Be aware of any required vaccinations or health precautions, especially if arriving from a yellow fever-infected country.

Before Travel:

• Always consult your own doctor or travel clinic before travelling.
• Be sure to check what entry requirements Zambia and your home country might have in place with regard to diseases like yellow fever or coronavirus.

Prescription Medications

Prescription medications are allowed into the country with the following provisions:

• Ensure you have sufficient stock of any prescription medications you need while travelling.
• Keep them in their original packaging (this is also useful in case you need to arrange a generic or similar medication while in Zambia so the chemist or pharmacist can see the active ingredients).
• The packaging must be labelled with your name and the dosage.
• A copy of the original prescription is available.
• You do not bring in more prescription medication than you need for the duration of your visit.
• Certain ingredients are banned in Zambia: check that your medication does not contain the following as you may not be allowed to bring it into the country by downloading the PDF:

Packing your toiletry bag or first-aid kit

It’s best to bring small amounts of over-the-counter medications so you can quickly take care of any minor ailments yourself. If you have special requirements – like needing an asthma pump – consider bringing a spare in case of loss or damage.

• Plasters
• Anti-histamine medication
• Painkillers
• Anti-diarrhoea medication
• Organic insect repellent
• Sun protection lotion
• Antiseptic lotion
• Spare contact lenses and cleaning solution
• Anti-nausea medication
• Motion sickness medication
• Comprehensive Insurance

Always take out full medical insurance that includes emergency evacuation. There are several air evacuations services in Zambia that service rural or wildlife areas.

CPAP Machines

If you have sleep apnoea and use a CPAP machine, check that your accommodation has an uninterrupted 24-hour power supply. Many camps and lodges switch off their generators from 10pm onwards to save fuel and reduce noise while others run on solar power. Even city hotels connected to the main electricity grid can experience occasional blackouts. True bush camps, fly-camps and mobile safaris are unlikely to have sufficient power supplies.

Always travel with fully charged batteries. Be mindful that luggage limits on chartered and light aircraft flights to wildlife areas are very strict and small (generally about 15-20kg / 33-44lb).

Malaria

The northern areas of Zambia (especially the Northern, North-western, Muchinga and Luapula provinces) are the riskiest as they receive the highest rainfall. Malaria depends on the presence of a female Anopheles mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person, which is why malaria rates are highest in villages.

Your risk is low in Lusaka and safari lodges and increases in more rural places. The following measures will reduce your chances of contracting malaria:

• Travel in high or dry season from about July to October.
• Use an organic insect repellent.
• Before sunset, put on socks and shoes, long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. Even lightweight cotton clothes help keep mozzies off bare skin.
• If possible, sleep with a fan on. The slight breeze keeps mosquitoes away.
• Always use a mosquito net if one is provided.
• Ask your doctor or travel clinic about anti-malaria medication (be sure to mention if you are or will be pregnant or if you are going scuba diving around the same time). You must start the prophylactics two weeks before you travel.
• Don’t camp near stagnant waterholes or dams.
• Anecdotally, Peaceful Sleep insect repellent works more effectively against Zambian mosquitoes than Tabard repellent.
• Carry a malaria test kit with you and check your results if you start feeling flu-like symptoms. Seek treatment immediately.

Vaccinations

Check with your travel clinic which vaccinations are mandatory as these can change.

Vaccinations generally recommended by the World Health Organisation and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include:

• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Tetanus
• Meningitis
• Rabies

Treat every animal as dangerous and respect their presence. Never approach, stress or interact with animals in any way – even small, cute or wounded wildlife can inflict painful scratches and bites that can quickly become infected. You may be a long way from medical help and animal bites in particular are major sources of harmful bacteria that can quickly lead to infections like tetanus or gangrene or even amputations.

• Ensure your tetanus vaccinations are up to date before you travel.
• Always remain in your vehicle around animals.
• Listen to and obey your guide at all times.
• Do not walk across ‘hippo highways’: hippos are notoriously territorial and can easily kill a person.
• Do not swim in rivers or dams unless officially allowed to do so: crocodiles can remain submerged and strike without warning.
• Do not approach breeding herds of elephants: the adults will do all they can to protect the babies including flipping over cars.
• At night, always be escorted by your guide. Do not wander around camp.
• On walking safaris, wear long socks, gaiters and long trousers as the grass and ground are home to termites, ants, snakes etc.
• Tsetse fly are still present in some areas. They leave a painful bite. Avoid blue and black clothing as they seem to be attracted to these colours.

In general, almost all food and drink are safe to consume as long as you apply common-sense measures. Standards in city hotels and safari camps and lodges are generally very high, and water is safe to drink. The more upmarket accommodation will even cater for dietary requirements if you are vegan, for example.

If you are catering for your own holiday, stock up in major towns that have international supermarkets. Buying from villagers is also possible: just be sure to thoroughly rinse fruit and vegetables, and cook meat or fish at a high temperature. Carry water purification tablets or boil water before drinking it.

Consider purchasing travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and delays. You must have comprehensive travel insurance with adequate cover for cancellation (unexpected illness/injury/hospitalization, flight delays, weather conditions etc), curtailment and all medical expenses with emergency air evacuation.

Zambia experiences a predominantly sub-tropical climate characterized by three distinct seasons: a hot and dry season (mid-August to mid-November), a wet rainy season (mid-November to April) and a cool dry season (May to mid-August).

Hot and Dry Season (August to November):

• This is the driest and hottest period, with temperatures potentially peaking in the low 90s Fahrenheit (32-35°C). Bushfires are not uncommon during this time, and non-permanent water sources dry up.

Wet Rainy Season (November to April):

• This season brings frequent, intense showers, and some roads and rivers can become impassable. Vegetation thrives during this period.

Cool Dry Season (May to August):

• This is the coolest and driest part of the year, with temperatures ranging from the upper 40s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit (6-24°C). Frost may occur overnight in low-lying areas, and winds can spark fires as the bush dries out.

Altitude:

• Zambia's climate is also heavily influenced by altitude, with higher regions being cooler and wetter than surrounding areas.

Rainfall:

• Annual rainfall varies across the country, averaging between 700 mm in the south and 1400 mm in the north.

Best Time to Visit:

The best time to visit Zambia for wildlife viewing and pleasant weather is during the dry season, from June to September.

• Passport
• Visa (if required)
• Insurance details (please see our travel insurance page for more information)
• Cash (US dollars are the most useful currency in Zambia)
• Credit card (MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted cards)
• Warm clothes (possibly including hat and gloves)
• Sunhat
• Sunglasses
• Footwear (including walking shoes/boots if appropriate)
• Swimwear
• Binoculars
• Camera, charger, spare batteries and memory cards
• Mobile (cell) phone
• Chargers and adapters (Zambia generally uses UK style type G plugs, with three square pins)
• Torch
• Insect repellent
• Insect bite cream, such as Antisan, to use against biting flies
• Sunscreen
• Prescription medicines & prescription (if needed)

Mobile (cell) phones on safari

It is a good idea to have a mobile with you on your trip in case of an emergency. If you have ‘global roaming’ enabled, your phone will probably work in most towns in Zambia. Your phone can also be set to include ‘global roaming’ by your network provider.

Zambia's culture is a vibrant mix of traditions from its 72 ethnic tribes, with music, art, and ceremonies celebrating nature, history, and community, and with English being the official language alongside numerous indigenous languages.

Language:

• English is the official language, but many indigenous languages are also spoken, including Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, and Tonga.
• Some students are also taught Portuguese, German, and French.

Religion:

• The majority of Zambians are Christian, with both Roman Catholic and Protestant denominations being common.
• Traditional religious practices are also prevalent.

Music and Dance:

• Music and dance are integral to Zambian culture, with drumming being particularly common in rituals, ceremonies, and celebrations.
• Other instruments include the hand piano and the kalimba (a xylophone-like instrument).
• Songs narrate folklore, celebrate harvests, and mark life's milestones.

Art and Crafts:

• Traditional art includes basketry, pottery, and carvings.
• Craftwork is popular, using materials like bamboo, grass, and papyrus palm leaves to create furniture and baskets.

Festivals and Ceremonies:

• Many Zambian festivals are connected to nature and celebrated by tribes, such as Kuomboka and Kazanga.
• These ceremonies celebrate natural cycles, past military glories, and age-old traditions.
• Traditional values are preserved, and cultural identity is confirmed in these ritual ethnic celebrations.

Social Norms:

• The Zambian people are known for their welcoming nature and strong sense of community.
• Interactions are unhurried and courteous, with politeness and genuine interest being valued.
• Public displays of affection, especially between heterosexual couples, are frowned upon.
• Revealing clothing is considered improper.
• Camo and military fatigues are not considered appropriate civilian attire.

While tipping isn't mandatory in Zambia, it's a gesture of appreciation for good service and can be particularly helpful for those in the service industry, where wages may be lower. A 10% tip on restaurant and bar bills is a suitable amount, and rounding up taxi fares is also appreciated.

General Tipping:

• Tipping is not compulsory, but it's a nice gesture to show appreciation for good service.
• Be mindful of the level of service and the value of the currency you are using.
• A 10% tip on restaurant and bar bills is a good guideline.
• Rounding up taxi fares is also a good practice.

Tipping on Safari:

• A generous tip for your safari team (guides, spotters, scouts, etc.) can make a big difference to their income.
• A good guideline is around $10-$15 per person per day for your safari team.
• You can tip your guide/spotter directly, and there's usually a tip box for the camp team.
• Managers are not typically part of the "tip box".

Other Tips:

• Tips are always appreciated, but they are entirely up to you.
• Consider the quality of service you received when deciding how much to tip.
• Be discreet and respectful when tipping, as it's a normal part of Zambia's service industry.