Facts

Former Name: Northern Rhodesia

Capital: Lusaka (population 1 200 000)

Size: 752 614 sq km / 290 586 sq miles

Population: 10 421 000

Ethnic Groups: Native African, European, others

Languages: English, Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Mambwe, Nyanja, Ngoni, Tonga, Tumbuka, other native languages

Local time: GMT +2

System: metric

Driving: Vehicles travel on the left hand side of the road as opposed to the right hand side in Europe and America; you need an international driving license, if you are from overseas and not from one of the SADC countries

Most of Zambia's terrain consists of a high plateau at 1 000 to 1 500 m / 3 300 to 5 000 ft as well as hills and mountains. The higher peaks can mainly be found in the north and east, like the Muchinga Mountains and Zambia's highest mountain, Mwanda Peak (2 150 m / 7 050 ft). The country has three main rivers: the Zambezi, the Kafue and the Luangwa. The two latter are both tributaries of  the Zambezi River which acts as a natural border to Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, and feed the Victoria Falls. Zambia's also has three major lakes, all of which are in the north: Lake Bangweulu, Mweru and Tanganyika. The first two serve as borders with the Republic of Congo and Tanzania. 

With its tropical location, Zambia gets hot in the lower regions close to the water like the valleys of the rivers and the shores of the lakes. However, since most of the country lies raised on a plateau, it generally sees a temperate climate. There are three different seasons: May to August is cool and dry, September and October generally is hot and dry, and between November and April, Zambia gets a summer rainy season. Temperatures vary from 24° to 35°C / 75° to 95°F in the summer months, and from 7° to 23°C / 45° to 74°F in winter. 

Depending on how much water they are carrying, the Victoria Falls appear in different ways. In the time after the rainy season, the water masses are the biggest, whereas in the months of October and November, the water is low and the cliffs, gorges and rock formations are revealed.

All nationalities need a visa in order to enter Zambia, which can be obtained upon arrival in most cases. If you are planning to arrive by plane, check with your airline whether they require a visa in order to take you. Fees vary for different nationalities (with citizens of the UK having to pay the most whereas Scandinavians get it for free) and types of visa (transit visas are valid for 7 days, single / multiple entry ones for three months) and can be paid for in various currencies. Children ID's need to contain a picture to be accepted. In some cases, you might have to show an International Vaccination Certificate indicating yellow fever inoculation and / or a return or onward ticket. 

Diplomatic Embassies and High Commissions of Zambia
 
 

Germany Axel-Springer-Str. 54a 10117 Berlin .	Tel. ++49 30 206 29 40 Fax ++49 30 20 62 94 19 www.sambia-botschaft.de
United Kingdom 2 Palace Gate London W8 5NG United Kingdom .	Tel. ++44 20 7589 6655 Fax ++44 20 7581 1353 www.zhcl.org.uk . .
United States 2419 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington DC 20008 United States .	Tel. ++1 202 265 9717 zambia@tnm.com . . .

Diplomatic Embassies and High Commissions in Zambia
 
 

Germany 5209 United Nations Avenue Lusaka Zambia Postal Address: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, P.O. Box 50120, 15101 Ridgeway, Lusaka, Zambia .	Tel. ++260 1 25 06 44, ++260 1 25 12 59,  ++260 1 25 12 62 Fax ++260 1 25 40 14 geremblusaka@zamtel.zm www.germanembassy-lusaka.org .
United Kingdom 5210 Independence Ave 15101 Ridgeway Lusaka Zambia Postal Address: P.O. Box 50050, Lusaka, Zambia .	Tel. ++260 1 251 133 Fax ++260 1 251923 (Commercial / Consular), ++260 1 252842 (Visa) BHC-Lusaka@fco.gov.uk www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/zambia . . .
United States cnr Independence and United Nations Ave Lusaka Zambia .	Tel. ++260 1 250 955, ++260 1 227 993, ++260 1 227 994 Fax ++260 1 226 523 embpas@zamnet.zm ConsularLusaka@state.gov (visa queries) http://lusaka.usembassy.gov
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1 Kwacha (ZMK) = 100 Ngwee

You can exchange cash and traveller cheques at banks or foreign exchange bureaus in major cities. Cash, especially US Dollars, is the better option since traveller cheques might not be accepted everywhere and commissions can be very high. There is no import limit on foreign currency, but it needs to be declared. Major banks in Zambia are Barclays Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, and Zambia National Commercial Bank. Most credit cards are accepted, although there might be an additional surcharge. Cash advance can be a bit of a problem, but cash withdrawals from ATM's are an easy alternative.

Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday from 8.15 to 14:30 and the first and last Saturday a month from 8.15 to 11.00.

Country code: ++260. City code Lusaka: 01. City code Livingstone: 03. Mobile codes: 095, 096 and 097
International access code from Zambia: 00
Internet code: .zm

Other important numbers: 
Police: 991
Ambulance: 992 

Calls can be made from post and telephone offices in major cities as well as from token and card phone boxes. Internet cafes are increasing in numbers in all major cities.

Post offices usually are open Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 16.00.

Electricity

Zambia uses 220 V / 230 V / 50 Hz.
The plug either is a round pin attachment plug, has round pins with ground or is a rectangular blade plug.

Air

Lusaka's international airport it located 20 km / 12,5 miles outside Lusaka. Besides Lusaka, you can also fly into Livingstone and Mfuwe. Zambian Airways, Air Zimbabwe, Air Malawi, South African Airways and Comair all fly into Lusaka from other African countries. British Airways offers transcontinental flights between London and Lusaka. Connections to Livingstone can be made on Zambian Airways and Nationwide, whereas South African Airways offers direct flights between Livingstone and Johannesburg. Please note that upon departure all internationally bound passengers must pay an airport tax of 20 US $ in US Dollars cash respectively 5 US $ for domestic flights.

Overland

Driving

The main border crossings are: 

From Angola: none

From Botswana: Kazungula

From the Democratic Republic of Congo: Lubumbashi – Chililabombwe

From Malawi:  Mchinji and Chitipa

From Mozambique: Cassacatiza – Chanidan and Zumbo – Luanowa (at Lake Cabora Bassa)

From Namibia: Wenela - Sesheke

From Tanzania: Tunduma – Nakonde

From Zimbabwe: Chirundu, Kariba – Siavonga and Victoria Falls – Livingstone

If you enter Zambia with a vehicle that is not registered in Zambia, you have to get a temporary import permit (TIP) and third party insurance at the border. If the owner is not with the vehicle, you have to have a written authorisation that you are allowed to take it into Zambia. Also, make sure that you have tools and essential spare parts for emergencies for your vehicle. It is usually not permitted to take a rental car from South Africa into the country; clear with your car rental agency.

Bus

Buses and Minibuses run to / from Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and even South Africa, but there is none to / from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique.

Train

From Tanzania: There is a connection between Dar es Salaam and Lusaka via Kasama and the Tunduma – Nakonde border crossing. 

From Zimbabwe: A train line runs from Harare via Bulawayo and the Victoria Falls – Livingstone border crossing up to Luska. 

Boat

At Lake Tanganyika, the Liemba ferry connects Mpulungu with Kigoma.