| In Zambia a third of the country devoted to | | | | e.g. tooth, bone, skin, feather, etc. are subject to |
| conservation, Zambia offers the visitor some of | | | | export permits. |
| the best wilderness and wildlife areas in Africa. A | | | | SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: |
| wide range of action adventures, from the | | | | The majority follow traditional animist beliefs and |
| legendary walking safari to river rafting on the | | | | this is reflected in their social culture and customs. |
| mighty Zambezi, allows the enjoyment of nature | | | | Hand shaking is the common form of greeting. |
| at its wildest and most exhilirating. | | | | TIME DIFFERENCE: |
| A birder and angler's paradise, Zambia has | | | | GMT+2 |
| recorded more than 740 bird species in areas of | | | | TIPPING: |
| great scenic beauty and has some of the best | | | | Tipping in hotels has been abolished by law, but a |
| fresh water fishing available including excellent | | | | 10 percent tip may be expected or included in bills |
| Tiger fishing. Best of all though, Zambia is one of | | | | elsewhere. |
| the most stable countries in Africa, with 73 tribes | | | | TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION: |
| living in harmony. | | | | South Luangwa: |
| People are very friendly and display a rich cultural | | | | Zambia's premier game park noted for its dense |
| heritage during their vivid traditional ceremonies, | | | | concentrations of game, with over 50 mammal |
| which is open to Westerners to witness their | | | | and 400 bird species; the Luangwa river boasts |
| ancient and timeless mystique. | | | | more hippos and crocodiles than any other river in |
| CAPITAL: | | | | Africa. |
| Lusaka | | | | Liuwa Plains: |
| CLIMATE: | | | | Scene of dramatic blue wildebeest migrations with |
| There are three distinct seasons: Aug-Oct is | | | | the attendant predators lion, leopard, cheetah and |
| warm to hot and dry offering the best time for | | | | the endangered wild dog. |
| game viewing as water is scarce; Nov-Mar is hot | | | | Kafue: |
| with thundershowers, but excellent bird watching | | | | One of Africa's biggest parks, with huge herds of |
| season as migrants come from the north; and | | | | antelope and superb lion sightings in the northern |
| Apr-Jul when days are dry and warm and | | | | Busanga Plains; high concentrations of water birds |
| evenings and early mornings are cold - also good | | | | occur on the flats. |
| for game viewing. | | | | Bangweulu Swamps: |
| CURRENCY: | | | | The floodplains are renowned for high |
| 1 Kwacha = 100 Ngwee. Foreign exchange is at | | | | concentrations of water birds, of which millions |
| authorized banks and bureaux de change. | | | | feed in the nutrient rich shallows; it also attracts |
| American Express is widely used, with more | | | | the endemic acquatic black lechwe antelope by |
| limited use of Access/MasterCard, Diners Club and | | | | the thousands. |
| Visa. US dollar traveller's cheques are | | | | Lochinvar National Park: |
| recommended. | | | | Regarded as holding the world record for the |
| ELECTRICITY: | | | | highest diversity of bird species (428 in only 410 |
| 220volts, 50Hz. Plugs are 3-pin square. | | | | square kilometres); over 30,000 Kafue lechwe |
| HEALTH: | | | | antelope, found nowhere else in the world, roam |
| You are advised to take pre-arrival precautions | | | | here. |
| against hepatitis A, polio, typhoid, malaria (risk | | | | Lusaka: |
| throughout the year in the whole country) and | | | | In the capital, don't miss the colourful markets, |
| yellow fever. Other health concerns are | | | | Munda Wanga Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Kalimba |
| dysentery, diarrhoeal diseases, cholera (avoid | | | | Reptile Park, Kabwata Cultural Village, Lusaka |
| street vendors; filter and boil water), influenza | | | | Museum, Zintu Community Museum of Arts and |
| (risk extends throughout year), limited medical | | | | Crafts and the Copper Art Centre. |
| facilities and AIDS. The climate aggravates chronic | | | | Livingstone: |
| sinusitis. Dust in the dry season, molds in the rainy | | | | In town, see the Mosi-oa-Tunya Zoo, the |
| season and pollens much of the year can affect | | | | Livingstone Museum, the Railway Museum, |
| allergies. | | | | Maramba Cultural Village, Mukuni tribal village, |
| LANGUAGE: | | | | traditional ceremonies and markets. Nearby canoe |
| English is the official language and all media and | | | | or cruise on a boat along the upper Zambezi, go |
| business is conducted in it. There are over 73 | | | | white water rafting, bungi jump off Vic Falls |
| tribal dialects of which the main languages are | | | | bridge, micro-light over the Falls and Batoka Gorge |
| Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Luvale, Lozi, Mambwe and | | | | or go on horse riding, hiking or birding trails. |
| Tumbuka. | | | | Lake Kariba: |
| PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: | | | | Offers prime fishing, water sports, houseboating |
| New Years' Day (1 Jan); Youth Day (12 Mar); | | | | and lake camping. |
| Good Friday (9Apr); Easter Monday (12 Apr); | | | | Lake Tanganyika: |
| Labour Day (1 May); Africa Day (25 May); Heroes | | | | Africa's deepest and longest lake offers great |
| Day (5 Jul); Unity Day (6 Jul); Farmers' Day (2 | | | | scuba diving and hiking to the top of Kalambo falls, |
| Aug); Defence Day (12 Aug); Independence Day | | | | the second highest in Africa at 220 m; other |
| (24 Oct); All Saint's Day (1 Nov); Christmas Day | | | | water sports, fishing and game viewing can be |
| (25 Dec) | | | | enjoyed at Sumbu park on the shore. |
| SHOPPING:ebony carvings; woven baskets; | | | | Lower Zambezi: |
| copper, brass and malachite objets d'art; printed | | | | Excellent game viewing by boat or canoe; home |
| cloth; masks; drums; thumb pianos; xylophones; | | | | to one of the largest remaining elephant herds in |
| conical fishtraps; clay pots. Souvenirs may be | | | | the world; also see buffalo and hippo at close |
| exported without restriction, but game trophies | | | | range and birds in abundance. |