Visa requirements
Passport: is generally required for travel to Zambia, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months when leaving Zambia.
Visa: Generally required
It is possible to get a tourist visa on the Zambian border, the fee is to be paid in US dollars in cash. Change is only available to a limited extent. On arrival, the return or onward flight ticket is often requested. The so-called visa waiver, which you could receive by fax from the accommodation booked in Zambia, no longer exists.
Transit: Transit travelers who travel within 24 hours, have valid documents for the onward journey including seat reservation and do not leave the transit room do not need a visa.
Period of validity: single visa for 3 months, double visa / multiple visa for 6 months.
Application: In person or by post at the consulate or at the consular section of the embassy.
Residence permit: Applications for stays over 90 days to the Chief Immigration Officer (CIO), Kent Building, 50300, ZM-Lusaka Tel: (01) 25 26 22, 25 26 59. Fax: (01) 25 17 25
Documents: Tourist Visa: 2 original, completed visa applications (no copy, no fax) – 2 passport photos (no scans) – passport that is valid for at least 6 months – travel booking confirmation – fee
Business Visa: additionally a company letter from the German company about the purpose and duration of the trip with a confirmation of the assumption of costs
An addressed free envelope (registered mail) should accompany the application.
Here you can download the visa application form for Zambia.
Cost of issuing a Visa: single entry: 40.00 euros, double entry: 70.00 euros
Processing time: Personal application 1 day, by post about 1 week
Sufficient funds: Foreigners must have sufficient funds.
Entry with children:
Germany: German ID card up to 16 years with photo or own passport (child passport or electronic passport) if possible.
Austria: own passport for children.
Switzerland: own passport for children.
The same visa requirements apply to children as to their parents.
Money
National currency: 1 Zambian kwacha corresponds to 100 Ngwee. Kwacha is a Bemba word for dawn, dawn and alludes to the Zambian nationalist slogan “the new dawn of freedom”.
Zambia was the first African country to issue polymer banknotes. On September 26, 2003, polymer banknotes worth 500 and 1,000 Zambian kwacha appeared. After the currency changeover in January 2013, however, all banknotes are again made of paper.
Currency abbreviation: K, ZMW – ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG
There are banknotes worth 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 kwacha, coins worth 1 kwacha and 50, 10 and 5 ngwee are issued.
Currency exchange: Foreign currencies are exchanged in official banks and exchange offices. Confirmations of change must be kept until you leave the country. the most common currencies are US dollar, UK pound and South African rand. Banks and exchange offices often only accept US dollars. US dollar banknotes from the pre-1996 series are normally not exchanged.
Travelers should note that all expenses in Zambia must be paid in the local currency.
Exchange rate Zambia Kwacha:
Currency converter at OANDA
Credit Cards: Visa cards are accepted in some larger shops, restaurants, hotels and lodges, but 4-7% fees apply when paying with credit cards.
ATMs of the larger banks accept Visa credit cards, EC cards are useless in Zambia.
Traveler’s checks: well-known in US dollars, traveler’s checks issued companies (Barclays, AmEx, Thomas Cook, Visa) at least redeemed upon presentation of the original sales receipt in larger cities. Exchange rates are worse than cash and fees are high.
Foreign exchange regulations: No restrictions. Declarations required from $ 5,000.
Bank opening times: Mon – Fri 8:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., on the first and last Saturday of each month 8:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Health and Diseases
When importing medicines for personal use that could be classified as narcotics, it is recommended to carry them in their original packaging and with a doctor’s prescription in English or with a certified translation.
The health service of the Foreign Ministry recommends as sensible vaccinations: protection against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A, for long-term stay over three months also hepatitis B. With special exposure (e.g. stay in the country, hunting, jogging) vaccination against rabies and typhoid can be very useful. The decision is made in a personal consultation with the tropical doctor or the vaccinator with tropical and travel medicine experience.
A valid yellow fever vaccination is no longer required upon entry.
HIV / AIDS is a major problem in the country and a great danger for everyone who runs the risk of infection: Sexual contact, dirty syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a considerable life-threatening risk.
Through hygienic eating and drinking (only boiled, nothing warm) and consistent mosquito repellent (repellents, mosquito net, covering clothing, behavior) most of the dangerous diarrhea and many infectious diseases can be completely avoided. This includes dengue fever and malaria.
Various prescription drugs (e.g. malarone, doxycycline, Lariam) are available on the market for malaria prophylaxis. The selection and personal adaptation as well as side effects or intolerance to other medications should be discussed with a tropical or travel doctor before taking chemoprophylaxis.
Medical care in the country cannot be compared with Europe and is technically, apparatusally and / or hygienically highly problematic. European-trained doctors are also often lacking. Adequate, valid health insurance coverage and reliable travel return insurance are strongly recommended.
Cholera cases sometimes occur after heavy rains. Travelers should therefore strictly observe the basic rules of drinking water and food hygiene. There is a risk of schistosomiasis infection when bathing in stagnant water.
Nationwide, there is a risk of transmission of Lyme disease from ticks, especially in grasses, shrubs and undergrowth. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents.
The foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Zambia and is nationally before. The best way to protect yourself is to avoid contact with animals.
The sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis) is particularly found in the northern parts of the country. Careful mosquito protection measures are recommended. If you have any complaints after staying in areas at risk, consult your doctor.
Rabies occurs nationwide. Carriers include dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, professional risk groups and for longer stays. Get medical attention as soon as possible in the event of bite wounds.
Health certificate: All foreigners who work in the country, as well as their family members over 10 years, regardless of the planned length of stay, need a health certificate in English with a new chest x-ray and a certificate that they are free from tuberculosis.
In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:
A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information as well as a liability for possible damage cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.
Local Travel Options
Airplane: Zambian Airways (Q3), South African Airlink, Airwaves, Proflight, and other private operators serve domestic traffic. There are well over 100 airports and runways in the country. A network of flights connects the main cities and tourist destinations. Flights are certainly the fastest and most comfortable way to travel through Zambia, but they are also the most expensive. A one-hour flight (e.g. Lusaka-Mfuwe) costs around $ 200. The aircraft used are often small and so the number of seats is limited, so you should try to get a seat in time. There is also the possibility for groups to charter their own machines. If the number of people is sufficient, the costs are not much higher than the regular connections.
Ship: Ferries run on all major waterways.
Rail: The international rail lines run from Livingstone to Lusaka, from there to the Copperbelt and from the northern border to Tanzania (Kapiri Mposhi). The connection Lusake-Kitwe and Lusaka – Livingstone is used daily.
Cars: left-hand traffic and seatbelts. Many of the country’s roads are in very poor condition, and whole parts of the roads can be washed away during the rainy season. There are many unpaved roads outside the cities. Although these make a solid impression, the surface is often loose. The result is frequent accidents. Petrol and diesel are available in the larger cities.
Bus: Zambia Telecommunications (Zamtel) and private companies travel the major national routes, but the buses are often crowded. Zamtel buses run on the Copperbelt – Lusaka – Livingstone road. The departure takes place every two days. As a rule, they are more reliable than the minibuses and adhere to schedules. Tickets can be purchased in advance. Other bus services include Red Heart, Giraffe and Djafounou. The minibuses, which are vans equipped with additional seats, are popular. However, they are often not approved, unsafe and uncomfortable. In order to maximize their profit, the drivers cram so many passengers and luggage (katundu) as possible in their vehicles. The comfort of the other passengers is of no importance.
Car rental: there are some car rental companies in Zambia (e.g. Voyagers / Imerial Car Rental and 4X4 Hire Africa, but the costs are quite high. A car costs about $ 100 a day. Without four-wheel drive, nothing works, at least during the rainy season and the rest year one should do without it in no case, however, partly also helps a four wheel drive in the rainy season nothing more left-hand traffic.. Documents: International driver’s license.
City traffic: Minibuses and shared taxis run in Lusaka. The buses are without comfort and mostly crowded. Taxis are more comfortable, but do not have taximeters, it is essential to agree fares in advance.
The most interesting sights
National parks: Zambia has long been striving for an intact natural landscape and is actively committed to nature conservation. Almost 9% of the country is covered by nature and animal protection areas. Safari tourism mainly focuses on these national parks: Sumbu, Kafue, Lochinvar, South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, Kasanka, North Luangwa and Mosi-oa-Tunya; the other parks are less frequented and so far offer only a few tourist facilities. On organized safaris (mostly 6-8 people per vehicle) with local guides, you can get to know the African flora and fauna particularly well. Herds of buffalo and elephants can be observed like lions and leopards in relatively intact nature. In addition, rhinos, baboons, hippos and crocodiles can always be seen. The bird life is very diverse; Over 400 different species can be found in Lochinvar National Park alone. Large flocks of waterfowl can always be observed on the banks of the river, especially in the mentioned Lochinvar and Luangwa National Parks. Fishing is very popular with visitors, and international fishing competitions are often held in Zambia.
You can usually watch the game from the open SUV, but hikes are also possible. The guides are always armed to protect them from game. Night safaris are also offered.
All national parks can be reached by car (often difficult in the rainy season) or by plane. To get to the national parks, you have to buy an entrance ticket between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the main entrance.
Kafue National Park: The 22,500 sq km park is located in the middle of the southern half of the country and is one of the best animal reserves in Africa. The national park is divided by the Kafue river. Here you can see hundreds of bird species. You can take part in safaris and hikes of up to eight days. There are a variety of different camps and lodges in the park.
South Luangwa National Park: The park offers a large variety of mammals: elephants, hippos, lions, giraffes, antelopes, buffalos and wild dogs can be found here. True carpets of flowers can be admired in the rainy season. There are lodges in Chichele, Mfuwe and Kapani (in the rainy and dry season) as well as Luamfwa and Tundwe (only during the dry season).
Lochinvar National Park: A great variety of bird life can be seen here. A lodge is open all year round. The Ngwisho hot springs are one of the oldest archaeological sites in Central Africa.
Victoria Falls / Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park: This park is located on the border with Zimbabwe in southern Zambia. The impressive Victoria Falls attract countless visitors year after year. The 2.5 km wide Zambezi falls 100 m deep into a narrow gorge. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is close to the falls. In nearby Livingstone, a tourist town, there are several upscale hotels and even a casino. The National Museum shows documents on the history of the city and the Railway Museum is also worthwhile.
Kasanka National Park: one of the smallest parks in Zambia with only 390 sq km. Eight lakes and four rivers run through the national park. The interesting landscape consists of forests and swamps, a habitat for many mammals and also the shoebill stork. Some of the animals living here are elephants, hippos, hartebeest, sable, bush and reed buck, buffalo and hyena.
Lower Zambezi National Park: This park is located about 100 km downstream of the Victoria Falls, on the north bank of the Zambezi. You can see here, among other things. Elephants, hippos, buffaloes, zebras, lions, leopards and many species of birds. It is possible to organize canoe safaris, fishing (tiger fish and perch) and bird watching here.
North Luangwa National Park: One of the most spectacular national parks in Africa. The park is particularly known for its large herds of buffalo. The forested park is surrounded by rivers. The species to be observed include elephants, leopards, wild cats, hyenas, puku, zebras and velvet monkeys. Over 350 species of birds live here, such as the Great Egret, Crested Lorie, Crimson Bee-eater and Eagle Owl.
Boat trips on the Zambezi are very popular. From the Victoria Falls you can take up to seven-day trips. Of course, shorter white water rafting safaris are also possible.
Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, offers a selection of night clubs and cinemas. The Kabwata cultural village is committed to the preservation of local art. The Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the Munda Wanga Botanical Garden and the zoo can also be visited.