Zambia

Zambia is the land of the legendary walking safari. Victoria Falls, one of the 17 waterfalls in the country, is one of the world’s great wonders and a must for any Zambian itinerary. For boating or fishing enthusiasts, Lake Kariba, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, offers world-class fishing. The Lower Zambezi National Park offers fantastic game viewing along the banks of the river and the more adventurous can canoe down the river, spotting hippos and crocodiles.

Geography:Zambia takes its name from the Zambezi River, which rises in the north-west corner of the country and forms its southern boundary. Zambia shares borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Tanzania.

Climate: Zambia has three distinct seasons. December to April is warm and wet, May to August is cool and dry, and September to November is hot and dry. Average temperatures in summer range from 25°C to 35°C and in winter from 6°C to 24°C.

Culture: About 90% of Zambia’s population is made up of the Bemba, Nyanja-Chewa, Tonga, Tumbuka, Lunda, Luvale, Kaonde, Nkoya and Lozi ethnic groups.  The remaining 10% is made up of South African, British, Chinese and Indian populations.  The official language of Zambia is English but there are over 70 local dialects.

Fast facts

Currency: The local currency is the kwacha and there are ATMs in most large towns. Major credit cards are accepted on a limited basis and traveller’s cheques can be cashed at most banks.

Electricity: 220/240 V AC, 50 Hz

Time zone: GMT +2

Tipping: 10% is customary