SEASONS AND WEATHER

Chobe/Botswana Weather

The winters in Botswana are pleasant and the nights are cool. The temperatures during the days are in the 20's but during the hot, dry summers temperatures can reach highs in the 30's. Desert temperatures are always hotter than anywhere else and there is the occasional drizzle in the Kalahari.

Seasons in Chobe/Botswana

Spring: September - October
Summer: November - March
Autumn: April - May
Winter: June – August

Zambia Weather

Zambia is one of the few African countries that has 3 distinct seasons. December to April is warm, wet and humid. May to August is cool and dry and September to November is hot and dry. The climate is moderated by the altitude.

Seasons in Zambia

Spring: September - November
Summer: December - April
Autumn: April - May
Winter: May – August

Victoria Falls/Zimbabwe Weather

The summers in Zimbabwe are hot with heavy rainfalls in the mountain regions and forest areas. Zimbabwean winters are renowned for being dry and cool. There is little rainfall in the southern regions of Zimbabwe.

Seasons in Victoria Falls/Zimbabwe

Spring: September - October
Summer: November - April
Autumn: April - June
Winter: July – August

WET AND DRY SEASONS

The wet and dry seasons have a significant effect on game conditions. The dry season generally runs from May to October. Game conditions generally improve as the season gets drier and wildlife tends to concentrate near remaining water sources.

The summer wet season itself, also referred to as the "green season", generally starting with fresh rains in November heralds the arrival of migrant birds as mammals disperse in search of fresh growth - the bush gets thick, insects flourish, birding improves, game viewing deteriorates. The summer rains are generally characterized by torrential downpours followed by sunshine during the day. Heavy rains and flood conditions, if they occur, happen in January and February. The wet season generally makes the remoter areas inaccessible.

MILD WINTERS AND HOT SUMMERS

Temperatures during the winter in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana are moderate and generally very comfortable by comparison with those experienced in the northern climes… a mid-winter lower Zambezi canoe safari can be tackled in shorts, rafters and T-shirt with a fleece and joggers to ward off the evening chill - temperatures at the time will rarely drop below 13 degrees Celsius however at higher altitudes, night time temperatures would approach freezing.

On the other hand the Zambezi and Luangwa valleys experience extremely high temperatures just before the rains - October and November are regarded as "suicide months" with day time temperatures exceeding 40 degrees celcius and not dropping below 30 degrees celcius for nights on end. This time of year is exceptionally good for game, but you have to be quite dedicated to handle the heat! In mid- November the rains usually start. It's a release from about six weeks of hell for local residents and insects alike! This is a good time to arrange to gather bucket loads of flying ants and prepare for the tiger fishing season between December and March.

Zambia's game viewing is best during the dry season from May through to October. The wet season is best for bird watching but access particularly into the Luangwa is very limited.

Zimbabwe's best game-viewing season is generally from late May until November. September sees the start of the inbound bird migrations and birding remains excellent throughout the wet season.

Botswana's dry season is from May to December, January to April is the wet season.

WHITE WATER RAFTING SEASON

Rafting at Victoria Falls is dependent on the Zambezi water levels. In a nutshell, low water season is the most exciting season. This runs from around mid-July to early January with water levels dropping progressively until the lowest levels are reached during December and January. The annual rains start in the middle of November but it's only in January that the headwaters start hitting the Victoria Falls and levels climb again and high water season starts. The flood peak usually hits the Victoria Falls around Easter time. Rafting stops from around mid-March to the end of April.

SOUTHERN AFRICA TIME

Southern Africa and South Africa does not change its clocks during the year, and there are no regional variations within the country. South African and Southern Africa Standard Time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean (or Universal Standard) Time, one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, and seven hours ahead of the USA's Eastern Standard Winter Time.

Get on local time as soon as possible even if it’s just for the first night, allowing your body to stay on your hometown time makes it very hard to get over jetlag. The sooner you get on the local schedule the better, so even if it feels like two in the afternoon, if it’s time for bed in your new location, hit the sheets!

RULES OF THE ROAD

Many tourists feel that people from Africa drive on the “wrong” side of the road, but who are we to know which is “right”?! So, if you are from the United States or you drive on the right hand side of the road, then we drive on the “other” side. Keep left, and pass right. The usual speed limit in the urban areas is 60km/h, and on the national highways it is 120km/h.

Keep your eye open for speed limit road signs as there are many speed traps. Wearing seat belts in the front and back of the car is the law. Drunk driving is not tolerated - rather organise a reputable taxi / cab driver to take you to and from your destination. Not all countries need to have an international driving permit for South Africa or Southern Africa, but it is advisable to find out from your local automobile association for confirmation. Public transport is not ideal in cities, as it is quite irregular and sometimes non-existent.

WHERE CAN I SMOKE?

The law prohibits smoking in most public spaces, including airports and railway stations. Most restaurants have designated smoking and non-smoking areas.

DRINKING WATER

Tap water in Zambia and Botswana is generally not drinkable, at least unless boiled. In Victoria Falls most, if not all locals, drink happily from municipal supplies. However, if you suspect you may have a sensitive stomach, then bottled water is recommended and is readily available. We advise not to drink local running water or tap water.  Bottled water is recommended.

Bottled water is widely available in cities, but not necessarily in rural areas. Check with your hotel / game reserve if you are not sure about the water. There will always be bottled water available should you not feel comfortable drinking it direct from the tap / faucet. Drinking water straight from rivers and streams could put you at risk of waterborne diseases - especially downstream of human settlements. The water in mountain streams, however, is usually pure and wonderful.

HEALTH TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS

Nothing can spoil a holiday more than feeling off-colour, and nothing can dull the pleasure of your holiday memories more than getting ill far from home. There are a number of health issues that you should be aware of, particularly if you are from the northern hemisphere.  However, there are risks anywhere.

Inoculations

If you are an adult, you will not need any inoculations unless you are travelling from a yellow-fever endemic area (the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America), in which case you will need certification to prove your inoculation status when you arrive in Southern Africa.

It is recommended that you have the required inoculations four to six weeks before you travel to Southern Africa (a yellow fever inoculation certificate only becomes valid 10 days after inoculation - after which it remains valid for 10 years).

Hepatitis B inoculations are recommended for children up to the age of 12 who have not completed the series of injections as infants. Booster doses for tetanus and measles can also be administered.

Medical facilities

Medical facilities in cities and larger towns are world-class, but you will find that in rural areas the clinics and hospitals deal with primary health needs, and therefore do not offer the range of medical care that the large metropolitan hospitals do. Trained medical caregivers are deployed round the country, so help is never far away.

The sun

We have a warm sunny climate and sunscreen and a hat are recommended whenever you are out doors during the day, particularly between 10:00 and 16:00, regardless of whether there is cloud cover or not.

Even if you have a dark complexion, you can still get sunburned if you are from a cooler climate and have not had much exposure to the sun. Sunglasses are also recommended, as the glare of the African sun can be strong.

HIV/Aids

As in other countries, always take precautions when having sex. Southern Africa and South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world.

Other health issues

Bilharzia can be a problem in some of the east-flowing rivers, but it is easily detected and treated if it is caught early. Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a routine test a month or two after you get home - just to reassure yourself.

Ticks generally come out in the early spring and may carry tick-bite fever, which is easily treated. You should also be aware of hepatitis, for which you can be inoculated.

HEALTH

All travellers worldwide are recommended to take out travel insurance before trips, which covers health benefits while in another country.  Please check full benefits with your travel insurer. In some areas of Southern Africa malaria occurs, but with the correct anti-malaria medication taken before your trip, you will not contract the disease easily. Many local people and some travellers do not take malaria prophylaxis, but most health professionals recommend you do. Consult your doctor or a specialist travel clinic for the latest advice concerning malaria prophylaxis, as it changes regularly.

Whether you take oral prophylaxis or not, always use mosquito repellent, wear long pants, closed shoes and light long-sleeved shirts at night, and sleep under a mosquito net in endemic areas.  The anopheles mosquito, which carries malaria, operates almost exclusively after dark. It is advisable to avoid malaria areas if you are pregnant.

Please contact your local Travel Clinic to find out the best medication currently on the market.

CREDIT CARDS AND CASH

All major credit cards can be used in Southern Africa, with American Express and Diners Club enjoying less universal acceptance than MasterCard and Visa. In some small towns, you may find you will need to use cash.

When it comes to paying for fuel, you may also have to pay cash. Our filling stations can now take credit card payments – regulations allowing them to do so came into effect in July 2009. However, many filling stations (or garages, as we call them) may take a while to adjust, or may choose not to. Look out for the "cash only" notices.  Many locals have special fuel credit cards, known as garage or petrol cards, for use only at filling stations. These will still be accepted.

Road tolls, on the major routes between cities, can be paid using MasterCard or Visa.

BANKING MADE EASY

You will find Southern Africa an easy destination. From the moment you step off the plane you will start seeing banks, bureaux de change and automatic tellers all over.

The banks are generally open from 9am to 3.30pm Mondays through Fridays, and 8.30am to 11am on Saturdays, but those at the airports adjust their hours to accommodate international flights.

The major banks have branches as well as automated teller machines (ATMs) in most large towns – and all over the cities. International banks have branches in the major cities. Thomas Cook, represented by Rennies Travel, and American Express foreign exchange offices are also available in the major cities.

HOW FAR WILL MY MONEY GO?

A long, long way! With a favourable exchange rate for the major international currencies, you will find Southern Africa a very inexpensive destination.

CURRENCY

South Africa's unit of currency is the rand, which is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5, and notes in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200. The Zambian kwacha, denoted by ZMK, is the official currency that has been used in Zambia since 1968. The ZMK, which is further divided into 100 ngwee, gets its name from the Bemba word for "dawn" which alludes to the Zambian nationalist slogan of a "new dawn of freedom". In 2003, Zambia printed its 500 and 1000 banknotes on polymer, being the first African country to do so. Other Currencies Accepted: All major currencies, however United States Dollars and British Pounds are most common. The Botswana pula is the official currency of Botswana. The ISO code for the Botswana pula is BWP. The BWP is subdivided into 100 thebe. The Botswana pula maintains a composite peg. The currency name "pula" comes from the Setswana word that means rain. Botswana is located in the Kalahari Desert, where rain is rare.

BANKS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

With a favourable exchange rate for many international currencies, you will find Southern Africa a very inexpensive destination. And an easy one – financial institutions are world-class, with no shortage of banks, bureaux de change and automatic tellers.

LOST PASSPORTS

In case you lose your passport, report the loss as soon as possible to the nearest Police Station as well as to your country's embassy or consulate in South Africa/Southern Africa.

ATM SAFETY

When using automatic teller machines (ATMs) in Southern Africa, practice the generally accepted safety precautions you would employ when at home. Never accept an offer from a stranger to help you with your transaction. If your ATM card is withheld by the machine, you can approach the bank to release it, or call the helpline number that can be found at the ATM.

VEHICLE SAFETY

When driving a private vehicle, either borrowed or hired, take some simple precautions to avoid car hijackings or "smash-and-grabs".

As a driver, be on the alert when coming to a halt at traffic lights or stop streets, as well as when arriving at or leaving any premises. Car doors should always be locked, and valuables are better kept in the boot or under the seats. Plan your route beforehand. When parking at night, choose well-lit or security-patrolled parking areas. Street security guards will usually ask whether they can watch over your car, and in return should be paid a small fee.

SAFETY

As with every country, there are safety measures to take into consideration. In your hotel, lock your valuables away in your safety deposit box in your room. Do not carry all your money while out and about. Credit cards are accepted at most establishments in Africa, except at some outdoor markets, where cash is used. As with any country, it is not wise to wander the streets after dark on your own. Crime in Africa, like many other places in today's world, can be a problem, but all you really need to do is take the usual sensible precautions and follow some basic safety rules. Know where you are going before you set off, particularly at night, watch your possessions, do not walk alone in dodgy areas, lock your doors at night. And, like anywhere else, there are some areas of the major cities which are known to be more risky than others. It is easy to avoid these and still have a good time. If you cannot avoid such areas, then avoid wearing visible jewellery or carrying cameras and bags over your shoulder. Keep mobile phones and wallets tucked away where no one can see them. Check beforehand that the areas you plan to visit are safe by asking hotel staff or police. Other sensible advice is not to hitchhike, or accept or carry items for strangers.

ELECTRICITY

The standard electricity supply in South Africa is 220/230 volts AC50Hz. Adaptors for all countries can be purchased either at Duty Free, or your hotel curio shop.

TIPPING

Tipping is common practice in Southern Africa for a range of services. In restaurants the accepted standard is around 10% of the bill, although sometimes a gratuity will be included (often in the case of a large party). Barmen are tipped a similar percentage.

Petrol stations are manned by attendants who will expect a small tip for filling up with petrol, checking oil, water and tyre pressure and cleaning windscreens. Hotel porters should also be tipped. It is also appropriate to tip taxi drivers, tour guides and even hairdressers.

If you park a car in a populated area such as near a shopping centre, street security guards will usually ask whether they can watch over your car and in return should be paid a small fee.

WHAT TO PACK

During summer, light weight comfortable clothing is recommended. If you are going on safari, pack a warm jacket for the evenings. Comfortable walking shoes are also advisable, and if you are staying in a formal hotel, a smart outfit is suggested for dinner.  Do not forget to bring along your camera and binoculars. Enjoy your time under the African sky, and listen to the calls of the wild all around you!

CLIMATE

As Southern Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are the opposite to the Northern Hemisphere. With this in mind, summer months range from mid-September till late-April. In Africa winters are very mild - they are nothing close to a European or North American winter. During May to August we have moderate days with cool evenings and early mornings. The sun intensity is strong in Africa and sun block is recommended throughout the year, even if travelling in winter. In summer, a hat and sunglasses is strongly recommended.

TAKE HALF THE STUFF AND TWICE THE CASH

The fun of travel is getting away from it all and that includes possessions. Taking less and budgeting for more is a great way to truly feel unburdened.

SCHEDULE IN SOME ALONE TIME

Travelling with friends and family can be a great way to get to know each other better … and that is the problem. An hour or two a day during which everyone is on their own can really keep the peace.

BE RESPECTFUL

Few qualities anger locals more than a stranger with a sense of entitlement. Act as a guest, not as a customer.  A healthy respect for regional customs will make your trip infinitely more enjoyable.

TOILETTE PAPER

In a lot of places toilette paper is a privilege and not a right.  Travellers who know this rule learned it the hard way - always, always keep at least a small amount of toilet paper on hand.

LANGUAGE

There is no need for language guides or language courses. English should generally bring you anywhere in Africa. Locals are used to tourism and embrace the additional income potential for their country, and you should not find it hard to communicate in English.  “Please” and “thank you” are certainly do-able. What feels awkward and intimidating to you will seem charming and sweet to shopkeepers, hoteliers, and other business people. We live in a country that’s rich in diversity and culture!

THINGS TO REMEMBER ….

There are two ways of organising a holiday. The first is to decide on the spur of the moment to head off, and do just that. It's a valid option, but you will probably have to maintain that frame of mind or you might start getting irritated at the things you forgot to organise and pack.

The more usual way is to plan ahead a bit, thus ensuring that you will not have any unpleasant surprises. Check your passport is not about to expire, check whether you will need visas, organise travellers' cheques well in advance, organise travel insurance and medical insurance. Check your flight details and do not forget to confirm them – including onward connections and returns. Do not forget to order special meals on flights, or children's meals, if necessary.

What to pack

Pack ahead of time. Most of the time you'll be most comfortable in light-weight, summer clothes but do pack a warm jacket, socks, good shoes and a rain jacket. Pack sunscreen and a hat and sunglasses. Make sure you have at least one cool shirt with a collar for sun protection. Stock up on insect repellent and, if you'll be in a malaria area, ensure you have a cool, long-sleeved shirt and cool long pants for evenings. Bring good walking shoes.

Always pack a bandanna or cotton scarf and a sarong, kanga, pareo, kikoi – whatever you want to call it. These two garments are probably the most useful and versatile items in the world. If you're spending time watching game, you should try to wear reasonably neutral colours. You do not need formal clothes, but you will need something pretty smart for exclusive hotels.

Medication

If you are dependent on any medication, bring a supply and a spare prescription. (We call our drugstores "pharmacies".)

Important documents

Make two copies of all your important documents, like passports. Take one with you, in a different bag to the original, and leave one at home with a responsible, easily reachable person. Try to memorise all your important numbers - passport numbers, credit card numbers, etc. If you lose your bag, this could be an enormous help.

Can I use my hairdryer?

Electricity is generally 220/230 volts, 15 amps, and is supplied through either 15-amp three-prong or 5-amp two-prong plugs, in both cases with round pins. If you're bringing anything electrical, bring an adapter – or you could buy one here. Generally, the 110V video chargers work safely on the 220V supply. Television is on the PAL system.

Spectacles, contact lenses

Bring spare spectacles, and/or a copy of your prescription. If you wear contact lenses, consider using disposables for a short holiday, especially if you're planning to river raft, dive or such. Also bring spectacles, as the dry dusty environment of some game farms may irritate your eyes.

If you have forgotten anything – do not panic. This is not the back of beyond, and you can buy whatever you need – probably at a good price.

And do not forget to pack that camera – you will want to save your wonderful memories. You can buy film anywhere, and camera batteries in any city.

KNOW HOW YOU ARE GETTING FROM THE AIRPORT TO YOUR LODGING BEFORE YOU GET THERE

Between jetlag, new languages, and general airport confusion, it can be shockingly difficult to figure out how to get just a few miles to your hotel without being ripped off or taken to the wrong place. Take care of this when you first buy the plane ticket so you won’t even have to think about it. In all tours offered by WILDFRONTIER AFRICA TRAVEL, the pick-up of guests within the Livingstone and Victoria Falls area are included in the price. Lodges situated outside the town will be subject to additional transfer charges.

SECURITY CHARGE FOR ZAMBIA

Please note that the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) has added a Security Charge payable at all NACL airports in Zambia upon check in ie: Lusaka, Livingstone, Ndola & Mfuwe effective as from the 01st January 2011. Details as follows:-
Cost: USD 3.00 per person per sector on Domestic flights, USD 5.00 per person per sector on International flights.
Transit: The same conditions will apply to the Security Charge as is applied to departure tax. ie: If you are in transit you will only pay the Security Charge once at the airport of departure.

ENTRY/EXIT VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR VICTORIA FALLS/ZIMBABWE

ENTRY/EXIT VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR VICTORIA FALLS/ZIMBABWE

Information as at January 2012

A Visa to enter Zimbabwe is required by several nationalities, please read the full details listed below.

There are 3 categories:

Category A: Countries whose nationals do NOT require a Visa. No action required, you will be granted easy entry at any border post.

Category B: Countries whose nationals are granted a Zimbabwe visa at port of entry on payment of requisite visa fees. These visas are easiest obtained on your arrival at the Airport or border post, takes about 5 minutes. If you get them done via an agency in your home country they will often cost you quite a bit more and be a lot more hassle.

Category C: Countries whose nationals are required to apply for and obtain a Zimbabwe visa prior to travelling. Unfortunately this is a bit of a pain, but you have to apply through an agency or the Zimbabwe High Commission in your home country.

Find out the Category of your country in the tables below.

All Categories need:-

• Passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry.
• Return ticket to your country (or enough money to buy one)
• Sufficient funds to cover your stay in Zimbabwe.
• Enough blank pages in your passport to fit the required entry visa.

If you have purchased a single entry visa upon arrival and then decide to leave Zimbabwe, even for a few hours, you will need to buy another visa to re-enter Zimbabwe. In this instance you should buy a double entry visa upon arrival, it works out cheaper.

NB - Multiple Entry Visas - cannot be obtained at the port of entry into Zimbabwe. You may enter Zimbabwe on a single entry visa and then obtain a Multiple Entry Visa from the town office - but this may take up to 7 working days to be issued.

Alternatively a multiple entry visa can be obtained from the Zimbabwe Embassy in your country prior to departure for Zimbabwe. 

CATEGORY A: Countries whose nationals do NOT require a Zimbabwe Visa.

Antigua & Barbuda Aruba Bahamas Barbados Belize Botswana Cayman Islands Cyprus Fiji Grenada Hong Kong Jamaica Kenya Kiribati

Leeward Islands Lesotho Malaysia Malawi Maldives Malta Mauritius Montserrat Mozambique Namibia Nauru Samoa Western Singapore South Africa

Solomon Islands St Kitts St Lucia St Vincent Swaziland Tanzania Togo Trinidad and Tobago Turk & Caicoa Islands Tuvalu Uganda Vanuatu Zambia

South Africa - gratis (FREE) visas issued at point of entry

CATEGORY B: Countries whose nationals are granted a Zimbabwe Visa at port of entry on payment of requisite visa fees. See costs below

Argentina Austria Australia Belgium Bermuda Brazil Brunei *Canada Cook Island Denmark Dominic Rep Egypt Finland France Germany *Ghana

Greece Indonesia Iceland *Ireland Israel Italy Japan Korea (South) Kuwait Liechtenstein Luxemburg Monaco Netherlands New Zealand Norway Palau Islands

Palestine Papua New Guinea Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Russia Seychelles Spain Sweden Switzerland United Arab Emirates Uruguay *United Kingdom United States of America Vatican Virgin Islands

* See CATEGORY B: Exceptions Table

CATEGORY B: ZIMBABWE VISA FEES
Single Entry	US$ 30
Double Entry	US$ 45
Multiple Entry	US$ 55

 

CATEGORY B: EXCEPTIONS
British and Irish
Single Entry	US$ 55
Double Entry	US$ 70
Canada
Single Entry	US$ 75
Ghana	Free

Canadian Passport holders can ONLY get a Single entry Zimbabwe Visa at the port of Entry. Cost is US$75

CATEGORY C: Countries whose nationals are required to apply for and obtain a Zimbabwe visa prior to travelling.

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Belarus Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia-Herzegovina Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Cape Verde Island Central Africa Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Islands Congo (Brazzaville) Congo (DRC) Costa Rica Cote d'Voire Croatia Cuba

Czech Rep Djibouti Rep El Salvador Equator Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Eyrom French Guiana French Polynesia French West Indies Gabon Gambia Georgia Gibraltar Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea Bissau Haiti Honduras Hungary India Iran Iraq Jordan Kazakhstan Korea (DPRK) Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia

Lebanon Liberia Libya Lithuania Macau Madagascar Mali Marshall Islands Mauritania Mexico Micronesia Moldova Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Nepal New Caledonia Nicaragua Nieu Niger Nigeria Norfolk Islands Northern Mariana Oman Pakistan Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Principe Qatar

Reunion Romania Rwanda Samoa (America) San Marino Sao Tome Saudi Arabia Senegal Sierra Leone Slovak Rep Slovenia Sri Lanka Somalia Sudan Suriname Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Thailand Togo Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Rep Yugoslavia

CATEGORY C: ZIMBABWE VISA FEES
Single Entry	US$65 to US$100

Category C nationals can only get a single entry Zimbabwe visa

Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this document, Wildfrontier Africa Travel, will not be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies which may inadvertently occur, or for changes made subsequent to the release of this document.

ENTRY/EXIT VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR ZAMBIA:

ENTRY/EXIT VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR ZAMBIA: A passport and visa are required to enter Zambia. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the intended date of departure.

ZAMBIAN VISA REQUIREMENTS

 

Revised – January 2011

 

Important Note:

This document is not an official Zambian Department of Immigration circular and for more detailed information on travel to Zambia please refer to the website: www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm .

 

Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this document, Wildfrontier Africa Travel, will not be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies which may inadvertently occur, or for changes made subsequent to the release of this document.

 

Tourists to Zambia

Please find below the relevant regulations governing visa issues and associated costs.

 

Countries That Do Not Require Visas to Enter Zambia

Nationals of all Commonwealth countries (See Appendix Two) do not require visas to enter Zambia EXCEPT for the following countries that need visas on a reciprocal basis:

 

1.    AUSTRALIA

2.    BRITAIN UNITED KINGDOM

3.    CANADA

4.    GAMBIA

5.    GHANA

6.    INDIA

7.    NEW ZEALAND

8.    PAPUA NEW GUINEA

 

The following countries have signed visa abolition agreements with Zambia:

 

1.    IRELAND

2.    ROMANIA

3.    SERBIA-MONTENEGRO

4.    MOZAMBIQUE

 

Business Visitors

Nationals of countries which require visas for business purposes can be issued with entry visas at port of entry EXCEPT those from countries as listed in Appendix One. A business visitor should produce a letter of invitation from the institution which invited him/her. A business visitor is entitled to thirty (30) days visit in a twelve (12) month period.

 

Transit Visitors

Cost of Transit visa is the same as the single entry visa.  Transit visas are only valid for 7 days.

 

Day Trippers

The Day-trip visa has been re-instated and is available at Port of Entry for a fee of USD20.00 per person (EXCEPT those from countries as listed in Appendix One). Please note that day trip visas are not available to persons in transit as they will only be issued to persons entering and exiting through the same Port of Entry on the same day.

 

Re-Entry Visas

The re-entry visa system has been abolished at the end of January 2008. Persons wishing to leave Zambia and then return on the same or at a later date will now be required to purchase a NEW visa at port of entry, assuming all other previously issued visas have been utilized.

 

Visa Fees 

 

Passport Nationality	Required # of Entries	Validity*	USD $
All Nationalities**	Single entry Double entry Multiple entry*** Day Tipper Visa	3 months 3 months 3 months 1 day	50.00 80.00 80.00 20.00

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

*The validities listed are the maximum permitted. The actual validity of any visa issued will depend on the number of days requested by the applicant on the immigration declaration form completed at port of entry

 

** Multiple entry visas are only obtainable through Immigration HQ IN Lusaka or Zambian missions abroad prior to travel.

 

*** The above excludes persons from countries as listed in Appendix One and Two.

 

APPENDIX ONE

 

REFERRED VISAS

Nationals of the below listed countries will require visas authorised by the Chief Immigration Officer or stipulated missions abroad. Visas will NOT be issued at ports of entry.

 

 

Zambian Missions Abroad

·         London (U.K.)

·         Pretoria (South Africa)

·         Lumbumbashi (DRC)

·         New Delhi (India)

·         Beijing  (China)

·         Lilongwe (Malawi)

 

 

1.     AFGHANISTAN

2.     ALGERIA

3.     ARMENIA

4.     AZERBAYJAN

5.     BANGLADESH

6.     BENIN

7.     BURKINA FASO

8.     CAMEROON

9.     CENTRAL AFRICA REP.

10.  CHAD

11.  CHINA

12.  CROATIA

13.  EQUITORIAL GUINEA

14.  GABON

15.  GAMBIA

16.  GEORGIA

17.  GREECE

18.  GUINEA BISSAU

19.  GUINEA CONAKRY

20.  HAITI

21.  HONG KONG

22.  INDIA

23.  INDONESIA

24.  IRAN

25.  IRAQ

26.  ISRAEL

27.  IVORY COAST

28.  JORDAN

29.  KOREA – NORTH

30.  KUWAIT

31.  LEBANON

32.  LIBERIA

33.  LIBYA

34.  MALI

35.  MAURITANIA

36.  MORROCCO

37.  NIGER

38.  NIGERIA

39.  OMAN

40.  PAKISTAN

41.  PAPAU EW GUINEA

42.  SAUDI ARABIA

43.  SENEGAL

44.  SIERA LEONE

45.  SOMALIA

46.  SRI LANKA

47.  SUDAN

48.  SYRIA

49.  TAJIKISTAN

50.  TOGO

51.  TUNISIA

52.  TURKMISTAN

53.  UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

54.  UZBEKISTAN

55.  YEMEN

 

APPENDIX TWO

 

 

COMMONWEALTH AND ABOLISHED VISAS

1.     ANTIGUA & BARUDA

2.     BAHAMAS

3.     BARBADOS

4.     BELIZE

5.     BOTSWANA

6.     BRUNEI

7.     CYPRUS

8.     DOMINICA

9.     FIJI ISLANDS

10.  GRENADA

11.  IRELAND

12.  JAMAICA

13.  KENYA

14.  KIRIBATI

15.  LESOTHO

16.  MALAWI

17.  MALAYSIA

18.  MALDIVES

19.  MALTA

20.  MAURITIUS

21.  MOZAMBIQUE

22.  NAMIBIA

23.  ROMANIA

24.  ST. KITTS & NEVIS

25.  ST. LUCIA

26.  ST. VINCENT & GRENADINES

27.  SAMOA

28.  SEYCHELLES

29.  SINGAPORE

30.  SOLOMON ISL.

31.  SOUTH AFRICA

32.  SWAZILAND

33.  TAIWAN

34.  TANZANIA

35.  TONGA

36.  TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

37.  TUVALU

38.  UGANDA

39.  VANUATU

40.  ZIMBABWE

APPENDIX THREE

 

COUNTRIES THAT CAN OBTAIN VISAS AT ANY ZAMBIAN MISSIONS ABROAD OR PORT OF ENTRY.

1.     ALBANIA

2.     ANDORRA

3.     ANGOLA

4.     ARGENTINA

5.     AUSTRALIA

6.     AUSTRIA

7.     BELARUS

8.     BELGIUM

9.     BHUTAN

10.  BOLIVIA

11.  BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

12.  BRAZIL

13.  BRUNEI

14.  BULGARIA

15.  BURMA (MYANMAR)

16.  BURUNDI

17.  CAMBODIA

18.  CANADA

19.  CAPE VERDE

20.  CHILE

21.  COLOMBIA

22.  COMOROS

23.  CONGO D.R.

24.  CONGO BRAZAVILLE

25.  COOK ISL.

26.  COSTA RICA

27.  CUBA

28.  CZECH REPUBLIC

29.  DENMARK

30.  DJIBOUTI

31.  ECUADOR

32.  EGYPT

33.  ERITREA

34.  ESTONIA

35.  ETHIOPIA

36.  EYREM

37.  FINLAND

38.  FRANCE

39.  GERMANY

40.  GHANA

41.  GUATEMALA

42.  GUYANA

43.  HAWAII

44.  HUNDUROS

45.  HUNGARY

46.  ICELAND

47.  ITALY

48.  JAPAN

49.  KAZAKHSTAN

50.  KOREA SOUTH

51.  LAOS

52.  LATVIA

53.  LIECHTENSTIEN

54.  LITHUANIA

55.  LUXEMBOURG

56.  MADAGASCAR

57.  MECEDONIA

58.  MEXICO

59.  MOLDOVIA

60.  MONACO

61.  MONGOLIA

62.  NAURU

63.  NEPAL

64.  NETHERLANDS

65.  NEW CALEDONIA

66.  NEW ZEALAND

67.  NICARAGUA

68.  NORWAY

69.  PANAMA

70.  PARAGUAY

71.  PERU

72.  PHILLIPINES

73.  POLAND

74.  PORTUGAL

75.  PUERTO RICO

76.  QATAR

77.  RUSSIA

78.  RWANDA

79.  SAN MARINO

80.  SAO TOME AND PRINCE

81.  SLOVAKIA REPUBLIC

82.  SPAIN

83.  SURINAME

84.  SWEDEN

85.  SWITZERLAND

86.  THAILAND

87.  TURKEY

88.  UKRAINE

89.  UNITED KINGDOM

90.  UNITED STATES

91.  URUGUAY

92.  VATICAN

93.  VIETNAM

94.  WESTERN SAHARA