Business hours
Government offices are open from 08h00 to 17h00, Monday to Friday. Closed from 13h00 to 14h00 for lunch hour.

Banks - Operational hours are 0815 to 1430 hours Mondays through to Fridays  and 0815 to 1030 hours on 1st and last  Saturdays of the month.

Shops - Generally open from 08h00 to 17h00, Monday to Friday although some stay open until 19h00 and on Saturdays from 08h00 to 13h00 although some stay open until 17h00 or later especially those located in shopping malls.

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

Currency
The Kwacha has denominations of 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10 000, 20 000 and 50 000 kwacha notes.

For up-to-date exchange rates to major convertible currencies

please visit  www.xe.com

Currency regulations - there is no limit to the importation of foreign currency, provided it is declared on arrival through a currency declaration form.

Credit Cards
Most hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and the bigger shops will take visa electron enabled credit cards. There are ATM machines in all major cities and towns.

Chemists / pharmacies
Open Monday to Friday from 08 to 17 hours, Saturdays and Sundays from 09 to 12 hours.

Communications
Telephones both mobile and fixed lines are available in cities and towns.

There are three mobile telephone service providers namely, Zain Zambia, MTN and Cell Z.

E-mail:  Internet facilities are widely available both in hotels and other public places at minimal charges.

Customs
Travellers may, for their own consumption, import 2.5 litres of duty free beer, wine or spirits and 400 cigarettes or 500gms of tobacco.

Departure Tax
Departure tax is collected either at the airports or is already included in your ticket. The fees are US$25 (international) and $8 (domestic. Most tickets issued are now inclusive of departure tax. You should check this when buying your ticket.

Duty Free
The following items may be imported into Zambia without incurring customs duty:

400 cigarettes or 500g of tobacco; One bottle of spirits and wine and 2.5 litres of beer (opened); 1oz bottle of perfume.

Note: Souvenirs may be exported without restriction but game trophies such as tooth, bone, horn, shell, claw, skin, hair, feather or other durable items are subject to export permits.    

Emergency Numbers

• Emergency  – 999
• Police – 991
• Lusaka, Central police station, – 220006
• Lusaka,  Central Fire station, 220180
• Lusaka, Ambulance service – 220180
• National telephone operator – 100
• National directory – 102
• International operator - 090
• Ambulance - 991
• Fire brigade – 993
• Hospital UTH  - Lusaka
• - General Line 251200
• - Casualty Direct Line254115
• Livingstone Central police 03 323575/320116
• Livingstone Fire station- 03 324043

Energy
Local current is 220v, 50 cycle AC

Health Requirements
Visitors from or passing through a yellow fever and cholera zone (most of tropical Africa and South America) must be able to produce a valid International Certificate of Vaccination. Air travellers who only pass through the airports of such a zone are exempt from the requirement.  See Health International/ MARS, and Speciality Emergency Services for Medical Rescue Services.

International Flights
Airlines serving Zambia are: Air Malawi,  Air Zimbabwe, British Airways, Kenya Airways, , South African Airways,  Ethiopian Airlines and Regional Air.

Language
There are over 73 dialects spoken in Zambia, but the official language is English. All media and business is in English and most Zambians speak it fairly well. The seven major local languages .are Nyanja, Bemba, tonga, Lozi, Kaonde, Luvale and Lunda

Media
Newspapers:

• Zambia Daily Mail
• The Post
• Times of Zambia

Radio Stations: Radio 4 (FM), Phoenix FM, Choice FM, Hone Fm, 5 FM, Christian Voice, Radio Icelengo, Voice of America, BBC and radio Canada can be picked up on Short-wave

TV: ZNBC (National TV), Muvi TV, Trinity Broadcasting Network, Mobi TV, CBC TV and Satelite TV

Religion
Zambia is a Christian nation. However, there is freedom of worship with over 15 different churches. Christianity is followed by over 60% of the population.    

Security
Petty theft is as common in the cities as in any other major city in the world. Be very awake when walking around carrying anything of value to avoid attracting pickpockets. Never leave your vehicle unlocked and never change money on the streets. For the most part, however, Zambians are very friendly and helpful.

Time
Zambia is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, one hour ahead of Central European Time, seven hours ahead of Eastern USA time and ten hours ahead of Western USA time.

Tipping
Tipping is included as service charge on your bill, however you may give additional tips for exceptional service.

Official Tourism website hyperlink address: www.zambiatourism.com