Zambia

Travel Information for Zambia

Currency and Banking

The Zambian currency is the Kwacha and it fluctuates quite regularly.
The Kwacha has denominations of 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10 000, 20 000 and 50 000 kwacha notes.
In  2005 - 1 US$ buys you 4800 Kwacha. Nobody uses ngwee coins any more as they are worthless.
The most used denominations are K500 and K1000, K5000  and K10 000 notes.

It's best to come into the country with either travellers cheques or dollars or pounds which can be exchanged at any of the many Bureaux de Change in the main Towns.  If you are offered an exchange on the black market at the borders,  exercise extreme caution as they are notorious for cheating you without you even realising it. Travellers cheques attract a commission when changing to other currencies.

Banking operational hours are:

Mondays through to Fridays - 08h15 to 14h30
1st and last Saturdays of the month - 08h15 to 10h30

Most hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and the bigger shops will take credit cards. Most of the bigger banks will advance local currency against a credit card.  Standard Chartered and Barclays Banks have ATM's which accept Visa cards for cash.

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Electricity

The domestic electricity supply is 240 volt, 50 hertz alternating current, with 415 volt single and three phase supply available for industrial use.

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Medical Matters

A yellow fever certificate is mandatory if you are travelling from, or passing through an infected area. Air travellers who only pass through the airports of such a zone are exempt from the requirement. Vaccinations for cholera, tetanus and yellow fever are advised. Malaria is virulent in the low lying areas of the country which include most of the good wildlife destinations. Take prophylactics two weeks before arrival and continue two weeks after leaving. Your chemist or doctor can advise you of the most suitable drug available as certain drugs lose their effectiveness.

Tap water in the major towns is purified and perfectly safe to drink. In the more remote areas always boil it first, except if you’re staying at a lodge or hotel where drinking water is boiled already. Bottled water is readily available in the bigger towns.

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Transport

Visiting drivers must hold an International Drivers Licence. With the exception of SADC countries, drivers licence's from other countries are invalid. A person driving into the country on business can have their car admitted without having to pay duty, provided they do not use it for hire or commercial purposes.

All persons of self-drive vehicles must have the following documentation on hand; you may be asked for them at the frequent road blocks:

• Third Party Insurance valid for a minimum of a month
• Import permit for the vehicle
• Valid drivers licence
• Copy of the vehicles registration papers
• If the vehicle does not belong to you, a letter of permission from the owner/rental company that is signed by a Commissioner of Oaths.

If you planning to self-drive through Zambia it is a good idea to carry a range of tools and essential spares with you.
Two spare wheels and a couple of spare tubes are a must due to the condition of the roads. Spare jerry cans of fuel and water, a tow rope, compressor, winch and a spotlight are useful items to have.
Many of the villages along the main routes offer tyre mending services at a very reasonable fee.  Road maps are available in Lusaka from the Map Centre in Nationalist Road or the Tourist Board in Lusaka Square, Cairo Rd.
Both diesel and petrol are available in all towns and intermittently in small villages. Always take extra jerry cans of fuel if driving to the more remote regions.

Zambia is notorious for potholes, and road signs are few and far between. Many of the roads are undergoing construction however care should be taken at all times. Great care and caution is advised on the more remote roads. Avoid driving at night if possible as there are no road markings and potholes and animals wandering onto the road are a common occurrence. A 4x4 is recommended if you plan to leave the main routes.

The speed limits on the open roads is 100km per hour while 50km per hour in the towns with 65 and 80 km limits valid as you approach the towns. Speed trapping is frequent with minimum spot fines being applied.

Airport Departure Tax
Departure tax at airports is US$20 (international) and $5 (domestic), payable in hard currency. Travellers cheques are not acceptable.

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Public Holidays

• New Year’s Day - 1 January
• Youth Day - between 11 - 13 March
• Good Friday (varies)
• Easter Monday (varies)
• Labour Day - 1 May
• Africa Freedom Day - 25 May
• Heroes' Day - July (1st Monday)
• Unity Day - July (1st Tuesday)
• Farmers Day - August (1st Monday)
• Independence Day - 24 October
• Christmas Day - 25 December
• Boxing Day - 26 December

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Gratuities and Tipping

Most establishments include a tip as service charge on your bill however there are some exceptions to this rule.

Tipping at a lodge or hotel is by no means compulsory and is completely at your discretion. If, however, you do want to tip for good service received during your stay, the following can act as a guideline to assist you.

• Guides - If the guide has done a good job, we recommend $5.00 per day
• Valets - If you are happy with the service the valets have offered throughout your stay we recommend $5.00 a day
• General staff - If you are happy with your overall experience we recommend $5.00 to be left in a communal tipping box

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Visa and Entry Requirements

A visa is not a guarantee for one’s entry into Zambia as an entrant must meet other entry requirements such as:

• Purpose of entry
• Return air ticket or evidence for onward journey
• Sufficient funds to support themselves while in Zambia

Nationals of the following Commonwealth Countries do not require Visas To Enter Zambia: 

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• The Bahamas
• Bangladesh
• Barbados
• Belize
• Botswana
• Brunei
• Canada
• Cyprus
• Dominica
• Fiji Islands
• Grenada
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Kenya
• Kiribati
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Malaysia  
• Maldives
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Namibia
• Naurau
• New Zealand
• Romania
• St. Kittis and  Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent and Grenadines
• Samoa
• Seychelles
• Singapore
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• Swaziland
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Tuvalu
• Uganda
• Vanuatu
• Yugoslavia
• Zimbabwe

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Nationals of the following Commonwealth countries require visas to enter Zambia:

• Britain
• Gambia
• Ghana
• India
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• Mozambique
• Sri-Lanka
• Sierra Leone
• Pakistan
• Papa New Guinea

Nationals of the following COMESA and SADC Countries can obtain entry visas at the Ports of entry or Zambian Missions Abroad.

• Angola
• Burundi
• Comoros
• Congo Democratic Republic
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Madagascar
• Mozambique
• Rwanda
• Somalia
• Sudan

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American Visa Requirements

• Diplomatic personnel and Government officials, from United States of America shall be issued with multiple entry visas valid for three (3) years at Zambian Missions Abroad or ports of entry.
•  American tourists and business travellers shall be issued with multiple entry visas valid for three (3) years at a fee of US $ 40.00 at Missions abroad or ports of entry.
• American Students shall be issued with multiple entry visas for the whole period of their studies in Zambia on production of letter of acceptance from the institution of learning in Zambia.
• Americans travelling to Zambia to take up employment shall be issued with multiple entry visas valid for three (3) years at Zambian Missions Abroad or ports of entry.

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