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Safari Destinations – Zambia
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Introduction
Zambia offers travelers a real challenge, but that is part of the country's attraction.
Zambia has some of the greatest natural scenery on the continent a gently undulating plateau of forests, savannah and marshland, studded with lakes.
Zambia also boasts world-class wildlife parks such as South Luangwa National Park.
A visit to Zambia will make you will feel like you've been to the true heart of Africa.
Full Name: Republic of Zambia (formerly Northern Rhodesia)
Capital: Lusaka
Population: 9,663,535 (estimated July 1999)
Time Zone: GMT + 2 hours
Currency: Kwacha (ZK)
International Dialing Code: 09260+
Visas and Entry Requirements
Most foreign passport holders do not require visas. Visas are not required for SA passport holders.
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.
Getting Around / 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
Mozambique: Chanida / Cassacatiza (not very safe − entry via Malawi is more popular) Namibia: Shesheke
Tanzania: Nakonde / Tunduma
Congo: Chililabombwe / Kasumbalesa
Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls Chirunda Kariba
Roads
There is 39,700 km of road highways in Zambia, of which only 7,265 km are paved. The road from Chitapa to Lusaka is in reasonable condition, but otherwise roads are bad. After rains, most gravel rains 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 license. 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.
Language
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 a problem communicating in English.
Culture
About 99% of the population is made up of over 70 indigenous tribal groups. The major groups are Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja and Tongo.
Money / 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.
Banks
There is 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. Note that off the tourist routes there are not many banks and you will need a supply of cash. Entrance to the game reserves can only be paid in kwacha.
Exchange Rate
Most visitors will find the exchange rate is in their favour.
Generally, you will find that fine cuisine, wine, and entertainment cost a fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent establishments elsewhere in the world.
Credit Cards
All major credit cards are accepted at the bigger hotels and shops. However, note that certain lodges do not accept payment by Diners or American Express.
Tipping
Tipping is not legal in Zambia. A service charge of 10% is included in the bill. Bargaining for local goods is acceptable.
Health
It is imperative that you obtain malaria prophylactics before entering Zambia. 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 as this usually minimizes the effect of the symptoms.
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 sleeve 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. Immunization 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 immunization. Air travelers who only pass through the airports of such a zone need not worry about this.
Swimming in dams and rivers should be avoided as the water may be infected with bilharzia. If you are canoeing or rafting and cannot avoid the water, this isn't a problem - just remember to towel off as soon as possible.
Medical Services
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 your medical insurance covers your trip to Zambia.
It is advisable to bring any medicines that you may require and a first aid kit since you will not have access to pharmacies in the areas you may be visiting.
When to Go?
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, though the thick spray may obscure your view. At the end of the dry season, October to December, the water levels are low and one can see the magnificent rock formation.
River rafting on the Zambezi is not safe when the river is in flood in the rainy season, so check with your agent on expected conditions if you are considering this.
Game viewing is excellent from June to August, but is best in September and October as game gather around perennial water holes or rivers. Due to an abundance of water after the rainy season, wildlife is scattered. Vegetation is lush, green and beautiful, but obscures game viewing.
Weather, Seasons & Climate
Summer: November to March
Winter: April to 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. Averages temperatures range from 23° C in winter to 30° C 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.
General Accommodation Information
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 where accommodation is in luxury chalets or permanent tents with full facilities, including en suite bathrooms.
Lodges are both private and public and often include 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, since most of the lodges in Zambia are very small and availability is at a premium, especially during the peak months of May - October. International hotels are available in the cities and major towns.
Clothes / What to Pack?
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.
Electricity
220/240 Volts AC, 50Hz
Shopping
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 interesting souvenirs.
Travel Tips / Safety
Crime is prevalent in the cities, but most tourist areas are unaffected. Areas along the borders may be unsafe, particularly the Great East road along the Mozambique border, the northern border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the border with Angola.
Water
Tap water is usually safe to drink, but bottled water can be purchased if preferred.
Public Holidays
- New Year's Day - 1st January
- Youth Day - 2nd Monday in March
- Good Friday - (varies)
- Easter Sunday - (varies)
- Workers Day- 1st May
- Africa Day - 25th May
- Heroes Day - 1st Monday and Tuesday in July
- Farmers Day - 1st August
- Independence Day - 24th October
- Christmas Day - 25th December
- Boxing Day - 26th December
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