Zambia Fact File
Below you will find relevant information when travelling to Zambia
Banks
Operational hours are generally 0815 to 1430 hours Mondays through to Fridays and 0815 to 1030 hours on 1st and last Saturdays of the month. Some banks may have longer operational hours.
Business Hours
Government offices are open from 08h00 to 17h00, Monday to Friday. Closed from 13h00 to 14h00.
Bank hours vary from bank to bank but most are open from 08h30 - 14h30 Monday to Friday. Only some are open on Saturdays.
Shops are generally open from 08h00 to 17h00, Monday to Friday although some stay open until 19h00 and on Saturdays from 08h00 to 13h00 although some stay open till 17h00. Major supermarkets are open 7 days a week from 09:00 to 21:00.
Climate
Zambia has three distinct seasons. December to April: warm and wet, May to August: cool and dry. September to November: hot and dry. Average temperatures in summer range from 25° C to 35° C and in winter from 6° C to 24° C.
To check the today’s weather forecast click here
Currency
The Kwacha (pronounced 'qua-cha) has denominations of 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10 000, 20 000 and 50 000 kwacha notes.
As of June 2010 US$1 = K 5,035 but this rate fluctuates ; click here for the latest currency exchange rate.
Currency Regulations
There is no limit to the importation of foreign currency, provided it is declared on arrival through a currency declaration form. When changing cash in a bureau de change ID is required as well as an address of where you are staying. Some bureaus may have a limit to the amount of foreign exchange that can be changed at any one time.
Credit Cards
Most hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and the bigger shops will take credit cards. Most of the bigger banks will advance local currency against a credit card. Standard Chartered, Stanbic and Barclays Banks have ATM's which accept Visa cards for cash.
Chemists / Pharmacies
Travellers should carry an adequate supply of their prescribed medicines with them although chemists in the major centres now carry a wide range of medicines and first aid accessories. There are some emergency chemists open after hours or Sundays in Lusaka.
Clubs
There are a limited number of sporting and social clubs in the major towns. Visitors are usually welcomed. Some charge a temporary membership fee.
Communications
Postal services are fairly well organised in Zambia and you should have no problem sending or receiving letters. In the main towns you will find the main Post office as well as Postnet to enable you to send or receive post.
There are several Internet Cafes in Livingstone and Lusaka as well as in the major towns throughout Zambia and time on line is very reasonable. A popular one in Lusaka is at the Arcades shopping centre with several computers, hotspot connections while being able to enjoy quality food from the nearby outlets.
Internet Service Providers are Zamnet, UUnet, Coppernet, Zamtel, Microlink, Iconnect, Africonnect and most offer broadband or dial up connections now.
Public telephones are available in most public buildings, i.e. post offices, and most use tokens. International calls can also be made from a private home or large hotel. (Note the surcharge at hotels is quite high). Direct dialling to neighbouring countries requires 4 sets of numbers: first the international prefix 00, then the country code, the city code, then the number. Incoming calls usually cost less than outgoing calls from Zambia. To book an operator assisted international call, dial 090 or 093. Local directory assistance is 103. There are secretarial services along Cairo Rd in Lusaka and at most hotels that offer telephone, fax and telex and email facilities for a fee.
Customs
Travellers may, for their own consumption, import 2.5 litres of duty free beer, wine or spirits and 400 cigarettes or 500gms of tobacco.
Car Hire
There are many car hire companies in Lusaka and a few in Ndola, offering a range of vehicles. Some offer a flat weekly rate, but most charge a daily rate plus mileage, insurance and petrol. Most cars come with a chauffeur and can be quite costly.
Airport Departure Tax
Departure tax at airports is US$25 (international) and $8 (domestic); some airlines include the tax in the ticket (JI Tax) otherwise you will have to pay the tax prior to departure. Currently Proflight Zambia does not include the departure tax in their tickets. A new security charge has been introduced effective 01 Jan 2011 which is U$3.00 for Domestic departures and U$5.00 for International departures. This must be paid at the same counter as departure tax.
Drivers Licence
Visiting drivers must hold an International Drivers Licence. Driver's licences from other countries are not valid except SADC countries. New residents are required to pass a driving test. A person driving into the country on business can have their car admitted without having to pay duty, provided they will not use it for hire or commercial purposes. They will also have to show that the car is owned by themselves or by their company.
Duty Free
The following items may be imported into Zambia without incurring customs duty: 400 cigarettes or 500g of tobacco; One bottle of spirits and wine and 2.5 litres of beer (opened); 1oz bottle of perfume.
Note: Souvenirs may be exported without restriction but game trophies such as tooth, bone, horn, shell, claw, skin, hair, feather or other durable items are subject to export permits.
Emergency Numbers
Emergency – 999
Police – 991
Lusaka, Central police station, – 220006
Lusaka, Central Fire station, 220180
Lusaka, Ambulance service – 220180
National telephone operator – 100
National directory – 102
International operator - 090
Ambulance - 991
Fire brigade – 993
Hospital UTH - Lusaka
General Line 251200
Casualty Direct Line254115
Livingstone Central police 03 323575/320116
Livingstone Fire station- 03 324043
Energy
Local current is 220v, 50 cycle AC. Please note that electric sockets are the 3-pin square design as used in the United Kingdom.
Government
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) has ruled Zambia since 1991. It has been headed by three Presidents, Frederick Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa who passed away during his second term and was succeeded by the current President, Rupiah Banda. President Banda was sworn in as President after winning a Presidential By- Election towards the end of 2008.
Their economic policy is to move Zambia from a centralised, state driven economy to a more liberal open market economy that is private sector driven. The Government has put in place the necessary incentives to encourage private investment which includes privatisation of State owned companies, rehabilitation of strategic infrastructure, a stable monetary policy and the recent enactment of the Competition and Fair Trade Act.
Health Requirements
Visitors from or passing through a yellow fever and cholera zone (most of tropical Africa and South America) must be able to produce a valid International Certificate of Vaccination.WHO is revising the yellow fever status in Zambia but it is important to note that the South African Department of Health now requires all travellers between South Africa and Zambia and vice versa to have proof of the Yellow Fever vaccination. This is also the same for any travellers in transit. Yellow Fever vaccination must have been given 10 days prior to date of travel.
See Health International/ MARS, and Speciality Emergency Services for Medical Rescue Services.
Insurance
Third party insurance must be purchased at the border for a nominal fee.
Language
There are over 73 dialects spoken in Zambia, but the official language is English. All media and business is in English and most Zambians speak it fairly well. Bemba is the next most commonly understood language, followed by Nyanja Tonga, Luvale, Lozi, Mambwe and Tumbuka.
Membership
INTERNATIONAL: Commonwealth, GATT, ILO, IMF, NAM, UN, WB, WHO
REGIONAL: African Development Bank, Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) OAU, Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Media
Magazines: A number of local magazines and International Publications are available at bookstores. The Lusaka Lowdown reviews accommodation and restaurants, consumer affairs, articles on tourism and other Zambian issues, life in Lusaka, regular features.
Main Newspapers:
Sunday Mail
Zambia Daily Mail
The Post
Times of Zambia
Radio Stations: Mulungushi (FM), Phoenix, Christian Voice, Trinity Broadcasting, Radio Icelengo, Voice of America, BBC and radio Canada can be picked up on Short-wave, TV: ZNBC , Muvi TV, Mnet and Satelite TV
Other Zambian Sites:
Zambia on Line (general Zambia e-zine)
Zambiz Business Directory
Lyrics Africa (Zambian music)
Medical services
Medical services are underdeveloped and only in Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone can you find a selection of clinics and hospitals. There are a number of small private clinics in Lusaka which can be better than the general hospitals, but the clinics in the rural areas have little more than quinine, aspirin and band aids.
Medical Insurance
Medical insurance should be purchased before you leave your own country and should include emergency air evacuation coverage if you’re spending any time in remote parts of the country.
Petrol
Petrol and diesel can be readily obtained in all major towns, but shortages are common in the very remote areas so make sure you have spare fuel for emergencies. Both petrol and diesel get more expensive the further away you are from the line of rail. Unleaded petrol is now available at most petrol stations in the major towns.
Public Transport
There are many taxis available for hire, some registered and others not. Taxis and Mini buses which are registered with the Bus Drivers and Motor Taxis Association of Zambia are branded in blue and have LK with a number on the side.