gold members offering products and services in those sections, I hope you’re listening. People want to hear about your offers, events and news.

We are pleased to report that our very first issue got 1,125 views on our last count. Spread the word so we grow and cover more about Zambia. Let’s explore!

Sara Brown, Managing editor

Contents >>— Travel and leisure >>4Events, offers and news on products and services for people travelling in Zambia. Also relevant to those living in Zambia who are looking for exciting and interesting things to do, places to visit and events to attend .

— Industry and agriculture >> 14Events, offers and news about the industrial and agricultural sector in Zambia.

— Editor’s note Look out for regular sections on Living and lifestyle, Business and services, and Organisations and development, in future issues.

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From the editor >>

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— Travel and leisure: EVENTS

It’s (almost) summertime! To celebrate the new season the Big Time Jazz Band and Southern Sun Ridgeway are preparing a treat for lovers of gentle jazz, dance music and good food. It’s a date for Saturday the 3rd of September when well known musicians, Andy Chola with his melodic voice and acoustic guitar, Mike Mukumbu on lead guitar and backing vocals and Jean Kongolo on the romantic Tenor Saxophone will have you humming along to the oh-so well known tunes of ‘Mona Lisa’ and Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful World’.

Josh Ansley from Zimbabwe will be performing with the Big Time Jazz Band.

His easy-on-the-ear baritone voice is bound to strike a romantic chord – especially with the ladies. The full eight piece band will sweep you from old Jazz favourites to hits of the crooners like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. The music of Contemporary Jazz artists Earl Klugh and George Benson will get your toes tapping. Then with renditions of the Beatles ‘Obladi-Oblada’ and Dire Straits ‘Walk of Life,’ you are bound to be on the dance floor, rocking and rolling to the ‘Jail House Rock’. Josh and the Big Time Jazz band entertain in grand style — from foxtrot to samba, waltz to jive and those amazingly cuddly close dances. The team will be preparing choice morsels for revellers to stay on the dance floor throughout the evening.

InformationBook your seats or table for Saturday the 3rd of September at 19:00. Tickets are K300, 000 per person. Contact Caroline Daka on +260 (0) 211 251 666 to book. Corkage is included in the price.thebestofzambia.com/southern-sun-ridgeway

Southern Sun Ridgeway’s celebration of the senses — jazz style (3rd September)

Plates host a wine tasting event every month. The September event will coincide with the launch of their newly imported wines from Europe.

K80,000 includes wine, snacks and a presentation by their in house sommelier. Be there for 18:00. Til 20:00.

The newly opened Plates Restaurant and Wine Bar is perfect for a relaxing time with friends or business associates. Enjoy the sophisticated ambience and an extensive range of wines that ensures all tastes are catered for. Plates makes every effort to give patrons a unique and unforgettable experience.

Information+260 (0) 211 841 015 [email protected]/plates-restaurant

Wine tasting with Plates Restaurant Lusaka (15th September)

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This inaugural event seeks to promote the Mpika District in the Northern Province of Zambia, which has abundant natural heritage and wildlife resources. The District hosts four National Parks endowed with great wildlife of unique and endemic species. The Muchinga Escarpment forms part of Africa’s Great Rift Valley and forms fantastic landscapes into the Luangwa Valley. Mpika has been branded “Munjili Wilderness” to create and raise the tourism profile of the Northern Region through its vision, “To be the Market Leader in the Emerging Tourism Destinations in Zambia”.

The Muchinga 4x4 Challenge seeks to unveil the gem of Mpika District by showcasing what the area has to offer to local and international tourists and business travellers.

The challenge offers an opportunity for the supply, trade and marketing of adventure- and tourism- related products and services. It is also a platform for creating partnerships in tourism development and exploring untapped markets. The event is intended to promote community friendly tourism, environmental conservation and wildlife conservation.

PartnershipsCar companies - The 4x4 challenge has attracted a number of car companies in Zambia who will exhibit their latest vehicle models, showcasing the quality of their 4X4 models and their ability to survive Zambia’s untamed and wilderness terrains.

Banking and financial services - The banking sector is participating to provide asset and vehicle financing solutions. Companies interested in purchasing vehicles will have an opportunity to access their leasing services. Banks will also be showcasing their products and financial services for the tourism and environmental sector.

Adventure accessories - Companies offering adventure products and services are on board. Adventure accessories range from camping and outdoor gear, overland travel equipment, and spare parts for the travel and tours industry.

Cultural and arts - Arts and entertainment teams are going to be performing traditional live entertainment

Survive the Muchinga 4x4 challenge (9th - 11th September)and exhibiting paintings, curios, sculptures and fine arts by local artists. This sector highly complements the future of the tourism industry and can create lasting impressions of Zambia.

Information, communication and technology - ICT is another important key to tourism development. A number of companies are on board to unveil their newest mobile phones and services, fixed lines, and two way radio communication systems with software and internet solutions.

Program includes » Arrival and registration and official opening ceremony

with presentations » Roadshow with 4x4 convoy partners » Golf tournament » Enviro-cultural night with entertainment » 4x4 challenge in Muchinga Escarpment » Presentation and awards » Entertainment, comedy, live music and exhibitions

The following tickets are available: » 4x4 challenge and road show with lodging and meals:

K1, 300,000 per person » Road show for businesses (including lodging and

meals): K1,000,000 per person » Road show for individuals (excluding lodging and

meals): free

The following partnership opportunities are available: » Main event sponsorship: K10,000,000 » Registration desk: K5,000,000 » Enviro-cultural night: K3,000,000 » Munjila Adventure t-shirts and caps: K2,000,000 » Payments can be made by cash transfers or by bank

certified cheques.

All proceeds from this fun event will go to the Munjili Conservation Project which seeks to build awareness on environmental matters and natural resources within targeted communities. This looks like a worthy cause well worth supporting.

InformationMr. Wesley Wakun’uma (+260 (0) 966 677 198) or email [email protected] or Mr. Andreas Prufer (+260 (0) 977 410 839) or email [email protected]

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— Travel and leisure: EVENTS

Reading about the up and coming Lake of Stars Festival in Malawi has been both inspiring and frustrating.

Lake of Stars promotes event-tourism and Malawi’s creative industries. Festival organisers have worked with the Malawi government who have recognised the crucial part that tourism can play in the economic development of Malawi. “….We have analysed the economy and looked at where there is the largest potential [for development] and we believe that tourism will play a vital role. The development of the tourism industry as a major foreign exchange earner is one of the Malawi government’s key objectives” (from a Forbes and SADC report).

The festival, which runs from the 30th of September to the 2nd of October 2011, has already exposed over 200 million people to Malawi through its media coverage, notably on global news networks (BBC, CNN) and online.

With a mission to promote and generate revenue from Malawian arts and tourism through international interaction and exposure, one can see it is certainly achieving that mission. That is inspiring.

The frustrating part is seeing the success of such projects and asking why Zambia is not doing something similar?

“Support for creative industries offers significant potential for economic growth (Report from the Commonwealth Foundation) and there is empirical evidence that the creative industries are among the most dynamic emerging sectors in world trade” (UN Creative Economy Report).

Real progress » In 2010 the festival generated $1,000,000 of local

spend. Around a third of that was in foreign currency. » In 2010 100 plus local people were employed and

a 1000 plus hotel beds were booked. This provided a major boost to local families and businesses. » The new Development Village area in the 2010

festival put NGO’s, the private sector and charities into one space to spread awareness of their activities and engage with the public. » 3,000 plus people came to the 2010 festival. The

majority were Malawian residents, with a healthy mix of regional and international travellers attracted to this unique event. » The festival provides a positive story for Malawi and

Africa. Its key role in countering prevailing negative media messages about the continent is recognised through Lake of Stars being asked by Comic Relief to join their new See Africa Differently advisory group.

BackgroundThe festival’s beginnings are interesting too. Will Jameson first visited Malawi in 1998 as a volunteer. During that time he also travelled to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique. On returning to England, Will’s souvenir was an empty carton of ‘Chibuku Shake Shake’ beer (despised by many who blame this cheap beer for the downfall of many young men but the inspiration for what is now an amazing success). With three friends Will set up a night club in the UK. Named Chibuku (after the beer) it went on to win Best UK Club in the Mixmag Awards in 2004. That same year,

The 2011 Lake of Stars festival — a celebration of art, tourism and real progress

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armed with the experience and contacts from running the night club, Will set up the Lake of Stars Festival to encourage international tourism to Malawi. Headlined by Chibuku favourite Groove Armada’s Andy Cato, that first festival attracted dozens of people from the UK and hundreds attended from all over Malawi and Southern Africa. It won the Malawi Tourism Award in its first year and is now one of the highlights of the international festival calendar.

Festival informationSet on the shimmering, palm-fringed shores of Lake Malawi, international and African artists gather for a musical, social and cultural exchange unlike anything you will have seen before. For many it has become a focal point of travelling around the beautiful country of Malawi, forming part of their itinerary. The line-up cements Lake of Stars’ reputation as a truly global, naturally Malawian event with dozens of Malawian acts joined by talent from across Africa (including South Africa, Namibia, Kenya) and beyond (from the UK, USA and France). Foals, Freshly Ground, Black Missionaries,

Baio (Vampire Weekend) give you a small taste of the 70 plus line up for the 2011 festival.

Where else can you see acts from across the world playing everything from indie to kwaito to reggae and dubstep in a location that Wanderlust travel magazine hails as one of the top ten emerging travel destinations? Getting from Zambia to the 2011 festivalThere are coach companies who travel to Malawi from Zambia but we currently have no information on them. Flights to Malawi from Zambia are available from various airlines including South African Airways (www.thebestofzambia.com/south-african-airways). If you do go, make sure you send us some pictures!

Informationlakeofstars.org,facebook.com/lakeofstarstwitter.com/lakeofstars

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— Travel and Leisure: OFFERS

Kaingu Safari Lodge are currently undergoing a revamp of the activities that they have on offer. It is only because of this that they are able to offer you this amazing special. So make use of this opportunity and go out to the beautiful unexplored paradise Livingstone never found.

$235 per person for a full package of two nights in a luxury chalet. This special offer is based on a minimum of two people sharing for two nights.

The package includes: » Two nights in a luxury chalet » All meals (a full English breakfast, lunch and a three

course dinner) » Activities including boat cruises, a morning island

walk and a sundowner » Eco, birding or game walk in the afternoon to

Mpamba Rock (pictured above) for a sundowner with a game drive back to camp

Additional options include:Just $85 per person for an additional night. This includes accommodation and meals.

A limited ‘revamp’ safari special from Kaingu Safari Lodge

This offer only applies for bookings before the end of October. Kaingu has allocated limited bed nights to this special so get booked in quickly!

About KainguSet in an area of pristine wilderness, Kaingu offers a magnificent Zambian safari experience in the heart of the African bush. On the edge of the Kafue River there is something for everyone - fishing, bird watching, boating, game watching and just chilling out!

Kaingu Safari Lodge is well aware of the extent of the impact humanity has on the planet and how fragile our environment has become. Their philosophy is that they are custodians of a portion of the community’s land which has been entrusted to them and must therefore play a part in preserving this unique environment. They support community and conservation projects by contributing funds to a local community trust.

Information+32 478 485029 or +32 478 485029 [email protected] thebestofzambia.com/kaingu-safari-lodge

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Enjoy a great happy hour at Rhapsody’s Lusaka every single Saturday this September!

Buy two selected cocktails and get one absolutely free between 19:00 and 20:00! Offer on Saturdays only.

During the day Rhapsody’s Lusaka is an oasis of coolness and calm within the hustle and bustle of Arcades shopping centre. In the evenings it lights up the night sky, beckoning invitingly — a place where friends hang out, where the girls meet for coffee and where working professionals congregate after hours.

Information+260 (0) 211 256 705 +260 (0) 211 256 706 [email protected]/rhapsodys-lusaka

Happy hour at Rhapsody’s Lusaka (every Saturday)

The beautiful Leopard Lodge in Kafue National Park has just introduced 45% off accommodation across two very special offers not to be missed!

The 45% discount applies to their five night package and their last-

Leopard Lodge specials - an amazing 45% discount!minute offer (book and travel within 10 days). Set in the northern part of Zambia’s unique Kafue National Park on the banks of the Kafue River, this lodge is ideal for those who like to spend time ‘away from it all’ but not forsaking the creature comforts. Remote and wild, it’s a great base from which to go fishing, game-viewing and bird-watching.

5-night packageNow from $1,212 per person! (Prices vary depending on the number of people in your group).Includes transfers from Lusaka or Livingstone, two full meals a day and safari activities.

Last minute accommodation offerBook and travel within 10 days and pay from $187 per person per night (a saving of more than $150 per person per night) with two full meals a day and activities. Offers depend on seasons, number of people and whether you travel by road or air. Note that kids under 14 sharing pay approximately half. A supplement of 25-30% is added for guests travelling alone.

InformationSpecific conditions apply +27 (0) 824 165 [email protected]/leopard-lodge

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— Travel and Leisure: NEWS

Juls Africa is a one stop shop for all your travel needs. A team of expert travel and tour operators ensure you enjoy unforgettable travel. You’ll be glad to know that your choices keep getting better.

Juls Africa is offering exciting trips to the remote Kansanka National Park and the Bangweulu wetlands.

The Kasanka National Park is a valuable conservation area protecting wildlife such as the elusive sitatunga, many species of birds and millions of migratory fruit bats. The Bangweulu wetlands are known for their diverse wildlife including the rare shoebill (image by Roger Hammond), the black lechwe and the African buffalo.

Why not visit these unique habitats with their fascinating endemic species, while staying at some of the best lodges and camp sites in the area?

Information +260 (0) 211 292 979 +260 (0) 211 293 [email protected]/juls-africa

Juls Africa offers a trip to the wild side! Robin Pope Safaris is one of the

most established tour operators in Zambia, with years of experience, specialising in tailor made safaris in both Zambia and Malawi. The Robin Pope safari portfolio includes safari houses, walking trails, safari camps and even a property on Lake Malawi.

The Robin Pope team is based in the unspoilt South Luangwa National Park. Robin Pope Safaris has been operating since 1986 and is one of the oldest photographic safari companies in Zambia. With their unmatched knowledge of the region, the Robin Pope team is able to create unique safari holidays in both Zambia and Malawi.

In November and December 2011 you have a rare opportunity to enjoy a fascinating birding experience in a remote and sought after destination with the renowned Robin Pope himself as your guide!

Your destination is the Liuwa Plain in Zambia. During December there

Birding safari with the legendary Robin Popewill be dramatic skies with fantastic cloud build up and amazing electrical storms passing through. Blue wildebeest will be migrating from Angola, and you’ll be able to see them in their thousands, often mingling with zebra and tsessebe.

December is part of the green season and the plains come alive with flowers covering the ground. This is home to many antelope species that are rare in other locations, such as roan, red lechwe, steinbuck, oribi and duiker.

The Liuwa Plain National Park is famous for its abundant birdlife. More unusual species include the pink throated long claw, sooty chat, black winged pratincole and wattled crane. To be part of this extraordinary once in a lifetime experience, contact the Robin Pope team as there are still a few spaces left for November and December 2011. (If you miss out, it will also take place in May and June 2012.)

Information Email the Robin Pope team on [email protected] thebestofzambia.com/robin-pope-safaris

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Trek Car Rentals, Travel and Tours has recently introduced Dubai visas in addition to its other services, in order to help clients experience stress free travel to Dubai.

Express Dubai visas on offer are 14 day business visas and 1 month holiday visas. Trek’s processing time for Dubai visas is only 48 hours.

Clients interested in applying for Dubai visas can do so on Monday morning through to Thursday morning at $140 per visa, and from Thursday afternoon to Saturday morning at $130 per visa.

Information +260 (0) 211 253 672 or +260 (0) 977 490 [email protected]/trek

Express Dubai visas

We recently announced the grand opening of Victoria Apartments in Livingstone. Here are some things you may not know about them.

These centrally located affordable Livingstone apartments are self catering and you pay per apartment and not per individual!

Each apartment can accommodate up to four people. The Victoria Apartments team host regular fun filled BBQs! You can even access the bar and swimming pool of Protea Hotel Livingstone next door.

Information Call Mark Stephens +260 (0) 973 313 644 [email protected]/victoria-apartments

Quick facts about Victoria Apartments

Building its reputation as a prime Lusaka restaurant, Plates Restaurant and Wine Bar now offers private wine tasting.

Groups of 10-18 can enjoy private wine tasting with snacks and a one-on-one with PJ the sommelier. Around K150,000 per person.

Groups have lots of fun together getting to know more about wines form all ove the world. Prices vary depending on how many wines the group would like to taste, but are usually around K150,000 per person.

Information +260 (0) 211 841 015 [email protected]/plates-restaurant

Private wine tasting with the Plates sommelier

Follow us on Twitter to join the conversation!www.twitter.com/thebestofzambia

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— Travel and Leisure: NEWS

Recently, the Namibian Tourism Board (NTB) embarked on a tour to member countries of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC). This was the first ever Namibia destination road show, to which the Best of Zambia team was invited.

The idea behind the road show was to create awareness about Namibia as a tourism destination. It also aimed to foster and maintain relationships with other countries in the region in order to promote the region as a whole rather than individual country destinations.

The Zambia Tourism Board has partnered with its Namibian counterpart in order to sell both their tourism offerings as a whole, making for a more exciting destination package. As part of their road show NTB made this stop in Lusaka in August. The board held a destination workshop at Protea Hotel and made an exciting presentation about Namibia and some of the top tourist attractions in the country.

Tourism is the second largest sector in Namibia and it is the country’s fastest growing industry. Namibia’s

Destination Namibia: the land of endless horizonslandscape is its defining natural asset. The country has a land surface of more than 824,000 square kilometres, giving it the distinctive title ‘the land of endless horizons’.

The uniqueness of the country lies in its untouched beauty. Namibia is one of the few countries in the world that have a Conservation Act intended to conserve the country’s natural resources.

Namibia has 13 political regions and is home to many ethnic groups, each celebrating unique traditions and cultural traits that add to the richness of the country’s cultural heritage. English is the official language but German, Afrikaans, Himba and other languages are also spoken.

Namibia is an all year round destination that offers fascinating and unspoilt landscapes and unique safari experiences. Namibia has the world’s highest sand dunes, in Sossusvlei, the world’s largest continuous stretch of sand, the Kalahari Desert, and the second largest natural gorge in the world, known as the Fish River Canyon.

Namibia has a well-developed transport infrastructure. The country can be explored by four-wheel drive vehicles, luxury coach and light aircraft. Namibia is acknowledged as a safe destination and its people are friendly and approachable.

To really appreciate this secret gem, you need to experience it for yourself. Hopefully, with the Namibia Tourist Board’s efforts to partner with other countries across the region, many more people will take up the challenge to explore this untouched “land of endless horizons.”

Information +260 (0) 211 260 407 or +260 (0) 211 260 [email protected]/namibian-high-commission

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— Industry and agriculture: NEWS

As this company grows, so does the size of each project the company takes on.

Power Generation Zambia is supplying a robust Cummins power generator (C400 D5 44kva) to the new Hitachi plant — the first ever investment into the manufacturing sector by a Japanese company in Zambia.

Power Generation offers superior power generation products and installation services. They are authorised dealers for Cummins Power Generation in Zambia, offering supply, fitting and maintenance.

The Hitachi Construction Machinery factory will be assembling earthmoving equipment. Over 200 jobs are anticipated for the construction phase, with many more employment opportunities when it opens.

Hitachi is a Japanese company and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of construction, mining and earthmoving equipment. Hitachi invested an initial US$15 million (over K7.1 billion) in the first phase of the project which is expected to be completed in December this year.

Once completed, the Hitachi plant will help meet Zambia’s expanding machinery and equipment needs as well as those of the region. The plant is expected to establish Zambia as a major source of earthmoving equipment.

Information +260 (0) 211 244 [email protected]/power-generation-zambia-ltd

Power Generation Zambia embarks on powering the new Hitachi Plant It’s no secret that Zambia is developing fast. Here’s

another example of how this is happening. The Ministry of Energy and Water Development has signed a US$650 million project with Lunzua Power Authority (LPA) to develop two hydro-power projects in the country.

The result is the addition of 247 MW to the national grid and a boost to regional supply by 2016.

Energy Permanent Secretary, Teddy Kasonso said the project is a milestone in the Government’s efforts to fulfil the demand for electricity locally and in the surrounding region.

The project will involve the construction of a 93 Mega Watt power plant at Kabwelume, a 151 Mega Watt power plant at Kundabwika and the construction of a 330 KV high voltage transmission line from the two power plants in Kasama. Together with the Kalungwishi river project in the well-watered Northern part of the country, this development will contribute to stabilising the national grid. It will also unlock the potential for mining industries to be set up in the Northern part of the country. Elisha Tsindikidzo, the chief executive officer of the LPA, pointed out that this project in northern Zambia will supply power to the copper mines and is expected to feed planned manganese mines in the area.

The project is expected to create about 1,000 employment opportunities at construction stage.Preliminary engineering work had already started and construction will begin in 2013. The project will take 48 months to be completed and will definitely make a positive impact within Zambia’s social and economic sectors.

Two new power plants for Zambia

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Send in your October events, offers and news by the 20th of September to be included. Email your content to [email protected]

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Then you can send in your October events, offers and news by the 20th of September to be included in the 3rd issue of thebestofzambia.com magazine.

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