Picture source: http://maps.google.com 

Zambia: useful information

HOW TO GET THERE? 

• by train, by car or by water, from my point of view the easiest way is by train. A train from Tanzania gets only to Kapiri Mposhi, where I can change trains and head for Lusaka [two trains a week]. From Lusaka there goes a train to Livingstone [every second day of a week]
• The Lake Tanganyika: the border with Tanzania; Victoria Falls near Livingstone
• prices of trains: ~10 USD 

 CLIMATE

• Dec-Apr: warm & wet
• May-Aug: cool & dry
• Sep-Nov: hot & dry

HEALTH REQUREMENTS

• visitors from or passing through a yellow fever and cholera zone - have a valid International Certificate of Vaccination

MEDICAL SERVICES 

• underdeveloped in most cases, western standard only in Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

• many taxis available [prices are negotiable]
• good bus service to Chipata, Livingstone, the Copperbelt and Harare, but they don’t always follow strict schedules
• the main bus terminus in Dedan Kimathi road in Lusaka
• private bus companies [more reliable services]: to Livingstone, Harare and Johannesburg

HOTELS

• similar situation to other African countries. Generally finding a place to stay should not be a problem, and it's always good to have a tent with you! 

SECURITY

• petty theft in areas with high unemployment
• don't change money on the streets 

CURRENCY

• Kwacha, 1 USD = 4800 Kwacha
  
• in most places you should pay in hard currency

USEFUL VOCABULARY 

English	Bemba	Nyanja
Hello	Shani	Bwanji
Goodbye	Shalapo	Pitani Bwino
How are you?	Uli Shani?	Muli Bwanji?
I am fine	Ndi Bwino	Ndili Bwino
Thank you	Natotela	Dzikomo
very much	sana	kwambili

Zambia at a glance

 

Full Name

Republic of Zambia

Capital City

Lusaka

Area

752,600 sq km

290,579 sq miles

Population

10,400,000

Time Zone

GMT/UTC +2 ()

Languages

English (official)

Bemba (other)

Religion

Christian (50-75%), indigenous beliefs (50-75%);

many people follow both 

 

Currency

Kwacha (ZK)

Electricity

230V 50HzHz

Country Dialing Code

260