CCLFLB - Adventures in Southern Africa - Livingstone Ext

Get out into the bush where animals, both predators and prey, wander through unfenced camps, and where the human footprint is nowhere to be seen. The rewards of travelling in Zambia are those of exploring remote, mesmerising wilderness as full of an astonishing diversity of wildlife as any part of Southern Africa. Where one day you can canoe down a wide, placid river and the next raft through the raging rapids near world-famous Victoria Falls. Though landlocked, three great rivers, the Kafue, the Luangwa and the Zambezi, flow through Zambia, defining both its geography and the rhythms of life for many of its people. For the independent traveller, however, Zambia is a logistical challenge, because of its sheer size, dilapidated road network and upmarket facilities. For those who do venture here, the relative lack of crowds means an even more satisfying journey.

A return ticket or proof of onward travel, all documents for next destination and proof of sufficient funds is required for all travellers. There is a special provision for day visitors coming across the border from Zimbabwe into Livingstone, who require a visa. A “Day Tripper” visa is valid for a maximum stay of 24hours.

The fees that one must pay for a single, double or multiple entry visa can be viewed below. These fees are determined by the type of passport one is using to enter Zambia and the number of times a person may want to enter Zambia during the validity of the visa.

British Passport Holders: Valid 6 months

Single entry: USD 50

Double/Multiple entry: USD 80

USA Passport Holders: Valid 6 months

Single entry: USD 50

Double/Multiple entry: USD 80

All other passport holders: Valid 6 months

Single entry: USD 50

Double/Multiple entry: USD 80

Day Pass: USD 20

NB these prices are correct at time of going to print but are subject to change

The Republic of Zambia launched the e-Visa facility on 14th October, 2015.

The e-Visa facility is open to all foreign nationals who require visas to come to Zambia and can be accessed through this link: http://evisa.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/#/

An e-Visa is an alternative to conventional visas issued by the Department of Immigration in Zambia (through Headquarters, Ports of Entry and Zambia Missions) permitting foreigners who require visas to enter Zambia. Applicants therefore, may obtain their e-Visa approval letter electronically after submitting required information and payment is made by Cash and Credit or Debit Card (Master or Visa) at the point of entry.

With effect of 21st of December 2016 the Kaza Uni-Visa has be reinstated. The Governments of the Republics of Zambia and Zimbabwe are pleased to announce the re-launch of the Kavango Zambezi Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (Kaza) Uni-Visa on 21st December 2016.

The Uni-Visa will be issued at a standard fee of US$50. Guests must have US$50 cash available for payment in the event there are no credit card payment facilities at the port of entry.

Validity – the Kaza Uni-Visa will be valid for 30 days and act as a multiple entry visa as long as you remain in Zimbabwe and Zambia i.e. clients can cross into Zimbabwe/Zambia as frequently as they like within the 30 day period. It also covers those who visit Botswana for day trips through the Kazangula Borders, however, it will not be valid if staying in Botswana overnight. In this case, you would need to purchase a new Visa.

Clients will be directed to the dedicated counter where the special visa shall be issued – the visa is for holiday purposes only and not for business purposes.

Currency

Zambia's unit of currency is the Kwacha (ZMW), formally ZMK which was rebased in 2013. The denominaions are K100, K50, K20, K10, K5 and K2. It is subdivided into 100 ngwee. Coins available are K1, 50 ngwee, 10 ngwee and 5 ngwee.

However, some prices are quotes in US$. It is therefore possible to use dollars and pounds as well.

Banking

In the cities are larger towns, you can change cash and travellers cheques at branches of Barclays Bank and Standard Chartered Bank. Larger branches have ATMs that accept Visa. Foreign exchange offices are easy to find in citities and larger towns.

Banks are generally open on weekdays from 08h150 to 15h30 and 08h15 to 12h00 on Saturdays. Banks are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Proflight flies from Lusaka to Mfuwe (South Luangwa), to Livingstone and the Copperbelt and also does charters.Various air charter companies will fly to any of the many airstrips around the country and most of the areas worth visiting are accessible by air. 

Public Transport

There are many taxis available. Prices are negotiable. There is a good bus service to Chipata, Livingstone, the Copperbelt and Harare, but they don’t always follow strict schedules. The main bus terminus is in Dedan Kimathi Road in Lusaka where one can inquire about timetables. Other private bus companies offer more reliable services to Livingstone, Harare and Johannesburg.

Travel by Bus

Long range buses frequently leave from Lusaka to all the main towns. The intercity bus terminal can be found one road up from Cairo Road at the station.

Minibuses and taxis, local transport – all painted blue – can be jumped on at pretty much any juncture. They’re not expensive and you can always find a minibus that won’t cost too much to buy all the seats in it to get your own private minibus to wherever you want to go but you’ll have to negotiate.

Travel by Road

Zambia has 38,763 kilometres of roads, about 10,000 kms of which are tarred and another 8000 kms are gravel road. The rest range from reasonable to bad dirt roads.

If you’re doing a vehicle trip through Zambia it is a good idea to carry a range of tools and essential spares with you. 

Be really careful, especially if travelling at night for road markings are usually non existent. Do watch out for animals in the road, vehicles without lights, pedestrians, unannounced roadworks, bad drivers and broken down trucks with no warning triangles. If you see a tree branch in the road, slow down immediately – these are improvised warning triangles and there’s bound to be a truck or car in the middle of the road up ahead. 

Be sure to have all your vehicle papers on hand as you’re bound to encounter a few roadblocks.

Malaria prophylactics are strongly recommended at all times of the year, but most notably from November through to May. June to October are low risk months.

Visitors no longer require Yellow Fever certificates to visit Zambia.

Travel Insurance is recommended and should include medical evacuation by air if this is not specifically catered for by your ground agent. Travellers should carry an adequate supply of their prescribed medicines with them.

Avoid food bought from local street vendors and ensure drinking water is bought in sealed, branded bottles.

Zambia is generally trouble free and the safe, especially in the main tourist areas such as Livingstone. Guests should take necessary precautions and not carry large sums of cash or valuables as they might in some countries.

Zambia's native cuisine is based on nshima, a cooked porridge made from ground maize. This is usually made thin, perhaps with sugar, for breakfast, then eaten thicker – the consistency of mashed potatoes – for lunch and dinner. For these main meals it will normally be accompanied by some tasty relish, perhaps made of meat and tomatoes, or dried fish.

You should taste this at some stage when visiting. Safari camps will often prepare it if requested, and it is always available in small restaurants in the towns. Often these will have only three items on the menu: nshima and chicken; nshima and meat; and nshima and fish – and they can be very good.

Camps, hotels and lodges that cater to overseas visitors will serve a very international fare, and the quality of food prepared in the most remote bushcamps amazes visitors. Coming to Zambia on safari your biggest problem with food is likely to be the temptation to eat too much.

If you are driving yourself around and plan to cook, then get most of your supplies in Lusaka or the larger towns.

Water in the main towns is usually purified, provided there are no shortages of chlorine, breakdowns, or other mishaps. The locals drink it, and are used to the relatively innocuous bugs that it may harbour. If you are in the country for a long time, then it may be worth acclimatising yourself to it. However, if you are in Zambia for just a few weeks, then try to drink only bottled, boiled, or treated water in town.

Out in the bush, most of the camps and lodges use water from bore-holes. These underground sources vary in quality, but are normally free from bugs so the water is perfectly safe to drink. Sometimes it is sweet, at other times a little alkaline or salty. Ask the locals if it is suitable for an unacclimatised visitor to drink, then take their advice.

Zambia is warm all year round, but has three distinct seasons. Between December and April the weather is hot and wet; from May to August it is cooler and dry; between September and November conditions are hot and dry. Average summer temperatures range between 77°F to 95°F (25°C to 35°C), while in winter the variation increases ranging from 43°F to 75°F (6°C to 24°C).

Casual, comfortable clothes are the key when travelling in Zambia. During the day it is hot so our advice is to pack lightweight loose-fitting clothes in natural fabrics such as linen and cotton that will keep you cool and are easier to wash and dry. Don't forget a safari hat or cap to protect you from the sun and a loose wrap is also useful to keep covered from the sun.

We suggest keeping to light neutral colours - e.g. khaki, green and brown, but not white as it will get dirty and dusty very quickly. It is important to note that camouflage or military clothing is not permitted. Zambia is a conservative country and knee length or longer skirts or trousers are ideal. May to November is the dry season and it will be hot everywhere.

The wet season between December and March is totally different, and the days can vary enormously from one to the next. Even within a day, skies will often change from sunny to cloudy within minutes and then back again. Downpours are usually heavy and short, and often in the late afternoon. Even so it will still be hot during the day and a little cooler at night - so packing a lightweight raincoat and a pashmina or jacket would be a good idea.

June and July are cold, but May and August can also get chilly. It's pleasant in the daytimes when the sun is shining but for nights, evenings and early mornings you'll need a thick jacket, warm scarf and a woolly hat and gloves.

If you plan on visiting Victoria Falls it is good to wear pumps, trainers or good walking shoes as the paths can get wet - especially between November and February. The falls are very misty at this time of year and in places you get wet - it is not cold but a very lightweight waterproof is a good idea at these times. A small fold-up umbrella will also be useful - particularly when you want to take photos.

Tourism

Zambia National Tourist Board, Lusaka: +260 (0)1 229 087 or www.zambiatourism.com

Zambian Embassies

Zambian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 265 9717

Zambian High Commission, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7589 6655

Zambian High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 440

Zambian High Commission, Tokyo, Japan (also responsible for Australia and New Zealand): +81 (0)3 3491 0121

Zambian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 326 1854

Zambian Embassy, Brasilia, Brazil: +55 61 3248 3277

Zambian Embassy, Moscow, Russia:+74 95 688 5001

Zambian Embassy, Paris, France: +331 56 88 12 70

Zambian Embassy, Berlin, Germany: +49 30 206 29 40

Foreign Embassies in Zambia

United States Embassy, Lusaka: +2601250955

British High Commission, Lusaka: +2601251133

Canadian High Commission, Lusaka: +2601250833

Australian High Commission, Harare, Zimbabwe (also responsible for Zambia): +2634852471

South African High Commission, Lusaka: +2601260999

Irish Embassy, Lusaka: +260 12 291298

New Zealand High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Zambia): +27 (0)12 342 8656/7/8/9.

Embassy of the Russian Federation, Lusaka, Zambia: +260 1 252-120

Embassy of Brazil, Lusaka, Zambia: +260 (21) 1 252 171

French Embassy, Lusaka, Zambia: +260 (21) 1 25 13 22

German Embassy, Lusaka, Zambia: +260 1 25 06 44

Emergencies:

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