Western Province

Western Province, also called Barotseland, is a large and relatively remote province on the Angolan border. To get there, fly to the capital, Mongu, and hire a car, or self-drive. The province is home to Liuwa Plains National Park, the most isolated and least visited of all national parks in Zambia. Its worth a trip in November at the end of the dry season to see the worlds second largest wildebeest migration, when the herds turn south and head to Namibia. However, a word of caution- the park is very remote and impassible by land during the rainy season. Even with a 4x4 vehicle, the roads are very sandy and difficult to navigate any time of the year. Its better to visit with an experienced guide.

Western Province is also worth a visit in April to watch the Kuomboka Traditional Ceremony held each year by the Lozi tribe commemorating the end of the rainy season. The date ies with the end of the season. Held at the Barotse kings palace in Limilunga, it is arguably the countrys most famous traditional ceremony and a great example of Zambian culture. The gift shop at the Barotse Royal Museum sells local arts and crafts.