Zambia is a large landlocked country in South Africa. The country is famous for Victoria Falls, the Zambezi river and its long history of witchcraft. There is a whole museum in Lusaka dedicated to the history of witchcraft in the country where one can learn the secrets of dark magic.

Traveling info

All tourists traveling to Zambia are required to have a valid passport. There are three categories of entry requirements divided into Category A, Category B, and Category C. Category A nationals do not require a visa and will be granted easy entry on border points and airports. Category B nationals may enter Zambia by acquiring a visa on entry at border points or airport. Category C nationals must obtain a visa which has to be authorized by Zambian authorities. Such an application can be made in one of the Zambian missions, consulate or embassies or apply for it online. (Link of online application and country listing in sources). Tourists who wish to drive in Zambia may do so using their domestic driving permit however they are strongly recommended to obtain an international driving permit which can be very helpful when dealing with local police or renting a car. Beware that an IDP does not substitute for the original driving permit and is only a translation of it. Both documents must be with the driver at all times. Driving permits issued in the United Kingdom are valid in Zambia for 90 days. After 90 days of driving in Zambia, drivers need to switch for a Zambian driving permit. This also applies to holders of non-UK permits.

Traveling hazards

Driving on Zambian roads can be hazardous. Most roads do not have shoulders or sidewalks, forcing pedestrians and livestock to use the roadways both day and night. It is a traffic violation to splash a pedestrian when driving through water. While the main roads in Lusaka and the principal highways linking Lusaka with the major provincial capitals are generally maintained, many secondary roads are in poor repair. During the rainy season which begins at the end of October and lasts until mid-March, travelers who do not have a four wheel drive vehicle will encounter problems driving on rural roads. Even in daylight, passing another vehicle can be particularly dangerous given the general condition of roads. City traffic is comprised mostly of cars and minibusses; motorcycles are rare. Some luxury buses travel between Lusaka and Livingstone and the Copperbelt. Minibusses serve as the primary means of intercity travel in Zambia but are often overcrowded, poorly maintained, and seldom punctual. Drivers often pass using road shoulders or opposing traffic lanes and frequently stop with little or no warning to pick up or drop off passengers.

Environmental hazards

Zambia is a vast country with numerous national parks and incredible spots to play the big five. Many of the animals living within the borders of Zambia are truly dangerous to people. Elephants are the largest land animals on earth and have practically no natural enemies when in their adulthood. These large animals generally do not attack people however when startled or angered these animals can easily flip over a car or trample people. Males are particularly dangerous during the mating season. Lions are the apex predators across Africa. These animals are among the largest felines in the world only second to tigers. They are also responsible for over 250 deaths across Africa yearly. Seeing one of these animals up close on a safari is truly a thrilling experience. Hippopotamuses are widespread all over water bodies in Zambia. Groups of over 60 can be spotted easily. These animals, despite looking rather docile and harmless are some of the most fierce creatures on earth. These animals are responsible for more deaths than lions, crocodiles, and elephants taken together. They are very territorial and attack any intruders. They are known for attacking people kayaking or involved in other water sports. Crocodiles are another danger lurking in the Zambian waters. These animals are known for attacking people, most attacks happen at night as these animals generally prefer nocturnal life. Attacks also happen during the day. Apart from these animals, there are numerous species of venomous snakes which can be found across Zambia. These range from the black mamba, to gaboon viper and cobras. There are many venomous species however there are also numerous non-venomous snakes. Tourists should stay away from any encountered snake as an untrained eye won’t be able to tell a venomous from a non-venomous snake. Many of these snakes are lethally venomous and antivenom may not be readily available throughout the country. Bites of some of these snakes can cause complete paralysis within 45 minutes.
Zambia has to combat numerous natural hazards. Due to the lack of preparedness, the country suffers from droughts which devastate crops which has a further effect on people’s lives. Floods also damage crops although it claims more lives directly than droughts do.

Health hazards

The government of Zambia requires proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever. Apart from the yellow fever vaccination, there are no other required vaccines. There are however several vaccinations which are strongly recommended to ensure a disease-free trip. These are the routine vaccine aka MMR vaccines, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, cholera and rabies vaccine. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine against malaria however, there are alternative methods to protect against the disease. Malaria is contracted through mosquito bites, therefore, using mosquito nets and mosquito repellants are strongly advised. There is also medicine on prescription against malaria which should be available to you after consulting your local GP. Zambia offers public healthcare to all its citizens however by western standard, the services provided are very basic and facilities are largely underfunded. Private facilities mainly focus on large Zambian cities and provide a much better quality of service than their public equivalent. Tourists should prepare some basic medical supplies for their stay as pharmacies in Zambia are not always fully supplied and some medications may not be readily available.
In case of an emergency dial 999.

Crime

Criminality continues to affect ordinary citizens, diplomats, and visitors alike. The use of firearms and edged weapons during the commission of many crimes are common, and visitors are advised not to resist if confronted.
The most commonly reported crimes against Westerners in Lusaka are non-violent confrontations characterized as crimes of opportunity such as theft of unattended possessions in public places or hotel rooms, confidence scams. Pickpockets operate in crowded markets and on public transportation, and visitors have reported snatch attacks of bags and smartphones on busy city streets as well as smash-and-grabs of valuables from idle vehicles in traffic and from parked cars. Other crimes, including thefts, violent attacks, including home invasions or robberies, and sexual assaults have occurred on many occasions in 2017. Victims are often followed from banks, nightclubs, and ATMs and robbed at gunpoint, on the street, or upon arrival at their residence. In Lusaka’s poorer neighborhoods: Chalala, Bauleni, Kalingalinga, Chibolya, Chainda, groups of criminals commit crimes that go uninvestigated due to a lack of police resources. These criminal gangs often go on to victimize residents, including foreigners, in wealthier neighborhoods. While Zambian citizens are more often the victims of residential crimes, burglary and theft also occur in the more affluent neighborhoods where tourists reside, despite countermeasures. Tourists are viewed as especially lucrative targets to thieves, often for no other reason than their perceived wealth. There is no risk of terrorism in the country. Narcotics are strictly forbidden, possession, cultivation or distribution is highly punishable however due to the underfunded police force such laws are inadequately enforced. This, however, does not mean that one will get away without consequences once caught.

Summary

Zambia is a perfect destination for those who enjoy their outdoor vacation out in the wild. There are numerous attractions in Zambia ranging from kayaking on the Zambezi to bush camping or safari rides. Apart from that, there’s much more however most tourists visit the Zambezi for its incredible wildlife. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
http://www.wildzambezi.com/articles/2018/02/16/zimbabwe-visa-information
https://www.evisa.gov.zw/#/Home
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/zambia
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever#5291