Zambia

Zambia Flag

Why visit Zambia?

Ideal for the experienced adventurous traveler seeking to enjoy birdwatching, cave, culture, game parks, rivers, safaris, white water rafting, waterfalls, and wildlife.

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Baskets, copper wall plaques, jewelry, local fabrics, masks, pottery, reed mats, spears, stools, and wood carvings.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Bondwe (vegetable). Chibwabwa (pumpkin leaves). Chikanda (delicacy). Impwa (vegetable). Gizzards (delicacy). Kapenta (sardine). Kandolo (sweet potato). Lumanda (vegetable). Michopo (kabob). Nshima (corn mush). Samp (fine corn). Tente (wild mushroom).
• Local Drink to Try: Maheu (traditional). Mosi (beer). Munkoyo (fermented corn). Rhino (beer).

Fun Facts

• Kafue National Park (western region) is the largest game African reserve.
  
• The 38th largest country in the world.
  
• Legalized (2019) cannabis for medicinal and export purposes.
• Legal age of marriage is 16 with parental consent and 21 without consent.
  
• Stink bugs and mopani worms are eaten.
  

Maamba, Zambia. Photo Credit: TOM Chiponge Baroque M. C./Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (February) Kuomboka Festival, Nc’wala, Zambian Harvest Festival, (March) Elephant Epic MTB Race, (April) Fireworks Colour Festival, Flavours Music Festival, Kenneth Kaunda Day Marathon, (May) Kufukwila Ceremony, (June) Zambia International Trade Fair, (July) Lwiindi, Tangila Trail Series, (August) Kulamba, Likumbi Lya Mize, (September) Elephant Charge, Livingstone Cultural & Arts Festival, Mulungushi Mountain Bike Challenge, Zambezi River Challenge, and (October) White Water Rafting Festival.
• Holidays: New Year's Day, International Women's Day, Youth Day, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Monday, Kenneth Kaunda Birthday, Labour Day, Africa Day, Heroes Day, Unity Day, Zambia Farmers Day, Zambian National Day of Prayer, Zambian Independence Day, and Christmas.

Good to Know

• Official language is English.
  
• Ideal for travelers who have been to Kenya, Tanzania, and/or Zimbabwe wanting to experience wilder game parks with fewer tourists.
  
• Game parks are among the best in the world.
  
• Avoid Lusaka.
• Required to carry your passport booklet (original) or a certified copy with you at all times.
• Popular rapids: Gnashing Jaws of Death, Overland Truck Eater, Silent Assassin, and The Terminator.
• National Museum (Livingstone) sells authentic folk art goods.
  
• Complimentary local monthly magazine, Lusaka Lowdown offers valuable information.
• Avoid Angola and Democratic Republic of Congo borders.
• Roads are in poor condition.
• Avoid evening explorations.
• Guides are required in the game parks.
  
• Avoid standing or swimming in freshwater streams, lakes and ponds due to Bilharzia (parasitic worm).
• Pack insect repellent.
• Airport Departure Tax is included in the cost of international flight tickets.
• Photography of airports, bridges, government buildings, government personnel, military installations, ports, post offices, and/or public buildings is not permitted.
• Walking safaris are best between August and September.
• Rainy Season is November - April.
• Avoid public demonstrations.
• Flood Season is December - June.
• Sweaters are required year round in the evening.
• For safaris wear boots, khakis, and neutral tones.
• In destination, flying is the best way to get around.
• Driving is on the left.
  
• Crime is a known issue.
• Government is considered sensitive to criticism.
  
• Homosexuality is s illegal and punishable to 15 years in imprison.
• Choma, Kapiri Mposhi, Livingstone, and Lusaka are the most populated areas.
  
• Tourism industry is unevenly regulated and inspections do not commonly occur.
  
• Purchasing elephant ivory, rhino horns, and/or tortoise shells is illegal.
• Certification of Purchase is required for animal bones, crocodile teeth, crocodile skins, flat skins, hippo teeth, and/or horns. 
• Certification of Purchase (in person) from the Department of National Parks & Wildlife officials is required within 45 days of departure for an Export Permit. Otherwise a 5 year minimum prison sentence is enforced. 
• Medical care and treatments does not meet our Western standards.
• Avoid tap water consumption.
• Nearest air ambulances are based in South Africa.
  
• Shortages of medicine and medical supplies exist throughout.
  
• Prevalent Diseases: African Tick Bite Fever, African Trypanosomiasis, Chikungunya, Cholera, Dengue, Hantavirus, Hepatitis A & B, HIV, Leptospirosis, Malaria, Measles, Rabies, Rift River Valley, Ross River Virus Disease, Schistosomiasis, Tuberculosis (TB), and Typhoid.
• Illegal to turn left on a red light.
• Water splashing a pedestrian as you drive by is a traffic violation.
• Seat belts are mandatory.
• Child seats are not mandatory.
  
• Use of cell phones while driving is illegal.

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months of validity upon return and three blank page for entry stamp.
• Yellow Fever Vaccination required from select countries. 

Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia. Photo Credit: Simon Berger/Pixabay 

• Best Time to Visit: May - October
• Coolest Months: May - August
• Hottest Months: September - November
• Peak Season: June - October

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park & Victoria Falls.

Photo Credit: TOM Chiponge Baroque M. C./Pixabay 

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                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.