Destination Guides
Zambia

 
etting There
 
Getting There by Air

Zambia’s airlines are Aero Zambia (Z9) and Zambian Airways (website: www.zambianairways.co.zm).

 
Departure Tax

US$25. Transit passengers and children under two years are exempt.

 
Main Airports

Lusaka (LUN) is 26km (16 miles) east of the city (journey time – 30 minutes). To/from the airport: Airport and city bus services are available. Taxi service is also available to the city. Return is by prior arrangement with taxis (taxi fares are negotiable). Facilities: Outgoing duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change, restaurant and post office.

Mfuwe (MFU) is situated in the South Luangwa National Park, 1 hour 15 minutes’ flight from Lusaka International Airport. To/from the airport: Lodges and camps within the park provide airport transfers by prior arrangement.

 
Getting There by Water

There is a ferry crossing from Mpulungu across Lake Tanganyika to Kigoma in Tanzania and to Bujumbura in Burundi; and a service across the Zambezi from Kazungula to Botswana.

 
Getting There by Rail

There are two major rail routes linking Zambia with Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Zambia Railways serves Livingstone and has a connection across the Victoria Falls to Bulawayo and Harare in Zimbabwe. There are two trains daily in either direction (journey time – 9 to 12 hours depending on whether the ordinary or express service is used). The trains have first-, second- and third-class carriages. Tanzania–Zambia Railways Authority (TAZARA) operates trains from Kapiri Mposhi to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Services are often suspended and it is advisable to check at the tourist office in Lusaka for details.

 
Getting There by Road

Coach and bus services are available to Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The main routes are from Zimbabwe via Chirundu or Kariba and Livingstone; from Botswana via Kasane and Kazungula; from Mozambique via Villa Gambito and Zumbo; from Tanzania via Nakonde; from Malawi via the Mchinga/Chipata border or further north at Nyika Plateau; and from the Democratic Republic of Congo via Lumbumbashi-Chingola road. Opening hours for road borders are from 0600-1800 (except for Victoria Falls which closes at 2000). As yet, there is no border crossing from Angola. A Temporary Import Permit is needed to bring a vehicle into Zambia.

 
 
 
etting Around
 
Getting Around By Air

Domestic carriers include Zambian Airways (website: www.zambianairways.co.zm), Airwaves Zambia (website: www.airwaves.com.zm), Avocet (website: www.avocet-charters.com) and Proflight (website: www.proflight-zambia.com). Charters operate domestic routes to destinations including Chipata, Kasaba Bay, Kasama, Kitwe, Livingstone, Lusaka, Mangu, Mfuwe, Ndola and Victoria Falls. There are over 120 other airports, aerodromes and airstrips in the country.

 
Getting Around by Water

Local ferries operate on all waterways. Contact local authorities for details.

 
Getting Around by Rail

Zambia has three main internal train lines, from Livingstone to Lusaka, from Lusaka to the Copperbelt, and from Kapiri Mposhi to the Northern border with Tanzania. The main train station is in Dedan Kamathi Road in central Lusaka, one road east of Cairo Road. There is a daily Kitwe–Lusaka–Lir stopping train. There is also an express train (The Zambezi Express) leaving Livingstone on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, arriving in Lusaka the next morning.

Children under three years of age travel free, children between three and 15 years pay half price. There is first- and second-class accommodation and light refreshments are available on some services.

 
Getting Around by Road

Traffic drives on the left. There is a fairly good network of roads (38,763km/24,087 miles in total, of which 8,200km/5,095 miles is tarred), although they are often in poor condition.

Bus: The network of intercity bus services is run by private operators and Zambia Telecommunications (Zamtel). The buses are clean, cheap and frequent. CR coach, linking Lusaka with Livingstone, Chipata, Ndola and Mongu should be booked well in advance. Other coach services are available, including Giraffe.

Car hire: Several firms operate in main centres. Information is available from the Zambia National Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses) or the Lusaka Bus Terminus on Dedan Kimathi Road, Lusaka. Firms can also provide chauffeur-driven cars.

Regulations: It is an offence to use a mobile phone whilst driving. The government is also planning to introduce fines for anyone found smoking, eating or drinking whilst driving.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. UK driving licences may be used for up to 90 days.

 
Getting Around Towns and Cities

Bus services in Lusaka are provided by private minibuses and shared taxis. The buses are somewhat basic, and can become very crowded. Taxis are not metered and fares should be agreed in advance. It is also advisable to negotiate a fare.

 
Journey Times

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Lusaka to other major cities/towns in Zambia.

Air Road Rail
Livingstone 1.20 6.30 11.00
Ndola 1.00 4.00 6.30
Kitwe 1.00 4.30 7.00
Mfuwe 1.30 - -