Zambia

Zambia is one of the strangest colonial legacies, agglomerating a huge number of ethnic groups (73, according to the official census) and languages (20, plus dialects). They all appear to get along fairly well, thanks to a long history of cohabitation, considerable movement across the nation, and comparable Bantu-family languages, and Zambia has avoided the terrible interethnic conflict that has devastated countries like Rwanda.

The Bemba are Zambia’s biggest ethnic group, although they only account for approximately 20% of the population. The Bemba are a group of people that originated in the Congo in the 16th century, and although their homelands are in the north and center of the nation, many have settled in Lusaka and the Copperbelt.

The Chewa, Ngoni, and Nsenga tribes, all of whom live in Zambia’s east, speak the Nyanja language and account for approximately 15% of the country’s population.

With 15% of the population, the Tonga, Ila, and Lenje, together known as the Bantu Botatwe (Three Peoples), are a close second. They are concentrated in the west of the country, along the Zambezi Valley, and on the plateaus to the north.

The Lozi in the far west (6% of the population) are renowned for their basketry and a low-key (non-violent) separatist movement calling for an independent Barotseland.

The Lala and Bisa (5 percent), the Kaonde (3 percent), the Mambwe and Lungu (3 percent), the Lunda (3 percent), the Lamba (2.5 percent), and the Luvale (2 percent) are among Zambia’s 57 tribes. Don’t worry: the distinctions aren’t important to visitors, and residents will gladly explain their customs if asked, especially during festivals.

White Africans of English or Afrikaner ancestry (1.2%) are also evident, especially in the more affluent sections of large cities.

Zambia seems to be located firmly in the tropics on a map, however due to its landlocked and high location, it has different seasons that run as follows:

Temperatures vary depending on height; if you’re in a valley (like the Zambezi), it’ll be warmer; if you’re higher up (like Kasama), it’ll be colder.

Zambia is a landlocked nation in southern Africa with a tropical climate. It is mainly made up of vast plateaus with some hills and mountains, with river basins cutting through it. It is the world’s 39th biggest nation, slightly smaller than Chile, with 752,614 km2 (290,586 sq mi). The nation is mainly located between 8° and 18° South latitude and 22° and 34° East longitude.

Zambia is drained by two main river basins: the Zambezi/Kafue basin in the center, west, and south, which covers about three-quarters of the nation, and the Congo basin in the north, which covers approximately one-quarter of the country. The internal drainage basin of Lake Rukwa in Tanzania covers a relatively small region in the northeast.

The Kabompo, Lungwebungu, Kafue, Luangwa, and the Zambezi itself, which flows through Zambia in the west and forms its southern boundary with Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, are just a few of the main rivers that run through the Zambezi basin. Its source is in Zambia, but it flows into Angola, where many of its tributaries originate in the central highlands of the country. Zambia’s southern border is formed by the margin of the Cuando River floodplain (not its main channel), which supplies relatively little water to the Zambezi through the Chobe River due to evaporation.

The Kafue and the Luangwa, two of the Zambezi’s longest and biggest tributaries, flow mostly in Zambia. Their confluences with the Zambezi are at Chirundu and Luangwa town, respectively, on the Zimbabwean border. The Luangwa River forms part of Zambia’s boundary with Mozambique before its confluence. The Zambezi River exits Zambia at Luangwa town and flows into Mozambique, finally entering the Mozambique Channel.

The Zambezi flows into Lake Kariba after falling approximately 100 meters (328 feet) over the 1.6 km (0.99 mi) broad Victoria Falls in the country’s south-west corner. The Zambezi valley, which runs along Zambia’s southern border, is deep and broad. It is a rift valley that runs east from Lake Kariba and is created by grabens, similar to the Luangwa, Mweru-Luapula, Mweru-wa-Ntipa, and Lake Tanganyika valleys.

Zambia’s north is mostly flat, with wide plains. The Barotse Floodplain on the Zambezi, which floods from December to June, trailing behind the yearly rainy season, is the most noteworthy in the west (typically November to April). The flood has taken over the natural environment, as well as the lives, societies, and cultures of the residents of the floodplains and other minor floodplains throughout the nation.

The plateau between the Zambezi and Lake Tanganyika basins in Eastern Zambia is inclined uphill to the north, and therefore rises gradually from approximately 900 m (2,953 ft) in the south to 1,200 m (3,937 ft) in the center, reaching 1,800 m (5,906 ft) near Mbala in the north. The World Wildlife Fund has classified these plateau regions in northern Zambia as part of the Central Zambezian Miombo woodlands ecoregion.

Eastern Zambia is a diverse region. The Luangwa Valley divides the plateau in a north-east-to-south-west arc, with the Lunsemfwa River’s deep valley extending west into the plateau’s core. Some parts of the valley are bordered by hills and mountains, most notably the Nyika Plateau (2,200 m or 7,218 ft) on the Malawi border, which continue into Zambia as the Mafinga Hills, which include the country’s highest peak, Mafinga Central (2,339 m or 7,674 ft).

The Muchinga Mountains, which serve as a watershed between the Zambezi and Congo drainage basins, run parallel to the Luangwa River’s wide valley and provide a stark backdrop to its northern border, although being nearly entirely below 1,700 meters (5,577 ft). Mumpu, the highest point in Zambia away from the eastern border area, is located in the western end and stands at 1,892 meters (6,207 feet). The Congo Pedicle’s boundary was established around this peak.

The Congo River’s southernmost headstream originates in Zambia and flows west through the country’s northern region, first as the Chambeshi and then, following the Bangweulu Swamps, as the Luapula, which forms part of the DRC’s border. The Luapula River runs south, then west, before turning north to reach Lake Mweru. The Kalungwishi River, which flows into the lake from the east, is another significant tributary. The Luvua River flows from Lake Mweru’s northern end to the Lualaba River (Upper Congo River).

The other main hydrographic feature in the Congo basin is Lake Tanganyika. The Kalambo River, which forms part of Zambia’s border with Tanzania, supplies water to its south-eastern end. The Kalambo Falls, Africa’s second tallest continuous waterfall, is located along this river.

Zambia has 14 habitats, divided into four vegetation types: forest, thicket, woodland, and grassland.

Zambia has a total of 12,505 species, including 63 percent animal species, 33 percent plant species, and 4% bacterial and microbe species.

Sedges, herbaceous plants, and woody plants make up an estimated 3,543 species of wild blooming plants. The greatest variety of blooming plants may be found in the country’s northern and north-western regions. Approximately 53% of blooming plants are rated and may be found all across the nation.

There are a total of 242 mammalian species, with the majority of them endemic to the woodland and grassland ecosystems. The Rhodesian giraffe and the Kafue Lechwe are two well-known indigenous Zambian animals.

There are an estimated 757 bird species in the nation, 600 of which are resident or afrotropic migrants, 470 of which breed in the country, and 100 of which are non-breeding migrants. The Zambian barbet is a well-known indigenous Zambian species.

In Zambia, there are approximately 490 known fish species belonging to 24 fish families, with Lake Tanganyika having the most diverse and endemic species.

Zambia’s population was 13,092,666 people according to the 2010 census. Zambia has 73 ethnic tribes, making it one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. Between 1911 to 1963, while the nation was occupied by the British, it drew immigrants from Europe and the Indian subcontinent, the latter of whom came especially as laborers. While most Europeans fled when white minority rule ended, a sizable Asian population remained.

There were 1,497 Europeans, 39 Asians, and an estimated 820,000 Africans in the first documented census, which took place on May 7, 1911. Prior to independence, black Africans were not included in all six censuses—held in 1911, 1921, 1931, 1946, 1951, and 1956. There were 65,277 Europeans, 5,450 Asians, 5,450 Coloureds, and an estimated 2,100,000 Africans in 1956, when the final census before independence was performed.

In the 2010 census, Black Africans made up 98.2 percent of the population, with the remaining 1.8 percent made up of other significant racial groupings.

Zambia is one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s most urbanized nations, with 44 percent of the population concentrated in a few metropolitan centers along key transportation corridors, while rural areas remain sparsely inhabited. As of 2007, the fertility rate was 6.2 (6.1 in 1996, 5.9 in 2001–02).

The population is made up of 73 ethnic groups, the majority of which speak Bantu. The Nyanja-Chewa, Bemba, Tonga, Tumbuka, Lunda, Luvale, Kaonde, Nkoya, and Lozi ethnolinguistic groups account for almost 90% of Zambians. Each ethnic community is located in a certain geographic location of the nation in rural regions, and many groups are tiny and unknown. In Lusaka and the Copperbelt, however, all ethnic groups are represented in considerable numbers.

Expatriates, largely British or South African, as well as some white Zambian nationals, live mostly in Lusaka and the Copperbelt in northern Zambia, where they work in mining, finance, and associated industries or are retired. In 1964, there were 70,000 Europeans in Zambia, although many have since departed.

Zambia has a modest but economically significant Asian community, with Indians and Chinese making up the majority. In Zambia, there are 13,000 Indians. Zambia has an estimated 80,000 Chinese residents. Several hundred dispossessed white farmers have fled Zimbabwe in recent years to take up farming in Zambia’s Southern region, at the invitation of the Zambian government.

Zambia has an estimated 88,900 refugees and asylum seekers, according to the World Refugee Survey 2009 released by the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. The bulk of refugees in Zambia came from the Democratic Republic of Congo (47,300 in 2007), Angola (27,100; see Angolans in Zambia), Zimbabwe (5,400), and Rwanda (see Rwandans in Zambia) (4,900).

Beginning in May 2008, the number of Zimbabweans in Zambia started to rise dramatically; the inflow was mostly made up of Zimbabweans who had previously lived in South Africa and were escaping xenophobic violence there. In Zambia, almost 60,000 refugees reside in camps, with another 50,000 blending in with the local population. To work in Zambia, refugees must apply for formal licenses, which may cost up to $500 per year.

According to the 1996 constitution, Zambia is a Christian country, although there are many other religious traditions. In many of the country’s syncretic churches, traditional religious beliefs mix well with Christian ideas. Roughly three-quarters of the population is Protestant, with about 20% of the population practicing Roman Catholicism. Catholicism, Anglicanism, Pentecostalism, the New Apostolic Church, Lutheranism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Branhamites, and a number of other Evangelical groups are among the Christian denominations.

The initial missionary colonies (Portuguese and Catholicism in the east from Mozambique) and Anglicanism (British influences) in the south developed, adjusted, and thrived. Except for a few specialized professions (such as doctors), local believers have taken up Western missionary responsibilities. Pentecostal churches grew significantly throughout the nation when Frederick Chiluba (a Pentecostal Christian) was elected President in 1991. Zambia has one of the highest per capita percentages of Seventh-day Adventists in the world, with approximately one in every 18 Zambians.

The New Apostolic Church has 11 members in Zambia. Zambia is the church’s third-largest district, behind Congo East and East Africa, with about 1,200,000 members (Nairobi).

Zambia has a Baha’i community of approximately 160,000 people, or 1.5 percent of the total population. The Baha’i community’s William Mmutle Masetlha Foundation is especially engaged in areas such as literacy and basic health care. Muslims make up around 1% of the population, the most of whom reside in metropolitan areas and have a significant economic role in the nation. The Ahmadiyya sect has a population of approximately 500 people. A tiny Jewish population, mainly Ashkenazis, exists as well.

English is Zambia’s official language and the language most often used in schools, on the radio, in government offices, and so on, thanks to its previous colonial position. However, there are over 70 Bantu languages spoken throughout Zambia, with the most important being Bemba, which is spoken in Lusaka(a little), the Copperbelt, and the north; Nyanja (Chewa), which is spoken in the east as well as in Lusaka, where it is the main language; Tonga, which is spoken in the south and Livingstone; Lozi, which is spoken primarily in Western province; and Lunda and Kaonde, which are spoken in Northwester

Many urban Zambians will be able to communicate in English. Expect communication to become increasingly difficult as you go into rural regions. Nonetheless, don’t be shocked if you come across a Zambian in the countryside who speaks perfect English.

When conversing with Zambians, the most essential thing to remember is to welcome them. Even if you don’t care, always start by asking, “How are you?” while approaching a Zambian. They will hold you in high regard. Sport, particularly football (soccer), is a popular subject among males; religion is popular among both genders.

It is a good idea to understand the local manner of exchanging pleasantries, asking for something respectfully, and thanking someone wherever you are in the nation. These easy-to-remember words will make your life simpler.

The use of Afrikaans is increasing slowly but steadily, owing to immigration from South Africa and the ease with which it may be learned.

By mail

Zambia’s postal service is sluggish and unreliable (particularly outside of Lusaka), but it’s not hopeless. If you’re delivering anything essential, a private courier service is still advised.

By phone

Zambia has the country code “260.” “211” is the Lusaka city code. Check the list for city codes for additional municipalities. Phone service, both inside and outside of Zambia, is, nevertheless, hit-or-miss. Regular, reliable phone service is more probable in big cities, although it is by no means guaranteed. The farther you go from Lusaka, the more difficult it is to keep a strong connection. Calling charges to other countries may be as high as $3 per minute.

Cell phones have been more popular in recent years, and Zambia has a crowded market with three major operators: airtel (0976,0977,0979), Cell Z (0955), and MTN (0966,0967). In general, Airtel has the biggest network, whereas Cell Z offers the lowest service. A local SIM card may be purchased for as low as 5,000K ($1). Prepaid time is offered in “units” that equate to dollars: expect to pay 0.4 units for an SMS and up to 1 unit/minute for calls, but the exact rates are as per usual befuddling. Whether you intend to travel using a non-Zambian SIM, first check with your home operator to see if they have any roaming agreements in place; Zambia is generally not at the top of their list. It’s also worth noting that roaming costs are exorbitant, and service in rural regions may be patchy.

The majority of “public telephone” booths nowadays consist of a man renting out his smartphone. Domestic calls cost $5 per minute ($1), while international calls cost $15 per minute ($3).

By internet

In Zambia, Internet cafés are popping up, but connections are intermittent and sluggish. Furthermore, since uninterrupted power is not always possible, some Internet cafés utilize backup generators, which may be quite expensive. Expect to pay as much as 25 cents per minute at an Internet café. Most hotels and backpackers charge a fee for internet access, which is usually about 5K for 15 minutes.

Zambia’s yearly exports are now estimated to be between $7 billion and $8 billion. Around 68 percent of Zambians live below the internationally recognized poverty line, with rural poverty rates of around 78 percent and urban poverty rates of around 53 percent. In metropolitan regions, unemployment and underemployment are significant issues. The majority of Zambians in rural areas are subsistence farmers.

On the 2007 Global Competitiveness Index, which considers variables that influence economic development, Zambia was placed 117th out of 128 nations. Social indices, such as life expectancy at birth (about 40.9 years) and maternal mortality, continue to decrease (830 per 100,000 pregnancies). The country’s economic growth rate is insufficient to sustain fast population expansion or the economic pressure that HIV/AIDS-related problems impose.

Following a drop in worldwide copper prices in the 1970s, Zambia slipped into poverty. The communist government compensated for declining revenues by attempting numerous failed structural adjustment programs with the International Monetary Fund (SAPs). The economy suffered severely as a result of the policy of not trading via the major supply route and rail line to the sea – the region known as Rhodesia (from 1965 to 1979) and now known as Zimbabwe. Following the Kaunda dictatorship, subsequent administrations started modest reforms (starting in 1991). Until the late 1990s, the economy remained stagnant. Zambia’s economy grew for the ninth consecutive year in 2007. Inflation was 8.9% in 2010, down from 30% in 2000.

Economic reform problems such as the size of the public sector and strengthening Zambia’s social sector delivery mechanisms are currently being addressed in Zambia. There are a lot of rules and red tape in the economy, and there’s a lot of corruption. The extensive usage of facilitation fees is encouraged by the bureaucratic processes surrounding the process of acquiring licenses. Zambia had a total foreign debt of more than $6 billion when it qualified for debt relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC) in 2000, but only if it met specific performance requirements. Zambia had planned to achieve the HIPC completion milestone in late 2003 and benefit from significant debt relief.

The Zambian government notified the IMF and the World Bank in January 2003 that it wanted to renegotiate several of the agreed-upon performance requirements, including the privatization of the Zambia National Commercial Bank and the national telephone and power companies. Despite reaching agreements on these concerns, Zambia’s ultimate HIPC debt forgiveness was postponed from late 2003 to early 2005 at the earliest due to further overspending on public sector salaries. In order to complete the HIPC program by 2004, the government prepared an austerity budget for 2004, freezing public sector wages and raising a variety of levies. Salary increases and new hiring were not possible due to the tax rise and pay freeze in the public sector. In February 2004, this prompted a national walkout.

Zambia’s government is working on an economic diversification plan to decrease the country’s dependence on copper. By boosting agriculture, tourism, gemstone mining, and hydropower, this program aims to tap into various aspects of Zambia’s vast resource base.

Zambian visa policy may best be described as perplexing: there is a maze of regulations governing who need visas, whether visas can be acquired on arrival, and how much they cost. Local border posts use their own interpretations, as well. Zambia has been cashing in on the unexpected growth in its tourist sector, with visa costs raised and the prior visa waiver scheme canceled: you’ll now be required to pay in cash at the immigration kiosks when you arrive.

The good news is that after customs has worked out what group you fall into, getting a visa is usually not an issue, and most Western tourists can receive visas on arrival. Some nationalities, such as Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, are eligible for visa-free admission. The complete list of visa-exempt nationalities may be seen on the immigration department’s website . All countries may apply for a single-entry visa for $50 and a multiple-entry visa for $80, which is valid for three months; US passport holders can only apply for a multiple-entry visa, which is good for three years.

There’s also the US$50 Univisa, which is valid in both Zambia and Zimbabwe for 30 days. Only Livingstone airport, Victoria Falls land border, Kazangula Botswana border, and Lusaka airport can issue Univisas.

Check with your closest Zambian embassy for the most up-to-date information; the Zambian Embassy in the United States provides some information on their site, and obtaining a visa before to travel will minimize the amount of uncertainty.

If you need a visa to enter Zambia, you may be able to apply for one at your home country’s embassy or consulate if there isn’t a Zambian diplomatic presence there. A Zambian visa application costs £50 to complete at a British diplomatic post, with an additional £70 if the Zambian authorities need the application to be forwarded to them. If the Zambian authorities communicate with you directly, they may opt to charge you an extra cost.

Customs and Immigration at Lusaka Airport is unprepared to cope with visitors. Zambian passport holders, Residents, Tourists, and Diplomats each have their own lane. The fact that the tourist lane is occasionally unstaffed is telling. Despite the presence of numerous immigration officials, the Tourist lane is often unstaffed. Before being processed, expect all other lanes to be vacant.

Specialist safari vacation firms can handle immigration for people who would rather leave the burden to someone else.

Lusaka airport is Zambia’s major international gateway, with flights to a variety of destinations.

ProFlight Airlines flies to Livingstone, near the famous Victoria Falls, and Mfuwe, in the South Luangwa National Park, Kasama, Ndola, Kitwe, Solwezi, and Kufue National Park in Zambia.

There are direct flights from Livingstone International Airport to:

Direct flights are available from Ndola International Airport:

Due to low safety standards, all Zambian airlines are prohibited from flying in EU airspace.

On Tuesdays and Fridays, TAZARA trains operate between Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The journey will take 38 hours, according to the timetable. A train trip between Dar es Salaam and Zambia is a lovely opportunity to explore the landscape at a low fee ($30 for first class and $25 for second).

However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind regarding this trip:

The cost of a second-class sleeper train ticket from Kapiri Mposhi to Tunduma, Tanzania, is 135 Kwacha. The trip is 883 kilometers long (549 miles).

Via Zimbabwe/Victoria Falls: Trains operate between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Take a cab or a 13-kilometer walk over the border at the Victoria Falls Bridge to Livingstone station in Zambia, where you may board a Zambia Railways train to Lusaka and the Copperbelt, which connects with the Tazara railway at Kapiri Mposhi.

Zambian vehicles drive on the left side of the road.

There are many ways to enter Zambia by vehicle, however the following are the most popular:

Depending on the size of the vehicle, crossing foreign borders by automobile will incur a fee. The procedure may also take a long time since you will have to pay at several booths or offices, which are frequently in inconvenient locations. You may expect to spend the following for a basic sedan:

From Zambia, there are many international bus routes. Taking a bus over the border into Malawi, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Namibia is an option. Given the high number of individuals needing simultaneous processing, immigration may be arduous.

Zambia is landlocked, although it shares a border with Tanzania’s Lake Tanganyika, and international ferries traverse the lake several times a week. M/S Liemba was constructed in Germany in 1914, dismantled, transferred to Tanzania, transported by rail to Kigoma (Tanzania), and then rebuilt there. It is a Titanic-era ship that has sunk twice, yet it is a beautiful ship with decent services. If you have the time, you should go on this vacation. You will also have to cross the Zambezi River if you enter Zambia via Namibia’s Caprivi Strip.

Zambia is a big country with extensive distances, so allow plenty of time to travel around.

Proflight connects Zambia’s main towns and tourism areas with domestic flights. While flying is certainly the quickest and most pleasant mode of transportation, it is also the most costly, with an hour-long trip (say, from Lusaka to Mfuwe) costing about US$150 one-way. Also keep in mind that aircraft are tiny and timetables are limited, but you may charter planes for not much extra if you can get up enough passengers.

Minibuses, or vans with seats, are popular, although they are often erratic, hazardous, and inconvenient. A “conductor” would cram as many paying passengers — and their baggage, or katundu (ka-TOON-doo) — onto the bus as possible in order to maximize earnings; whether or not the clients are comfortable is unimportant. This technique, on the other hand, is one of the finest for meeting locals and may offer a visitor with a really “authentic” experience. Payment is done on the bus: banknotes are handed down the aisle to the conductor at the front, and change is returned along the same path.

There are even larger, more sophisticated “luxury coaches” available. These are more dependable and safer; they leave on time, have designated space for passengers and baggage, and tickets may be bought in advance. Luxury coaches are considerably more luxurious and almost always arrive on time, but to a seasoned traveler, they may seem “generic.”

Zambians drive on the left side of the road, at least for the most part.

Zambia has car rental companies, although the prices may be very high. Not only are rental prices expensive ($100/day), but several of Zambia’s major highways are in bad shape. Potholes often take up the whole route, and significant portions of the road wash away during the wet season. Dirt roads appear when you go out from city centers (perhaps just a kilometer or two).

Although the soil may seem to be solid, it is often loose, and the possibilities of an accident are high if you do not drive at a safe pace. Although it is unlikely that you would get lost when driving in Zambia (there are just a few highways), you are likely to misjudge the destructive potential of these roads and cause damage to a rental car or, worse, yourself! In the wet season, 4WD vehicles are advised at all times and are required on dirt roads, but certain routes may become totally inaccessible.

Remember that Zambia has no Roadside Assistance Packages and extremely few ambulances, tow trucks, or other emergency vehicles. Bush technicians can perform an excellent job of patching up your car given the conditions, but patching up people isn’t that simple!

TAZARA line trains run between New Kapiri Mposhi and the Tanzanian border at Nakonde. Livingstone and Kitwe are connected by Zambia Railways through Lusaka and Kapiri Mposhi (2 km from the TAZARA station). They are generally secure and dependable, but they are sluggish. However, you may want to explore them for the vistas and feeling of adventure they provide.

Hitchhiking is common in Zambia, but it may be very hit-or-miss due to low traffic density. It’s also worth noting that if you’re picked up by a local, you’ll have to pay for the trip. Nonetheless, hitchhiking in Zambia does not have the same negative connotation as it has in the United States; you are unlikely to be hurt, and you may establish a valuable connection.

Private taxis or cabs are readily available in the south. Cabs have a characteristic light blue color, although not all of them have a taxi sign on top. Most drivers are willing to bargain for a better fee and are eager to travel between cities, and they often cross into Zimbabwe from Livingstone.

Zambia offers a wide range of lodging options. In Zambia, you can stay in a top-notch hotel for a few hundred dollars (such as The Intercontinental); or you can stay in an independent hotel (such as The Ndeke) for about $50; or you can go on a budget and spend $5/8 (camping) or $10/15 (dorm bed) $30(double room) at one of about 12 Backpackers hostels throughout the country. These are only a handful of the possibilities. Various Budget Lodges are now available in many places, with rates starting at K 70 per night. When you arrive in a town, you should inquire around.

However, excellent lodging may be difficult to get by outside of major towns or tourist regions. If you have refined tastes — or even if you need continuous power — you may want to think again about going too far into the woods. You may be pleasantly pleased if you want a fun, memorable, and genuine night at a local hotel.

Zambia has National Parks all throughout the nation, so finding a postcard-perfect slice of Africa is never difficult. Safari possibilities abound in the country, with parks ranging from well-known tourist attractions to apparently uncharted territory. Elephants, giraffes, large herds of grazers, lions, and hundreds of species of birds are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Zambia’s biodiversity.

Because of its dense and diverse population of wild animals, South Luangwa National Park is undoubtedly the most well-known and a traveler’s favorite. North Luangwa National Park is less visited and is renowned for its huge herds of buffalo and lion prides that roam the region. Lower Zambezi National Park is much further off the beaten path, to the point that even dirt roads are few.

The fact that it was the president’s own hunting field meant that development was kept to a minimum and that the genuine, unspoiled African bush could be found all around. If you’re in the area around October, go to Kasanka National Park to see the massive bat migration, which includes an estimated 8 million of the tiny animals soaring across the sky. Go canoeing down the Zambezi river as far as the beautiful Mpata Gorge if you’re fit enough.

The Victoria Falls, which mark the boundary with Zimbabwe, are one of Zambia’s main attractions, apart from its excellent wildlife and African scenery. A vacation to the nation isn’t complete without a stop to one of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls. A November dip in the Devil’s Pool, a naturally created basin that allows for a few weeks of relatively safe swimming right on the brink of the breathtakingly steep drop, is an additional interesting experience.

If you want a more cultural experience, go to one of the country’s numerous colorful festivals and see traditional rituals like the Lozi people’s Ku’omboka. The Shiwa Ng’andu estate near Mpika provides a fascinating glimpse into Zambia’s colonial past. Spend a day wandering around the vibrant outdoor markets of buzzing Lusaka for a more metropolitan feel of contemporary Africa.

Zambian cuisine is based on a single staple, maize, which is presented in one form, nsima (n’SHEE-ma). Nsima is a thick porridge that is shaped into balls with your right hand and dipped into a variety of relishes (stews) (ndiwo, umunani). Those who can afford it eat beef, chicken, or fish delights, while those who can’t eat beans, small dried fish (kapenta), peanuts, pumpkin leaves (chibwabwa), and other vegetables like okra (ndelele), cabbage, and rape. Nsima may be eaten as a soup for breakfast, perhaps with a little sugar. For less than 5K ($1), local eateries will offer nsima and relish.

Western cuisine has also made significant inroads, especially in large towns, and you can get virtually any meal you want in Lusaka or Livingstone. In Zambia, fast food, such as chips and burgers, pizza, and fried chicken, is extremely popular. Bakeries selling inexpensive fresh bread can be found in most cities, and rice from Chama may be used as a substitute if maize becomes scarce.

Ethnic restaurants are popular for sit-down dinners. Sunday brunch at The Intercontinental in Lusaka is particularly notable, and if you enjoy Indian cuisine, The Dil is a must-visit. Of course, since wildlife parks often cater to affluent — generally foreign — tourists, high-quality Western meals are readily available. You’ll see “tuck shops” along major highways selling boxed cookies or take-away dinners — pork pies or sausage rolls, for example — that may or may not satisfy you.

Finally, outside of large cities, you are rare to locate a decent washroom with running water in terms of cleanliness. You’ll most likely be given a bowl of water, some soap, and a (wet) towel. As a result, some tourists carry antibacterial hand soap in tiny bottles with them.

Zambian tap water is usually unfit to drink unless it has been heated. In cities, bottled water is readily accessible, but not often in rural regions. In the event of an emergency, carrying chlorine tablets to cleanse water is recommended.

Soft drinks

Maheu, a little gritty and faintly yogurty yet refreshing beverage prepared from maize flour, is a traditional local drink worth tasting. Maheu from a factory is sweet, comes in plastic bottles, and comes in a variety of flavors including banana, chocolate, and orange, while maheu from a household is generally unflavored and less sweet.

Coke products are readily available and inexpensive, costing less than a quarter a bottle, but be aware of the deposit system: in rural regions, you may be required to return an empty bottle before receiving a new one!

Local alcohol

The residents’ favorite drink is masese (muh-SE-say) or ucwala (uch-WALA), commonly known as Chibuku after the largest brand, which is produced from maize, millet, or cassava and has a texture and flavor similar to sour porridge. If you want to give it a try, search for factory-made varieties in milk-carton-like containers.

There are chances to consume local “homebrews” in rural regions. Zambia has a broad range of homebrews, ranging from honey beers (produced in the country’s southern provinces) to tea-leaf wine (in the Eastern portion of the country).

Finally, there’s kachasu (kuh-CHA-suh), a spirit made from anything Zambians can find, including battery acid and manure. It is thus preferable to avoid this moonshine for obvious reasons.

Finally, the majority of males at pubs are unwinding, while many women are working. If you’re a single woman at a Zambian bar, be warned that you may be approached and given the chance to do something you didn’t want to do.

The Kwacha — which means “sunrise” and was created to commemorate Zambia’s independence — was originally linked to the US dollar, making conversion easy. The kwacha, on the other hand, was floated in the late 1990s and quickly depreciated. Due to international debt relief and a rise in copper prices, the Kwacha has gained significantly since mid-2005. The Kwacha is currently trading at US$1 = 11.0 ZMW, €1 = 12.1 ZMW, and GBP1 = 16.7 ZMW as of December 2015. Between January 2013 and June 2013, the currency was re-based (the final three zeros were removed), however you may sometimes get change in both the new re-based currency and the old currency. Only the new money will be issued by ATMs and banks (there are helpful posters every where with the new and old notes).

Although it is prohibited, US dollars are nevertheless widely utilized for bigger transactions and will be accepted by anybody dealing with visitors. It’s fairly uncommon to see all of the written pricing in local currency at a hotel restaurant before receiving a bill in US dollars. In banks and bureaux de change in Zambia, only the “large heads” (new notes) are accepted; tiny heads are not accepted (if you are lucky you can change them in Livingstone). The ideal notes to carry are US $50 and $100 bills; smaller nominations will result in a lower rate at the bureaux (5-10 percent less).

Changing Euros is tough, particularly up country, where bureaux provide a low rate (up to 25% less than the market rate!). International banks will accept your payment, but you will be charged a commission. Finance Bank at Lusaka’s Arcades Shopping Centre is renowned for accepting Euros at a fair rate and without commission. Bureaux and banks will only exchange up to 1000 US dollars (or equivalent) per person per day! Keep an eye on the rates since they may fluctuate dramatically from day to day, with daily variations ranging from 3% to 5%.

In large cities, the South African Rand may be swapped quite readily. Other second-tier currencies, such as the Australian dollar, are uninteresting. Locals will give you blank stares, while tourists will ridicule you with a mocking chuckle.

Refer to 1000 kwacha as a pin if you want to seem like a local; for example, 10,000K is “ten pin.” The kwacha depreciated so quickly in the 1990s that the government didn’t have time to print new, bigger bank notes. Zambians have to bundle — or “pin” together — huge quantities of tiny notes to pay for goods. Notes in denominations of up to 100 Kwacha are currently available (until June 2013, when they will be re-based to 50K), however save small change if you can since there are periodic shortages.

ATMs may be found in all major cities and villages. VISA and Master cards are accepted at the majority of ATMs. Some ATMs accept other foreign credit cards (such as AMEX). Maestro is a major issue in Zambia, with just a few ATMs accepting the card. Many stores and restaurants, as well as almost all high-end hotels and safari lodges, accept debit or credit cards, although fees of 5-10% are typical. Only local money is dispensed at ATMs. Stanbic Bank, Eco Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank are the three major banks with ATMs that accept Master and Visa cards. In Zambia, it is difficult to process traveler’s checks.

Although most shops advertise set pricing and refuse to bargain, this is not always the case. Most “freelance” salespeople — curios sellers, taxi drivers, and so on — who do not advertise their rates, on the other hand, are generally ready to bargain. As a (very) general rule, expect that the initial price they suggest is at least double what they will take. You should not be scared to negotiate – Zambians do it all the time — but don’t get carried away with saving a few cents.

Tipping is not necessary — in fact, it was formerly prohibited — but it is often anticipated. Porters are paid about US$0.50 per bag, and finer establishments add a 10% service fee or demand an equal gratuity.

Finally, remember the Zambian tradition of mbasela (em-buh-SAY-la), which entails providing a gratis while purchasing several items. Don’t be afraid to ask for your mbasela if you purchase a few little things.

Zambia’s expenses are comparable to those of its neighbors. A bare-bones budget traveler may expect to spend at least $20 per day for a Dorm bed at a Backpackers hostel, three meals, plus transportation. At the opposite end of the scale, all-inclusive safari lodges or Lusaka/five-star Livingstone’s hotels will cater to all of your requirements for US$200 per day and more. It may be tough to find a medium ground between these two extremes, but there are safari operators that will provide ‘DIY’ camping for about US$5 to $95 and up – it pays to shop around.

Zambian safaris are among the finest in Africa, offering top-notch viewing opportunities with the continent’s best guides. Zambia’s national parks are not as ‘commercialized’ as those in other nations (for example, Kenya and South Africa), and there are no zebra-striped game watching buses, Land Cruisers, or other vehicles.

A visit to one of the numerous traditional festivals conducted across Zambia is a highlight of any vacation there. However, since timetables vary and not all events are conducted year, planning ahead may be difficult. If you do manage to go, be prepared for the heat, dust, and crowds (which will get more inebriated as the evening progresses) as well as interminable speeches from local officials such as the Assistant Vice-Secretary for Fertilizer Co-operatives in Rutungu Sub-Province. On the positive side, international visitors may typically sneak into the VIP areas, however picture permits may be required.

• Kazanga, Kaoma [Central Western Zambia] (June – August). The Kazanga ritual is Zambia’s oldest traditional event, with the Nkoya people celebrating it for almost 500 years. The event honors and preserves Nkoya music, dancing, and a variety of other traditional customs.
• Kuomboka, Lealui/Limulunga (Western Province, around Easter (March-April). The ceremonial migration of the Lozi monarch (litunga) from his dry season residence at Lealui to his rainy season palace at Limulunga is the most renowned of Zambia’s festivities. The litunga, dressed as a Victorian envoy, is escorted down the river by a fleet of boats, complete with musical accompaniment and, of course, plenty of food.
• Ncwala, near Chipata, 24 February. A Ngoni celebration honoring the first fruit of the season, during which the chief ceremonially eats the land’s bounty before spearing a bull and drinking its blood.
• Kulamba, near Chipata, August. The Nyausecret society dancers perform at this Chewa thanksgiving celebration.
• Likumbi Lya Mize (August)

This is a well-attended August event (The Day of Mize). This event takes place in Mize, Senior Chief Ndungu’s official palace, located approximately seven kilometers west of Zambez Boma. The Luvale tribe gathers to commemorate their cultural heritage, bringing exhibits of various handicrafts and livening up the occasion with traditional singing and dance as the leader conducts court. Senior Chief Ndungu’s official residence is Mize. Local artisans exhibit their work as Makishi dancers reenact legendary events from Luvale folklore.

• Livingstone Cultural & Arts Festival – This event, which began in 1994, brings together traditional rulers from all of Zambia’s regions, as well as tourists who are permitted to learn about their tribe’s culture. This event brings together musicians, artists, poets, and playwrights.

• Shimunenga is a ritual in which people pay respect to their ancestors. On weekends in September and October, the ritual takes place on a full moon. This ritual is held in Malla on the Kafue Flats by the Ba-lla tribe.
• Umutomboko – The Lunda people of Luapula Province hold an Umutomboko ritual in Mwansabombwe to commemorate the arrival of the Lunda and Luba people from Kola, now Congo DR, in Zambia. Mwata Kazembe, who performs a dance to mark the event, is the guest of honor during the ceremony, which takes place in July.

• January 1 – New Year’s Day
• March 9 – (Women’s Day)
• March 12 – Youth Day
• April 6 – Good Friday
• April 9 – Easter Monday
• May 1 – Labour Day
• May 25 – African Freedom Day
• July (first Monday) – Heroes’ Day
• July (Tuesday following Heroes’ Day) – Unity Day
• August (first Monday) – Farmers’ Day
• October 18 – National day of Prayers
• October 24 – Independence Day
• December 25 – Christmas Day

Zambians live in a patriarchal culture where males are treated with more respect than women and older men are treated with more respect than younger men. A white individual, regardless of gender or age, may, nevertheless, be accorded the greatest respect of all. This is a remnant from colonial days that may make a visitor feel uneasy, but it is mainly a Zambian way of being polite. Accept their kindness.

Zambians are inquisitive individuals. To a Western mentality, this might be perceived as gazing at you or talking about you in front of you needlessly. Expect to be welcomed by children shouting “mzungu, mzungu!” (literally, “white guy”) and to be asked many questions about yourself.

Zambians like shaking hands, and you should reciprocate. Zambians, on the other hand, often clasp hands during a discussion. This is not intended to be sexual; they are just attempting to “connect” with you. Simply take your hand away if you are uncomfortable. Holding your right wrist or elbow with your left hand while shaking is appropriate if you want to be polite or show respect. Expect a strong handshake, but don’t give it to them if you don’t want to be forceful, and don’t give it to them if you don’t want to be aggressive.

Eye contact is also regarded confrontational and rude; you may establish eye contact but not maintain it; you can move your eyes aside but not away from the person.

Shorts and miniskirts should not be worn by women, particularly while traveling outside of Lusaka. (Thighs are a big turn-on for Zambian guys.) Low-cut shirts, on the other hand, are not nearly as suggestive as they are discouraged.

It is inappropriate to point with the index finger; it is deemed rude.

Finally, whenever you meet a Zambian, even if it’s only to ask a question, you should always greet them and inquire about their well-being. It is critical to welcome a Zambian properly. They don’t like the idea of just “going to the point” as it is practiced in the West. Inquiries regarding children are usually welcomed and serve as a nice icebreaker.

Prior to the formation of modern Zambia, the indigenous people lived in several tribes, each with its own way of life. The development of urbanisation was one of the outcomes of the colonial period. Different ethnic groups began to coexist in towns and cities, influencing one another and absorbing much of European culture. In rural regions, the indigenous cultures have mostly persisted. The blending and development of various cultures in the urban environment has resulted in what is now known as “Zambian culture.”

Zambia’s colorful yearly traditional rituals make traditional culture extremely apparent. Kuomboka and Kathanga (Western Provinces), Mutomboko (Luapula Province), Kulamba and Ncwala (Eastern Provinces), Lwiindi and Shimunenga (Southern Provinces), Lunda Lubanza (North Western Provinces), Likumbi Lyamize (North Western Provinces), Mbunda Lukwakwa (North Western Provinces), Chibwela Kumushi (Central Provinces), Vinkhakanimba (Northern Province).

Pottery, basketry (such as Tonga baskets), stools, textiles, mats, wooden carvings, ivory carvings, wire craft, and copper crafts are among the most popular traditional arts. Drums (and other percussion instruments) are used extensively in Zambian traditional music, as well as singing and dance. Foreign music styles, particularly Congolese rumba, African-American music, and Jamaican reggae, are popular in metropolitan areas. WITCH, Musi-O-Tunya, Rikki Ililonga, Amanaz, the Peace, Chrissy Zebby Tembo, Blackfoot, and the Ngozi Family were among the psychedelic rock musicians that emerged in the 1970s to establish the Zam-rock genre.

On the day of the 1964 Summer Olympics’ closing ceremony, Zambia proclaimed independence, making it the first nation to join an Olympic games as one country and leave as another. Zambia competed in the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Football is Zambia’s most popular sport, and the Zambia national football team has had its share of success in the sport’s history. The national team beat the Italian national team 4–0 in the Seoul Olympics in 1988. In that encounter, Kalusha Bwalya, Zambia’s most famous footballer and one of Africa’s best footballers in history, scored a hat trick. Many commentators still believe that the best squad Zambia has ever had was the one that died in an aircraft accident in Libreville, Gabon, on April 28, 1993. Despite this, Zambia was placed 15th in the FIFA World Football Nation rankings in 1996, the highest of any southern African team. Zambia won the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 2012, after previously losing in the final. In the final, they defeated Côte d’Ivoire 8–7 in a penalty shootout, which was held in Libreville, only a few kilometers from the aircraft disaster that occurred 19 years before.

In Zambia, rugby union, boxing, and cricket are other prominent sports. Notably, in the early 2000s, the Australian and South African national rugby teams were led by George Gregan and Corné Krige, both of whom were born at the same Lusaka hospital. Zambia is home to the world’s tallest rugby poles, which are situated in the Luanshya Sports Complex in Luanshya.

Rugby union is a small sport in Zambia, although it is gaining popularity. They have 3,650 registered players and three officially organized clubs, and are presently rated 73rd by the IRB. As part of Rhodesia, Zambia used to play cricket. Eddie Tembo, a Zambian-born shinty international, represented Scotland in the compromise rules Shinty/Hurling game versus Ireland in 2008.

The tenth All-Africa Games were scheduled to take place in Zambia in 2011, with three stadiums being constructed in Lusaka, Ndola, and Livingstone. The Lusaka stadium would accommodate 70,000 people, while the other two stadiums would each house 50,000 people. Due to a lack of public funding for the project, the government encouraged the private sector to participate in the building of sporting facilities. Zambia’s candidacy to host the 2011 All-Africa Games has subsequently been withdrawn due to a lack of finances. As a result, Mozambique stepped in to host the event instead of Zambia.

Madalitso Muthiya, a Zambian, was the first black African to compete in the United States Golf Open, one of the four major golf events.

The country’s basketball team had its finest year in 1989, when it qualified for the FIBA Africa Championship and placed among the top ten teams in Africa.

Women should not go to bars alone themselves. Men should also refrain from buying drinks for Zambian women they meet in clubs since this is an invitation to stay the night.

The majority of the nation is under a 10 p.m. curfew. If you’re caught on the street after 10 p.m., you’ll be arrested.

Due to the depreciation of the Kwacha, purchasing goods frequently requires fistfuls of cash. Flashing money should be avoided at all costs.

While it is possible to obtain a decent exchange rate from a street money changer (though you should utilize banks if feasible), you should avoid changing money with gangs of guys. They’re most likely con artists.

Zambians are, on the whole, pleasant people. However, like in any area, be cautious while walking late at night, particularly if you’ve had too much to drink. There are few lighting, and many residents are impoverished.

While driving after dark, carjacking is also a possibility.

For additional protection, many lodgings feature electric fences, gates, and guards. You may do so before making a reservation.

Zambia’s president, Rupiah Banda, has made corruption widespread. You shouldn’t expect the cops to be of much help to you. You may expect to be charged if you need to record a report for insurance reasons. If you make an allegation or express a suspect to a local, the individual against whom you file the complaint may be questioned and assaulted by the cops. It would be interesting to watch whether the situation improves under incoming President Michael Sata.

Drinking tap water in cities may be dangerous unless you (a) have a strong stomach or (b) are at a restaurant or hotel that caters to tourists. If none of these criteria apply to you, you should generally stick to bottled water, boiling water, or chlorine pills (avoid local bottled water since this may just be bottled tap water).

In 2012, the HIV infection rate among adults was estimated to be 12.4%. Do not engage in unprotected sexual activity.

Zambia is a malaria-prone nation. Make every attempt to cover exposed skin with clothes or insect repellant, especially around night. In addition, malaria prophylaxis is strongly advised.

Yellow fever is no longer an issue in Zambia, with the exception of the far west near the Congolese border. Many nations may need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if they learn you’ve visited Zambia, so be vaccinated at least 10- 14 days ahead of time.

All tourists entering Zambia should have the typhoid and hepatitis B vaccinations.