World Country Guide

Travel - International

Note
All but essential travel to areas of Zambia bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola is advised against. There are also landmines in both these areas and also on the border with Mozambique. Care should be ensured when driving, since car-hijacking and armed robbery are on the increase. Road safety and driving standards are poor.

Air
Zambia’s airlines are Aero Zambia (Z9) and Zambian Airways (Q3).. Other airlines serving Zambia include Air Zimbabwe, British Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and South African Airways. Zambian Airways can be contacted at PO Box 310277, Lusaka (tel: (1) 271 230; fax: (1) 271 054; e-mail: roanhq@zamnet.zm or roanair@zamnet.zm; website: www.zambianairways.co.zm).

Approximate flight times
From London to Lusaka is 10 hours.

International airports
Lusaka (LUN) is 26km (16 miles) east of the city (travel time – 30 minutes). Airport and city bus services are available. Taxi service is also available to the city. Return is by prior arrangement with taxis (taxi fares are negotiable). Airport facilities include outgoing duty free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change, restaurant and post office.
Mfuwe (MFU) is situated in the South Luangwa National Park, one hour 15 minutes’ flight from Lusaka International Airport. Lodges and camps within the park provide airport transfers by prior arrangement.

Departure tax
US$20 (payable in cash). Transit passengers and children under two years are exempt.

River/Lake
There are ferry crossings from Mpulungu across Lake Tanganyika to Kigoma in Tanzania and to Bujumbura in Burundi; and a service across the Zambezi from Kazungula to Botswana.

Rail
There are two major rail routes linking Zambia with Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Zambia Railways serves Livingstone and has a connection across the Victoria Falls to Bulawayo and Harare in Zimbabwe. There are two trains daily in either direction (travel time – nine to 12 hours depending on whether the ordinary or express service is used). The trains have first-, second- and third-class carriages. Tanzania–Zambia Railways Authority (TAZARA) operates trains from Kapiri Mposhi to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Services are often suspended and it is advisable to check at the tourist office in Lusaka for details.

Road
Coach and bus services are available to Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The main routes are from Zimbabwe via Chirundu or Kariba and Livingstone; from Botswana via Kasane and Kazungula; from Mozambique via Villa Gambito and Zumbo; from Tanzania via Nakonde and Mbala; from Malawi via the Mchinga/Chipata border or further north at Nyika Plateau; and from the Democratic Republic of Congo via Kashiba, Mwenda, Sakania, Mokamba, Kasumbalesa and Kapushi. Opening hours for road borders are from 0600-1800 (except for Victoria Falls which closes at 2000). As yet, there is no border crossing from Angola. A Temporary Import Permit is needed to bring a vehicle into Zambia.