Language: There are over 73 dialects spoken in
Zambia, but the official language is English. All business is in English and most Zambians speak it fairly well.
Currency: The Zambian currency is the Kwacha (ZMK), divided into 100 ngwee, but the coins are now worthless and seldom used. It is best to bring travelers cheques, US Dollars or Pounds Sterling which can be exchanged at the many bureaux de change found in the main towns. While most of the tourist hotels, restaurants, travel agents and larger shops, especially in
Lusaka and
Livingstone, accept credit cards many outlets
in the rural areas do not and deal only in local currency. ATMs are available in Lusaka and some of the major towns. Banking hours vary but are usually 8.30am to 2.30pm on weekdays and mornings of the first and last Saturday of the month.
Time: GMT +2.
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs, as well as two-and three pin round plugs are in use.
Communications: The international dialing code for Zambia is +260. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for
South Africa). City/area codes are in use, e.g. 1 for Lusaka. Operator assisted calls can be booked by dialing 090 or 093. Public telephones are widely available, most requiring tokens, but card phones are now available from where international calls can be made. Connections tend to be bad, particularly outside of Lusaka. There are GSM 900 cell phone networks in operation, but coverage is limited mainly to urban areas. There are several Internet cafes in Livingstone and Lusaka, and secretarial services in Lusaka offer full telephone, fax, telex and email facilities. Postal services are fairly reliable.
Duty Free: Travelers to Zambia over 18 years do not have to pay duty on the following items: 400 cigarettes or 500g tobacco, 1 bottle of alcohol and 2.5 liters of beer, and 1 ounce of perfume. Visitors may export the same items for free.
Tourist OfficeZambia
National Tourist Board, Lusaka: +260 (0)1 229 087 or www.zambiatourism.com
EmergencyEmergencies: 999
Embassies
Zambian Embassy,
Washington DC,
United States: +1 202 265 9717.
Zambian
High Commission,
London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7589 6655.
Zambian High Commission,
Ottawa,
Canada: +1 613 232 440.
Zambian High Commission,
Tokyo,
Japan (also responsible for
Australia and
New Zealand): +81 (0)3 3491 0121.
Zambian High Commission,
Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 326 1854.
United States Embassy, Lusaka: +260 (0)1 250 955.
British High Commission, Lusaka: +260 (0)1 251 133.
Canadian High Commission, Lusaka: +260 (0)1 250 833.
Australian High Commission,
Harare,
Zimbabwe (also responsible for Zambia): +263 (0)4 852 471.
South African High Commission, Lusaka: +260 (0)1 260 999.
Irish Embassy, Lusaka: +260 (0)1 291 298.
New
Zealand High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Zambia): +27 (0)12 342 8656/7/8/9.
