• Pupils can learn the production of crops, fish and livestock which are found at the camp, with locally grown food stuff, for a picnic with a difference. Nsobe game camp is a weekend getaway.

By SUNITTA CHILAKA –
THOUGH Zambia is endowed with abundant tourism destinations, accessibility to these places poses a challenge to the local community who intend to view exciting animal species.
Transport challenges have left those desiring to sample local tourism ignorant about the tourism destinations found within their own towns.
The recently launched domestic tourism bus shuttle between Nsobe Game resort and Chembe transport in Ndola’s Copperbelt Province is therefore a timely move.
In this bus shuttle service, a joint undertaking between the management of Nsobe game camp and Chembe logistics limited, local people and tourists from outside will make their way to and from Nsobe with less difficulty.
The bus shuttle will provide an opportunity to Ndola residents to view the different species Nsobe offers and will be a motivational and learning purpose for school children.
With such an advantage, this undertaking will make game viewing accessible to many, as this is actually in conformity with Government policy to promote domestic tourism through the recently unveiled campaign aimed at the promoting domestic tourism being spearheaded by the Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB).
It is of great interest to note that barely a month following the launch by ZTB, Nsobe and Chembe have worked out an important package designed to popularise local interest in domestic tourism and ultimately encourage many to explore local tourists’ destinations.
Ndola Mayor, Councillor Samuel Munthali, who officiated at the tourism bus shuttle launch, was right when he stated that the Nsobe/Chembe partnership will increase visitations to Nsobe for leisure and educational purposes.
“In my opinion, even school authorities must favorably respond to this partnership by ensuring that they take children to Nsobe game camp for learning outings.
Indeed, it is time we stopped sourcing this package from Livingstone for I have observed that schools on the Copperbelt undertake educational tours to Livingstone, yet by and large, the Copperbelt has potential and equal resources to curtail tedious trips for our children,” Mr Munthali said.
He further noted that it has been observed that although domestic tourism remains untapped in Zambia its growth potential was quite, high that merely begs exploitation.
Mr Munthali was spot on by stating that Ndola was endowed with many touristic destinations that only need systematic and serious attention by way of prudent packaging and marketing of touristic products.
He implored all players in the tourism sector in Ndola namely hoteliers, transporters and lodge owners to begin net-working in order to improve the domestic tourism whose current status quo was nothing to write home about despite potential to generate substantial income for affected sectors.
The efficient management of domestic tourism will eventually culminate into a well-defined national tourism sector able to contribute significantly to the national income generation portfolio.
In his words, Mr Munthali said that concerted effort was required for this to come to fruition; “This is achievable if an all sector inclusive grouping is formed locally to spearhead domestic tourism campaign in collaboration with Zambia Tourism Board,” Mr Munthali said.
He identified the sector members as Hospitality Industry, Ndola City Council, Ministry of Arts and Tourism, Public Vehicle Transporters and Copperbelt Museum among others.
And Chembe logistics limited representative Christopher Katongo said domestic tourism was beneficial to the children seeing that Ndola city did not have a Zoo for learning purposes.
Mr Katongo, however, said that his organisation felt the strong need to be part of the domestic tourism upon seeing that foreign tourists come from abroad to view the animals while the local children failed due to access it.
Nsobe Game Camp, situated in Mishikishi area in Ndola rural, appears ready to offer perfect place to relax and re-energise physically, mentally and spiritually. It is a place for holiday markers, offers honeymoon lounge to newlywed couples with an outside shower to enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer.
The camp is child-friendly as it works well for educational tours, where children can go for game viewing as a way to understand and learn more about animal behavior and their way of life. Animals species range from Giraffes, Zebra, Waterbucks among others and reptiles like snakes, crocodiles are also in attendance.
Pupils can learn the production of crops, fish and livestock which are found at the camp, with locally grown food stuff, for a picnic with a difference Nsobe game camp is a weekend getaway.
Nsobe game camp Director of Tourism, Theresa Schultz said that the domestic tourism bus shuttle fares have been made affordable for everyone to participate and know more about Nsobe.
The bus will be available every Saturdays to provide transport from town to the game camp and back at a fee of K60 adults and K35 for children below the age of 12 years.
The bus shuttle is an eye opener which calls for effectively increased investment in the domestic tourism sector in Ndola which in turn would enhance resource generation for both the local people and those from out of town. It gives them an opportunity to understand fish farming, poultry that can be done at one’s own farm.
Game viewing will enable the residents change their view and attitudes towards animals and reptiles as this will be an opportunity to mingle with different species.
The bus shuttle will connect the Ndola residents to the domestic tourists’ destination thereby, boosting tourism while at the same time reduces transportation challenges, the tourism sector will broaden to reduce dependence on mineral resources.
As many get exposed, they will acquire business ideas by networking for their benefit and contribute to the town and country’s development.