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Zambia is a landlocked country of unsurpassed beauty, home to the world-famous mist and thunder of the majestic Victoria Falls. Zambia is located between the southern rim of the Congo Basin and the Zambezi River and shares borders with Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Angola and the democratic Republic of Congo.
One of Zambia's most prominent features is the mighty Zambezi River which courses through the craggy landscape, across planes, through valleys, down gorges, taking the great plunge at Victoria Falls, spreading out to form the holiday and fishing paradise of Lake Kariba, before eventually opening into the Indian Ocean some 2,500km away. There are more rivers, lakes and waterfalls that lend themselves to all sorts of adventures, as well as game reserves, national parks, forests and mountains. With abundant wildlife all of this combines to allow for spectacular safaris and unforgettable adventure holidays. |
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| English is the official language with over 73 indigenous dialects being spoken. |
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| Lusaka |
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| Three seasons: December to April is warm and wet; May to August is cool and dry; and September to November is hot and dry.
Average summer temperatures between 25°C and 35°C; average winter temperatures between 6°C and 24°C.
Despite being in the tropics, the height of the plateau ensures a pleasant climate, except in the low-lying areas.
Rainy season is from December to April.
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| UTC/GMT +2 hours. |
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| Currency: Kwacha with denominations of from 50 to 50,000 kwacha notes.
Credit cards accepted by most hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and bigger shops.
There are a variety of banks; ATMs are widely available; traveller's cheques best in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars. |
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| International dialling code is +260.
Fairly good telecommunications, public telephones, and public telex and fax facilities at the Central Post Office in Lusaka and at some hotels.
Several Internet Service Providers - variety of Internet cafes in Livingstone and Lusaka.
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| Fairly reliable postal services – 7-14 days for airmail to Western Europe. |
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| 230 volts at 50 Hz – plug types used are round pin attachment plug, round pins with ground, and rectangular blade plug. |
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| Lusaka International Airport 24km from Lusaka city centre, Mfuwe International Airport in Luangwa Valley and smaller airports at Livingstone, Kitwe and Ndola.
Various international airlines fly to Zambia with a number of domestic carriers and charter companies operating inside the country. |
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| Import duties are charged on most goods, with limited quantities of certain items – tobacco, beer, wine or spirits- being allowed into the country duty free and for own consumption only.
Departure tax payable at airports but most tickets issued include it.
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| Visas are required, but requirements change quite often. All bona fide tourists issued with visas at any port of entry or at Zambian mission abroad.
Passports must be valid till at least six months after departure from Zambia.
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| Yellow fever or cholera vaccination certificates are required for visitors coming from affected areas.
Malaria and HIV/AIDS pose high risks and precautions are required.
Medical services are not of a very high standard.
It is advisable to use bottled drinking water only, especially in rural areas.
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| Only driver's licences from Southern African Development Community countries are valid – all other visitors need an International Drivers Licence.
Urban roads are generally fairly good, but further away from the cities road surfaces are bad and potholed, with many poor quality gravel roads.
Poor road markings, potholes, no lighting and both wild and farm animals are a hazard when driving at night.
Driving is on the left of the road – speed limits apply.
Unreliable train services between Lusaka and Tanzania, and Lusaka and Zimbabwe.
Many taxis of varying quality available as well as bus.
Private bus companies operate fairly good bus services to Livingstone, Harare and Johannesburg.
Numerous car hire companies in Lusaka and some in Ndola.
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| Petty theft is common in major urban areas and normal precautions apply.
Avoid darkened or deserted areas, lock car doors, never leave valuables lying in cars or hotel rooms.
Zambia is a vibrant democracy with political and social stability despite high unemployment which causes higher crime levels.
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