Owing to the liberalisation of the economy, there is now plenty of food in the shops. Local and imported beers, spirits and assorted soft drinks are available.

National specialities:
• Freshwater fish: bream from the Kafue, Luapula and Zambezi rivers, Nile perch and lake salmon.

National drinks:
• Mosi and Rhino lager.

Tipping: A 10% sales tax is added to all bills. Tipping in hotels has been abolished by law but a 10% tip may be expected or included in bills elsewhere.

Lusaka has dancing and floorshows in the main hotels, cinemas and theatres. The Copperbelt and Livingstone areas offer a variety of entertainments including casinos and nightclubs. Very popular among travellers are boat trips on the river with a few drinks (also called ‘booze’ cruises).

Lusaka has modern shops, supermarkets and open-air markets. Special purchases include African carvings, pottery and copperware, beadwork and local gemstones.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700 and Sat 0800-1300 (some stay open until 1700).