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General Information on travelling in Zambia

Visas:

Visa Waiver - Effective 26 January 2008 the Visa Waiver Scheme is scrapped and all visitors have to pay the full visa fee.

Visas - All visitors are required to purchase a tourist visa. Please visit the Zambian Immigration Website for full information. This site has not yet been updated with the new rates which were introduced on 26 Jan 2008. For guidance, the visa rates for single entry are:

Nationality Visa Entry Fee

British GBP 75 / USD 140
USA USD 135
Canada USD 55
Others, where fee is asked USD 50

Note that this is not a full list of all visa fees. Although the new rates are being enforced already, they have not been approved by parliament and it is important that all visitors to Zambia are advised that we expect the tourism industry to lobby this decision and the rate you are charged on entry may be different. If necessary, visas can be purchased upon arrival. Please have correct money and amounts in $5 and $10 notes. (With "big heads" - see money). Some nationals do have to obtain a visa before arriving in Lusaka such as Greek, Turkish, Indian, Chinese.

Important tip - Please ensure you check the visa stamp in your passport when at the immigration desk. Ensure that you have been given enough days. There have been a number of incidences where the days were short and you will be fined heavily on departure.

Airport Departure Tax:

International departure tax: US$ 25
Domestic airport tax: US$ 8

Meet and Greet Service - If you are arriving in Lusaka from an international or domestic flight, you will be met and assisted by a representative from Tours Africa. The representative will assist you with immigration, check-in for your connecting flight, payment of departure tax, and any other assistance you may need. Their contact number in Zambia is: 021 127 1070.

Lusaka Hotel Accomodation - Robin Pope Safaris is happy to book hotel accommodation when an overnight stay in Lusaka is required. We highly recommend the following accommodation in Lusaka:
Chaminuka Nature Reserve: Small upmarket lodge set on a private game farm 40 minutes from Lusaka   Airport (One hour from Lusaka). Peaceful location and many facilities such as swimming, tennis, sauna,   jacuzzi, billiard room. Rate includes bed, supper, breakfast, bar, use of all facilities and return airport
  transfers.
- Intercontinental: The Intercontinental Hotel is located about 25 minutes from the Lusaka Airport.
  Transfers to and from the airport are offered by the hotel. They have very comfortable rooms, a good   restaurant. A good place to stay when overnighting in Lusaka. Air-conditioned rooms, open year round,   swimming pool and spa, transfers arranged at a fee, credit cards accepted, Bed & Breakfast basis.

Medical:
All visitors should be medically insured. Robin Pope Safaris does insure for medical evacuation but not for medical services. Malaria - protection imperative. Tetanus and the hepatitis vaccinations are recommended. It is advisable to know your blood group type in case of emergency.

Money:
Travellers cheques and cash are accepted. Credit cards are becoming more widely accepted but not in remote areas and should not be relied on except in major towns. RPS do not accept credit cards. US dollars are easier to change than sterling. USD notes should be recent, and should have "large heads". Old notes with "smaller heads" (except One Dollar Bills) are not accepted ANYWHERE in Zambia. RPS will take Visa for emergencies in camp, but remember, everything is included so you should not need to use this facility.

Tipping:
Is not expected but always enthusiastically received if you are happy with the service. We suggest you tip your guides directly, and if you wish please give anything for the camp staff to the management to be shared out. When asked 'how much' I say from US$5 to US$10 per person per night at camps.

Voltage:
220-240 A.C. Hairdryers cannot be used at camps with generators, but video battery recharging is fine. See Camp Information for details of which camps are on mains, and which have generators.

Insurance:
We advise that luggage is fully insured. We highly recommend full Trip Cancellation Insurance - we do need to charge cancellation fees as stipulated. Robin Pope Safaris bears no responsibility for any delays, loss, injury, illness, death, cancellation of flights, change of itinerary and retains the right to alter or cancel a safari with just reason. All guests are advised to insure fully.

Photography:
Please be sensitive when photographing local people and their villages. Ask the guide or the villagers first. Be careful when photographing public buildings and persons in uniform - again, ask first.

Flights: Getting to South Luangwa

International inward return
Johannesburg / Lusaka Daily flights- SAA & ZAMBIAN AIRWAYS Note that internal flights connect to/from the middle of the day SAA flights (not early and late flights) See airline timetable: Links below.
Johannesburg / Lilongwe SAA Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun 1020 – 1245 1335 – 1605
London Heathrow / Lusaka BA Mon/Wed/Fri departs London
Tue/Thu/Sat arrives at and departs from Lusaka Dep 1920
Arrive 0630 next day Dep 0855
Arrive 1805 *
* Overnighting in Lusaka will be required.

Internal
Lusaka / Mfuwe Proflight - Zambian Airways Daily all year from US$ 220 to US$ 260
Lusaka / Livingstone Proflight - Zambian Airways Daily all year from US$ 200 to US$ 218
Mfuwe / Livingstone (via Lusaka) Proflight - Zambian Airways Daily during Safari Season (May – 31 October), otherwise 2–3 times a week from US$ 360 to US$ 388
Lusaka / Lower Zambezi Proflight Charter during Safari Season (May – October) (min 2 pax) US$ 150

Robin Pope Safaris will book all internal flights in combination with accommodation if required.

What to Bring

You should always travel with soft bags not hard suitcases (not only for the smaller aircraft but also to fit into vehicles). If you are using a small plane at ANY point of the safari then DO NOT exceed 12kg.

  • A hat, sunglasses, high strength sun screen, moisturiser, lip salve, strong insect repellent, anti-histamine cream and tablets should always be carried.
  • Clothes: all camps have a daily laundry service, so do not bring too many.
    • 3 sets bush coloured safari outfits (long/shorts/shirts) ie green/brown/dark khaki (not pale fashion khaki/cream/white)
    • 2 sets casual evening clothes (long trousers to reduce insect bites)
    • 1 medium weight sweater (or 2 light). Warm jacket in winter (June/July/early Aug).
    • Ladies - I highly recommend a sports bra for the bumpy roads!
  • A good pair of covered shoes for walking (thick soled trainers for camp walks are adequate but light walking boots for walking safaris).
  • Don't forget your swimming costume:
    Nkwali has a pool.Binoculars - One pair PER PERSON is a must
  • Torch - One PER PERSON is a must (with spare batteries)
  • Glasses:
    if you wear prescription glasses bring a spare pair.
    If you wear contact lenses bring a pair of glasses as well since dust can be a problem.
  • Camera equipment:
    • a telephoto lens (200/300mm).
    • Flash and fast film (400 ASA) for night photography.
    • Lots of film (64,100,200,400 ASA).
    • Camera cleaning equipment and a good dust proof bag.
    • Videos - bring spare batteries.
  • If bringing money, US Dollars are accepted in most places and are required for Visas and other taxes. Be sure to bring notes with "large heads" - small heads are not accepted anywhere in Zambia.
  • Gifts for the children at Kawaza School

Essential: Each person should have their own pair of binoculars and a torch - sharing binoculars does not work.

Contact us during office hours (GMT+2):
Tel: +27 11 888 4037
Fax: +27 11 888 1041

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