Zambia Travel Tips

Visas and Passports
With the exception of most citizens of Commonwealth countries, all foreign passport holders have to obtain a visa for Zambia.

Electricity
The voltage in Zambia is 220/140 volts, 50HZ

Communication
Post Offices are open from 08h00 to 16h30 on Monday to Friday and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays.
Public telephones are available in most public buildings such as post offices. Most telephones use tokens. International dialing code: +260
International directory assistance: + 90 or +93.
Local directory assistance: +103.
Internet Cafes are available in Livingstone and Lusaka.

Religion
There is freedom of worship in Zambia with over 15 different churches. Christianity is practiced by over 60% of the population.

Currency
The unit of currency is the Kwacha, which is divided into 100 Ngwee. Notes are issued in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10000. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into Zambia provided it is declared on arrival through a currency declaration form.

Credit Cards
Most hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and the bigger shops will take credit cards. Standard Chartered and Barclays Banks have ATM's which accept Visa cards for cash.

Business hours
Bank hours vary from bank to bank but most are open from Monday to Friday 08h30 to 14h30. Only a few are open on Saturdays. Shops are generally open Monday to Friday from 08h00 to 17h00, and on Saturdays from 08h00 to 13h00 although some stay open slightly later.

Language
English is the official language spoken in Zambia. There are also over 73 dialects spoken including Bemba, Nyanja Tonga, Luvale, Lozi, Mambwe and Tumbuka.

Transport
By Air - there are frequent flights to and from Lusaka and a limited number to Victoria Falls. Various air charter companies will fly to any of the many accessible airstrips around the country.

By car - car rental is available, although certain routes are inaccessible to most vehicles during the rainy season. A 4x4 is recommended if you're going anywhere off the main routes. Avoid driving at night if possible as there are no road markings and potholes and animals occur when least expected. Taxis are available in towns and major centres are connected by bus and train.

By coach - there are buses from Dar es Salaam and Mbeya in Tanzania, to the Copperbelt and Lusaka, as well as from Lilongwe and Harare to Lusaka. Private bus companies offer more reliable services to Livingstone, Harare and Johannesburg.

Safety
Zambia is acknowledged as one of the safest countries in the world to visit. But, as in any major city, petty theft is common and visitors need to take care. As a precaution, visitors also need to be aware when carrying anything of value around with them as there are pickpockets. In addition, visitors should not leave vehicles unlocked and never change money on the streets.

Food
Staple food in Zambia is known as nsima (pronounced n'shee-ma) - a type of thick porridge which is rolled into balls and dipped into a variety of stews (known as relishes). Relishes can consist of beef, chicken or fish, beans, kapenta (tiny dried fish), chibwabwa (pumpkin leaves) and other vegetables. For breakfast, nsima is watered down into a soup with a little sugar.

Water
It is not advisable to drink the tap water in Zambia. Bottled water is widely available in cities, but not necessarily in rural areas.

Health
Malaria exists all year throughout the country and there is also a risk of rabies. Visitors need to take the necessary precautions. Those intending to travel through the Kafue National Park are advised to take an insecticide as the region contains the tsetse-fly. It is advisable to stick to swimming in swimming pools or lakeside resorts where the water is known to be safe. Medical services are fairly underdeveloped in Zambia. Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone are the only cities where one will find medical services of western standards. There are a number of small clinics in Lusaka which are better than the general hospitals, but those in rural areas have very few supplies - often no more than quinine, aspirin and band aids. Chemists in the major centres carry a wide range of medicines and first aid accessories and there are some emergency chemists open after hours or Sundays in Lusaka. However it is advisable that visitors carry an adequate supply of their prescribed medicines with them. Zambia has a very comprehensive Medical Rescue Service. It is recommended that full travel insurance is taken prior to travelling.

Vaccinations
Although there are no compulsory vaccination requirements for Zambia, it is best to check with your doctor or travel clinic prior to leaving. Immunisation is recommended against hepatitis A, polio, tetanus and typhoid. If travelling on to South Africa, a Yellow Fever certificate is required.