Fact File

Language: Officially English, although over 70 local dialects also spoken.
Time: GMT+2
Int. Dialling Code: +260
Currency: Kwacha (Kw), currently Kw7598 to the UK£. Most lodges, camps and safari operators quote prices in US$.
Visas: Generally, all visitors need a visa (valid for three months).


Getting there
Airlines serving Zambia include Air Malawi, Air Zimbabwe, British Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways and Zambian Airways. The main international gateway is Lusaka, although it is also possible to fly to Mfuwe from Lilongwe,
Malawi, and from Johannesburg to Livingstone with Nationwide Air. Long-distance coaches link Zambia with South Africa
via Harare or Windhoek.

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) operates a twice-weekly express service between Dar es Salaam and Kapiri Moshi, north of Lusaka. The MV Liemba runs scheduled services around Lake Tanganyika,
connecting the Zambian port of Mpulungu with Tanzania and Burundi.

Getting around
Various companies operate scheduled and charter flights within Zambia. Self-drive is possible, but if you plan to venture
off the beaten track you will need at least two 4x4 vehicles, experienced drivers and adequate supplies. Inexpensive
buses connect main towns and there is a limited rail network linking Lusaka to Livingstone and the Copperbelt.

Natonal Parks within the Kaza Portal

Barotseland : Sioma Ngwezi
a wild and undeveloped park with no permanent facilities and few roads. Elephants, roan, sable, wild dog, cheetah, puku, impala and zebra are resident wildlife.

Kafue National Park
is Zambia's oldest and largest national park with the north west section dominated by the Busanga Plains with its huge herds of antelope to the tree studded wilderness of the south. Kafue is home to a wealth of game and over 400 bird species.

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
a small game reserve offering good opportunities to see a variety of antelope species as well as zebra, giraffe, and warthog. White rhino have also been introduced into the park. Elephants can be seen crossing the Zambezi river from Zimbabwe into the park and surrounding areas.

Liuwa Plains: November - December
This is a remote park in the west of the country with very few amenities making it a wonderful wildlife experience. Game in late November is spectacular and offers a large migration of blue wildebeest and zebra.

Ceremonies

Ku-omboka (to get out of the water onto dry ground)
February – May

When the Chief decides that it’s time to leave drums signal to all the people. They pack their belongings into canoes and the whole tribe leaves en mass. The chief in his barge with his family and a troop of traditionally dressed paddlers, in the lead. It takes about six hours to cover the distance between the dry season capital Lealui, and the wet season capital Limulunga. There the successful move is celebrated with traditional singing and dancing. This ceremony dates back more than 300 years when the Lozi people broke away from the great Lunda Empire to come and settle in the upper regions of the Zambezi. The vast plains with abundant fish was ideal for settlement but the annual floods could not be checked, so every year they move to higher ground until the rainy season passes.

Seasons
This landlocked country has a tropical climate with 3 main seasons. November to March is hot with thunderstorms, April to July offers dry warm days, but cold nights and early mornings, whilst August to October will be warm and dry.

Resources
Zambia is rich in natural resources. In addition to its abundant wildlife, rivers and lakes - Zambia holds 6% of the world copper reserves and is recognised as a major producer of emeralds, aquamarines, amethyst and tourmalines.

Health
Vaccinations for polio, tetanus, hepatitis A and meningococcal meningitis are recommended. You may be asked to show a certificate of yellow fever inoculation if arriving from an infected area. Malaria is widespread in Zambia. Begin a course
of preventative pills before leaving home.

Accommodation choices range from game lodges, fishing camps, private game reserves, motels, hostels and guesthouses, hotels as well as campsites, chalets, bed and breakfasts.