Zambia: Various travel information
How to get to Zambia
Airplane
Direct flights from London, Frankfurt/Main, Vienna, Geneva and Zurich as well as from numerous African cities are guaranteed via the international airport of Lusaka, the most important in the country. Other airports are in Mfuwe, south of Luangwa National Park, and in Livingstone near Victoria Falls. If you want to visit the eastern parts of Zambia, you can also fly to Lilongwe in the neighboring country of Malawi and from there cross the border to Zambia. However, one should always remember that border crossings in Africa can often be very, very problematic.
Ship
An international ferry service to Tanzania is offered via Lake Tanganykia, which goes several times a week. In addition, you have to use the Caprivi Strip between Zambia and Namibia, you have to cross the Zambezi, which you either do with the ferry (for about 90 cents) or for about 40 cents with the help of one of the boys who translate you in their canoe.
Railway
A railway line runs from Livingstone over the Victoria Falls to Bulawayo and Harare in Zimbabwe. Another, somewhat more irregular connection exists between Kapiri-Mposhi (Zambia) and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. This route is always served on Tuesdays and Thursdays by the TAZARA railways. The stated driving time of 38 hours is rarely observed. Despite the sometimes very long travel times, traveling by train is not only very inexpensive, but also offers fantastic impressions of the African landscape. If you are traveling by train, you should definitely take enough water with you.
It is also important not to miss the customs officers when you arrive, otherwise you will either be sent back to the border or have to pay a special tax. It is also interesting that immediately after crossing the border, the currency of the country from which you have just come is no longer accepted. If you don’t have the new currency with you, you have to swap for black on the train at a very bad rate.
Car traffic
The main highways go from Zambia to Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Malawi and the DR Congo. However, it is not advisable to travel to the border regions to the DR Congo and Angola. The most used border crossings are Livingstone (from Zimbabwe), Chipata or Lundazi (from Malawi), Ndola (from the DR Congo), Katima Mulilo/Sesheke (from Namibia) and Kazungula (from Botswana).
Bus traffic
You can travel back and forth between Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Tanzania using international bus connections. Sometimes very long waiting times at the borders should be planned because the entire bus is often checked.
Travel in the country
Airplane
The domestic airline Proflight Zambia ensures flight connections within Zambia. The aircraft used are usually quite small, so you should get a seat in good time. You can also charter your own planes, which, with the appropriate group size, hardly makes a financial difference to the regular offer.
Rail
Some train connections that are independent of the TAZARA network exist in northern Zambia. The most important of these routes runs from Livingstone via Lusaka to Kitwe. Unfortunately, the cheap and reliable trains are also very slow.
Minibus
Driving a minibus is an exciting thing. With these stocked up and still hopelessly overcrowded vans you get a real Africa experience, especially since the vans are not approved, unsafe and not very comfortable. The little space is taken up not only by people, but also by luggage (katundu). Contact with other fellow travelers during the journey is made automatically.
Bus
The well-known large-capacity buses are also available in Zambia. They are far more reliable than minibuses and, by and large, are geared towards schedules. Tickets can also be bought in advance.
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is very popular in Zambia, but unfortunately it is also pure luck, because the volume of traffic is very low and so are the chances of being picked up. A small payment is also expected. To stop a car, you don’t – as in Europe – hold your thumbs up, but pile your luggage next to the road, sit down in the shade and run with your arms, gesticulating wildly – moving your open palms to the ground – to be up Luggage as soon as you see or hear a car arriving.
Roads and car traffic
The road network has a length of about 7,000 km and is relatively well developed. Driving in Zambia is not endless fun, because many of the country’s main roads are in a deplorable condition, have countless potholes and are partially washed away when the rainy season sets in. Outside of city centers, it is often unpaved roads that one has to deal with. They look stable, but the gravel loosens quickly and is often the cause of serious accidents. Towing services and ambulances are in short supply in the country.
Car rental
There are numerous car rental companies in Zambia, but they are usually quite expensive. Due to the poor road conditions, you should definitely rent a four-wheel drive car. An international driver’s license is required for rental cars.
Traffic rules
There is left-hand traffic in Zambia. In order to avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, one should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. The maximum speeds shown can of course be reduced or increased by traffic signs. Regardless of the information provided here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the traffic clubs in the country concerned.
Top speeds
- Urban: in built-up areas there is a speed limit of 50 km/h
Blood
alcohol limit There is no upper limit for blood alcohol in Zambia, only the message “Don’t drink and drive” is given.
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Zambia is:
| Z |
Tourist office
Zambia National Tourist Board
Lusaka Square, Cairo Rd.
PO Box 30017
Zambia
Tel: 00260 – (0) 211 – 22 90 87/90
Email: zntb@zambiatourism.org.zm
www.zambiatourism.com
Zambia: entry and exit regulations
Formalities, visas
German citizens need a valid passport, a visa and a return or onward ticket for a stay of up to three months in Zambia.
Important
The issue of a 90-day visa by the Zambian embassy in Berlin does not mean that you are granted a three-month stay. It is essential to ensure that the desired length of stay is entered in the passport at the border crossing point. Since a maximum of 30 days is generally allowed there, the extension must be requested from the immigration authorities in good time. Single-entry visas can also be extended with a “re-entry permit”. An attempt to leave the country with an expired visa leads to difficulties, e.g. U. up to a temporary detention.
Visa department of the Embassy of Zambia
Axel-Springer-Straße 54 A
10117 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 206 29 40
Email:
Embassyvonsambia@t-online.de www.sambia-botschaft.de
Currency
National currency
The national currency of Zambia is the Zambian Kwacha (ZMK)
1 Kwacha = 100 Ngwee
Import and export
- Local currencyThe import and export of local currency is limited to 100 kwacha.
- Foreign currenciesThe import of foreign currencies is unlimited, but must be declared. The export is limited to the declared amount.
Were
Inexpensive goods, souvenirs
In Zambia , tourists like to buy wood carvings, ceramic articles, copper goods, pearl jewelry and precious stones.
Import and export of goods
The following articles can be imported into Zambia duty-free: 200 cigarettes or 450 g tobacco and an opened bottle with alcoholic beverage. For video cameras, musical instruments and other luxury goods, a temporary import document must be filled out, which must be presented together with the items on departure. An export license is required for hunting trophies such as teeth, bones, horns, (turtles) shells, skins, feathers, etc.
Zambia: travel medicine, vaccinations, and warnings
Infectious Diseases
The following infectious diseases can be expected in Zambia:
- Malaria: There is a year-round risk of contracting the malaria pathogen in the country, including cities. The risk increases particularly in the months of November to May/June (rainy season). Over 90% of the infections occur with the very dangerous malaria tropica, the rest with malaria tertiana.
- AIDS, HIV: This infectious disease has developed into a real catastrophe in Zambia. More and more members of the younger and middle generation are dying, often leaving their children orphans. In addition, the “middle generation” is missing from the urgently needed rebuilding of the country.
- Amoebic dysentery
- Bacterial agitation
- Schistosomiasis
- Lyme disease
- Cholera – but there is only a risk of infection for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
- Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria
- Yellow fever – limited to a few areas, such as the border region with Angola
- Hepatitis A and B
- Polio, polio
- pest
- Sleeping sickness
- rabies
- tetanus
- Typhoid – however, there is only a risk of infection for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
- Tick bite fever
Vaccination recommendations
- Cholera – but only among travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
- Diphtheria – a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
- Yellow fever – only for people at risk
- Hepatitis A and B
- Japanese encephalitis
- Polio, polio – vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Tetanus – a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.
- Rabies – but only for high-risk travelers who can come into contact with the vector animals.
- Typhoid – but only for travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination regulations when entering or staying in the country.
Malaria prophylaxis
When traveling in the country, it is strongly advised to undergo malaria prophylaxis. However, if the side effects seem questionable to you, you should at least have a “stand-by preparation” with you.
Zambia: Diplomatic missions
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Zambia embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations of Zambia in Germany
Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Berlin
The Zambian Embassy is located exactly opposite the Marriott Hotel in Axel-Springer-Strasse and only a few 100 meters from the Springer high-rise. The Uganda Embassy is located in the same building. The building originally dates back to before World War II and was used by the GDR publisher Volk und Wissen until the fall of the Berlin Wall. After the fall of the Wall, the building was redesigned and got its current appearance. The embassies of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Mauritania are located in the same building – but with a separate entrance on Kommandantenstrasse.
Axel-Springer-Strasse 54a
10117 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 206 29 40
Email: info@zambiaembasse.de
Web: www.zambiaembassy.de
| Region | Contact |
| Hesse | Honorary Consulate in Bad CambergBahnhofstrasse 28
65517 Bad Camberg Tel: 0049 – (0) 6434 – 33 88 |
| Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein | Honorary Consulate in Hamburg Neuer Wall 19
20354 Hamburg Tel: 0049 – (0) 40 – 35 54 04 38 |
German representations in Zambia
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Lusaka
5209, United Nations Avenue
Lusaka
:
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
PO Box 50120
15101 Ridgeway
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: 00260 – (0) 1 – 25 06 44
00260 – (0) 1 – 25 12 59/62
Email: info@lusaka.diplo.de
Web: www.lusaka.diplo.de
Austrian representations in Zambia
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Austria in Lusaka
74 Independence Avenue, Galaunia Farms Limited Mpile Office Park
Lusaka
Tel: 00260 – (0) 1 – 22 95 56, 22 91 90
Email: galaun@microlink.zm
Representations of Zambia in Austria
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Zambia in Vienna
Hoyosgasse 5
1040 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 503 59 79
E-Mail: office@sambia.co.at
www.sambia.co.at
Swiss representations in Zambia
Consulate of the Swiss Confederation in Lusaka
c/o Electrical Maintenance Lusaka Ltd.
Luanshya Road-East End
Lusaka 10101
Tel: 00260 – (0) 211- 22 38 38
00 260 – (0) 211- 23 53 65
Email: lusaka@honorarvertretung.ch
Representations of Zambia in Switzerland
Responsible is the
Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Paris
Avenue de Tourville 18
75007 Paris
Tel: 0033 (0) 1 – 56 88 12 70
0033 (0) 1 – 56 88 12 72
Email: zambiansparis@wanadoo.fr
