Visiting Zambia

Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern-Central Africa covering 752, 618km². It is divided into 9 provinces. This country, formerly known as Northern Rhodesia, gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and today operates as a fully democratic country.

The last elections were held in September 2011 which Michael Sata’s Patriotic Front won. Zambia’s natural attractions have become very popular destinations among travellers from all over the world in the last couple of years. The Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall on planet earth based on a combination of width and height, and South Luangwa National Park, one of Africa’s top animal sanctuaries, draw a lot of people to this lovely country.

Tourism contributes 2,3% of the Zambia’s Gross Domestic Product and directly supports roughly 22 000 jobs all over the country. Zambia has donated a third of its land area to the protection of wildlife. Zambian people are known for their friendly smiles. They like to sing and dance and they possess an incredible ability to make a good plan out of nothing. If there is a tree where you want to build your shop, build a tree-shop!

Interesting facts about Zambia

  • The name Zambia was derived from the name of the Zambezi River which means ‘God’s River’.
  • Zambia has a population of nearly 13 million of which 1,5million resides in the capital Lusaka.
  • English is the official language of Zambia but more than 70 languages are spoken all across the country.
  • The Zambian currency was rebased in 2013 when three zeroes were removed. It is called the Zambian Kwacha and is produced in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 kwacha notes.
  • The African Fish Eagle is the national bird of Zambia, and can often be heard calling above the Luangwa River.
  • Like in the rest of Southern Africa, people drive on the left hand side of the road.
  • Zambia is in the GMT +2 time-zone.
  • Zambia exports about 675,000t of copper annually.
  • Zambia has experienced growth over the past few decades – in 1938 there were only eight doctors in the entire country.
  • Zambia is the 39th largest country in the world (based on total area), smaller than Chile but larger than Burma.
  • Zambia is bordered by eight countries: Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
  • The most common local beer is Mosi Lager followed by Eagle Lager.
  • Zambia’s staple food is Nshima, a porridge-like dish made from maize flour. Nshima is often eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  • Zambia is the 70th largest country in the world (based on population), with fewer people than Cambodia but more people than Zimbabwe.
  • Local current is 220volt, 50 cycle AC.

Nationals of countries which require visas to enter Zambia for the purpose of visiting friends or relatives or for the purpose of travel (less than 30days) should be issued with visas at Zambian Missions abroad or ports of entry. To see if you need to obtain a visa to visit Zambia Click Here

Airport departure taxes apply for many local ($11) and international ($25) flights.

Travellers may, for their own consumption, bring into Zambia 2,5l. of duty-free beer, wine or spirits as well as 400 cigarettes or 500gms of tobacco.

Some countries, most notably South Africa, require any travellers from Zambia to have a valid proof of yellow fever vaccination. Even though yellow fever us not a problem in the Luangwa Valley, some of our guests might still be required to have valid yellow fever certificates.

Please contact your local travel doctor for more information.