Zambia: The big, beautiful country of Southern Africa, is situated in the heart of the African sub-continent, untainted by commercial tourist development, but nevertheless well-equipped to allow visitors to experience the warmth, excitement, challenges and adventures of the real Africa.
Visa:- for most Nationalities It can be issued on arrival at a cost of USD135 (GBP70) and is valid for multiple entries for the period of stay. A valid passport is also required for entry to Zambia. A return ticket or proof of onward travel, all documents for next destination and proof of sufficient funds is required for all travellers. Visas issued on arrival vary in fee according to amount of entries and nationality. There is a special provision for day visitors coming across the border from Zimbabwe into Livingstone. For those nationalities requiring a visa for Zambia, a fee of US$10 is paid on arrival for a 'Day Tripper Visa' and is valid for a maximum stay of 24 hours.
Local time: GMT +2.
Seasons: Zambia is warm all year round, but has three distinct seasons. Between December and April the weather is hot and wet; from May to August it is cooler and dry; between September and November conditions are hot and dry. Average summer temperatures range between 77°F to 95°F (25°C to 35°C), while in winter the variation increases ranging from 43°F to 75°F (6°C to 24°C).
Capital City:- Lusaka.
About Capital city:-
There are three main types of street scene for the visitor to Lusaka. The fairly orderly streets of ‘town’, with its high-rise buildings ranging from cool to quirky. There’s the quiet, green suburban streets (known as ‘low density’ areas), which have oversized gardens (with tennis courts and pools) spilling out over high, house-concealing walls onto handsome grass-and-tree-lined roads, which are busy with knitting uniformed maids, gentlemen on bicycles and snappily dressed school kids. And then there’s the transit routes out of town, dotted with designated pick-up spots and hoards of hopefuls waiting patiently for rides to their rural areas.
Cool Places in Lusaka:-
Zambia beckons with an abundance of natural attractions and extreme sports, which has earned it the reputation of being the 'adventure centre' of the continent.
The country's prime attraction is the spectacular, breathtaking Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Not only do the falls provide unmatched scenery as the water plunges into the depths of the gorge, but they are also the setting for a multitude of adrenaline pumping activities, like whitewater rafting, bungee jumping from the 364ft (111m) high bridge, canoeing, abseiling, micro-lighting over the falls, elephant-back safaris, jet-boating through the rapids and many more.
If dry land is more to your taste, Zambia offers dozens of superb game parks stocked with a profusion of birds and wildlife. Chief among the parks is South Luangwa National Park, centred on the most intact major river system in Africa, which hosts a huge concentration of game. The legendary 'Zambian walking safari' originated in this park and still offers one of the finest ways to experience the African wilderness.
Visitors to Zambia seldom linger in the towns, being bent on safaris or destined for game lodges and adventure camps, but those who choose to explore the somewhat dishevelled capital, Lusaka, will find it has an interesting charm. More than half of the inhabitants of this over-populated city are unemployed, yet the atmosphere is far from despondent as the people hustle and bustle, determined to survive. Thousands of stalls line the streets offering a fascinating array of services and goods.
Lovers of the outdoors cannot fail to find everything and more to satisfy them in the wetlands and wilderness of Zambia.
Languages: English, Shoana and Ndebele.
Electricity: 220VAC 50Hz.
Int. direct dialling code: +260.
Driving: is on the left. International Driving Permit or National licence (for up to 90 days) if not in English must be accompanied by a certificate of authority or translation of text.
Currency: Zambian Kwacha (ZMK 1 = 100 ngwee).
Notes:ZMK: 10, 20, 50, 100,1000,1000000,100000000
ZMK 100 = £0.01 approx.
Business Hours:-
Banks: 8am-3pm Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday, 8am-1pm Wednesday, 8am-11.30am Saturday.
Offices: 8am-4.30pm Monday-Friday.
Shops: 8am-5pm Monday-Friday, 8am-1pm Saturday.
Emergency services:-
Police: 665. Fire: 993. Ambulance: 994. General Emergency: 999
Zambian High Commission, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7589 6655.
British High Commission, Lusaka: +260 (0)1 251 133.
