• The breathtaking Victoria Falls
• Massive lakes: Kariba, Tanganyika and Bangwelu
• The largest area of land under the protection of national game
parks in Africa
BASIC FACTS:
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
Full Name:
Republic of Zambia (formerly Northern Rhodesia) Capital: Lusaka Independence: 24 October 1964 Time: GMT +2 hours Population: 9,663,535 (estimated July 1999) Area: 752 610km² (740 720km2 land; 11 890km² water) Currency: Kwacha (ZK) President: President Frederick Chiluba (since 31 October
1991)
New Year’s Day - 1
January
Youth Day second Monday in March
Good Friday (varies)
Easter Sunday (varies)
Workers’ Day - 1 May
Africa Day - 25 May
Heroes’ Day First Monday and Tuesday in July
Farmers’ Day - 1 August
Independence Day - 24 October
Christmas Day - 25 December
Boxing Day - 26 December
COMMUNICATION:
ELECTRICITY:
The international dialling code for calling Zambia is +260.
A direct international dialling service is available from
the hotels in major towns. Both local and long distance calls
are metered on a time basis.
Top hotels and businesses have fax and e-mail services. Hotels
levy a substantial surcharge on all calls. Guests staying
at private game lodges can communicate with the “outside world”
via the Zambian telephone system or by satellite telephone.
The cost of a satellite call is approximately US$4 per minute.
Electricity is supplied at 220/240 volts AC.
Outlets are of the three-pin, 13-amp type. Lodges in the
more remote areas of Zambia do not have electricity. These
lodges generally rely on generator power for lighting and
refrigeration, and this power only runs at certain times of
the day.
Please be aware that at these lodges, you will not find plug
sockets in your room or tent.
LANGUAGE:
CULTURE:
English is the official language
and most urban Zambians speak it fluently. In the rural areas,
it is used less, though only in truly remote settlements would
there be problems communicating in English.
About 99% of the population are
made up of over 70 indigenous tribal groups. The major groups
are Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja and Tongo.
GEOGRAPHY & LANDSCAPE:
Zambia is a landlocked country, bordering eight countries.
It is a vast plateau covered by deciduous savannah, small
trees, grassy plains and marshland.
The plateau slopes down in the south to the fertile Zambezi
plain, with Victoria Falls at the southern end of man-made
Lake Kariba.
The region around the falls can be described as rainforest.
The major rivers are the Zambezi, Kafue and the Luangwa.
CLIMATE:
Summer: November – March
Winter: April – August
Zambia’s elevation on a plateau gives it a moderate to tropical
climate. There are three seasons, cool and dry from April to
August, hot and dry from September to October and warm and wet
from November to March.
Average temperaturesrange from 23ºC(73ºF) in winter
to 30ºC (86ºF) in summer, when conditions can be humid. In the
river valleys of the Zambezi and Luangwa, it only becomes very
hot in the month of October.
ACCOMMODATION:
International hotels are available in the cities and major
towns. Most visitors to Zambia go to the national parks, including
the southern region along the Zambezi River.
Accommodation in the parks ranges from camping to self-catering
huts or chalets (with a staffed kitchen), to top end lodges.
At these lodges, accommodation is in luxury chalets or permanent
tents with full facilities, including en suite bathrooms.
Lodges are both private and public. Your accommodation usually
includes park fees and activities such as guided game drives
and walks. It is strongly recommended that you reserve all
your accommodation as far in advance as possible. The majority
of lodges and hotels accept US dollars.
WHEN TO
GO:
WHAT TO PACK:
Zambia’s distinctive seasons provide
visitors with different perspectives depending on the time of
year. The Victoria Falls are spectacular in April and May after
the rainy season. At the end of the dry season, October to December,
the water levels are low and one can see the magnificent rock
formation. Game viewing is excellent year round, particularly
from June to October.
Generally, casual comfortable
clothing is suitable throughout the year. The most practical
items to pack for safari are:
Khaki, brown, green and beige colours
Light cotton tops and cotton trousers
Shirts with long sleeves (even in summer; they will protect
you from the sun and from mosquitoes)
T-shirts
Shorts or a light skirt
Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
Sweater or fleece
Heavy jacket for game drives (especially during the winter
months)
Socks
Comfortable walking shoes/boots
Sun block, sunglasses and insect repellent are essential
Hat
Torch (when staying at bush camps)
Swimsuit as many lodges have a pool
Light, compact raincoat during the rainy months
Layers are most practical for the fluctuating day/night temperatures
of Zambia. Dull and/or neutral colours are more suitable for
safari; white is not practical. It is best to pack hardy, durable
clothing.
VERY IMPORTANT: Packing space is limited on all modes
of safari transport so you will need to restrict your baggage
to 12–15kg (preferably packed in a soft bag) plus a reasonable
amount of camera equipment.
ROADS, TRAINS
& AEROPLANES:
Border Posts:
Most border posts are open from 06:00 and close at 18:00 with
the exception of Victoria Falls, which closes at 20:00.
Botswana: Kazangula (ferry crossing –
Victoria Falls via Zimbabwe is more popular) Malawi: Chitipa Mchinji Moçambique: Chanida/Cassacatiza
(not very safe – entry via Malawi is more popular) Namibia: Shesheke Tanzania: Nakonde/Tunduma Democratic Republic of Congo: Chililabombwe/ Kasumbalesa Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls Chirunda Kariba
Rail & Bus:
A railway line runs all the way from Livingstone, through
Lusaka to Nakonde. At Kapiri Mposhi, this branches off to
Kitwe.
An express service operates along the Livingstone–Lusaka
route three times a week.
Bus services run fairly regularly and minibuses operate along
shorter routes.
Airports:
Domestic air service operates between the major airports:
Lusaka International Airport (LUN)
Maramba Airport,
Livingstone (LVI)
N’dola (NLA)
There are a total of 112 runways in Zambia, 12 of which are
tarred. Many air services fly between major tourist destinations.
Charter flights are best arranged through your travel agent.
Departure tax on international flights from Lusaka is US$20.
Roads:
There is 39 700km of road highways in Zambia, of which only
7 265km is paved (about 18%). After rains, most gravel roads
are only passable with a four-wheel drive vehicle. Car rental
is available in Lusaka.
There is a good network of petrol stations, though not in
the game parks. You will need an international driving licence.
Driving is on the left side of the road.
Local driving habits and road conditions make driving in Zambia
rather unsafe.
It is not recommended as a self-drive destination during
the wet season.
HEALTH
REQUIREMENTS & SERVICES:
Health Requirements:
Before entering Zambia, you will have to get anti-malaria
tablets. When purchasing these, please tell your doctor or
pharmacist which areas in Zambia you intend visiting. Start
your course at least 24 hours before entering Zambia and continue
taking the pills for six weeks after leaving the country.
If you suffer from side effects, try taking your pills at
night after dinner. Take precautionary measures to prevent
contact with mosquitoes, like: sleeping under a bed net or
in a room/tent with mosquito proofing (remember to keep the
flaps zipped at all times); spraying your accommodation with
insecticide; making use of a mosquito repelling lotion or
stick; and wearing long-sleeved clothing, trousers and socks
when outside at night.
An International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow
fever is required for visitors to northern and western Zambia.
Immunisation against hepatitis A and B and tetanus is recommended.
Visitors from or passing through a yellow fever and cholera
zone must be able to produce a valid certificate of immunisation.
Air travellers who only pass through the airports of such
a zone need not worry about this.
Health care: in the major towns (particularly Lusaka and
Livingstone) is good, but is limited in remote areas, including
game parks. Cash payment is required for medical services.
Therefore, it is essential that your medical insurance covers
your trip to Zambia. It is advisable to bring any medicines
that you may require and a first aid kit.
Insurance:
It is essential that adequate travel insurance is taken out
at the time of confirming your booking. This should cover
any medical situation (such as hospitalisation), as well as
cancellation, curtailment of arrangements and your baggage.
When you travel with Afro Ventures, you are automatically
covered by our emergency evacuation insurance, through Europ
Assistance. This guarantees all reasonable, practical assistance
in obtaining emergency medical services whilst travelling
with us. As this is for emergency evacuation only, it does
not cover the cost of treatment once in hospital and in no
way replaces your normal travel insurance, which need to purchase
prior to travel.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
(as at August 2000)
All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid
for six months beyond the intended length of stay. There should
be sufficient blank pages for any visa as well as for entry
stamps upon arrival.
Nationals of the following countries do not require visas
for a visit of less than 90 days:
Commonwealth Dependent and Associated states (excluding
Britain, Ghana, India, Gambia, Papua New Guinea, Nigeria,
Sierra Leone, Pakistan and Sri Lanka who do need visas),
Fiji, Norway, Romania, South Africa, Sweden and Yugoslavia
(Serbia and Montenegro)
Where applicable, visas should be obtained from your nearest
Zambian consulate.
Requirements for a visa are:
three completed application forms
two passport photos
proof of sufficient funds
onward travel/return ticket and a letter from host in
Zambia
Generally, single entry visas, valid for three months, cost
US$25, and multiple entry visas, valid for six months, cost
US$80, but validity and costs can vary according to your
nationality. All visitors may be requested to show proof
of sufficient funds and onward travel/return ticket.
This is a guide only – please check with your nearest Zambian
Consulate for up-to-date information.
SOUVENIRS:
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Local crafts, including wooden and soapstone carvings, can
be purchased from markets and at roadside stalls along major
tourist routes.
Traditional instruments including drums, whistles and thumb
pianos can be purchased, which make fascinating souvenirs.
Film is available at most game lodges, but stocks are usually
small and of the common sizes only. For game and bird photography
a telephoto lens of between 200 and 300mm is strongly recommended.
Larger lenses which require a tripod are generally impractical
for game photography from vehicles, as are double lens reflex
cameras.
A lens hood and ultra violet filter are advisable and a dust
cover (plastic bag) is essential. Remember to bring spare
batteries for your camera, as these are seldom available on
safari. Binoculars are invaluable for bird and game viewing.
MONEY MATTERS:
Currency:
Zambia’s unit of currency is the Zambian kwacha, which is
divided into 100 ngwee.
Notes are issued in denominations of K10,000; 5,000; 1,000;
500; 200; 100 and 50. Coins are K1, and 20,
10, 5, 2 and 1 ngwee.
Exchange Rate:
Most visitors will find the exchange rate is in their favour.
Generally, fine cuisine, wine, and entertainment cost a
fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent establishments
elsewhere in the world.
Tipping:
Tipping is not legal in Zambia. A service charge
of 10% is included in the bill. Bargaining for local goods is
acceptable.
Banks:
There are a choice of banks in major towns as well as bureau
de change, which usually offer better exchange rates than
banks.
Bank hours are generally 08:15 – 14:30, Monday to Friday.
Off the tourist routes, there are not many banks and you
will need a supply of cash. Entrance to the game reserves
must be paid in the local currency, the kwacha. Credit Cards:
All major credit cards are accepted at the bigger hotels and
shops. Certain lodges do not accept payment by Diners or American
Express.
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African Safari Destinations
