Capital: Lusaka
Time zone: GMT + 2
Telephone services: Country Code: 260
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 1 2 25067 / 254798
Tourist information: Zambia National Tourist Board, 2 Palace Gate, London W8 5NF (0171) 589 6343
Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.
Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of: Ireland and the UK. Nationals of Commonwealth, dependant and associated states (with the exception of Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka who do need visas). Nationals of Fiji, Norway, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in the Falciparum variety throughout the whole country all year. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. Malaria is endemic and worsens during the rainy season
Yellow Fever: Vaccination is strongly recommended to all travellers. Those arriving from infected areas will require a vaccination certificate
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, and Rabies Outbreaks of cholera and dysentery occur regularly during the rainy season. There is a very high prevalence of AIDS/HIV. Visitors should seek medical advice before travelling.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Drinking water should be filtered and boiled and visitors should avoid eating food purchased from local street vendors. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Kwacha (K) = 100 ngwee
Exchange: only at authorised banks and bureaux de changes
NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to K100. Currency exchange forms must be shown if purchasing airline tickets in Zambia.
American Express is widely accepted, with other credit cards less so. Travellers cheques are widely accepted. US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable.
Cost of living: High inflation means that prices for tourists tend to be expensive.
Languages: English and over 73 local dialects.
Weather: High altitudes prevents the temperatures becoming too hot. The winter is cool and dry from May – Sept. The weather is hot and dry from Oct – Nov. the hot raining season is Dec – Apr.
Electricity: 220 Volts, AC, 50 Hz.
Post: 7 – 14 days to Europe.
Transport: FLIGHTS: There are over 127 airstrips in the country and several charter companies operate domestic flights. ROADS: A good network exists but they ban be dangerous in the raining season. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is recommended. BUS: Services are often unreliable and can be very overcrowded. RAIL: Trains serve Lusaka; Ndola, Kitwe and Mulobezi. Local services are limited.
Special information: Care and sensible precautions should be taken when travelling in Zambia to minimise the risk of muggings and armed robberies. Non-essential travel to the North-Western areas of Zambia bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola should be avoided due to the increasing violence in these countries. Travellers to rural areas have very limited health facilities. In general travellers to remote areas will be met with curiosity. Particular care should be taken in these areas. African culture and traditions dominate. Traditional dancing is popular throughout the country and many colourful annual ceremonies take place.