Zambia 

Zambia is the land of milk and honey, boasting premier wildlife viewing, unparalleled peace and stability, and one of the natural wonders of the world: the celebrated Victoria Falls. A Zambia safari should arguably be one of the best moments of your life. Zambia shed the suffocating yoke of colonialism over four decades ago and since then the country has been inspirational. Political stability has, in turn, led to an economic revival that has turned Zambia into one of the unrivalled leaders of Southern Africa. She is blessed with large tracts of fertile land that, through hard work, has become one of the bread baskets of Africa. Her people are relatively robust and healthy, and are renowned for their inordinate warmth to all visitors to this quiet and unassuming corner of Africa.

General information -ZAMBIA

AREA 752,618 km²

POPULATION 13,881,336

CAPITAL CITY Lusaka

CURRENCY Zambian kwacha (ZMK)

LANGUAGES Bemba (official) 30.1%, Nyanja (official) 10.7%, Tonga (official) 10.6%, Lozi (official) 5.7%, Chewa 4.9%, Nsenga 3.4%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda (official) 2.2%, Kaonde (official) 2%, Lala 2%, Luvale (official) 1.7%, English (official) 1.7%, other 22.5% (2000 Census)

TIME ZONES + 02:00 (GMT/UTC)

COUNTRY PHONE CODE +260

ELECTRICITY 220 V

TIPPING Tipping in hotels has been abolished by law. It is generally included on the bill. In case it is not charged as part of the bill, an average of 10% may be expected.

BANKS OPENING HOURS Commonly Mondays to Fridays 8:15am to 2:30pm, and Saturdays 8am to 11am. Some banks may be open until 3pm on weekdays.

HEALTH Malaria is endemic to most areas in Zambia. Taking suitable precautions and using prophylactics are therefore recommended.

CLIMATE Tropical, but modified by the altitude. The rainy season starts in October and lasts until April.

NATIONAL PUBLIC HOLIDAYS New Year’s Day: 01.01.2012, Women’s Day: 08.03.2012, Youth Day: 12.03.2012, Good Friday: 06.04.2012, Holy Saturday: 07.04.2012, Easter Monday: 09.04.2012, Labour Day: 01.05.2012, Africa Day: 25.05.2012, Heroes’ Day: 02.07.2012, Unity Day: 03.07.2012, Farmers’ Day: 06.08.2012, Independence Day: 24.10.2012, Christmas Day: 25.12.2012

CONTACT Private Safaris E.A. Ltd., P.O. Box 350, Century City, ZA-7446 Cape Town