Home to the legendary Victoria Falls, walking safaris, the mighty Zambezi River and diverse wildlife, with many protected parks and safari areas, Zambia is your gateway to the ‘real Africa’. From laid-back to adventurous, Zambia has something on offer to accommodate for all moods, tastes and preferences.

If you are looking for an easy-going and relaxed experience, Zambia has a non-stop offering. Walk with the king of the jungle on escorted lion walking safaris, take advantage of all the game drives that are offered (some will be overnight excursions, taking you into Zimbabwe or Botswana, while others are half-day trips), pay a visit to the majestic Victoria Falls or meet Africa’s white rhino at the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.  Livingstone’s market is also a great place to find those precious keepsakes from your trip and offers the ideal opportunity to get acquainted with the locals.

The adventurous at heart will delight in activities ranging from white-river rafting on the mighty Zambezi (the rapids are big, the largest being a class five), bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls Bridge, abseiling or gorge swings.

A definitive bucket-list item is the Flight of Angels where you will take a helicopter flight over Victoria Falls for a once-in-a-lifetime experience offering breath-taking views and incredible photo opportunities.

What to bring  

Please  note that luggage is restricted to 12-15kg packed in soft bags for some internal flights within            Zambia.

Whilst there are no regulations for dress code, it is customary in Zambia for women to cover their legs for the sake     of modesty. It is therefore important that you respect this, particularly in rural areas. Both men       and women dress smart casual in the evenings at safari lodges.

Lightweight casual clothes can be worn all year round, with a warm jacket for early winter mornings and evenings. Smarter evening clothes are advisable for guests staying at lodges should they wish to be         a little more formal for    dinner.

For white water rafting, shoes which are suitable for  rock climbing but which can  get wet and can be strapped          securely to the foot are essential.

For safari activities casual, comfortable, lightweight  clothing in khaki, green and beige colours    are recommended. Pale or bright colours are not advisable for walking safaris as the animals can easily see these shades.            (Shorts  or trousers are  best for walking safaris)

*           Light cotton tops and cotton  trousers

*           Shirts with long sleeves (even in summer; to protect from the sun and mosquitoes)

*           Shorts or a light skirt

*           Jeans  or trousers for evenings and cooler days

*           Sweater or warm jacket (game drives in open vehicles can be very cold in winter)

*           Women may prefer to use a sports bra for bumpy roads

*           Comfortable   walking shoes/boots – suitable shoes for rafting if appropriate

*           Sun block, sunglasses  and hat that doesn’t blow off your head easily

*           Swimsuit if your lodge has a pool

*           Light, compact raincoat during the rainy months

*           Insect  repellent, anti-histamine cream, personal toiletries and medication

*           Binoculars

*           If you wear prescription glasses –bring a spare pair. For contact lens wearers bring           a spare pair of         glasses as the dust and insects in the  open vehicles  can be a problem

Wildlife safety

Wildlife can roam freely near  national parks. When   staying at lodges please take the utmost care when walking about. If you come across game, do not approach the animal. Elephants in particular can move very fast and           can be very dangerous – they are scared of humans and can react suddenly without warning.            Nile crocodiles occur  in the rivers and lakes  in Zambia. You are therefore advised not to swim in any local waterways.

 

Photography

Zambia is an extremely photogenic country, from panoramic scenery, wildlife and birds to people           and vibrant ceremonies. Rich        colour  and good lighting conditions  abound. It is considered rude to take pictures of people without asking them first. Always bring     plenty of film as it is difficult to get in Zambia. Limited film and           processing facilities are available in Lusaka. Keep your cameras in a dust   resistant, padded case and out of the midday sun.

Camera equipment:               

  • A telephoto lens (200/300mm).
  • Flash and fast film (400 ASA) for night
  • Lots of film (64,100,200,400ASA).
  • Camera cleaning equipment and a good dust proof bag.
  • Videos and digital cameras-bring spare batteries.

Payment for services in Zambia         

The currency in Zambia is the  Kwacha. The largest note is 100 Kwacha, then 50, 20, 10, 5, and 2 Kwacha. Coins have values     of 1 Kwacha and 50, 10 and 5 Ngwee.

Credit cards are becoming more widely accepted   in Zambia, however not in remote areas and should not be relied on except in major   towns.  A commission varying from between  3-5% is generally          charged on both credit cards at lodges/hotels in order to cover the bank charge          commission. Most hotels and            lodges accept Visa and MasterCard. American Express and Diners are      accepted in only a few establishments.

Zambia is a free market economy and foreign exchange can be readily converted. It’s best to come into the country with    either US dollars or pound sterling cash, which can be exchanged at          any of  the banks or Bureau de Change in the main          towns.

Changing Money: USD (United States dollars) is easier to change than Pounds sterling and Euro. It is essential that your USD notes are fairly recently printed with ‘large heads’. Old notes with ‘smaller heads’ (except One Dollar Bills) are not accepted ANYWHERE in Zambia. Some banks will also charge a different rate for small denominations. We recommend that you do have some smaller denominations of USD bills for tips and so on.

ATM: The major towns and even some smaller centres across  the country have ATM machines now which will            allow you to withdraw cash in the local Kwacha currency. Visa is the most widely   accepted card at these machines.

Banks: There are banks in most centres across the country.  The opening hours are 08:30 to about 14:30 or            15:30hrs Monday to Friday. It can be  difficult to find  a bank open on a Saturday. However, there are            many Bureau de Changes and these will be open on Saturdays and week day      afternoons.

Theft: Talking of money, there  is much poverty in Zambia and displaying your money openly is not advisable or fair to the local people. Please be sensible    about securing your valuables. Do not leave them lying around where you will just tempt fate.           

 

Health  and Insurance

Insurance: Clients are advised to have comprehensive travel insurance including: medical evacuation; hospitalization &          repatriation; baggage loss and loss of funds  through cancellation or curtailment of            package booked. There are many exciting excursions and activities (with  an element of risk) within Zambia, so       medical insurance with repatriation   is of paramount importance.

Malaria: Zambia is a high-risk malaria area. All visitors must take appropriate prophylactics to prevent them            from contracting the disease, which   is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Consult your medical practitioner. It is important to adhere strictly to the dosages, especially for the         four to  six weeks after their stay in Africa.

You are further advised to use mosquito repellent and wear  long clothing in the evenings and sleep under a mosquito net at night to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes.

If you come down with flu-like symptoms either during, or within four to six weeks after your visit to a malaria area, seek a doctor’s advice immediately.

Inoculations: A yellow fever certificate is mandatory  if you are travelling from an infected area. Vaccinations for        cholera, tetanus and yellow fever are advised. Consult your medical practitioner.

Carrying Medicines: A small personal medical kit will give you extra  comfort if you do become ill whilst     on holiday. However please be aware that any medication      MUST be accompanied with a doctor’s prescription. The Zambian government strictly enforces the  law when it comes to drugs of any sort. Many drugs that      you can buy across the counter in other countries, such as strong painkillers etc. are classified      as prohibited in Zambia. If in doubt, get an official prescription and make sure your medication        is in a sealed container.       

           

Travel documents and visas

Please consult our travel consultant for the latest visa requirements  applicable. The responsibility to obtain            correct, current and valid passports, visas, vaccinations, inoculations and re-entry permits where required,          is that of the passenger alone.                                  

 

Communication

Whilst there is a multitude of cell phone providers in Zambia, the coverage outside the major towns is still somewhat        limited. Internet cafes  are available in the major towns.      

 

Additional points to note

The possession of pornographic material is illegal within Zambia. The use of rude words and derogatory terms could be easily misconstrued and      is considered highly offensive. Please be considerate to       avoid causing            undue  offence.