The information below is for travel education purposes only .

You can see our Victoria Falls, information and hotels in the area, by following   the Link

Livingstone Victoria Falls

We also offer some Zambia Safaris ..follow  this link undr our Africa Safaris multi country section

Zambia Safaris

Zambia Travel Guide

Microflight over Victoria Falls © Zambia National Tourist Board

The big, beautiful country of Zambia is situated in the heart of the African sub-continent, untainted by commercial tourist development, but nevertheless well-equipped to allow visitors to experience the warmth, excitement, challenges and adventures of the real Africa.

Zambia beckons with an abundance of natural attractions and extreme sports, which has earned it the reputation of being the 'adventure centre' of the continent.

The country's prime attraction is the spectacular, breathtaking Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Not only do the falls provide unmatched scenery as the water plunges into the depths of the gorge, but they are also the setting for a multitude of adrenaline pumping activities, like whitewater rafting, bungee jumping from the 364ft (111m) high bridge, canoeing, abseiling, micro-lighting over the falls, elephant-back safaris, jet-boating through the rapids and many more.

If dry land is more to your taste, Zambia offers dozens of superb game parks stocked with a profusion of birds and wildlife. Chief among the parks is South Luangwa National Park, centred on the most intact major river system in Africa, which hosts a huge concentration of game. The legendary 'Zambian walking safari' originated in this park and still offers one of the finest ways to experience the African wilderness.

Visitors to Zambia seldom linger in the towns, being bent on safaris or destined for game lodges and adventure camps, but those who choose to explore the somewhat dishevelled capital, Lusaka, will find it has an interesting charm. More than half of the inhabitants of this over-populated city are unemployed, yet the atmosphere is far from despondent as the people hustle and bustle, determined to survive. Thousands of stalls line the streets offering a fascinating array of services and goods.

Lovers of the outdoors cannot fail to find everything and more to satisfy them in the wetlands and wilderness of Zambia.

Zambia Basics

Time: GMT +2.

Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz. Square pin plugs are in use.

Language: There are over 73 dialects spoken in Zambia, but the official language is English. All media and business is in English and most Zambians speak it fairly well.

Health: Polio, typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccinations, and malaria prevention measures are recommended, and yellow fever inoculation is a requirement for entry for those coming from an infected area. Malaria is endemic in Zambia and outbreaks of cholera and dysentery are common especially during the rainy season. The country also has one of the highest rates of HIV/Aids infection worldwide. Avoid swimming or wading in bodies of fresh water, such as lakes, ponds, streams, or rivers due to the presence of bilharzia. Medical facilities in the country are under-developed and limited to the point that basic drugs and even clean needles are often not available. The small clinics in Lusaka are regarded as superior to the general hospitals, but clinics in rural areas are rarely stocked with anything more than aspirin or band-aids. Full travel insurance, including cover for medical evacuation by air, is therefore essential and it is vital to bring a good first aid kit. Avoid food bought from local street vendors and ensure drinking water is filtered and boiled, or bought in sealed, branded bottles.

Tipping: Tipping is discouraged, but still practised on occasion and is usually about 10%. A 10% service charge is included in bills.

Safety: Most visits to Zambia are trouble free, but visitors should be aware that car hijackings and armed robberies are increasing, and mugging, bag-snatching and theft from parked cars is common in downtown areas. Visitors should avoid the Cairo Road in Lusaka, which is dangerous due to violent robberies. Be vigilant and do not display tempting valuables. Avoid the border areas where Zambia meets Angola and all but essential travel should be avoided along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo; cross-border raids are frequent and landmines are a potential danger.

Communications: The international dialling code for Zambia is +260. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00 27 for South Africa). There are regional dialling codes, such as 01 for Lusaka and 03 for Livingstone. Operator assisted calls can be booked by dialling 090 or 093. Public telephones are widely available, most requiring tokens. 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: Travellers to Zambia over 18 years do not have to pay duty on the following items: 200 cigarettes or 450 grams tobacco, and 1 opened bottle of alcohol.

Zambia Health Overview

Polio, typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccinations, and malaria prevention measures are recommended, and yellow fever inoculation is a requirement for entry for those coming from an infected area. Malaria is endemic in Zambia and outbreaks of cholera and dysentery are common especially during the rainy season. The country also has one of the highest rates of HIV/Aids infection worldwide. Avoid swimming or wading in bodies of fresh water, such as lakes, ponds, streams, or rivers due to the presence of bilharzia. Medical facilities in the country are under-developed and limited to the point that basic drugs and even clean needles are often not available. The small clinics in Lusaka are regarded as superior to the general hospitals, but clinics in rural areas are rarely stocked with anything more than aspirin or band-aids. Full travel insurance, including cover for medical evacuation by air, is therefore essential and it is vital to bring a good first aid kit. Avoid food bought from local street vendors and ensure drinking water is filtered and boiled, or bought in sealed, branded bottles.