Zambia Tours & Holidays

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Most foreign nationals, including those from the EU, US and Australia, require a Zambian visa. Most travellers can get a visa on arrival at the point of entry, but check with your nearest Zambian Embassy for more information. The cost varies depending on your nationality (for some nationalities it's free), but make sure you bring US$ cash to pay on arrival.

• Australia: Yes - visa on arrival
• Belgium: Yes - visa on arrival
• Canada: Yes - visa on arrival
• Germany: Yes - visa on arrival
• Ireland: Yes - visa on arrival
• Netherlands: Yes - visa on arrival
• New Zealand: Yes - visa on arrival
• South Africa: NO VISA REQUIRED
• Switzerland: Yes - visa on arrival
• United Kingdom: Yes - visa on arrival
• USA: Yes - visa on arrival

Leaving a small amount (US$ 0.50-1) for hotel and restaurant staff and other service workers will help to supplement the low wages most people receive in Zambia.

Internet cafes can be found in Zambia's larger cities, however smaller towns and rural areas will have little to no access to the internet.

Mobile phone coverage is generally good in Zambia's cities and urban centres but less so in rural and remote areas. Ensure global roaming is activated before leaving home.

Visitors can expect to encounter a wide range of toilets while in Zambia. Western-style flushable toilets are available at many high-end hotels, bars, airports and tourist attractions while squat toilets are more common in rural areas and places frequented by locals. Be prepared by carrying your own toilet paper, soap or hand sanitiser, as these may not be provided.

• Can of soft drink = 2,000 ZK
• Street food snack or light meal = 1,000-5,000 ZK
• Bottle of beer = 4500-7500 ZK
• Lunch in a western-style café = 40,000 ZK

Tap water isn't considered safe for tourists to drink. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Ask your leader and accommodation provider for local advice on where drinking water can be accessed. Also, avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit before eating.

Credit cards are accepted by some large hotels and tourist-driven establishments but usually not by smaller places like markets, shops and cafes. Ensure you have other modes of payment when travelling in Zambia.

ATMs can be found in Zambia’s major cities but are less commonly found in rural areas.

• 1 Jan New Year's Day

• 8 Mar International Women's Day
• 12 Mar Youth Day
• Good Friday*
• Holy Saturday*
• Easter Monday*
• 1 May Labour Day
• 25 May Africa Day
• 3 Jul Heroes' Day
• 4 Jul Unity Day
• 7 Aug Farmers' Day
• 18 Oct National Day of Prayer
• 24 Oct Independence Day
• 25 Dec Christmas Day

*Please note these dates may vary. For a current list of public holidays in Zambia go to World Travel Guide's website. World Travel Guide.

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

From Australia?

Go to: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

From Canada?

Go to: https://travel.gc.ca/

From the UK?

Go to: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/

From New Zealand?

Go to: http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

From the US?

Go to: http://travel.state.gov/

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.