Zambia Tourist Info
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Required by all, except:
Nationals of the UK and Ireland (Nationals of other EU countries do require visas);
Nationals of Commonwealth, Dependent and Associated states (with the exception of Ghana, India, Nigeria and Pakistan, Sri Lanka do need visas); Nationals of Fiji, Norway, Romania, Sweden and Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)
Types of Visa:
US $25 (Single Entry and Transit up to 7 Days, Tourist and Business)
Zambian Kwacha K5,000 (Re-entry),
US $ 40 (Double and Multiple Entry)
Transit visas are not required by those exempted from full visas or by those continuing their journey by the same or next connecting flight within 24 hours and not leaving the airport.
Validity:
Visas may be used, for a maximum stay of 90 days per entry.
Although Zambia lies in the tropics, the height of the plateau ensures that the climate is seldom unpleasantly hot, except in the valleys.
There are three seasons:
the cool, dry winter season from May to September;
the hot, dry season in October and November;
and the rainy season, which is even hotter, from December to April.
Required Clothing:
Lightweights or tropical with rainwear. A sweater or jacket for the cool and the rainy season.
Health:
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas. All passengers must hold an 'International Certificate of Vaccination' booklet even if no vaccination is required. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.
Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Zambia. However, there are chances of cholera breaking out especially during the rainy season. Precautions are therefore essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccinations, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness.
Malaria:
risk exists, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, in the whole country throughout the year. The malignant form is reported to be 'highly resistant' to chloroquine.
Water:
used for drinking or making ice should be boiled or sterilised. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are generally safe for consumption. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Swimming pools which are well-chlorinated and maintained are safe.
Health Care:
Health service is not free and health insurance is advisable. Adequate health care cannot be assured outside main towns. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies.
Communications:
Telephone:
IDD is available. Country code: 260. Outgoing international code: 00. There are public telephones and most calls are made through a post office.
Fax/Telex/Telegram:
There are public telex and fax facilities at the Central Post Office in Lusaka and at principal hotels. Telegrams may be sent from telegraph offices in main centres, open 08.00 - 1630 Monday to Friday, 0800- 1230 Saturday. Closed on Sundays and Public holidays. The Central Telegraph Office in Lusaka accepts telegrams up to 1600 Monday to Saturday.
Post:
Airmail to Western Europe takes seven to fourteen days:
Press:
The Times of Zambia, The Sunday Times, The Post, The Financial Mail, The National Mirror, The Confidential, The Weekly Express, The Zambia Daily Mail, The Sunday Mail , The Chronicle and The Sport Newspaper are published in English.
Social:
Food & Drink:
There is plenty of food in the shops with the liberalisation of the economy. Local specialities include bream from the Zambezi, Kafue and Luapula rivers, and Nile perch, lake salmon and other freshwater fish. Drink: Mosi, Rhino Lager, Special Dark Lager, Ndola Supreme and imported beers and assorted soft drinks are available. Spirits are also available.
Night Life:
Lusaka has dancing in night clubs and the main hotels, cinemas, theatre. The Copperbelt and Livingstone offer a variety of entertainment including casinos and night clubs.
Shopping:
Lusaka has modern shops, supermarkets and open air markets. Special purchases include African carvings, pottery and copperware, beadwork and local gemstones. Shopping hours: 0800-1700 Monday to Friday and 0800-1300 Saturday.
Sport:
Tennis, bowls and golf are all available. Sports facilities are available through private clubs, many of which offer temporary membership to visitors if introduced by a member. Horse riding is available in Lusaka and Kitwe. Swimming, speedboating and other watersports are available at Mindola Dam on the Copperbelt and Boat Club in Livingstone. At Kariba, houseboats can be used. Many private clubs have swimming pools and clubs in Lusaka offer facilities for sailing.
Special Events:
Annual events likely to be of interest to the visitor include N'Cwala on February 24 when the chief of the Ngoni people tastes the first fresh fruit of the, year, the Ku-omboka (February/March), When the Lozi chief (Litunga) together with his entire household is paddled up natural canals flood plain from Lealui to Limulunga, his residence in the rainy season. On July 29, Umutomboko is celebrated by the Lunda people of Luapula Province, and in September/October Shimunenga is a ceremony of the Ba-Ila people at Maala on the Kafue Flats. Livingstone Arts & Cultural Festival takes place in Livingstone . It is advisable to confirm dates with the Zambia National Tourist Board.
Social Conventions:
African culture and traditions remain prominent and there are various customs, folklore and traditional crafts in the different regions. Traditional dancing is popular and there are many colourful annual ceremonies that take place throughout the country. Visitors to the outlying areas should expect to be met with curiosity. Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Photography: You are able to take photographs in most places but avoid military installations. Tipping: A 10% sales tax is added to all bills. Tipping in hotels has been abolished by law but a 10% service charge can be expected or included in bills elsewhere.
Currency:
Currency:
Kwacha (K) = 100 Ngwee. Notes are in denominations of K500, 100, 50, 20. Coins are in denominations of K1, K5 ,K10, 50 ngwee and 25 ngwee Currency exchange: Exchange of foreign currency is carried out at authorised banks and bureaux de change.
Credit Cards:
American Express is widely accepted, with more limited use of Access/Mastercard, Diners Club and Visa. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Currency restrictions:
The import or export of local currency is limited to the equivalent of United States dollar five thousand. (US $ 5,000) subject to the declaration on arrival. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on import. Note: Currency declaration forms and exchange receipts must be shown if purchasing airline tickets in Zambia.
Banking hours:
0815 - 1430 Monday to Friday.
Duty Free:
The following items may be imported into Zambia without incurring customs duty:
- 400g cigarettes or 500g of tobacco;
- 1 bottle of spirits and wine and 2.5 litres of beer (opened)
- 1 oz bottle of perfume.
Souvenirs may be exported without restriction but game trophies such as tooth, bone horn, shell, claw, skin, hair, feather or other durable items are subject to export permits.
Travel:
Road:
Traffic drives on the left. There is a fairly good network of roads not in very good condition in place.
Bus:
The network of inter-city bus service is run by Private Operators and Zambia Telecommunications (Zamtel). Zamtel's coach service, linking Lusaka with the Copperbelt and Livingstone on alternate days, should be booked well in advance. Other coaches include Red Heart, Giraffe and Masebo.
Car hire:
Several firms operate in main centres. Information is available from the Zambia National Tourist Board (address at top of entry) or the Lusaka Bus Terminus on Dedan Kimathi Road, Lusaka, Zambia. Zungulila Zambia, Avis, Hertz, Taiwo and other car hire firms can provide chauffeur-driven cars. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is legally required and is valid for six months. Thereafter, a Zambian driving licence is required, granted after passing a local driving test.