Nsumbu National Park

Scuba Diving with Crocodiles

Nsumbu lies perched on the shores of gigantic Lake Tanganyika. It is a long way off the popular Zambian safari circuit and few tourists, except diehard fishermen and crazy scuba divers make it all the way here. The park does boast good numbers of rare sitatunga, a handful of elephants and skittish cats. But, like many of Zambia’s lesser-known parks, bush-meat poachers and hungry locals seriously denuded it in the recent past. It remains an attractive reserve with high hills and stunning views onto the huge lake: a great place for walking and fishing safaris. However, I personally think one of its greatest attractions is that it’s the only place in Zambia where you can go scuba diving! If you feel brave enough to dodge the odd crocodile, then don a mask, fins and tank and slip into the warm, azure, crystal-clear waters and you’ll find yourself immersed in an unexpected world of colourful cichlid fishes … but I hasten to add that this is not for those who are faint of heart!