TOURIST GUIDE

Here is more detailed information on getting around Zambia.

Air

Zambia’s leading domestic carrier is Proflight, which offers scheduled flights to the main tourist hubs of Mfuwe and Livingstone from Lusaka. Proflight and charter carriers such as ProCharter serve Chipata, Kasaba Bay, Kasama, Kitwe, Lusaka, Mongu and Ndola. There are seasonal flights to other areas like Kafue, Lower Zambezi and the Bangweulu Wetlands (generally midyear high season only). Another reliable carrier is Airlink.

Here is a list of international and domestic airports and charter flight operators.

Departure tax

Included within the ticket price.

Road

Zambia’s major cities and tourist destinations are connected by a growing network of tarred or gravel highways and roads, making it straightforward to get from city to city by car. However, minor roads are sometimes in poorer condition, with potholed tarmac, poorly maintained gravel or unsealed surfaces. In the rainy season from November to April, many unsealed roads become impassable so plan your trip carefully.

It’s not advisable to drive at night, particularly in rural areas where surfaces may be uneven and wild or domestic animals may stray into the road.

Here is expert advice on planning your 4×4 self-drive.

Departure tax

Included within the ticket price.

Taxi services

It’s generally easy to hire a taxi in Lusaka, Livingstone and the other major cities by booking over the phone, either direct or via your hotel. It’s also possible to hail an Ulendo or Bolt cab in the street in bigger cities. Uber is not widely used and you should not depend on it. Most commuters use shared minibus taxis.

Bike

There are a few places in Livingstone where you can hire a bicycle and some safari lodges have mountain bikes for their guests to borrow but this is not common. Most people who are planning to tour Zambia by bike bring their own. Lusaka has a few bike hire options.

Coach

Long-distance coaches run from Lusaka’s intercity bus terminal to the major regional centres such as Livingstone.

Road regulations

It is an offence to use a mobile phone while driving or to drive under the influence of alcohol. It is also essential to carry your driver’s licence with you at all times and to wear a seat belt. Check if you require an international driving permit (IDP).

Rail

Zambia has three main internal train lines, from Livingstone to Lusaka, from Lusaka to the Copperbelt, and from Kapiri Mposhi to the northern border with Tanzania. The main train station is in Dedan Kamathi Road in central Lusaka, one road east of Cairo Road.

ACCOMMODATION

Zambia has a wide range of options when it comes to places to stay, from five-star hotels and first-class luxury lodges, to rustic bush camps, guesthouses and campsites. Not all of the smaller operators are equipped to take credit cards. It is best to book high-season accommodation well in advance to ensure your first choice is available.

All accommodation options can be found here.

BUSINESS HOURS

Government offices are open from 08h00 to 17h00, Monday to Friday. They may be closed from 13h00 to 14h00 for lunch.

Bank hours vary from bank to bank but most are open from 08h30 – 15h30 Monday to Friday, and 08h15 to 11h30 hours on Saturdays. Shops are generally open from 08h00 to 17h00, Monday to Friday although some stay open until 19h00, and on Saturdays from 08h00 to 13h00 although some stay open until 17h00.

CAMPING

Zambia is a fascinating country to travel around by vehicle. Even though camping facilities are generally fairly basic, if you’re well prepared you can find some of the best unexplored and remote places in the country and very often have them all to yourselves. Aim to have buckets for washing pots and clothes, all cooking utensils and much of the food you need for the whole journey apart from fresh vegetables. Meat is not always available in the remoter areas. Most villages will sell onions, tomatoes, potatoes, bread, sugar, salt and oil. You can buy just about anything you need for your journey in Lusaka, Livingstone and the bigger towns in the Copperbelt but tinned food can be pricey. Always have at least twenty litres / five gallons of drinking water in the vehicle at all times as well as spare jerry cans of petrol or diesel. It is best to boil all water before drinking it.

Be careful in towns and villages not to leave your vehicle open and unattended. You should have no problem sleeping outdoors in designated camping areas but lock things away before you go to sleep (nocturnal animals like genets may be attracted to the smell of food. Human food is extremely unhealthy for them so do not leaving any lying around).

Here is a list of campsites to consider.

CLIMATE

Zambia has three distinct seasons as follows – December to April: warm and wet, May to August: cool and dry. September to November: hot and dry. Average temperatures in summer range from 25°C / 77°F to 35°C+ / 95°F and in winter from 6°C / 43°F to 24°C+ / 75°F depending on where you are.

More detailed information about Zambia’s climate here.

WHAT TO PACK

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

COMMUNICATIONS

Mobile coverage can be patchy in some very rural areas but is good around Lusaka, Livingstone and the other main towns and cities. In some areas rural frequented by tourists, such as South Luangwa National Park, mobile phone masts have been installed for the benefit of local workers and guests. Almost all lodges and camps now have Wi-Fi in some parts of the property (sometime the main area only, sometimes your room only, sometimes everywhere. A handful of camps retain a ‘digital detox’ ethos with no Internet connectivity. Connectivity will be hit and miss on walking safaris).
For visitors who would prefer to avoid roaming charges when making and receiving calls, local SIM cards are easily available. SIM cards from the main service providers such as Airtel and MTN can be bought at mobile phone shops at the airport and in the main towns and cities.
Internet service providers (ISPs) include AirLink Broadband, Airtel Zambia, Zamtel, MTN and UUNet.

ELECTRICITY

Local current is 230V, 50 cycle AC. Socket types are C (two small round pins), D (three large round pins) and G (three large rectangular pins).

LANGUAGE

There are over 73 dialects spoken in Zambia but the official language is English. All media and business is conducted in English and most Zambians in the hospitality industry speak it fairly well. Bemba is the next most commonly understood language, followed by Nyanja, Tonga, Luvale, Lozi, Mambwe and Tumbuka.

LAUNDRY

Most hotels and lodges will offer a laundry service (safari camps will generally offer it for free but may not wash underwear for cultural and religious reasons. Detergent is provided in your room to wash your own undergarments.). For low-budget travellers or campers there are no coin operated laundromats at all so consider drip-dry clothing and be prepared for hand washing.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Zambia is an extremely photogenic country. From panoramic scenery, wildlife and birds to people and vibrant ceremonies, it offers photographers a lot of subjects. Rich colour and good low lighting conditions abound. It is considered rude to take pictures of people without asking them first. Do not offer children sweets in exchange for photos or take images of people’s homes or private lives without asking. It is not permitted to take pictures of government buildings, airports, borders, soldiers or military installations. Do not photograph game rangers or anti-poaching units. Keep your cameras in a dust-resistant, padded case and out of the midday sun. A 200mm (or longer) telephoto lens will prove very useful on safari. Some game-drive vehicles have charging points.

SAFARI SAFETY

Always remember that while some animals have become accustomed to the presence of people, they are still wild. Keep your distance at all times. It is illegal to feed any animal, make excessive noise to attract their attention or deviate from designated roads. Never get out of your vehicle except at designated points. Close all windows and doors when you leave your room or tent.

The best way to get the most out of your safari is to take an active interest in everything going on around you, not just the number of species you can see in the shortest possible time. Ask all the questions you can think of and read up about everything you see.

TIPPING

In some establishments service charge is on your bill. If it is not, please tip 10% (ideally in cash) for good service in restaurants, bars, spas and so on. On safari, work on a per day rate for your guide and general lodge staff separately, and tip in US dollars.

PHOTO CREDITS: Floating Rabbit | Pexels, Adam Ojdahl | Wikipedia, Robert Bernatzeder | Biggestleaf Travel, Wilderness Safaris – Busanga Bush Camp, Airlink