Travel Info Zambia
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ZambiaLand of the legendary African walking safari, home of the Victoria Falls, the wild Zambezi River, breath-taking lakes and wetlands, a profusion of birds, abundant wildlife and raw, pulsating wilderness .......all in one friendly country. GeographyZambia is a landlocked country located between the southern rim of the Zaire Basin and the Zambezi River. Zambia has land borders with Tanzania to the northeast, Malawi to the east, Mozambique and Zimbabwe to the southeast, Botswana and Namibia to the south, Angola on the west and Zaire to the northwest. Brief SummaryArea size: 752 614 sq km ClimateAlthough Zambia lies within the tropics, much of the country has a pleasant climate because of high altitude. Both temperature and rainfall are closely affected and moderated by the altitude of the terrain. Temperatures are highest in the valleys of the Zambezi, Luangwa and Kafue rivers and by the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Mweru and Bangweulu. October is the hottest month, being humid and cloudy with thunderstorms which are caused by moist air from the east. The main rain season starts in mid-November, with heavy tropical storms lasting well into April. May to middle of August is regarded as the cool season, after which temperatures rise rapidly. September usually is very dry. Entry Requirements & VisasZambian visa policy is best summarized as confusing: there is a bewildering thicket of rules on visas, whether you can get them on arrival and how much you will pay. Local border posts also apply their own interpretations to these rules. Due to recent political turbulence in Zimbabwe, Zambia has been cashing in on its unexpected boon in the tourism industry, with visa fees hiked and the previous visa waiver program canceled: you're now expected to pay in cash on arrival at the immigration kiosks when you arrive at the airport or border posts. NB: Visa requirements change fairly regularly so it is advisable to check with your Consulate or Embassy before traveling. MalariaMalaria is found in all areas of Zambia. Prophylaxis is recommended for all travelers. www.traveldoctor.info Travel InsuranceIf you need medical care whilst in Zambia, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company. In these circumstances you will have to pay in full after your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local embassy or representative. To be compensated you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy. MoneyOfficial Currency: 1 Kwacha = 100 ngwee Major Credit cards are widely accepted. Traveler’s cheques are best taken in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars. Many lodges and businesses prefer payment in hard currency or travelers cheques. Banking HoursBanking: Monday to Friday: 08h15 - 14h30 Local TimeZambia is two hours ahead of GMT AccommodationIn Zambia, you can sleep in a top-notch hotel for a few hundred dollars (such as The Intercontinental); you can stay in an independent hotel (like The Ndeke), for about $50; or you can opt for a budget experience at ChaChaCha Backpackers or Ku-omboka Backpackers. These are only a few of the options. Choosing accommodation off the beaten path might be more exciting but unsafe. Outside the big cities or tourist areas, you might be hard-pressed to find quality accommodation. If you seek an enjoyable, memorable, and authentic night at a local hotel, you might be pleasantly surprised - Lundazi's Castle Hotel is like no other in the world. TippingTipping is discouraged as it is included in the service charge of the bill. Getting AroundCar Hire - There are many car hire companies in Lusaka and a few in Ndola, offering a small range of vehicles. Some offer a flat weekly rate, but most charge a daily rate plus mileage, insurance and petrol. Visiting drivers must hold an International Drivers License. Zambia roads are notorious for potholes and road signs are few. Some of the more remote roads require great care and caution while driving. Avoid driving at night if possible as there are no road markings, potholes and animals occur when least expected. A 4x4 is recommended if you’re going anywhere off the main routes. Domestic Air Services - Currently there are scheduled flights available to Chipata, Kitwe, Livingstone, Mfuwe and Ndola. Zambian Airways flies to Livingstone, Mfuwe (South Luangwa), Victoria Falls and charters. Pro-flight flies to Mfuwe (South Luangwa) and Livingstone and charters. International Air Services - Airlines serving Zambia are: Air Malawi, Air Zaire, Air Zimbabwe, British Airways, Kenya Airways, South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Regional Air. There are frequent services to and from Lusaka and a limited number to Mfuwe International Airport in Luangwa Valley. The Airport is 24km’s from the centre of Lusaka. International departure taxes at airports are US$25 and domestic departure taxes are $8, payable in hard currency. Please be aware that departure taxes can change without prior notice. Traveler’s cheques are not acceptable. Most tickets issued are now inclusive of departure tax. You should check this when buying your ticket. Various air charter companies will fly to any of the many airstrips linked to lodges around the country and most of the areas worth visiting are accessible by air. SecurityPetty theft is as common as in any major city where unemployment is high. Be very aware when walking around carrying anything of value, there are master pickpockets here and there. Never leave your vehicle unlocked and never change money on the streets. For the most part, however, Zambians are very friendly and helpful. Internet & WiFi
Electrical PowerElectric Power is 230V running at 50Hz.
National Parks and Game Reserves
The Kafue National Park is the third largest park in Africa and one of the top five largest in the world. The park has over 40 species of wildlife including; Elephant, Buffalo, Zebra, Kudu, Sable and Roan antelope, Lion, Leopard, Hyena, Hippo, and Crocodile. It also boasts a small, rare antelope, the Lechwe, almost extinct due to poachers and now found mostly on the Busanga Plains. Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park is the country's smallest National Park located approximately 450 km’s south of Lusaka. The name has been given by the local people and means "the smoke that thunders. Mosi-ao-Tunya National Park is divided into two sections, showing off one of the great natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls and the other section the game park which lies further west along the riverbank. At network of paths lead you from the park entrance through thick vegetation to various viewpoints of the Victoria Falls. You can get a panoramic view of the falls from the Knife Edge footbridge, which spans a narrow ridge of rock between mainland and an island downstream where you face the falls. Other good viewing points are Falls Bridge, Boiling Pot, the Power Station and the various gorges. These are just two of the National Parks that are found in Zambia. Remember that you can experience the Victoria Falls from Zambia if you do not want to venture into Zimbabwe. Landline telephones & Mobile phonesThe country code for Zambia is "260." The city code for Lusaka is "1." In large cities, you are more likely to get regular, dependable phone services, but it is by no means a guarantee. The farther you travel from Lusaka, the less likely you are to maintain a good connection. International calling rates can be as high as $3 per minute. Mobile phones have been booming in recent years, and Zambia has a highly competitive market with three main operators being - Cell Z, MTN and Celtel. Generally speaking, Celtel has the largest network, while Cell Z is the cheapest. You can pick up a local SIM card for as little as 5,000K ($1). Note that coverage in rural areas is not great. ActivitiesSome activities on offer in Zambia:
Health & SafetyWomen should avoid going to bars alone. Furthermore, men should avoid purchasing drinks for Zambian women they meet casually in bars; this is an invitation to spend the night. As the Kwacha has been declining, it often takes fistfuls of cash to purchase items. Be careful about flashing money around. It is possible to get a good exchange rate from an individual money-changer on the street (banks are recommended); you should avoid changing money with groups of men as they are likely to be running a scam. Generally, Zambians are friendly people. However, as with any location, be careful about walking around at night, especially if you've been drinking. There are few streetlights, and many of the locals are very poor. Carjacking is also a potential risk while driving after dark. Many accommodation venues, such as Pioneer Camp outside Lusaka, now sport electric fences and gates for added security Public Holidays01January: New Year's Day Useful AddressesHigh Commission for the Republic of Zambia in the UK Submit an enquiry so we can assist you in planning your holiday to Southern Africa. |