What to bring, and other information
What to bring
Generally, comfortable casual clothing is suitable throughout the year, the most practical items to pack for safari are:
- Khaki, brown, green and beige colours
- Light cotton tops and cotton trousers
- Shirts with long sleeves (even in summer, they will protect you from the sun and from mosquitoes)
- T-shirts
- Shorts or a light skirt
- Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
- Sweater or fleece for game drives (especially during the winter months)
- Socks
- Comfortable walking shoes/boots
- Sun block, sunglasses and insect repellent are essential
- Hat
- Torch (when staying at bush camp)
- Light, compact raincoat during the rainy months
Hints
- Layers are most practical for the fluctuating day/night temperatures of Zambia.
- Dull and/or neutral colours are more suitable for safari; white is definitely not practical.
- Don't bring too much - laundry is available in the camp - and there is a strict 15Kg limit for baggage on light planes.
- It is best to pack hardy, durable clothing in a soft bag rather than a suitcase. Soft bags are also essential on light planes.
Do not forget
- Cameras
- Plenty of spare film or digital memory, spare camera batteries and recharger; the camp has an inverter, so recharging in the evening from the generator is possible
- Binoculars
Climate
- Zambia's elevation on a plateau gives it a moderate to tropical climate with three distinct seasons:
- December to April is warm and wet,
- May to August (winter): cool and dry,
- September to November: hot and dry.
- Average summer temperatures range from 25 to 35C and winter from 6 to 24C
Air Travel
- There are a number of airlines serving Zambia through Lusaka International Airport.
- International visitors will probably want to use the British Airways service from London or the British Airways and South African Airways services from Johannesburg.
- From Lusaka travel to the Valley (or any of the other areas worth visiting) can be arranged with a Zambian charter company.
- Visas are needed for most visitors. Please see the Zambian Immigration Department web site for information and fees.
- International ($25) and Domestic ($8) Departure Taxes are also levied.
Currency
- The official currency is the Kwacha. It is fully tradable and there are no currency restrictions. Because the exchange rate varies so much, the US $ is used extensively in trade and most Government levies are also quoted in US $. Do not expect to be able to use credit cards extensively, and furthermore we are unable to accept credit cards in our camp or office.
Health Requirements
- Visitors should carry an adequate supply of personal medicines and first aid accessories with them, chemists are few and far between.
- The Zambezi Valley is a malaria area. Visitors are strongly advised to bring prophylactic medicine, but please seek advice from your doctor first.
- Please bring copies of prescriptions for sleeping pills or other controlled substances.
Communications
- There is minimal in the Valley. No cell phone coverage, and no fax, but there is access to e-mail. Don't worry, Chongwe Camp has both a satellite phone and radios for communication with the outside world in case of emergency.
Time
- Zambia is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, 7 hours ahead of Eastern USA time and 10 hours ahead of Pacific and Western time.
Zambia
- Learn a lot more about Zambia from the online Zambia travel guide – a comprehensive version of Bradt’s Zambia guidebook.
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