ZAMBIA TRAVEL GUIDE : simplebooklet.com

One of the most interesting things about Zambia is that it is the 39th largest country in the world and one third of the country is dedicated toNational Parks. It shares both Victoria Falls, also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, the Smoke that Thunders, and Lake Kariba - the world's largest man-made lake and reservoir by volume, with Zimbabwe. The mighty Zambezi River is the source of both these dramatic water landscapes. It is thewildlife and the wild landscapes for which Zambia is most famous, and justly so. Once you have seen them, you will never forget them. Thecountry boasts approximately 12,505 identified species – 63% of which are animal species, and 33%, plant species. It would be true to say thatthe North Luangwa, South Luangwa and Kafue National Parks have one of the most prolific animal populations in Africa and the beauty of theparks is almost unmatched by any other park in Southern Africa.Zambia itself was named after the river. Which is not surprising when you consider that it is the fourth longest river in Africa after the Nile,Congo, and Niger Rivers. The Kafue River forms the border with the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Zambia is landlocked with DRC,Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and Tanzania as its neighbours.Zambia is one of the most highly urbanised countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with the majority of the 73 distinct ethnic groups living mainlyaround Lusaka in the south and the Copperbelt Province to the north. Both are considered the country’s core economic hubs. Apart from vastcopper and other mineral reserves, Zambia has abundant natural resources such as wildlife, forestry, freshwater and arable land. In 2010, theWorld Bank named Zambia one of the world's fastest economically reformed countries. 3

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It is however still a developing country. Historically, Zambia was the site of a number of large African Kingdoms in the past and was a hub ofinternational trade routes including China, long before the Europeans arrived in the late 18th century. One of the most famous, and stillrespected in Zambia, was David Livingstone, the Scottish explorer and missionary, who was the first European to ‘discover’ Victoria Falls. Henamed them after the then Queen of England.There are 10 provinces in Zambia; Central Province, the Copperbelt, Eastern Province, Luapula, Lusaka, Muchinga, North-Western Province,Northern Province, Southern Province, and the Western Province. With 73 ethnic groups, there is also a myriad of traditional ceremonies thattake place every year.Football, rugby union, cricket and boxing are Zambia’s favourite sports. And apart from traditional music, Zamrock, a musical genre thatemerged in the 1970s, has developed a cult following in the West. 4

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Parents should note that in all circumstances, your child will need his or her long-form (unabridged with biographic information of bothparents) birth certificate, as well as a passport, to enter South Africa. Although the Department of Home Affairs states that these rules do not apply when directly transiting through South Africa, U.S. citizenshave been asked for paperwork at check-in in Livingstone, Zambia, and been told they could not board the plane without documentation,even when transiting. If only one parent is traveling with a child, this parent will most likely also need an affidavit from the non-traveling parent—notarized within3 months of entry—and a copy of the other parent’s passport biographic page. Please read the regulations carefully to determine what applies in your situation. Although there is no official form, the South AfricanDepartment of Home Affairs just released a suggested affidavit format, which we encourage you to useSPECIAL MENTION: South African Rules on Travelling with Minor Children which apply when transiting through South Africa to and fromZambiaWe urge everyone to read the new rules regarding travel to South Africa with minor children, here -http://www.dha.gov.za/files/Brochures/Immigrationleaflet.pdf https://poetice.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/4.-Minor-Consent.pdf 5

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CurrencyZambia’s currency is the Kwacha (ZMW). One Kwacha is made up of 100 ngwee (pronounced ing-gwhé) but steady inflation has made thengwee (and lower denominations of kwacha) virtually worthless. While the coins still exist, they are basically redundant. Zambian Kwachanotes currently come in the following denominations: 50 000, 20 000, 10 000, 5000, 1000, 500, 100, and 50.The Banks of ZambiaThere are 19 international and local banks in Zambia. International banks include Standard Chartered Bank, Barclays (Absa), Stanbic Bank,Ecobank, and Indo Zambia Bank. The top local banks are Investrust Bank, First Alliance Bank, and Access Bank.Credit and Debit CardsBe sure to inform your bank of your travel plans so that your card is not blocked due to suspected fraud. Importantly, Visa is preferred toMastercard. Most places won’t accept other cards such as Diners’ Club and American Express. Credit and debit cards are accepted at mosthotels, restaurants, travel agencies as well the bigger shops, prominent stores, major supermarkets. Bigger banks will usually advance localcurrency against a credit card. We suggest only transacting with the international banks during your stay.There seem to be two schools of thought when it comes to travellers’ cheques. According to some sources, they are widely accepted, but notcommonly used. Other sources say that very few places accept travellers’ cheques. So few apparently, that it really isn’t worth the trouble 6

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bringing travellers’ cheques with you. If you do choose to bring them, we suggest having a credit card as well just in case. To avoid additionalexchange rate charges, make sure your travellers’ cheques are in US dollars, Euros or Pounds.ATM Withdrawals and CashATMs are available within Lusaka, Livingstone and other major towns in Zambia. Most banks have ATM’s which accept Visa cards for cash.As with most African countries, cash is king and if you’re carrying US dollars, smaller denominations are preferable ($1, $5, $10 and $20 bills).Larger notes are the most often forged and, as a result, vendors are suspicious of them. There is no limit to the importation of foreign currency,but if you do bring cash into Zambia, any amount over $5000 must be declared on arrival.By law, payments within Zambia can only be made in Kwachas, even if the price is quoted in USD. Indeed, prices for visas at the border, importtaxes, and national park fees are all quoted in US dollars, which can be confusing considering the aforementioned law. According to somesources, US dollars are widely accepted by many of the larger hotels, lodges and tour operators. It’s always best to enter the country with therequired amount of Kwacha for your trip, or else bring USD or GBP with you as they can always be exchanged at the banks. As mentionedabove, it’s best to transact only with international banks. 7

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If you’re on an all-inclusive tour, most expenses will be taken care of anyway, and any tips or sundries can be paid for in dollars. If you’re self-driving, carry enough cash in both currencies. Purchasing fuel is almost always a cash-only transaction, and often only payable in Kwacha.Banking HoursBanks in Zambia are found in all medium to large towns. They are open for business on weekdays from 08h15 to 15h30. On Saturdays, they areopen from 08h15 to 11h30. They are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. 8

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Travelling around Zambia is relatively easy by air, road and rail.By AirThere are a number of airports in Zambia. The 4 which take international flights are Lusaka Airport, also known as the Kenneth KaundaInternational Airport, not to be confused with the Lusaka City Airport. The Livingstone Airport is known as the Harry Mwanga NkumbulaInternational Airport, the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport is the main airport in Ndola on the Copperbelt. The Copperbelt townof Kitwe also boasts the Southdowns Airport.If you are needing internal flights, Proflight flies from Lusaka to Mfuwe (South Luangwa), Livingstone, and the Copperbelt and also doescharters. Various other air charter companies will fly to any of the many airstrips around the country and most of the areas worth visiting areaccessible by air. By RoadThere are many car hire companies in Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe and Livingstone, offering a range of vehicles. Some offer a flat weekly rate, but mostcharge a daily rate plus mileage, insurance and petrol. You can also hire a chauffeur.If you are driving yourself around Zambia, the most important thing to remember is - TRAFFIC DRIVES ON THE LEFT side of the road. An International Drivers Licence is essential. Drivers licences from other countries are NOT valid except those from SADC countries (Angola, 9

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Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles,South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe). To bring a vehicle into Zambia you must obtain a temporary import permit (TIP) or, dependingon the country of origin of the vehicle, a carnet de passage. If you aren’t the owner of the vehicle, you must have a letter of authorisation fromthe owner to use the vehicle in Zambia – an affidavit is a good idea. Check with your local AA (Automobile Association) office before leaving forZambia in case any of these conditions have changed. Be sure to have all your vehicle papers on hand as you’re bound to encounter a fewroadblocks and if you ever need to stop, pull well off the road.There is a saying which goes, ‘Once you cross the Limpopo, you are in AFRICA. And the further north you go, the more Africa it becomes’. Andwhile you don’t leave civilization as you know it behind completely, you should assume that you are and take the necessary precautions. Roadtrips are a prime example.Zambia has 38,763 kms of roads, about 10,000 kms are tarred and another 8000 kms are all weather gravel roads. The rest range fromreasonable to bad dirt roads. The gravel roads on the minor routes are fine to drive without a four by four. If you are planning an around thecountry road trip there are wonderful, but remote places which would require four-wheel drive vehicles.Prepare well for your road trip. Road maps are available in Lusaka from the Map Centre in Nationalist Road or the Tourist Board in LusakaSquare, Cairo Road. While many of the villages along the main routes offer tyre mending services at a very reasonable fee, it’s always best to 10

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have a range of tools and essential spares with you. Apart from road maps, two spare wheels and a couple of spare tubes are a must due to thecondition of the roads. A tow rope, compressor, winch, spotlight, and spare jerry cans of fuel and water are useful items to have. Spare fuel isessential as while both petrol and diesel are easily obtainable in major towns, remote areas can experience shortages. The further away you gofrom towns, fuel becomes more expensive. Unleaded petrol is available at most stations. Be careful, especially when travelling at night. Road markings are usually non-existent. Watch out for animals in the road, vehicles withoutlights, pedestrians, unannounced roadworks, bad drivers and broken-down trucks with no warning triangles. If you see a tree branch in theroad, slow down immediately – these are improvised warning triangles. Never leave a car with anything visible in it anywhere in Zambia,especially the cities. Make sure you have an alarm system or steering wheel locking device. Stick to the speed limits when driving in Zambia; 65km/h on a public road within an urban area, 100 km/h on both secondary roads and highways. The best policy when travelling on a highway ora secondary road and you are passing through a village is to slow down to 65 kms per hour or less.Carry enough cash in both Kwacha and US Dollars. Purchasing fuel is almost always a cash-only transaction, and often only payable in Kwacha.By Public TransportLong-range buses frequently leave from Lusaka to all the main towns. The intercity bus terminal can be found one road up from Cairo Road atthe station. Minibuses and taxis, local transport – all painted blue – can be jumped on at pretty much any juncture. They’re not expensive and 11

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you can always find a minibus that won’t cost too much to buy all the seats in it to get your own private minibus to wherever you want to gobut you’ll have to negotiate, so be sharp about the value of money. There are many long-distance taxis available with negotiable prices. Theytravel to Chipata, Livingstone, the Copperbelt and Harare in Zimbabwe. Remember what we said about being north of the Limpopo? Long-distance taxis don’t always follow strict schedules. The main bus terminus is in Dedan Kimathi Road in Lusaka where one can inquire abouttimetables. Other private bus companies offer more reliable services to Livingstone, Harare in Zimbabwe and Johannesburg, South Africa.By RailZambia has three main internal train lines; Livingstone to Lusaka, Lusaka to the Copperbelt, and Kapiri Mposhi to the Northern border withTanzania. The main train station is in Dedan Kamathi Rd in central Lusaka, one road east of Cairo Rd. The Zambezi Express leaves Livingstoneon Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 14h30, arriving in Lusaka at 11h00 the next morning! The name is a misnomer as it takes 18 hours totravel 570kms. But, everyone else will be catching the bus! This means you may have all of first class to yourself. Fares are very reasonable andalthough the trains are a little shabby, the linen is clean.For about US$10 you have a bed for the night and can see a bit of the real Zambia along the way. Make sure to book a first-class familycompartment. You must take all your own food, as well as drinking and washing water. It leaves Lusaka on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridaysat 19h30 and arrives in Livingstone at 6h10. Approximately. 12

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Cooked porridge made from maize (corn) meal is ubiquitous in Southern Africa. In each country it is called something different. In SouthAfrica, it’s called pap (pronounced ‘pup’). In Zimbabwe, sadza. In Zambia, it’s known as nshima. For breakfast it is served as a thin mixture andeaten with sugar, possibly butter, and milk. Depending on taste, peanut butter can also be added. When eaten with lunch or dinner it iscooked to the consistency of stiff mashed potatoes, and will usually be served with a tasty relish, perhaps made of meat and tomatoes, or driedfish. Safari camps will prepare nshima if guests specifically request it. At safari camps, and in hotels and lodges catering to overseas visitors thefood is famously of a high international standard, no matter how remote the camp.If you are adventurous, you may want to try the local opaque beer. For less affluent Zambians this is the usual tipple. It is often called Chibuku,or Shake-Shake after the market-leading brands. This is the commercial version of traditional beer. Even though it’s the commercial version, it’scalled Shake-Shake for a reason. You have to shake it before opening it. If it isn’t in an official 1L carton with the brand packaging of Chibuku,Chinika, Golden, Chipolopolo or Mukango, then the opaque beer has probably been brewed by the restaurant or bar. Traditional opaque beerchanges flavour as it ferments. ‘Fresh beer’ is newly made, while ‘Strong beer’ has fermented for a longer period. We strongly advise that youdon’t join in the local custom of buying a bucket and passing it around the circle of drinkers, all of whom will drink from the same bucket. So,what is Chibuku? It's a sour, porridge-like brew, and is an acquired taste. Chibuku can also be found in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Anothertraditional beer is Kachasu. No matter how adventurous you are do not drink this. It is illegal and can damage your liver and kidneys. If you arecaught drinking it, you may be arrested. 13

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If opaque beer isn’t your ‘thing’, you’ll be glad to know that clear beers, similar to European and American lagers are sold in all Southern Africancountries, including Zambia. They are always served cold and are widely available. Three of them are Mosi (named after Mosi-au-tunya – thelocal name for Victoria Falls,) Castle and Rhino. Imported lagers such as Windhoek, Holsten and Amstel are also available and will cost almostdouble the price of the local beers. There is one craft brewery in Zambia which makes Dr. Livingstone's Lager, Zikomo Copper Ale, Safari Stout,and Baobab White - brewed from the baobab tree fruit. All beer produced in Zambia and available in glass bottles have a deposit on its bottles.Because of the deposit system you may not be able to buy bottles of soft drinks in rural areas unless you can also supply “empties” as well. Themost common soft drink is Coca-Cola, otherwise choice is limited and don’t count on finding any diet soft drinks.Cigarettes, snuff and loose tobacco is widely available especially in the markets. The most popular cigarette brand is Peter Stuyvesant,affectionately called as 'Peters'. Do not under any circumstances purchase or try marijuana, also known as mbanje or dagga. It is illegal. If youare arrested there is no bail, and the penalty is five years in prison with hard labour. You do not want to go to jail in Africa.Water in the main towns is usually purified, provided there are no shortages of chlorine, breakdowns, or other mishaps. If you are in the countryfor a long time, then it may be worth acclimatising yourself to it. However, if you are in Zambia for just a few weeks, stick with bottled, or boiledwater. Most of the camps and lodges in the bush use water from bore-holes. These underground sources vary in quality, but the water is usuallysafe to drink as the sources are normally free from bugs. Because it is bore-hole water the taste will vary. If you are unsure whether it is safe todrink, ask advice from the lodge managers. 14

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The closer you get to the equator, the fewer seasons there are. In Zimbabwe there are really only two, at a push 3. And they’re not known asSummer and Winter. They are the cool and dry season from May to August, the hot and dry season from September to November, and thewarm and wet season from December to April. Most Zambians would say there were only two seasons – the dry and the wet, with, occasionally,a period of ‘exceptionally hot’ before the rains start. Because Zambia is quite high, it has a more pleasant climate than most tropical countriesusually experience. Most of the country is humid subtropical. The south-west has a more semi-arid or steppe climate.The Cool Dry Season (May, June, July and August)This is as close to winter as Zambia gets, with temperatures between 6 – 26oC. During the cool dry season, sheltered places can have frost oncloudless nights; an odd contrast with the fact that as the countryside dries up grass fires are a common feature, especially as they are fannedby high winds. 15

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The Hot Dry Season (September, October and November)The build-up to the rains can force temperatures up to extreme temperatures, especially in October and range between 17 and 35oC. In bothZambia and Zimbabwe, October is known as ‘suicide month’. It is the month that worries large scale farmers the most. If the rains are late, theymight be ruined. A very tense time made more so by the fact that one can see the clouds build up dramatically, and then, at the last momentbe driven away by the winds or simply dissolve on their own leaving nothing but a vacant, blue sky. In October, the Zambezi and Luangwavalleys endure excessive heat.The Warm Wet season (December, January, February, March and April)Between December to April, the Zambezi and Luangwa valleys endure a high humidity. In the warm wet season, frequent heavy showers andthunderstorms occur in the afternoons, followed by bright sunshine, especially on the Copperbelt. Temperatures range from 14 to 30oC. It’s aseason of spectacular vegetation growth. The country turns from yellow to green seemingly overnight. Rivers and streams, and hopefully dams,that were dry are now full. The tarred roads often steam after a shower. 16

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Sunblock, a brimmed hat and sunglasses are a good idea all year-round. Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers will also guard against thescorching sun rays. We recommend you wear light shoes, especially if your itinerary entails a lot of walking, unless you are hiking, then hikingboots are a necessity. The Cool Dry Season (May, June, July and August)The evenings can be cool, but not dramatically so, dropping to no less than 6oC. Days rise to a warm 26oC. A jersey or jacket and warm socks, apair of long trousers or a warm skirt should suffice for the evenings.The Hot Dry Season (September, October and November)andThe Warm Wet season (December, January, February, March and April)As both seasons have very similar day and night temperatures, light, loose clothing is ideal. If you are going to be in the country during the wetseason, bring a raincoat just in case.When on businessIf you are doing business in the country, especially in the corporate sector, business attire is preferred. Smart casual is probably best. 17

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When on SafariPlease remember to wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Earth coloured clothes, such as browns, greens and tans are advisable. You don’twant to stand out as a tasty morsel to hungry lions. And on that note, if you are in the game parks, do not get out of your vehicle and keep thedoors locked. If lions are around, close the windows.When out on the townIf you are dining at an upmarket restaurant or seeing a show, smart-casual attire is recommended. 18

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Being able to access the internet in Zambia has been hampered by the lack of good telecommunication infrastructure, limited access tophone lines, high-cost internet bandwidth and technological limitations. Access in most parts of Zambia is expensive as it costs just slightlyless than a dollar to browse for an average of 10 minutes. Most users are based in the capital Lusaka along with most of the ISPs. If havinginternet is important to you, please check with your accommodation or restaurant first to see if they have internet and what charges theyattach to its use. 19

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A universal travel adaptor is essential for all trips abroad. A voltage converter or transformer may also be necessary. Here’s why.Universal Travel AdapterJust think of the electronics we have in our lives these days that need to be plugged in to work, or to at least charge the battery - smartphone,tablet, laptop, headphones, camera or Bluetooth speaker, toothbrush, curling irons and travel kettle and travel iron. Avoid purchasing one atthe airport as these are usually astronomically expensive.It is important to note that a travel adapter, even a universal one, does NOT convert the voltage or the frequency. Travel adapters ONLY allow adevice from one country to be plugged into the wall outlet of another country, using the universal adapter, as a link between the two.There are 3 plug types used in Zambia: Types C, D, and G. It’s important to remember that some travel adaptors are not suitable for anyappliance that requires an earth connection. Please check your appliance first.Voltage Converter or TransformerZambia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. It is extremely dangerous to use an electrical appliance rated at a different voltage fromthe supply. If the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa), youcan use your electric appliances in Zambia. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 230-volt electrical input, or an appliance that is 20

ZAMBIA TRAVEL GUIDE

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