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Essential Guide to Visiting Zambia

Zambia was formerly known as Northern Rhodesia and gained independence in 1964. It has a diverse landscape including hills, mountains, and the world's largest waterfall. The capital is Lusaka and the official languages include Bemba, Nyanja, and Tonga. Traditional foods include nshima porridge served with dishes like chibwabwa and ifisashi. Popular tourist attractions are Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba, and various national parks.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
29 views6 pages

Essential Guide to Visiting Zambia

Zambia was formerly known as Northern Rhodesia and gained independence in 1964. It has a diverse landscape including hills, mountains, and the world's largest waterfall. The capital is Lusaka and the official languages include Bemba, Nyanja, and Tonga. Traditional foods include nshima porridge served with dishes like chibwabwa and ifisashi. Popular tourist attractions are Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba, and various national parks.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

What to Know Before Visiting Zambia?

Country Facts:
 Until 1964, when the country gained independence, Zambia was known as
Northern Rhodesia.
 The terrain here is mostly high plateau, with stunning hills and mountains –
perfect!
 Zambia boasts the largest waterfall in the world (or more specifically, the largest
single sheet of falling water).
 Lake Kariba on the Zambia/Zimbabwe border is the world’s largest man-made
lake by volume, containing an incredible 43 cubic miles of water!
 Because of the Victoria Falls’ spray, the forest beside it receives “rain” 24 hours a
day, seven days a week!
 The national bird is the fish eagle.
Source:
1. [Link]
2. [Link]
3. [Link]

Country Flag:
Capital: Lusaka is the capital of Zambia.

Government: The politics of Zambia takes place in a framework of a presidential


representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Zambia is head of state,
head of government and leader of a multi-party system. ... Formerly Northern Rhodesia,
Zambia became a republic immediately upon attaining independence in October 1964.

Source: [Link]

President: Edgar Lungu is President of Zambia since 25 January 2015.


Economy: Zambia had one of the world's fastest growing economies for the ten years
up to 2014, with real GDP growth averaging roughly 6.7% per annum, though growth
slowed during the period 2015 to 2017, due to falling copper prices, reduced power
generation, and depreciation of the kwacha. For the 2019 estimate, GDP per capita in
Zambia will be $4148 in PPP per capita and $1307 in nominal per capita.
Population: The population of Zambia was estimated to be 17.35 million in 2018.
Religion by Percentage: The 2010 Zambian census found that 75.3% of Zambians
were Protestant, 20.2% were Catholic, 0.5% were Muslim, 2.0% followed other
religions, and 1.8% had no religion.
Source: [Link]
Top Zambia Foods: Foods that are whole and nutrient-dense. Foods that are simple
and basic: meat and poultry, eggs, whole grains, fish, beans and legumes, vegetables,
fruit, nuts and seeds, dairy, fats. Some foods of Zambia are given below:
 Chibwabwa: Chibwabwa is a typical Zambian dish cooked throughout the
country. It consists of tomatoes, onions, pumpkin leaves, and (optionally)
groundnuts. The ingredients are boiled in water until the combination becomes
thick in texture. In Zambia, chibwabwa is typically prepared during traditional
ceremonies. When properly prepared, this creamy side dish is always served as
an accompaniment to nshima, a dough made with maize flour.
 Curried gazelle: This dish originates from land-locked Zambia, where animals
such as gazelles freely roam on the vast land, so it is not a surprise that a curry
made with good-quality gazelle meat is quite popular in the country. The dish is
made with gazelle rump steak, onions, garlic, chilis, sliced plantains, coconut
milk, tomato paste, and flavorings such as cumin, cardamom, and curry powder.
The ingredients are slowly simmered until the desired consistency is achieved.
The dish is then served hot, preferably on a bed of white rice.
 Ifisashi: Ifisashi is a traditional Zambian dish made with peanuts, tomatoes,
onions, and greens such as pumpkin leaves, sweet potato leaves, spinach, and
collard greens. The ingredients are cooked until the peanut sauce achieves a
desired, thick [Link] dish is typically served piping hot. Although
ifisashi is usually prepared as a vegetarian dish, beef, chicken, or fish can also
be added to the pot if there are any leftovers.
 Chikanda: This Zambian snack is prepared with a tuber of chikanda orchids. The
small-sized tubers are dried and pounded, and then combined with a thick
mixture of peanuts and dry chili peppers. Chikanda is often referred to as African
polony, because of its meat-like consistency. In the past, the dish was
traditionally associated with the Bemba tribe in north-east Zambia, but nowadays
it is consumed throughout the country. Chikanda is usually served sliced and can
be enjoyed as a snack, dessert, or an accompaniment to nshima, a traditional
Zambian maize porridge.
 Kalembula: Kalembula is a traditional Zambian ndiwo dish prepared with sweet
potato leaves, tomatoes, onions, and pounded groundnuts. The combination of
these ingredients is cooked in water until the dish develops a thick consistency.
Just like other ndiwo dishes, kalembula is also paired with nshima, a traditional
Zambian maize porridge.
 Delele: In Zambia, the term delele denotes okra, but also a simple dish that
incorporates this traditional vegetable. The dish is predominately prepared with
fresh okra that is cooked in water, alongside sliced tomatoes. Bicarbonate of
soda is considered to be the essential addition that provides a distinctive thick,
glutinous texture. Pair it with nshima, a traditional Zambian cornmeal porridge.
The same dish is also enjoyed in Zimbabwe, where it typically goes under the
name derere.
 Nshima: Nshima is a staple food in Zambia – a very thick and smooth porridge
made from ground maize. It is quite similar to the Kenyan ugali and the
Zimbabwean sadza. Nshima is always consumed with soups, sauces, or stews,
known as ndiwo in Zambia. The most common ndiwo dishes in the country are
chibwabwa and ifisashi. Smaller pieces of nshima are typically torn by hand, and
nshima is then used to scoop up the ndiwo dishes.

Language: Indigenous Zambian languages. Zambia is widely claimed to have over 72


languages and dialects. Zambia's most widely spoken languages are Bemba (spoken
by 35% of the population as either a first or second language), Nyanja (37%), Tonga
(25%) and Lozi (18%).

Dress for Men and Women: Stemming from the preponderance of Christianity in the
country, Zambia is quite conservative when it comes to dress. ... Typically men wear
button down short sleave shirts with jeans or slacks. Shorts are reserved for boys to
wear, men only will wear shorts on the weekend if they are relaxing.

Holidays: There are several national holidays in Zambia such as:


 New Year's Day
 International Women's Day
 Youth Day (in Zambia)
 Good Friday
 Holy Saturday
 Easter Monday
 Labour Day
 Africa Day
 Heroes Day (in Zambia)
 Unity Day
 Zambia Farmers Day
 Zambian National Day of Prayer
 Zambian Independence Day
 Christmas Day
Travel Tips:

 Zambia appears to be squarely in the tropics, but thanks to its landlocked and
elevated position it does have distinct seasons
 May to July. The coolest time of the year, with average minimum temperatures 6-
12°C during the day, can drop as low as 4 or 5°C at night; average maximum
temperatures 21-26°C. Probably the best time of year to visit Zambia
 August to September. The mildest time of the year, with average minimum
temperatures 15-22°C and average maximum temperatures 25-30°C.
 October to November. Hottest and dryest time of the year with maximum
temperatures up to 28-35°C.
 Zambian visa policy is best summarized as confusing: there is a bewildering
thicket of rules on who needs visas, whether visas can be obtained on arrival,
and how much they cost. Local border posts also apply their own interpretations.
 Zambia's main international gateway is Lusaka; gone are the days when getting
to Zambia meant flying via Johannesburg, Lusaka is fast becoming something of
a regional hub.
 Vehicles drive on the left side of the road in Zambia. There are many ways to get
into Zambia by car.
 Zambia offers many different opportunities for volunteering and giving back, such
as wildlife conservation with Chimpanzees, English and sports education or
community aid and healthcare.
 Zambia is one of the few African countries which is generally safe, crime levels
are similar to a European country.

Top 10 Attractions and places to visit:

1. Lake Kariba
2. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
3. Kasanka National Park
4. Kitwe
5. Livingstone
6. Nsumbu National Park.
7. Soweto Market
8. South Luangwa National Park
9. Kafue National Park
10. Lower Zambezi National Park
Zambia Boys Name:
 Alinani
 Alinaswe
 Banji
 Beenzu
 Bupe
Top 10 Universities in Zambia:
1. University of Zambia
2. The Copperbelt University
3. Information and Communication University
4. University of Lusaka
5. Mulungushi University
6. ZCAS University
7. DMI-St. Eugene University
8. Rusangu University
9. Kwame Nkrumah University
10. Cavendish University Zambia
Top 10 Websites:
1. [Link]
2. [Link]
3. [Link]
4. [Link]
5. [Link]
6. [Link]
7. [Link]
8. [Link]
9. [Link]
10. [Link]
Top 3 Search engines used:
1. Google
2. Bing
3. Yahoo
Top exports:
 Raw copper
 Refined copper
 Raw Tobacco
 Postage stamps
Top 5 Cars:
Top cars in Zambia includes:
1. Toyota Allion
2. Toyota HiAce
3. Toyota Vitz
4. Toyota Corolla
5. Toyota Alphard
Natural Disasters:
Many types of natural disasters occur in Zambia such as:
 Drought
 Floods
 Crop disease
 Livestock disease
Home Designs / Architecture:
Not found…
Deaths and Mortality:
Zambia death rate was at level of 6.3 per 1,000 people in 2019, down from 6.5 per
1,000 people previous year, this is a change of 2.09%.
Source: [Link]

Common questions

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Travelers face challenges with Zambia's visa policy due to its complexity and varying rules across different border posts, which may independently interpret visa regulations. Preparation involves checking the specific requirements for visas in advance of travel and being ready for possible differing interpretations at local border posts .

Zambia's diverse terrains, such as the high plateau, stunning hills, and landmarks like Victoria Falls, greatly benefit its tourism industry by attracting nature and adventure enthusiasts. Constraints include infrastructure limitations and the need for sustainable tourism practices to preserve natural habitats .

Zambia's linguistic diversity, with over 72 languages and dialects, presents both challenges and strengths for national cohesion. While it necessitates careful policy formulation to ensure inclusivity and mutual understanding, it also enriches cultural heritage and can promote unity by embracing multiculturalism .

Zambia's economic growth slowed post-2014 due to a combination of falling copper prices, reduced power generation, and the depreciation of the kwacha .

The conservative approach to dress in Zambia is largely influenced by the preponderance of Christianity in the country, which traditionally promotes modesty and reserved dress codes. This religious influence extends to social norms, making conservative dress a reflection of broader cultural and moral values .

Zambia operates within a presidential representative democratic republic system, where the President serves as both the head of state and government, overseeing a multi-party system . This structure is similar to many, but not all, African nations which often vary between pure presidential, semi-presidential, or parliamentary republics.

The forest beside Victoria Falls receives "rain" 24 hours a day, seven days a week due to the continuous spray from the waterfall .

Nshima is a staple food in Zambia, traditionally eaten with various soups, sauces, or stews known as ndiwo. It plays a significant role not only as a dietary staple but also as a cultural cornerstone, bonding communities during meals and ceremonies. The act of using nshima to scoop up ndiwo is a culturally ingrained practice, emphasizing its role in Zambian identity .

Traditional Zambian foods incorporate a variety of ingredients like groundnuts, tomatoes, and leafy greens due to their availability, nutritional benefits, and ability to enhance the flavor and texture of dishes. The use of local and readily available ingredients reflects practical considerations and the culinary heritage of using nutrient-dense, accessible produce .

Although Zambia is situated squarely in the tropics, its landlocked and elevated position creates distinct seasons, making it much cooler than expected during certain times of the year, with temperature variations between May to July and October to November .

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