Current is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles per second. A three-point round-pin adapter plug should be brought for your electrical appliances – such adapters are also available at major airports.On safari, many lodges and tented camps operate their own generators which offer intermittent electricity by day for lighting and refrigeration. Please be aware that some properties do not have plug sockets in your room/tent at these lodges. The lodge may be able to recharge your camcorder at the main reception area.

BankingIn the cities and larger towns, you can change cash and travellers cheques at branches of Barclays Bank and Standard Chartered Bank. Larger branches have ATMs that accept Visa. Foreign exchange offices are easy to find in cities and larger towns.Banks are generally open on weekdays from 08h150 to 15h30 and 08h15 to 12h00 on Saturdays. Banks are closed on Sundays and public holidays.CurrencyThe currency in Zambia is the Kwacha. US dollars are no longer accepted within Zambia. Travelers can still pay for Visas in US dollars on entry to Zambia but once past Immigration they will need Zambian Kwacha to pay for airport departure taxes and any other cash incidentals. In order to account for currency fluctuations, it is recommended that travelers carry extra $USD on them. Please note that it is not possible to purchase Kwacha outside of Zambia so you will need to be prepared to change cash at a Bureaux de Change at the airport or carry a blank card and withdraw cash at the airport ATM.Credit CardsInternational Visa and MasterCard are generally accepted but American Express and Diners Club are often not. Please note that Alluring Africa’s camps are unable to accept American Express cards. Some camps in very remote parts of Zambia do not accept credit cards at all so it is advisable to travel with small denominations of cash.

Water in the main towns is usually purified, provided there are no shortages of chlorine, breakdowns, or other mishaps. The locals drink it, and are used to the relatively innocuous bugs that it may harbour. If you are in the country for a long time, then it may be worth acclimatising yourself to it. However, if you are in Zambia for just a few weeks, then try to drink only bottled, boiled, or treated water in town.Zambia's native cuisine is based on nshima, a cooked porridge made from ground maize normally accompanied by some tasty relish, perhaps made of meat and tomatoes, or dried fish. Safari camps will often prepare nshima if requested, and it is almost always available in small, local restaurants.Camps, hotels and lodges that cater to overseas visitors tend to serve a range of international fare, and the quality of food prepared in the most remote bush camps is typically excellent.Out in the bush, most of the camps and lodges use water from bore-holes. These underground sources vary in quality, but are normally perfectly safe to drink.

The rains in Zambia come mostly in December, January, February and March though the further north you are, the earlier the rains arrive and the later they leave. Eastern areas and higher areas generally receive more rain than western and lowland areas.By April and May most of the rain has faded away, leaving a landscape that's still green, but starting to dry out. Nighttime temperatures start to drop, especially in higher and more southerly locations.In June, July and August the nights become much cooler, but the days are clear and warm. Make sure you bring warm clothes to wrap up if you're out at night, as some nights get very cold! Most of Zambia's small 'walking bush camps' open at the start of June, when the roads have dried out sufficiently to allow access. This is the start of the 'peak season' for these countries – with often cloudless days and continually increasing game sightings.Into September and October the temperatures climb: the lower-lying rift valleys – Lower Zambezi, Mana Pools and Luangwa Valley – can get very hot in October. However, you'll see some superb game as the animals concentrate around the limited water sources.November is variable; it can be hot and dry like October, or it can see the season's first downpours. Often it's a very interesting month as you can see both patterns on successive days.

By AirFor passengers flying out of Zambia, there is a US$30 International Airport Departure Tax, which is not included in the cost of the safari and must be paid directly on departure at the airport (South African Airways and British Airways include this departure tax in the cost of their ticket).There is also a US$8 per person Domestic Departure Tax payable direct when departing internally on a flight out of Lusaka, Livingstone and Mfuwe airports.Please ensure that you have the exact amount of US Dollars in cash (change is usually not provided) before you leave your home country as you cannot get any US$ within Zambia. Please note that large denomination bills such as U$50 or US$100 bills are not accepted. Traveller’s cheques and credit cards are not accepted for this purpose.Proflight flies from Lusaka to Mfuwe (South Luangwa), to Livingstone and the Copperbelt and also does charters.Various air charter companies will fly to any of the many airstrips around the country and most of the areas worth visiting are accessible by air.Public TransportThere are many taxis available. Prices are negotiable. There is a good bus service to Chipata, Livingstone, the Copperbelt and Harare, but they don’t always follow strict schedules. The main bus terminus is in Dedan Kimathi Road in Lusaka where one can inquire about timetables. Other private bus companies offer more reliable services to Livingstone, Harare and Johannesburg.Travel by BusLong range buses frequently leave from Lusaka to all the main towns. The intercity bus terminal can be found one road up from Cairo Road at the station.

Zambia has mild winters and the summer days can be scourching hot. Lightweight casual clothes can be worn all year round, with a jacket or jersey for early winter mornings and evenings.On safari keep clothes to neutral colours – kharkis, browns and greens. A sunhat, sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent are a must.

Please consult your health-care provider 4-6 weeks prior to travel to ensure you are receiving all required vaccinations and that the medication has enough time to take effect. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance with medical benefits and that you bring any personal medication with you. Please also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.

Required Immunizations/Vaccinations:

Yellow Fever – all travelers coming from a yellow fever infected country will be required to show a valid Yellow Fever certificate on arrival. It is otherwise not required or recommended. You should be vaccinated at least 10 days before you travel, as this will allow enough time for your body to develop protection against the yellow fever infection. Your proof of vaccination certificate will only become valid after this time.

Recommended Immunizations/Vaccinations:

Malaria prophylaxis – highly recommended for all travelers (even if you are only visiting malaria-free areas as there has been an increase in malaria in southern Africa)

Malaria

Expert opinion differs regarding the best approach to malaria prophylaxis. It is important to bear in mind that malaria may be contracted despite chemoprophylaxis, especially in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported. Both chloroquine-resistant and normal strains of malaria are prevalent in Africa. 

Malaria is transmitted by a very small percentage of female Anopheles mosquitoes. They are mainly active in the early evening and throughout the night. Malaria transmission is at its highest during the warmer and wetter months. We strongly recommend you take the following preventative measures:

Use plenty of mosquito repellent. Some camps provide a locally made repellent but please bring your own as there may be skin sensitivity.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks in the evenings.
Please use the mosquito net over your bed where supplied/available.
If staying in a bungalow or tent, spray with a suitable insecticide to kill any mosquitoes that may have flown into your room.
Mosquito coils are also effective.

There is a six to seven day minimum incubation period before symptoms present themselves. If you become ill on your return, while still on prophylaxis or even once you have stopped taking them, ensure that your doctor does everything to establish that your illness is not malaria. Please remember the best precaution is the preventative kind. 

It is inadvisable for pregnant women to visit malarial areas as malaria infection during pregnancy can be detrimental to both mother and child.

Ticks

Ticks exist all over the world and are well known carriers of diseases that affect both animals and humans. Symptoms of this disease present after a 5-7 day incubation period and include fevers, headaches, malaise and even a skin rash, but effects can vary dramatically from person to person. A dark black mark usually results at the site of the infected bite and is a helpful diagnostic. The disease is easily treated with antibiotics although this is not always necessary. 

After walking in the bush it is best to brush your clothes down and to examine your body for ticks. If a tick is found, remove it entirely without leaving the biting mouth parts in your skin. Anti-tick sprays such as Bayticol can be very effective against ticks and wearing long pants will prevent many bites.

Tsetse Flies

Tsetse flies exist in large areas of sub-Saharan Africa including parts of Zambia. They are best known as the carrier of trypanosomiases – causing sleeping sickness in humans which can be fatal but is easily treated and cured. In the unlikely event that symptoms are recorded after a visit to an area containing tsetse flies, we recommend that a doctor be consulted. These symptoms can present a few weeks to months after a visit and begin with fever, headaches and pains in the joints followed by dramatic swelling of the lymph nodes. If left untreated these symptoms can evolve to cause anaemia, cardiac and kidney disorders; alternate bouts of fatigue and insomnia can disrupt the sleep cycle.

Not all tsetse flies transmit all variations of the disease and in our areas of operation they are regarded more as an irritation (the bites are sharp) than as a serious threat.  Enormous efforts have been made to eradicate tsetse flies in various countries and sleeping sickness has now largely disappeared from Southern Africa. 

U.S. citizens are required to obtain a visa for entry into Zambia. Non U.S. citizens should consult with your local embassy.

U.S. citizens can obtain their visa upon arrival into Zambia for $50 USD single/$80 USD multiple. 

For ease of payments for visas, these payments may now be done via bankcards at the following Zambian airports:

Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka
Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone
Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola

The following bank cards will be accepted:

VISA
MasterCard
Maestro
American Express

The system is operational, but Airport Authorities have advised that, should there be any network issues that affect the systems, passengers will be permitted to go to the nearest ATM and draw the required cash in local currency.

IMPORTANT: Those travelers obtaining a visa on arrival at the port of entry are strongly urged to check their passports after it has been stamped by the immigration officer to ensure that the correct number of days stay have been authorized. On arrival in Zambia, instead of being asked how long a visitor is staying in Zambia in total, travelers are often asked how many days they are staying “here” or in “Livingstone” (i.e. point of entry). At this point, the immigration official then authorizes only that number of days in the passport! Thus, if the guests are staying 2 days in Livingstone but then are going on to other destinations in Zambia such as the Kafue, Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa etc, they need to advise the relevant official of the number of days that they are spending in Zambia in total otherwise they will be charged to obtain an extension/additional visa later on.

Please note: If guests arrive in Zambia but continue to another country (such as Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe) and then return to Zambia, OR are staying in Livingstone, Zambia but doing some touring in Botswana or Zimbabwe, then a double-entry visa must be obtained on arrival from the immigration official. 

Further visa information is available on the following website: www.zambiatourism.com/travel/traveladvice/visa-immigration-info.htm

KAZA Visa for Zambia and Zimbabwe 
US citizens can now save time and money because they only have to obtain one visa to visit both countries.  The KAZA visa is $50 USD and lasts up to 30 days as long as you remain within Zambia and Zimbabwe. It also covers those who visit Botswana for day trips for the Kazungula borders.  The KAZA visa can be obtained at the following places:

Zambia:

Harry Mwaanga Airport (Livingstone)
Victoria Falls Land Border
Kazungula Land Border (border with Botswana)
Kenneth Kaunda Airport (Lusaka)

Zimbabwe:

Victoria Falls Airport
Victoria Falls Land Border
Kazungula Land Border (border with Botswana)
Harare Airport

Should the KAZA UNIVISA stickers be out of stock, you will need to purchase a regular single or double entry visa. 

Language:Over 73 African dialects are spoken in Zambia, but the official language is English.National Emergency Numbers:Emergency 999Police 991Fire Service 993Public Holidays (customize):The dates of certain public holidays change from year to year – refer below. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, then the Monday is also declared a public holiday.Jan 01 New Year’s DayVaries Good FridayVaries Easter MondayMay 1 Labor DayMay 12 Youth DayMay 25 Africa Freedom DayJuly 3 Heroes DayJul 4 Unity DayOct 24 Independence DayDec 25 Christmas DayVAT:Prices of all goods and services in Zambia include value added tax (VAT) of 17.5%Time Zone:Zambia is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).US EmbassyTel: +260 (0) 211-357-000Embassy of the United States, Public Affairs Section, Eastern end of Kabulonga Road, Ibex Hill, P.O. Box 31617, Lusaka, ZAMBIA Email: [email protected]: Zambia.usembassy.gov