Zambia

Introduction

Zebra

© wian

Like most African countries, Zambia's recent past has been marked by poverty and political instability and corruption. Spectators insist that Zambia has reached a new period in its history: a time of progressive, fair leadership and rising economic status.

Zambia's tourist attractions, however, are unchanged. The Zambezi river cuts through the west, veering east along the Zimbabwe border and finally departing the country through Mozambique. It and its notorious Victoria Falls (which straddle the Zimbabwe border and can be viewed from both countries) are one half of Zambia's attraction, affording opportunities for heart-pounding adventure and great photos. The other half is the country's amazing wildlife, which is both diverse and abundant. A host of excellent national parks offer safaris, be they at night or day, by car or foot. Lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, giraffes, baboons and buffalos are easily found. The country also boasts a magnificent array of bird species.

Brief History

The area of modern Zambia was inhabited by Khoisan hunter-gatherers until around AD 300, when technologically advanced migrating tribes began to displace or absorb them. In the 12th century, major waves of Bantu-speaking immigrants arrived during the Bantu expansion. Among them, the Tonga people (also called Batonga) were the first to settle in Zambia and are believed to have come from the east near the "big sea". There were sporadic visits by European explorers starting in the 18th century. The most prominent of these was David Livingstone, who had a vision of ending the slave trade through the "3 C's" (Christianity, Commerce and Civilisation). He was the first European to see the magnificent waterfalls on the Zambezi River in 1855, naming them Victoria Falls after Queen Victoria. Nowadays, even a city is named after him. Zambia was gradually claimed and occupied by the British as protectorate of Northern Rhodesia towards the end of the nineteenth century. On 24 October 1964, the protectorate gained independence with the new name of Zambia, derived from the Zambezi river which flows through the country. Kaunda was the first president and it lasted until June 1990 before riots against Kaunda accelerated. Many protesters were killed by the regime in breakthrough June 1990 protests. Kaunda faced one coup attempt in 1990. In 1991, Kaunda's dictatorship fell and was replaced by multiparty elections. In the 2000s, the economy has stabilized, attaining single-digit inflation in 2006–2007, real GDP growth, decreasing interest rates, and increasing levels of trade. Much of its growth is due to foreign investment in Zambia's mining sector and higher copper prices on the world market.

Geography

Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west. At 752,614 km2 (290,586 sq mi) it is the 39th-largest country in the world (after Chile) and slightly larger than the US state of Texas. The country lies mostly between latitudes 8° and 18°S, and longitudes 22° and 34°E. Zambia is drained by two major river basins: the Zambezi/Kafue basin in the centre, west and south covering about three-quarters of the country; and the Congo basin in the north covering about one-quarter of the country. A very small area in the northeast forms part of the internal drainage basin of Lake Rukwa in Tanzania. Two of the Zambezi's longest and largest tributaries, the Kafue and the Luangwa, flow mainly in Zambia. Their confluences with the Zambezi are on the border with Zimbabwe at Chirundu and Luangwa town respectively. Before its confluence, the Luangwa River forms part of Zambia's border with Mozambique. From Luangwa town, the Zambezi leaves Zambia and flows into Mozambique, and eventually into the Mozambique Channel. The Zambezi falls about 100 metres over the 1.6 kilometres wide Victoria Falls, located in the south-west corner of the country, subsequently flowing into Lake Kariba. The north of Zambia is very flat with broad plains. In the west the most notable being the Barotse Floodplain on the Zambezi, which floods from December to June, lagging behind the annual rainy season (typically November to April). The flood dominates the natural environment and the lives, society and culture of the inhabitants and those of other smaller, floodplains throughout the country. In Eastern Zambia the plateau which extends between the Zambezi and Lake Tanganyika valleys is tilted upwards to the north, and so rises imperceptibly from about 900 metres in the south to 1,200 metres in the centre, reaching 1,800 metres in the north near Mbala. Eastern Zambia shows great diversity. The Luangwa Valley splits the plateau in a curve north east to south west, extended west into the heart of the plateau by the deep valley of the Lunsemfwa River. Hills and mountains are found by the side of some sections of the valley, notably in its north-east the Nyika Plateau (2,200 metres) on the Malawi border, which extend into Zambia as the Mafinga Hills, containing the country's highest point, Kongera (2,187 metres).

Regions

Zambia is organised into nine provinces.

• Central Province
• Copperbelt Province - central northern Zambia
• Eastern Province
• Luapula Province
• Lusaka Province - including the capital
• Northern Province
• North-Western Province
• Southern Province
• Western Province

Cities

• Lusaka - The capital and largest city
• Livingstone - Located in the southeast of the country, this city serves as the gateway to the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls.
• Solwezi
• Kabwe - large town midway between Lusaka and Ndola
• Kitwe - mining city in the Copperbelt and Zambia's second largest
• Kasama - capital city of the Northern Province
• Chipata - provincial capital of Eastern Province, on the way to Malawi
• Ndola - administrative capital of the Copperbelt
• Chingola - in the industrial Copperbelt region
• Mongu - biggest town in Zambezi Basin.

Sights and Activities

Zambia is gaining popularity amongst travellers who want to go on a safari and although many of the parks are more difficult, time consuming and expensive to visit, this only adds to the charm. You won't find 8 cars around 1 lion here. Zambia is renowned for its walking safaris allowing you to get up really close and personal with the animals. A walking safari allows a more personal experience with the environment. Nothing will beat walking through the vegetation led by your guide following ground sign to track the movement of a lion that passed through the area last night before experiencing the thrill of spotting one further along your route. Zambia tourism offers some of the best attractions in Africa. Zambia tourist attractions such the mighty Victoria Falls can be combined with other popular Zambia tourism pastimes such as a safari to the Kafue National Park, South Luangwa National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park. Zambia tourism also boats some particularly adventurous sports. The hub of Livingstone is a spring board for activities like white water rafting, canoeing, abseiling and paragliding.

South Luangwa National Park

Zebra

© wian

The South Luangwa National Park is 9,050 square kilometres big and is located in the east of the country, towards the border with Malawi and is one of the finest parks in Africa with high densities regarding animals, especially around the central river. The park is one of the pioneers regarding walking safaris and nothing beats standing eye to eye with an elephants or lion, of course at a safe distance. There are around 60 different species of mammal, and over 400 species of birds, making it one of the most diversified parks in Africa as well. Access to the park is limited during the rainy season from the end of November until April, sometimes even impossible. Mfuwe is the gateway to the park and flights to and from Lusaka are possible on almost every day and buses from Lusaka take at least around 16 hours and you will need to change buses as well.

Kafue National Park

kafue_leeuw

© joenstock

Kafue National Park is the largest national park in Zambia, and the second largest in Africa, with an area of 22,400 square kilometers and is located in the central west of the country. There are over 50 different species of mammal to be seen here and hundreds of species of birds. The Kafue River is the central hart of the park, and is of importance especially during the dry season when water is more scarce. The park is easily reached by private car along the road from Lusaka to Mongu, but getting there by public transport requires some more planning. The Zambezian flooded grasslands in the north of the park is one of the highlights of the park, with many species like antelopes and along with them many predators, like lion and leopard. In general, the north has better facilities, like lodges and roads compared to the south, mainly because animal density is just higher up north.

Lower Zambezi National Park

The Lower Zambezi National Park is located in the southeast of the country, along the Zambezi River and close to the border with Zimbabwe. The parks mainly consists of woodlands and savannah with the area right on the banks of the Zambezi River being flooded habitat for most of the year. This is where most mammals and birds are to be found, like lions, hippos, crocodiles and elephants. Large herds of buffalos can be seen as well. The park is reached from Lusaka by car or plane, but facilities in the park are rather limited, with only one lodge and several camping possibilities. It is best to arrange things before you go here.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

© HansNL

At a height of over 100 metres and a width of about 1,700 metres, the Victoria Falls are the largest sheet of water falling in the world. Located within the boundaries of Mosi-oa-Tunya NP in Zambia and Victoria Falls NP in Zimbabwe, the falls are one of the most impressive landmarks of Africa and travellers from around the world are highly attracted by the opportunities near the falls. Hiking, wildlife viewing, bungee jumping, cruising, whit water rafting the Zambezi river and a helicopter ride to have a bird's eye view of the falls, all are very popular. As the falls are mainly located in Zambia, the best panoramic view is from Zimbabwe, viewing the falls head on. Even better would be the view from the air. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Events and Festivals

The Ku'omboka

Traditional culture is very visible through colourful annual Zambian traditional ceremonies. Events, such as the Ku'omboka, offer a fantastic insight into the Zambian culture. Ku'omboka means to "move to dry land", and it celebrates the annual move of the Lozi king from his summer palace in Lealui to his winter one in Limulonga. The festival often collides with Easter, though not always- sometimes the festival is even postponed to suit the country's leaders (such as the president and other tribal kings) schedules. In fact, the king often moves earlier when the palace is flooded, and simply returns in order to carry out the ceremony! The king's entourage includes eight large barges in total- one for himself, one for his wife, one for the royal family, one for luggage, one for staff, and so on. The king's barge is the first one, decorated with a large black elephant on the top, and the queen has a large, white bird on hers. Several skilled paddlers row for hours along the flooded Barotse plains. Being chosen as the king's paddler is a great honour for anyone, and the paddlers are recognised by the animal skins they wear on their waist. Foreigners are welcomed to view the ceremony, but should be aware that it is forbidden to approach, let alone touch, the king or the royal family. Lealui can be reached by hiring a boat or a traditional canoe from Mongu, the main city about 20 kilometres away. It is also permitted to follow the king's barge, but you should never take it over. However, most people choose to take a speed boat to Limulonga, where a huge, festive crowd greets the king as they arrive about six-seven hours later. Later, there will be dancing outside the Limulonga palace, but it should be noted that photography of the palace is not permitted.

Nc’wala

This festival is celebrated by the Ngoni tribe in Chipata to mark the first fruit of the season. The chief dresses up in leopard skin and tastes the treat, which is usually maize, pumpkin or sugarcane. He must then spear a bull and drink its blood, re-enacting a tradition that descended from the Zulu cultures. This event takes place each year on February 24.

Umutomboko

Each July, the Lunda and Luba people come together to celebrate their coming to Zambia from the Congo. Legend says that Chief Mwata Yamva ordered his people to build a tower that would reach the sky in order to bring him the sun and moon. The tower fell during its many construction attempts and many were killed in the process. This caused many families to run away in fear. They then traveled across the river and conquered all tribes they came across. Each time they overtook a tribe, they celebrated a ritual called Umutomboko.

Today, the event is a two-day celebration that boasts a ritual performance with pounding drums and speeches. Beer and food are brought to the chief who then pays homage to his ancestors before being carried back to the palace. On the second day, a Mutomboko dance is led after a goat slaughtering. The chief then points his sword in all directions to show that no one in any direction can conquer him.

Kazanga

Zambia’s oldest ceremony dates back to the Nkoyo people that inhabited the region over 500 years ago. It celebrates traditions through dance, music and other ancient practices annually in June, July or August in Kaoma in the Zambezi basin area.

Kulamba

This festival celebrates the Chewa thanksgiving and is famous for its colorful Nyau secret society dancers. It is held each year on the last Saturday in August in the village of Undi and brings together the Chewa people in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. Young women perform to show they are ready to enter womanhood while masked male Nyau dancers move through the crowds.

Likumbi Lya Mize

The day of Mize is a popular festival that is held each year in Zambia in August. It takes place at the Mize, which is the official palace of Senior Chief Ndungu of the Luvale tribe. It is a Makishi masquerade that is a tradition in which moral and life lessons are given to boys between the ages of eight and 12. The four-day celebration starts on the last Wednesday of the month and takes place on both sides of the Zambezi River. Market stalls selling baskets, fabrics, metalwork, and carvings are lined up, and masked Makishi dancers and performers recreate mythological events. There is non-stop entertainment and visitors are invited to take part in many activities, concluding with a royal Makishi parade for the chief.

Livingstone Cultural & Arts Festival

This annual September festival celebrates the artists in Zambia, from dance to painters. Theatrical troupes, performance pieces, music groups, jugglers, and clowns fill the streets. Tourists can buy art like paintings, sculptures and pottery.

Shimunenga

This Bai-ila tribe festival is held to show respect to their ancestors by thanking them for providing food over the past year. It takes place once a year on a full moon between September and November, and signifies the closing of one year and the beginning of the next. It is held in Maala on the Kafue Flats for three days.

Weather

Zambia has a tropical climate with relatively high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. Temperatures are usually around 30 °C during the day and still above 20 °C at night, although some places at somewhat higher altitudes might be slightly cooler. November to April is rainy season when much of the country, especially the national parks, are best avoided, as roads might be blocked and parks may be unreachable. After May, the temperature drops drastically, and in high altitude areas, such as Lusaka, temperatures in June/July can drop as low as 5 °C.

Getting There

By Plane

Lusaka International Airport (LUN) is located near the capital and Zambian Airways flies from here to and from Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg and Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo). Other airlines are mainly flying to neighbouring countries, but British Airways flies to and from London.

Livingstone Airport (LVI) might be of more importance for travellers wanting to visit the Victoria Falls. Zambian Airways serves the same cities from here than from Lusaka. South African Airways and Kulula.com both fly to and from Johannesburg, while Kenya Airways flies to Nairobi and British Airways to London directly.

By Train

Centrally located in Zambia, north of the capital Lusaka, Kapiri Mposhi is the starting point of a two nights trainride to Dar es Salaam on the Tanzanian coast. From here you can travel further by boat or plane to the tropical island of spices, Zanzibar. The TAZARA (Tanzania-Zambia Railway) operates scheduled services twice a week. This 38-hour journey leaves in both ends of the line on Tuesdays and Fridays and arrives on Thursdays and Sundays.

By Car

If you are travelling overland, there several routes of getting to and from Zambia. Border crossings used by buses and minibuses (see below) are generally ok to cross by car as well. It's also possible to cross into Mozambique, which has no public transport connections (so hitching might be a better option if you don't have your own car). Most used crossings are with Tanzania, Malawi and (by ferry) to Botswana. Note that fuel in Zimbabwe might not be available so fill up in Zambia (or Botswana if you are travelling to Zambia) if you take the route via Victoria Falls and on to Kasane in Botswana. Also note that when renting a car in South Africa, Botswana or Namibia, you are usually not allowed to cross into Zambia (Zimbabwe is ok though).

By Bus

There are international connections from Lusaka to neighbouring countries, the main corridors being Lusaka to Harare and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe and to Gaborone in Botswana via Victoria Falls and Bulawayo. There are even buses that travel between Lusaka and Johannesburg in South Africa, taking about 26 hours (via Masvingo and Pretoria). Most of these buses stop in Bulawayo as well. From Lusaka, there are also connections to Windhoek, taking about 27 hours and travelling via Livingstone and Botswana. Also, direct buses connect Lusaka with Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, taking almost 30 hours to cover the distance.

By Boat

If you want to avoid travelling through Zimbabwe on your way to or out of Botswana, you can take a direct service from Botswana to Zambia by taking the Kazungula ferry over the Zambezi River. From the Zambian side, there is onwards transportation in the form of buses to take you to Livingstone. Other possibilities of getting there by boat are to and from Namibia's Caprivi strip (across the Zambezi River) and to and from Tanzania (Kigoma), across Lake Tanganyika. The latter goes on Friday only.

Getting Around

By Plane

Chipata, Lusaka, Mfuwe, Ndola, Solwezi and Livingstone are served by Zambian Airways. Several tour operators in the country organise fly in trips to national parks like Kafue, South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi National Park. Prices are high; you might be able to pick up a flight to Mfuwe (by South Luangwa NP) for about US$100 one way.

By Train

Travelling by train is cheap and comfortable, but much slower than buses. It takes 15 hours between Lusaka and Livingstone for example, twice as long as the bus.

By Car

Main roads are tarred and renting a car is becoming more and more popular, although car rental is pricey. Bear in mind though that most roads are not of a high quality with potholes very common. Renting a car though is the best way if you want to visit parks like Kafue National Park, especially when you don't want to do an organised tour. Please note that in the spring of 2009, the road between Livingstone and Lusaka is still being build, which causes delays and possible punctures; the first 2 hours after leaving Livingstone the road is still not tarred.

By Bus

Buses travel between all major cities and towns in Zambia. From Lusaka, examples include buses to Chipata (gateway to South Luangwa National Park, 8 hours) and to Livingstone near the Victoria Falls (8 hours). Buses are not timed, and only depart when they are full; this means you might wait hours for the bus to fill. The safest bet is the first bus of the morning, as it usually leaves on time, or at least not much later. Minibuses do not have schedules at all. Some companies are cheaper than others, some are more reliable. Shop around for tickets, and feel free to haggle. By far the best bus company between Livingstone and Lusaka is the Mazhandu Family Bus (blue bus), which leaves pretty much on time. Other good companies include Marks Motorways, and Juldan, who operate to the copperbelt area and to Chipata by the malawian border.

By Boat

Apart from great rafting on the Zambezi, there is no need to travel on rivers in Zambia.

Red Tape

Zambian visa policy is best summarized as confusing: there is a bewildering thicket of rules on who needs visas, whether visas can be obtained on arrival, and how much they cost. Local border posts also apply their own interpretations. Due to recent political turbulence in Zimbabwe, Zambia has been cashing in on the unexpected boom in its tourism industry, with visa fees hiked and the previous visa waiver program canceled: you're now expected to pay in cash on arrival at the immigration kiosks.

The upside is that once customs has figured out what category you're in, actually obtaining the visa is rarely a problem and a rule of thumb is that most Western visitors can get visas on arrival. Visa-free entry is possible for some nationalities, including Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Zimbabwe and South Africa. See the immigration department's website for the full list of visa-exempt nationalities. Current visa prices are US$50 for a single-entry and US$80 for a multiple-entry visa for all nationalities and is valid for 3 months; US passport holders can only apply for a multiple-entry visa, but it is then valid for 3 years.

A day entry visa is available to all nationalities at US$20, valid 24 hours
Transit visas carry the same cost as a single entry visa, valid 7 days

There is also the 30-day US$50 Univisa which is good for both Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Univisa can only be obtained at Livingstone airport, Victoria falls land border, Kazangula Botswana border and Lusaka airport.

Do check with the nearest Zambian embassy for the latest information; the Zambian Embassy to the US has some information on their homepage, and getting the visa before arrival will reduce the uncertainty factor.

If you require a visa to enter Zambia, you might be able to apply for one at your embassy or consulate in the country where you legally reside if there is no Zambian diplomatic post. For example, the British embassies in Al Khobar, Amman, Belgrade, Budapest, Guatemala City, Helsinki, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kiev, Prague, Pristina, Rabat], Riga, Riyadh, Rome, Sofia, Tallinn, Vienna, Warsaw and Zagreb accept Zambian visa applications (this list is not exhaustive). British diplomatic posts charge £50 to process a Zambian visa application and an extra £70 if the authorities in Zambia require the visa application to be referred to them. The authorities in Zambia can also decide to charge an additional fee if they correspond with you directly.

Lusaka Airport Customs and Immigration is unprepared to deal with tourists. There are four lanes, segmented by: Zambian passport holders; Residents; Tourists; and Diplomats. Tellingly, the lane for tourists is sometimes unstaffed. Although there are many immigration officers present, in the Tourist lane is often unstaffed. Be prepared for all other lanes to empty before being processed.

For those who would prefer to leave the hassle to someone else, specialist safari holiday companies can arrange immigration for you.

Every country has its quirks, and one of Zamibia's is that you are not to possess even small amounts of a very common (and very safe) medication for treating allergy attacks: diphenhydramine. This is the active ingredient in Benadryl brand antihistamine pills, but it's also added to some other over-the-counter medications. Zambian Drug Enforcement Commission has arrested unwary tourists who had no idea that this everyday drug was restricted here.

Money

See also Money Matters

The currency of Zambia is the Kwacha with the international currency code ZMK. The currency sign for the Kwacha is K (Kwacha means ‘Good Morning’). The Bank of Zambia (BoZ), the central bank of the Zambia, issues all the banknotes, the coin system has been since late 1993, but the local currency has tremendously stabilised as the result of the great economic policies:

Banknotes: K20, K100, K500, K1,000, K5,000, K10,000, K20,000 and K50,000

The kwatcha fluctuates greatly, even from week to week, so it's good to check the rates online.

Banknotes issued by the BoZ are accepted everywhere in the country. Foreign currencies have to be converted into Kwacha as they are not legal tender. Bank of Zambia offers official exchange rates.

Banks – Barclays Bank has the widest branch and ATM network in the country, other banks include ZANACO, Standard Chartered, Standard Bank, Finance Bank, Access Bank, NatSave and Investrust.

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) , also known locally as cash machines, cashpoints, or "holes in the wall," are widely available in urban areas. Banknotes dispensed by ATMs are in K10,000, K20,000 and K50,000 denominations. You can get up to 2 million kwatcha in one transaction only from Barclays and Standard Chartered.

Credit cards are widely accepted and Visa and Mastercard are usually the preferred ones by merchants. American Express is usually only accepted by certain hotels and certain stores, so check before you decide to purchase anything if that's the only card you have. Please note that the networks are often down, so reserve some cash for your purchases as well- the network could be down all day.

Work

Unemployment in Zambia was 16% in 2005 according to the Zambian Central Statistical Office. The agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries employ over 70% of Zambian workers. The legal minimum wage for non-unionized workers equates to around $16.50 (83,200 kwacha) per month. Most minimum wage earners supplement this through subsistence farming. In practice, almost all unionized workers received salaries considerably higher than the non-unionized minimum wage.

As for tourists, temporary work is likely to be difficult to secure. Although there is a substantial expat community in Zambia, most of these individuals are contracted by international agencies; by and large, they did not come to Zambia and then find work. Persistence and connections might pay off, but outside of the few hostels or Western-oriented bars, a tourist should not expect to find ready employment.

Study

The Zambia education system is loosely based on the British system, basic education is divided into three phases: primary (years 1 to 7 which is free), junior secondary (years 8 to 9) and upper secondary (years 10 to 12). There private and government operated schools in the country. The private school system began largely as a result of Christian mission efforts during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Amongst famous private schools are the International School of Lusaka and Baobob College in Lusaka. Private schools operate under either the British or American way of schooling.

Educational opportunities beyond secondary school are limited in Zambia. After secondary school, most students study at the various colleges, around the country. There are three main universities: the University of Zambia, the Copperbelt University and the new Mulungushi University. Other institutes of higher learning include the Public Administration College (NIPA), the Northern Technical College (NORTEC), the Zambia Insurance Business College (ZIBCT), the National Resources Development College (NRDC), the Evelyn Hone College, and Northrise University.

Language

The official language of Zambia is English, which is used to conduct official business and is the medium of instruction in schools & Colleges. Commonly-spoken indigenous languages are Bemba, Tonga, Lozi, Chewa, Njanya, Kaonde, Lunda etc.

Eat

The staple food in Zambia, as in much of Africa, is maize meal, nshima (like Ugali in Kenya, or pap in Namibia). Nshima is cooked by boiling water, then slowly stirring in maize meal, letting it boil, add in more maize, and then vigorously stirring it again until it has a gooey but solid consistency, and eaten by rolling it into a ball in your hand. Nshima is everywhere, and served with a soup (sauce); usually a tomato/onion mix boiled with oil. In poor families, this might make up the meal, but usually you'll find a relish with your nshima - fish, meat or vegetables, or a combination of a few. If you are a vegetarian, ask for rape (pronounced as reb!) which are pumpkin leaves, or chiwauwa, which are a leafy green vegetable fried. Okra is also common, and very cheap when in season. Otherwise you might end up with a fish or a chicken dish. Fish is usually tasty - it is served either boiled or fried. Eggs are common, and you might find a fried egg on top of your dish.
Other dishes you might find are fried, crunchy caterpillars, or kapenta, a tiny fish caught in Lake Kariba, fried and eaten whole. Fries and rice can also accompany a meal- sometimes you'll find nshima with fries and meat! In a typical local restaurant, you'll usually be given an option of meat, fish or chicken with either nshima, rice or chips. More than often, though, the restaurant will only have one option actually available! Cooking is generally un-adventurous and food quite plain- salt, chilli sauce and ketchup are often used as only seasoning. Most food is fried in plenty of oil - ask for boiled food if this is too much for your stomach. Larger cities usually have good Indian restaurants, as do the Eastern Province towns.

Sleep

In Zambia, you can sleep in an top-notch hotel for a few hundred dollars (such as The Intercontinental); or you can stay in an independent hotel (like the The Ndeke), for about $50; or you can opt for a budget experience, and spend about: $5/8(camping) or $10/15(dorm bed) $30(double room) at a one of about 12 Backpackers hostels around Zambia. These are only a few of the options. Outside the big cities or tourist areas, however, you might be hard-pressed to find quality accommodation. If your tastes run to the elegant - or even if you demand constant electricity - you might want to reconsider venturing too deep into the bush. However, if you seek an enjoyable, memorable, and authentic night at a local hotel, you might be pleasantly surprised.
One of the joys especially are the great lodges you'll find in national parks and popular places like Livingston/Victoria Falls. The African them fully comes alive here and these lodges can range from basic to luxury as well. Some bush lodges promote themselves as eco-lodges, but check beforehand if they really are.

Drink

Zambia has a lot of British influence in their drinking culture; majority of people drink tea, and although instant coffee is widely available, it is not quite as popular. Tea is drank fairly weak, with milk and several spoonfuls of sugar. Remember to tell the waitress if you do not take sugar at all- usually sugar is mixed in when the drink is brought. Filter coffee is only available in more western-style restaurants and coffee shops. Always ask if the coffee is prepared by a machine- if you ask for a filter coffee, most people won't know what it means. Soft drinks are cheap and drank everywhere, with the most common varieties of coke, fanta, sprite and mirinda. Zambia also has its own soft drink called Apple Max. Bottled water is sold everywhere and it is fairly cheap. Water is often listed in menus as "manzi", which is the most common brand name.

Zambians are either teetotallers or drinkers; such thing as social drinking is not really understood. Zambia's own bottled beer, Mosi, is popular and tasty, as are the South African brands such as Castle. Foreign ciders such as Savanna or Hunter's, are available in supermarkets and more upmarket bars, but they are much more expensive. Wine is usually South African, and pricey. It is rarely sold outside of supermarkets and Western bars.
Zambia's home-grown beer, maize beer, is cheap, weak and everywhere. It is sold in milk-like cartons in pubs and even supermarkets, and there are plenty of brands. The most common, Chibuku, is also known as shake-shake. It has the consistency of a weak, runny porridge, and is certainly an acquired taste. If you visit any local bar, you will certainly be handed one for a try.

Health

See also Travel Health

There are no vaccinations legally required to travel to Zambia. There is one exception though: you have to have a cholera stamp (prove of the fact that you don't have that disease) when entering Zambia overland.

Still, it's a good thing to get your vaccinations in order before travelling to Zambia. The general vaccination against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) is recommended. Also both hepatitis A and yellow fever would be recommended. During the rainy season, cholera outbreaks are not uncommon - if you get a sudden bout of vomiting and fever, get tested immediately. Consider a cholera vaccination, and buy bottled water.

If you are staying longer than 3 months or have a particular risk (travelling by bike, handling of animals, visits to caves) you might consider a rabies vaccination. Vaccination against Tuberculosis, hepatitis B and typhoid are also sometimes recommended for stays longer than 3 months. When staying longer than 6 months, vaccination against meningitis might be recommended, depending on your contact with other people.

Malaria is, unfortunately, very common, and people do catch it even in Lusaka. Buy repellent (preferably with 50% DEET), and sleep under a net. If you feel at all unwell, get tested immediately - tests are done quickly in all health centres, and are cheap and reliable. Make sure you protect yourself against mango flies which are small, nasty insects that burrow under your skin, and are painful and hard to remove. They nest in clothes as they dry outside, so make sure you iron everything before wearing it - including your underwear!

Finally, other possible health issues include diarrhea and other general travellers' diseases like motion sickness. Watch what you eat and drink and in case you get it, drink plenty of fluids (to prevent dehydration) and bring ORS. Also note that Southern Africa and thus Zambia as well has a high percentage of people with AIDS.

Safety

See also Travel Safety

Zambia is relatively safe for a backpacker, and as with most African countries, the biggest hazard is the traffic. There are very few rules- the biggest vehicle gets to go first, which usually leaves the pedestrian last. You might have two cars on one lane going very fast, sometimes even in the wrong direction, so make sure you check the road from every possible angle before you cross. They will certainly not stop. Pickpocketing is unfortunately common, especially in the few Western shopping centres and bars, so make sure you do not carry anything extra. Pickpockets go where the rich tourists go, so don't let a "nice" neighbourhood lull you into feeling too secure. The biggest hassle are the various touts, taxi drivers and bus conductors. Be firm but not rude - Zambians are temperamental, and a lack of acknowledgement might lead to an uncomfortable situation.
Lusaka has a curfew of 10:00pm- you can move freely around after that, but use a car/taxi, as pedestrians at that time might get picked up by the police - and sometimes it is for their own good! Lusaka city centre is not safe after nightfall, as the city empties out of workers, and street kids take over.

Keep Connected

Internet

Internet connections are available even in the smallest towns - they don't always work, and are sometimes slow, but there are, usually, plenty. Uploading photos and files is always slow. Internet usually costs about 100 kwatcha a minute, and in more touristy places 150/200 a minute. Ask for a discount, if you plan to stay online for long, and make sure the time is recorded correctly.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

The country code for Zambia is "260." Phone service both within Zambia and into Zambia is very hit-or-miss. In large cities, you are more likely to get regular, dependable phone service, but it is by no means a guarantee. The farther you travel from Lusaka, the less likely you are to maintain a good connection. International calling rates can be as high as $3 per minute.

Cell phones have been booming in recent years, and Zambia has a highly competitive market with three main operators: Airtel, Cell Z and MTN. Generally speaking, Airtel has the largest network, while Cell Z is the cheapest. You can pick up a local SIM card for as little as 5,000K ($1). Prepaid time is sold in "units" corresponding to dollars: figure on 0.4 units for an SMS or up to 1 unit/minute for calls, although as always the precise tariffs are complex.

Avoid using internet on your cellphone (especially if you don't have a local SIM card), except if you have wifi. Switch off data roaming to avoid high costs.

Booths labeled "public telephone" these days consist, more often than not, of a guy renting out his cellphone. Typical rates are 5K/min ($1) for domestic and 15K/min ($3) for international calls

Post

Post in Zambia is slow and not always reliable. A post card to Europe can take between four days and two weeks, and costs about US$0.30. Parcels take longer, and are quite expensive - make sure you only seal your box at the post office, so you can show what's inside. It also works in your advance - if the personnel sees you only have boring soapstone carvings and nothing of value, your parcel is much more likely to arrive. Leave your cards and letters in the biggest post office; it therefore passes through less hands and is more likely to get to its destination. If you want to send a package internationally, use a company like TNT, UPS, DHL or FedEx, as they are fast, reliable and just a little more expensive than the local post.

External Links

• Official Governmental Website