VISA REQUIRMENTS
You can now apply for visas and various immigration permits for Zambia online. Please read the Application guidelines provided here before attempting to apply. Get more information on VISA REQUIREMENTS

ACCESSIBILITY
By Air
Zambia is accessible by air through Kenneth Kaunda International Airport – Lusaka; Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula – Livingstone; and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe – Ndola. There are flight connections from Lusaka the Capital to major cities and towns such as Livingstone, Ndola and Solwezi.

By Road
Zambia is accessible by road from most countries in the region (15 countries) such as Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe just to mention a few. Some road borders are open 24 hours while the others close by 6pm. Locally, there is a wide network served by several private bus companies providing coach travel services.

Road Conditions
Most roads have been tarred and are in a very good condition. In remote areas, some roads are non-tarred but serviced with gravel.

By Train
Zambia’s rail network connects to Zimbabwe and Tanzania. There are regular scheduled train services running locally and regionally. The local train service is run by Zambia Railways. The regional train services include TAZARA and the annual tourist services – Blue Train and Rovos Rail from South Africa to the Victoria Falls.

By Water
The MV Liemba cruises to three countries namely Burundi, Tanzania and Zambia at Mpulungu Harbour.

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.

Extreme hot days are usually experienced in the month of October.

BANKS
The bank operational hours are 09:00 to 15:30 hours Mondays to Fridays; and 09:00 to 11:30 hours on Saturdays. International banks in Zambia include Barclays and Standard Chartered. There are several other banks, local and regional, with services throughout the country namely ZANACO, ABSA, FNB, Finance Bank, Ecobank, UBA, Access Bank.

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)
These are available at major cities and towns throughout the country. They accept major debit and credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard.

Business hours
Government offices are open from 08h00 to 17h00, Monday to Friday, closed from 13h00 to 14h00 for lunch. Shops are generally open from 08h00 to 17h00, Monday to Friday although some stay open until 19h00 and on Saturdays.

There are several new shopping malls in Lusaka, Livingstone, Ndola and Kitwe which open throughout the weekend and house a number of regional and international brand retail shops, and supermarkets.

Currency
The Kwacha (ZMW) is the local currency. There are coins are in denominated in 5n, 10n, 50n and K1 while paper notes are in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100.

Currency regulations
There is no limit to the importation of foreign currency, provided it is declared on arrival through a currency declaration form.

Credit Cards
Most hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and the bigger shops will take both debit and credit cards – Visa and Mastercard.

COMMUNICATIONS
Postal services are fairly well organised in Zambia. Telegrams are less certain.

Internet Services are available almost throughout the country. The mobile network providers provide up to 4G and fibre network is available in major cities and towns.

Public telephones are available but limited to post office buildings. Some internet cafes also provide this service.

International dialling is available. The prefix is 00 before the international country telephone code.

EMMERGENCY NUMBERS
Emergency – 999
Police – 991
Lusaka, Central police station – 0211 220006
Lusaka, Central Fire station – 0211 220180
Lusaka, Ambulance service – 0211 220180
National telephone operator – 100
National directory – 102
International operator – 090
Ambulance – 991
Fire brigade – 993
Hospital UTH – Lusaka
– General Line – 0211 251200
– Casualty Direct Line -0211 254115
Livingstone Central police 0213 3 323575/
320116
Livingstone Fire station- 0213 324043

LANGUAGE
There are over 73 local dialects spoken in Zambia. The official language is English.

All media and business is in English and most Zambians speak it fairly well. Bemba and Chinyanja are most commonly used local languages.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
1st January New Year’s Day
8th March International Womens Day
12th March Youth Day
Good Friday (Easter)
Holy Saturday (Easter)
Easter Monday
1st May Labour Day
25th May Africa Freedom Day
1st Monday of July Hero’s Day
1st Tuesday of July Unity Day
1st Monday of August Farmer’s Day
24th October Independence Day
25th December Christmas Day

RELIGION
Zambia was declared a Christian nation in 1991, however, there is freedom of worship in Zambia with several religion being practised. Christianity is followed by over 60% of the population.

SECURITY
Zambians are very friendly and helpful and the country is generally safe. However, it is important to exercise caution and avoid suspicious places.

There are police stations in all towns to address any security concerns.

TIME ZONE
Zambia is two hours ahead of Universal Central Time (UCT), one hour ahead of Central European Time, seven hours ahead of Eastern USA time and ten hours ahead of Western USA time.

Tourism

National Parks and Wildlife

Culture and Traditional Affairs

Hostels Board of Management

Planning & Information

Human Resource & Administration

Finance

Zambia Tourism Agency

Zambia Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Studies

National Heritage Conservation Commission

National Museums Board