Zambia

Currency
Zambia’s unit of currency is the Kwacha (ZMW). The denominations are K100, K50, K20, K10, K5 and K2.
However, some prices are quoted in USD. It is, therefore, possible to use USD and Pounds Sterling as well.
Banking
In the cities and larger towns, you can change cash and travellers’ cheques at branches of Barclays Bank and Standard Chartered Bank. Larger branches have ATMs that accept Visa. Foreign exchange offices are easy to find in cities and larger towns.
Banks are generally open on weekdays from 08h150 to 15h30 and 08h15 to 12h00 on Saturdays. Banks are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Proflight flies from Lusaka to Mfuwe (South Luangwa), to Livingstone and the Copperbelt and also does charters. Various air charter companies will fly to any of the many airstrips around the country and most of the areas worth visiting are accessible by air.

Zambia’s native cuisine is based on nshima, a cooked porridge made from ground maize normally accompanied by some tasty relish, perhaps made of meat and tomatoes, or dried fish. Safari camps will often prepare nshima if requested, and it is almost always available in small, local restaurants.
Camps, hotels and lodges that cater to overseas visitors tend to serve a range of international fare, and the quality of food prepared in the most remote bush camps is typically excellent.
Water in the main towns is usually purified. The locals drink it and are used to the relatively innocuous bugs that it may harbour. If you are in the country for a long time, then it may be worth acclimatising yourself to it. However, if you are in Zambia for just a few weeks, then try to drink only bottled water.
Out in the bush, most of the camps and lodges provide bottled water or use water from boreholes which are generally safe to drink.

Rainy season is from November to March though the further north you are, the earlier the rains arrive and the later they leave. Eastern areas and higher areas generally receive more rain than western and lowland areas. By April and May, most of the rain has faded away, leaving a landscape that’s still green, but starting to dry out. Nighttime temperatures start to drop, especially in higher and more southerly locations. June, July and August nights become much cooler, the days remain clear and warm. Make sure you bring warm clothes to wrap up if you’re out at night, as some nights get very cold! Most of Zambia’s small ‘walking bush camps’ open at the start of June, when the roads have dried out sufficiently to allow access. This is the start of the ‘peak season’ for these countries – with cloudless days and continually increasing game sightings. In September and October, the temperatures climb: the lower-lying rift valleys – Lower Zambezi, Mana Pools and Luangwa Valley – can get up to 45 degrees. However, you’ll see some superb game as the animals concentrate around the limited water sources.
November is variable; it can be hot and dry like October, or it can see the season’s first downpours.

Zambia has mild winters and the summer days can be scorching hot. Lightweight casual clothes can be worn all year round, with a jacket or jersey for early winter mornings and evenings.
On safari keep clothes to neutral colours – khakis, browns and greens. A sunhat, sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent are a must.

Most hotels and lodges offer internet and/or Wi-Fi (free or paid) to their guests. Internet cafes are springing up in Zambia, but connections can be erratic and slow.

Current is 220/240 volt at 50 cycles per second. Both square and round wall plugs are used.