According to baglib, Zambia is a country in Africa bordering Congo-Kinshasa, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Angola. Zambia has been independent from the United Kingdom since 1964. The capital of Zambia is Lusaka. A number of major cities in Zambia are: Ndola, Kitwe, Kabwe, Livingstone and Chingola.
Zambia is a country that mostly consists of vast forests and swamps. Zambia has several National Parks and game reserves where elephants, hippos, zebras and giraffes live. The Victoria Falls (widest waterfall in Africa) is located on the border with Zimbabwe. The country’s economy is largely dependent on the mining industry. The people of Zambia are known for their friendliness and hospitality. See plus-size-tips for Zambia travel package.
Where is Zambia located?
Travel information of Zambia
Official name: Republic of Zambia
Continent: Africa
Area: 752,618 km²
Capital: Lusaka
Country code: ZM, ZMB
Population: 14,309,466 inhabitants (2012)
Form of government: Republic
Highest point: 2,329 m (Mafinga Hills)
Distance (Amsterdam – Lusaka): 7,839 km
Flight time: approximately 10 hours and 15 minutes
Travel advice
Current status: All non-essential travel to certain border areas in Zambia is discouraged.
Current color code: Yellow and orange.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), (temporary) measures may apply in Zambia that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of Zambia, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to Zambia. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compile your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Zambia?
Weather and climate
Zambia has a tropical climate. The temperatures are around 20 to 25 degrees during the summer months and around 25 to 30 degrees during the winter months. In the valleys it is on average 10 degrees warmer.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Zambia can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of Zambia can be found at Climate info.
Best time
May, June, July and August are the best months to travel to Zambia. This avoids the rainy season with the risk of tropical storms. In addition, almost all nature and wildlife parks are closed during the rainy season.
Language
Bemba, Kaonde, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, and Tonga are the official languages of Zambia. In addition, more than 70 other languages are spoken, including English.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon departure from Zambia.
A visa is required. You can apply for this in person at the embassy of Zambia in Brussels or for approximately 35 euros at the border of Zambia (valid for 90 days).
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Zimbabwe (also for Zambia): netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch consulate in Zambia: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of Zambia in Belgium (also for the Netherlands): rijksoverheid.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
It is advisable to get one or more vaccinations before visiting Zambia.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Malaria
Malaria occurs in Zambia. Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by malaria mosquitoes. This infectious disease can lead to death if not treated in time and/or incorrectly.
For prevention and control of malaria, please visit our malaria page.
Money and Currency
In Zambia, payment is made with the Zambian Kwacha (ZMK).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in Zambia can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
Prices in Zambia are much lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -34% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (58% cheaper), food (30% cheaper), imported beer in catering (57% cheaper), cigarettes (68% cheaper) and public transport (82% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In Zambia it is customary to tip. If no service costs have been calculated yet and the service has been found to be excellent, you will tip approximately 10%.
Time difference
During our summer time there is no time difference.
During our winter time it is 1 hour later in Zambia.
Zambia has no difference in winter time and summer time.
The local time, date and time zone for Zambia can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In Zambia you must drive on the left.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Zambia.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Zambia.
Electricity In Zambia you may need a travel plug
in some cases. More information about common plugs and sockets in Zambia can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 999
– Fire Brigade: 993
– Ambulance: 991
With a mobile phone you can also call the international number 112.
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Zambia can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Zambia can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Zambia end in.zm.
Official Zambia website: zambiatourism.com.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in Zambia is 00260 or +260.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Zambia? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Company details can be found in Zambia’s Yellow Pages.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos from Zambia.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Zambia.
Holidays
An overview of all public holidays in Zambia can be found on Beleven.org.
Excursions, activities and day trips
With the help of Countryaah you can reserve an excursion, activity, tour, entrance ticket and/or day trip for your stay in Zambia at a discount. This way you are assured of a place, in some cases you can skip the queue and you can already plan your travel program.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations in Zambia, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Zambia?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Zambia. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Zambia can be found on Protected Planet.
An overview of the world heritage sites in Zambia can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Zambia? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol and money, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. In addition, on this website you will find the laws and regulations regarding the importation of pets and a list of everything that may not be imported and/or exported to Zambia.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you intend to do business in or do business with Zambia, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about Zambia, including: opportunities, import and export regulations, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Zambia.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.8.
– Tobacco: Buying and/or smoking from the age of 18.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Not allowed. Prison sentence more than 10 years.
– Clothing: Wearing camouflage clothing is prohibited.
Did you know that…
…Zambia is also called Zambia?
…Zambia owes its name to the Zambezi river?
…Zambia does not border any ocean?
…The largest mushrooms grow in Zambia?
…Anthills in Zambia are sometimes as big as a house?
