ZAMBIA COUNTRY INFORMATION

Zambia extracts its name from the Zambezi River, whose superb strength can be seen at the Victoria Falls in Livingstone. Zambia is located in southern part of Africa, landlocked between Tanzania in the north east, Mozambique in the east/south east, Zimbabwe in the south, Botswana in the south west, Angola in the west and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the north. Read More

Zambia has one of the lowest population to land ratio's in Africa. Only 15 million people in a country half the size of Europe. The employment opportunities offered in the post independence era in the copper mines and associated industries led to a strong rural-urban migration. Read More

The Great Rift Valley, which cleaves the earth from the Lower Zambezi River in Southern Zambia to the headwaters of the Nile in Egypt, is now known to be one of the cradles of the human race, and Zambia's present population lives on lands that have been inhabited by our forebears for almost uncountable eons. Read More

About 68% of Zambians live below the recognized national poverty line, with rural poverty rates standing at about 78% and urban rates of 53%. Per capita annual incomes are currently at about one-half their levels at independence and, at $395, place the country among the world's poorest nations. Read More

The government of Zambia is elected in a multi-party general election every five years. Up until 1991, when the first multi-party elections were held, the country was ruled by Kenneth Kaunda in a one party state. The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) was lead by Frederick Chiluba as president and Levy Patrick Mwanawasa as Vice President, who later took over after Chiluba left office. Read More

The most played sport in Zambia is football/soccer. The national team has represented Zambia at the international Olympics. Other sports represented internationally and regionally by Zambia are squash, cricket, boxing and rugby. There are several sports clubs in Lusaka which offer facilities for golf, tennis, swimming and squash. Read More

Zambia's beautiful temperate climate, as known as the "air-conditioned state" in the heart of Africa makes it a pleasant visit. The unspoilt quality of the country's many attractions is a major advantage, with a huge number and variety of pristine wilderness environments. Read More

The general height of the land gives Zambia a more pleasant climate than that experienced in most tropical countries. There are three seasons - cool and dry (Winter) from May to August, hot and dry from September to November (Summer), warm and wet from December to April (Spring Rainy). Read More

Zambia's three distinctive seasons provide visitors with different perspectives depending on the time of year. South Luangwa National Park and North Luangwa National Park are best for game viewing during the dry season from June to October but the rainy season, with its spectacular profusion of greens and reds changes the landscape dramatically and the bird populations increase with the arrival of migrants from the north. Read More

Many airlines fly in and out of Lusaka International Airport, including Zambian Airways, British Airways, Aeroflot, Emirates, KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, Air France, Air Botswana, Air Malawi, Air Tanzania, Air Zaire, Air Zimbabwe and Kenya Airways. Read More

South Luangwa National Park, established in 1972, is the second largest park in Zambia. Zambia's lush Luangwa Valley and is the continents finest wildlife reserve. Lower Zambezi National Park is located on the southern end of Zambia and covers an area of 4092 square kilometers. Read More

For those seeking adventure activity holidays, Zambia is simply brimming with opportunities especially during your Victoria Falls Tour. Game Drives are operated in open 4x4 vehicles at dawn and late afternoon each day by experienced rangers and trackers who possess a canny "sixth sense" of where to seek out the most interesting wildlife. Night Drives enable visitors to glimpse the animals of the nocturnal world, such as leopard and cheetah. Read More

Zambia has a wide range of standards when it comes to places to stay - from top Tier I luxury lodges/camps to rustic bush camps, guesthouses and camp sites. Visitors are required to pay in foreign currency except for the smaller guest houses in small towns. Very limited accommodations are equipped to take credit cards, and normally attracts a hefty bank fee of 5%. Do note that service charges and VAT are also charged by the accommodation. Read More

For groceries and general supplies, the newly opened Manda Hill shopping centre is where it's all at. This is Lusaka's first shopping mall and it's becoming a big hit with an excellent range of shops and boutiques. Read More

Zambia satisfies every visitor's gastronomic tastes. The variety of dishes served in big and small restaurants and lodges include but are not limited to: African, Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Chinese and Japanese specialty meals), European, Italian and American. Read More

Most visitors require a visa to visit Zambia. For more information, check with your local Zambian consulate or visit the Zambia immigration office information web site below. The below information is subject to change at the complete discretion of the Zambian immigration authorities. Read More

The Zambia National Tourism Board based on data from their global awareness/marketing efforts in place are noting an increase of about 15-28% in number of visitors coming to the country. Read More

Consulate: British High Commission, Consulate: U.S Embassy. Emergency Numbers and more... Read More

There are 4 main airports in Zambia that tourists come into contact with: Lusaka International Airport, Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (formerly Livingstone International Airport), Ndola Airport and Mfuwe Airport. Read More

Postal Services are fairly well organized in Zambia and you should have no problem sending or receiving letters. Telegrams are less certain. Read More

Electricity is fairly priced at market rates. Zambia has an abundance of hydro-electric power sources as well as large coal reserves. Read More

Travelers may, for their own consumption, import 2.5 litres of duty free beer, wine or spirits and 400 cigarettes or 500gms of tobacco. Read More

The flag of Zambia was hoisted for the first time at midnight on the 23rd October 1964, symbolizing patriotism and the nation's natural resources. An eagle in flight over three stripes of red black and orange on a green background. Read More

Medical services are underdeveloped and only in Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone can you find anything resembling western standards. There are a number of small clinics in Lusaka which are better than the general hospitals, but the clinics in the rural areas have little more than quinine, aspirin and band aids. Read More

Several international and local banking companies operate in Zambia like Barclays Bank. General operational hours are 0815 to 1430 hours Mondays through to Fridays and 0815 to 1030 hours on 1st and last Saturdays of the month. Read More

Special needs facilities like wheel chair accessible accommodations are mostly found in major cites like Livingstone and Lusaka. In other locations special arrangements need to be made ahead of time to make depending on the destination being visited. Read More

Zambia is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. In terms of time, Zambia is 7 hours ahead of New York (Eastern Standard Time) and 2 hours ahead of London, UK. Read More

The following holidays are celebrated in Zambia depending on either the specific date or day. Read More

The units of measurement used in Zambia are metric - road distances are measured in kilometers, petrol in liters and solid food in grams. Read More

Newspapers in Zambia include: Sunday Mail, Chrysalis, The Post. Read More