Exploring Zambia: Essential Advice

Experience the thrill of exploring new horizons with the latest travel insights from the experts at Go2Africa. Discover essential advice for your journey to Zambia before you embark on your adventure.

Finance & Expenditure

Zambia uses the Zambian Kwacha as its currency, but you will find that US Dollars are commonly accepted at lodges and hotels across the country. If you are considering using a credit card, keep in mind that high commissions can occasionally apply near Victoria Falls, and some of the more secluded lodges might struggle with processing credit card transactions – it is a good idea to consult your Africa Safari Expert before your journey.

Typically, safaris offer a complete package, encompassing all your game drives, guided walks, meals, and drinks, with the exception of premium brand alcohol and imported liquors.

Tipping

Tipping in Zambia is completely up to you, but as a suggestion, we recommend US $10 per person per day for your ranger and tracker, along with US $25 to be shared among the rest of the lodge staff.

When it comes to dining out, some places will include a service charge in your bill; if they don’t, a tip of 10% is the usual practice.

For comprehensive tipping advice, reach out to one of our Africa Safari Experts – they’re eager to share their insights with you.

Climate Average summer temperatures range from 17°C to 31°C

Typical winter temperatures range from 9°C to 23°C.

Rainy season: November through April

Check out “best time to visit Zambia” for climate charts and tips on optimal wildlife-viewing periods.

Essential Items to Bring

For your Zambia safari, bring along lightweight, loose-fitting clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton or linen to stay comfortable in the heat. Do not forget a fleece or jacket for those cooler evenings and early mornings. Zambia offers incredible walking safaris, so make sure to bring along a pair of comfy walking shoes and a hat or cap to shield yourself from the sun. And if you find yourself in Zambia during the rainy season, be sure to bring along a raincoat – the downpours here are typically brief but incredibly intense.

When embarking on game drives, opt for light neutral clothing colors like khaki, olive, and brown. Avoid white, as it tends to collect dust rapidly. Steer clear of black and dark blue, as these shades tend to draw in tsetse flies.

When exploring Zambia, remember that the dress code leans towards conservatism, so women should consider bringing knee-length or longer skirts for their time in the towns.

Travel & Transportation

Have you heard that you can arrange your flights with Go2Africa? For additional details and common inquiries, please visit our Flights section.

Kenneth Kaunda International Airport: situated 14km from Lusaka, Zambia’s primary gateway welcomes numerous direct flights, though many adventurers find their way through Johannesburg. Embark on charter flights to the captivating South Luangwa, the stunning Lower Zambezi, and the breathtaking Kafue National Parks.

Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (Livingstone) is just a half-hour drive from the majestic falls, welcoming adventurers to the Zambian side of Victoria Falls through connections from Lusaka or Johannesburg.

The vast expanses between Zambia’s parks are significant, and the infrastructure can be quite challenging, particularly during the rainy season. Therefore, the most convenient way to explore the country is by taking to the skies. Transfers and game drives take place in open-sided 4X4s, inviting you to immerse yourself in the wild surroundings.

Keep in mind that when you embark on internal flights, there is frequently a luggage limit of 12kg per person, and it’s best to pack in soft bags. Zambia has a more rigorous approach to this matter compared to many other countries, and even bags featuring just one hard side may face restrictions.

Visa and Passport Guidelines

Every traveler heading to Zambia must ensure they have a passport that remains valid for a minimum of six months from their departure date. Citizens of South Africa and Zimbabwe can obtain Zambian visas upon arrival at no cost; for all other nationalities, tourist visas are accessible at all major borders, airports, and sea ports.

Zambia offers a variety of visa options, each tailored to different lengths of stay: a 7-day transit visa, a single-entry visa, a double-entry visa, or a multiple-entry visa.

Exploring Zambia’s rich history and vibrant economy

The finding of 2-million-year-old stone tools indicates that Zambia has been home to humans for a significant period, yet its native Khoisan hunter-gatherers faced displacement from successive waves of migrating African farmers and herders in the 12th century. Arab and Portuguese traders in pursuit of gold, ivory, and slaves ventured forth, but it was the intrepid explorers of the 19th century, particularly David Livingstone, who illuminated Zambia’s significance with the remarkable discoveries of Victoria Falls and vast copper deposits. Once under British rule as Northern Rhodesia, the journey to independence unfolded in 1964.

The importance of Zambia’s copper mining industry is immense, with copper making up a staggering 80% of its exports. In this vibrant land, agriculture takes center stage, employing around 80% of the workforce. Many are involved in subsistence farming, while others cultivate essential cash crops like corn, sugar cane, peanuts, tobacco, and cotton. Efforts to broaden Zambia’s economic landscape encompass the exploration of nickel, tin, and uranium mining, alongside vibrant tourism and dynamic hydropower ventures.

Individuals & Community

Zambia is a vibrant country home to around 70 ethnic groups and an array of languages. It stands out as one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most urbanized nations, with nearly half of its 13.5 million residents residing in the bustling cities of Lusaka and the Copper Belt, while vast areas remain lightly populated. Zambia is a land where faith thrives, with nearly 90% of its people embracing Christianity, all while weaving together traditional beliefs and formal worship in a vibrant tapestry of spirituality.

In the bustling markets and vibrant classrooms of Zambia, English serves as the official language, while Nyanja and Bemba resonate as the heart of local communication. Adventurous souls who take the time to learn a few phrases in these languages often find themselves warmly welcomed by the friendly locals! Zambia is renowned for its pottery, carving, weaving, and music, boasting a rich tradition of festivals and ceremonies. Among these, the Lozi tribe’s ‘Kuomboka’, featuring the majestic transport of their king on a river barge, stands out as one of the most breathtaking experiences.

Scenery & Creatures

Slightly larger than Texas, much of Zambia is perched on an elevated plateau that transitions into mountains in the country’s northeast. Enveloped by expansive woodlands and interspersed with river valleys, Zambia serves as a significant drainage basin, nourishing both the Zambezi and Congo Rivers. Distinctive flat-bottomed drainage valleys on the plateau nurture a rich variety of plant life, while Zambia’s vast wetlands and floodplains teem with an abundance of large mammals and birds.

It is no surprise that a safari in Zambia offers some of the finest game viewing in Africa. The unique blend of Southern and Central African species, combined with the presence of water in many Zambian parks, significantly enhances the country’s rich biodiversity. The remarkable South Luangwa National Park stands as the premier reserve, teeming with iconic African wildlife and predators, much like the renowned Big 5 haven of the Lower Zambezi National Park.

Zambian wildlife offers an exhilarating array of experiences, such as bird watching in the stunning Mosi Oa Tunya National Park at Victoria Falls; engaging in guided walking safaris and night drives in the captivating South Luangwa; exploring the serene waters through canoe and boat safaris in the picturesque Lower Zambezi; and encountering predators and diverse birdlife in the untamed Kafue National Park.