Zambia is a landlocked independent nation in southern Africa. Zambia is unspoiled by mass tourism, and is rich in wildlife, superb forests, and meandering rivers. Of course, it’s also where you can see the world’s biggest waterfall, Victoria Falls, which spans the border to our neighbor, Zimbabwe.
QUICK FACTS
- Capital City: Lusaka
- International Airport: Lusaka International Airport
- Currency: Zambian Kwacha
- Population: 19.6 million
- Area: 752,617 sq km
- Languages: English, Nyanja, Bemba
Enchanting Zambia: Falls, Wildlife, Culture, Adventure and Calm
One of the most famous natural attractions in Zambia is Victoria Falls, one of the largest and most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The falls are shared with Zimbabwe, and the area offers a range of activities, including white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and scenic flights over the falls. Zambia is home to a variety of national parks and game reserves, providing opportunities for wildlife safaris. South Luangwa National Park is particularly renowned for its walking safaris, offering a unique perspective on the wildlife.
This park is situated along the Zambezi River and is known for its pristine wilderness. Visitors can enjoy game drives, boat safaris, and fishing trips in this picturesque setting. It is one of the largest national parks in Africa, offering diverse ecosystems and a wide range of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and leopards. Kafue is less crowded than some other parks, providing a more exclusive safari experience. Zambia is home to various ethnic groups, each with its own unique traditions and customs. Visitors can explore local markets, traditional ceremonies, and cultural performances to get a taste of Zambia’s rich cultural heritage.
Apart from the iconic Victoria Falls activities, Zambia offers opportunities for adventure enthusiasts, such as river rafting, kayaking, and zip-lining. Zambia is known for pioneering walking safaris, allowing tourists to explore the wilderness on foot and experience the thrill of encountering wildlife up close. Zambia is often praised for its peaceful and friendly atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a tranquil and immersive experience.
Travel Information
Visa Information
The following countries do not need a visa when entering Zambia: United Kingdom, United States of America, European Union, Canada, Norway, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea & The Gulf States. Other nationals from countries not listed above can obtain their visa at the point of entry into Zambia.
Current charges are $25. If you are not one of the above, please ask about visas before booking. You can also visit the Zambian Immigration website for full information. A common tourist visa has been re-introduced for Zambia and Zimbabwe – the Kavango Zambezi Trans-frontier Conservation Area (KAZA) UNIVISA. The US$50 visa is valid for 30 days and allows the bearer to enter both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Full details including ports of entry issuing the visa, eligible countries and more are available here: Nationals requiring visas on arrival or from Zambian Missions Abroad – Zambia Department of Immigration (zambiaimmigration.gov.zm)
Airport Tax
Most airlines now include airport taxes in the tickets. But for charter flights, these may still be payable and where it is applicable you will be notified at the time of booking.
Medical
Malaria is protection imperative. Tetanus and the hepatitis vaccinations are recommended. Please consult your regular doctor or travel clinic in your country for up-to-date information. It is advisable to know your blood group type in case of emergency.
Insurance
We ask that full insurance is put in place at point of confirmation. We highly recommend that every guest has insurance that covers the following as a minimum:
- Cancellation and curtailment
- Medical costs (including full hospital costs should it be needed)
- Personal accident or death
- Emergency evacuation from the point of evacuation to the nearest best hospital and then back to the guest’s hometown. Family or traveling partner should also be covered for accompanying an evacuation.
We cannot emphasize how important it is to be fully covered. Private hospitals in Africa will not accept a patient until full medical insurance has been established.
Communication
In most major towns you will be able to use your phone – please do check roaming options with your local service providers. However, most camps and lodges are in remote areas with limited or no network coverage at all. Wi-Fi is not available in most camps and lodges outside of the major towns. When available, it is usually very slow or limited – may not be possible to upload your pictures and videos. All camps and lodges will however have various modes of communication available to them in cases of emergencies, such as satellite phones.
Money
Travelers’ cheques and cash are accepted. Credit cards are becoming more widely accepted but not in remote areas and should not be relied on except in major towns.
US dollars are easier to change than sterling. Please ask the exchange or bank to supply you with only new US dollar bills – i.e. ones with large heads as any with small heads are not accepted in Zambia.
What to Bring
You should always travel with soft bags, not hard suitcases (not only for the smaller aircraft but also to fit into vehicles).
DO NOT exceed the limit of 15 kg for hold luggage and 5kg for hand luggage.
In recent years, we have had more and more guests arriving without their luggage. Unfortunately, with new security at airports hand luggage is being restricted but where possible we recommend that you travel with anything essential (medication, space glasses), and if possible, a change of clothes.
List of items to bring:
- A hat, sunglasses, high-strength sunscreen, moisturizer, lip salve, strong insect repellent, antihistamine cream and tablets should always be carried.
- Clothes – all properties have a daily laundry service so do not bring too many. Here is a good guide: 3 sets bush coloured safari outfits (long/shorts/shirts) i.e. green/brown/dark khaki (not white, cream, or bright colours – especially for walking). A couple of sets of lighter clothes for Livingstone. 2 sets of casual evening clothes (long trousers & shirts and socks to reduce insect bites). 1 lightweight sweater. Warm jacket in winter (June/July/early Aug). Light rain gear for the wet months (November – April). A good pair of covered shoes for walking – should you be on a walking safari; we highly recommend walking boots that support the ankle. Water-resistant walking shoes are also handy during the wet season. Open shoes or sandal-type shoes (with a firm grip for Victoria Falls Tour) for warmer days.
Note: Out of respect for local culture, undergarments will not be washed even where laundry is available.
- A few camps do wear prescription glasses bring a spare pair. If you wear contact lenses bring a pair of glasses as well as have pools so bring a costume with you.
- Binoculars – one pair per person is a must.
- Torch
- Glasses – if you can since dust can be a problem.
- Camera equipment: a telephoto lens (200/300mm). Flash for night photography. Camera cleaning equipment and a good dust/waterproof bag. Videos – bring spare batteries.
Travel bags: soft bags are preferable – duffel bag, hiking pack or sports bag – as they are more ideal for air transfers and safari vehicles. Hard suitcases can often be difficult to fit into the safari vehicles and some light aircraft will not actually take them onboard.
A smaller bag to put your important items such as travel documents, money, camera, and medication is highly recommended and suggest you always keep it on you.
We recommend you keep luxury items to the bare minimum – expensive jewellery, bulky toiletries, make-up. Some camps and lodges have hair dryers so do check if you need to carry your own.
Separating your money into different pockets and carry-on items is also worth doing in case something happens to one of these items.
Community Support Supplies
Should you have extra space in your luggage, please use it to provide supplies to communities you visit. You can make a big impact on the lives of children. Anything from books and stationery to clothes and toys. Cash donations are also accepted. You are welcome to contact us for updated ‘wish lists’ for the projects we support.
Climate
January-March
The “Emerald Season” is one of regrowth, replenishment, and rebirth. The birds are breeding and its peak birth season for many animals. The rainfall is at its highest during these months, but it mostly falls at night. With the rainfall, the Victoria Falls get to the peak of their flow around March.
Weather: Warm / need waterproofs.
April-May
The rains have gone but there is the odd potential rainstorm around. The grass is now tall and green, the skies are clear and blue, the new generation of birds has left the nests and the migrants start to leave. The flow of the Victoria Falls is at its peak.
Weather: Warm in the day and not yet cold at night.
June-July
This is now the “dry season” and is also our winter. The grass dries up and dies back, this makes for easier sightings when in the Luangwa Valley.
Weather: warm days but cold at night and in the early mornings. Jackets needed.
August
Bush dry. Lagoons now obviously shrinking in the Luangwa and the flow of the Falls decreasing.
Weather: Varies from cool to hot. Can still have cold spells.
September
Weather: Hot, dry, and hazy. Trees flower and lose leaves.
October
New growth starts – and there are new-borns everywhere towards the end of the month.
Weather: Very dry and hot with cloud build-up, could have occasional rain when it can cool down and clear the air. It can be very hot (up to 45 degrees in the shade).
November-December
An extremely beautiful and exciting time of the year. The migrant birds arrive; excellent birdwatching. The onset of the rains can also bring a deluge of flying ants and other insects (sometimes in big proportions, but normally lasting a few hours). With the insects come the cooler temperatures but also the humidity.
Weather
Hot, slightly humid. Early rains vary from the odd shower to short periods of daily afternoon storms. These can be very dramatic with wind, dark clouds, and shafts of light, sheet lightning.
Safety
Africa’s wild animals are unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Photographic safari activities and staying in any safari camp place visitors near wild animals. It is therefore an inherent risk to those persons wishing to undertake these activities. Whilst every care is taken by Ultimate Travel and its personnel to minimise exposure to risk, Ultimate Travel bears no responsibility whatsoever for any loss, injury, illness, death, delays, cancellation of flights or change of itinerary and retains the right to alter, amend or cancel any part of a safari with just reason.
Voltage
220-240 A.C with a 3 square prong plug. Most remote camps and lodges may not be on mains electricity, with most being on solar power or generators -electricity hours may therefore be limited.
Hairdryers cannot be used at camps and lodges with generators, but video, and battery recharging is fine.
Dietary requirements
Please let us know any food allergies or any other special dietary requirements well in advance so the camps /lodges/ can accommodate you.
Photography & Film
Please be sensitive when photographing & filming local people and their villages. Ask the guide or the villagers first. Be careful when photographing and filming public buildings and persons in uniform. Drone flying is not allowed in the national parks.
Tipping
Is not expected but always enthusiastically received if you are happy with the service. Please always give tips for the camp/lodge staff to the management to be shared out and please tip your guides individually.
When asked ‘how much’ we say for camp/lodge staff from US$5 per person per night and for guides the same again.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
In case you need to get hold of us in an emergency, you can contact us as follows:
