About Zambia

Zambia is known as the 'adventure capital of the world', and for good reason. With the world-famous Victoria Falls to enjoy as well as range of affordable activities, a visit to beautiful Zambia is highly recommended for all travelers.

Zambia Budget Travel

Below is a list of Zambia's top destinations, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Livingstone, Lochinvar National Park, Lower Zambezi Valley, Lusaka, South Luangwa National Park

Fast Facts

Currency
Zambian Kwacha (ZMK)

Dialing Code
260

AIDS

Zambia HIV/AIDS basic precautions include the following:
• Don't ever share needles or syringes
• Practice safe sex at all times
• Equipment should be sterilized
• If you require self-administered injections, take an adequate supply of your own needles
• Avoid tattoos, acupuncture treatment or body piercing from suspect or unsterile operators

Airports

Zambia international airports include:
• Livingstone Airport
• Lusaka International Airport

Birdlife

Zambia birds include a large number of endemic and migratory species, with many to be found in the rainforest alongside the falls and the Zambezi River. Common species include kingfisher, fishing owl, fishing eagle, stork, Bishops birds, cranes and many other beautifully coloured species. Key habitats include the Mosi-o-Tunya National Park, South Luangwa National Park and the Zambezi River.

Conservation

There are a number of key Zambia conservation projects operating within the town and surrounds, and the beautiful game-rich Mosi-o-Tunya National Park, South Luangwa National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park are just some of the fantastic parks. Other initiatives include a lion rehabilitation project, wildlife education programs and the Zambia Wildlife Authority has a strong presence in the town with their head office based in Livingstone. Victoria Falls also offers a protected area also designated as a World Heritage Site.

Culture

Zambia cultures include the following:
• Food and drink plays a key role in social gatherings
• Crafts are an important cultural heritage and income provider
• Museums record history of the town and its people and cultures
• Music and dance is an important social heritage
• Traditional healing is very prevalent in villages

Customs

Zambia customs allows free import of the following for travelers of 18 years and over:
• 200 cigarettes or 450g of tobacco
• 1 opened bottle of alcoholic beverages

Health

Zambia health facilities are not up to western standards, although as a major tourist destination the cities are more developed than rural areas. It is best to take out comprehensive travel insurance and to pack a basic first aid box containing essentials such as malaria medication, vitamins, headache pills, nausea pills, diarrhea pills, bandages and anti-septic creams.

Innoculations

Zambia inoculations include the following:
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Rabies
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Tetanus-diphtheria

Languages

Zambia languages include:
• English
• Afrikaans
• Silozi
• Tonga
• Nyanja

Malaria

Zambia malaria medication includes the following:
• Mefloquine (Lariam)
• Doxycycline
• Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)

Money

Zambia money and banking info includes the following:
• Banks are generally open Monday to Friday from 08h30-15h00
• Travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks, airport and selected hotels
• US Dollars are widely accepted across larger towns
• Credit cards are accepted to some degree although not by all outlets
• Foreign exchange facilities can be found at banks, airports and some hotels

People

Zambia people include the following groups:
• Tonga
• Bemba
• Kololo
• Nyanja
• South African
• European

Phrase

Zambia local phrases in Nyanja include: • Good morning - Mwauka bwanji • Good afternoon - Mwachoma bwanji • How are you? - Muli bwanji • I am fine - Nili Bwino • Thank you - Zikomo

Plants

Zambia plant life includes a mixture of riverine vegetation, dry mixed woodland and mopane woodlands - and the country has some of the densest woodlands in Southern Africa. Zambia as a whole has some unique species of vegetation which is found in very few countries including riparian sandbars, fringing forest and basalt cliffs which can also be found across the town and surrounding areas.

Population

A July 2005 UN estimate puts the population in Zambia at 11,668,000.

Religion

Zambia religion includes the following:
• Christianity
• Traditional beliefs
• Christian Zionists

Safety Tips

Zambia safety tips include the following:
• Like many countries with a high unemployment rate, petty theft can occur in Zambia
• Keep all valuables safe and out of sight in a moneybag under your shirt
• Do not swim in the rivers, aside from hippos and crocodiles, there may also be bilharzia
• When on game drives, stay in your car at all times except at designated rest stops
• Drive carefully - roads can be poor and wildlife can appear in the middle of the road so keep speed levels down
• If you are staying near or in the game park grounds, do not wander out of the camp alone as there may be dangerous wild animals lurking around outside camps

Transport

Zambia local transport options include:
• Taxi
• Car
• Bus

Travel Books

Zambia recommended travel books include:
• Zambia Bradt Travel Guide 4th Edition by Chris McIntyre
• Zambia in Pictures by Bella Waters
• Basic Facts on Zambia by Mwelwa Musambachime
• Globetrotter Zambia and Victoria Falls by William Gray
• Old Livingstone and Victoria Falls by Gordon Shepherd

Visa Requirements

Zambia visa requirements include the following:
• Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter Zambia for up to 3 months
• A valid passport of 6 months minimum is required
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required to enter the country
• Return plane tickets and proof of funds during visit is required

What To Buy

What to buy for Zambia safaris:
• Zambia travel book plus bird and wildlife guide
• Plug adapter for UK and US visitors
• Sleeping bag plus camping mattress if you are on an overlanding tour
• Basic first aid box with supplies and vitamins, plus malaria medication
• Mosquito repellent spray and lotion

What To Pack

What to pack for Zambia safaris:
• Lightweight clothing in neutral colours and long sleeves for mosquito protection
• Warm jacket for cooler months and evenings
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes, sandals and appropriate shoes for activities such as rafting
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and sunhat
• Camera with spare batteries plus film or memory card, and binoculars

When To Go

When to go to Zambia:
• The weather is cool and dry from April to August
• The hot and dry season runs from September to October
• The end of October before the rains in November is very hot and humid
• The warm and wet months run from November to March
• Victoria Falls is at its lowest between August and December

Wildlife

With some of Africa's top game parks, and the variety of habitats creating a haven for a range of species, Zambia wildlife is rich and varied. Game species are rich and abundant, and range from elephant to rhino, lion, zebra, hippo, crocodile and many species of antelope.