Zambia
Travel tips for Zambia: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.
Cash and cards
Cards widely accepted. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, malls, and established restaurants, but you should carry Kwacha for ride-hailing apps like Yango, street markets, and smaller vendors, which primarily rely on cash or local mobile money.
Try the food
- Nshima: A thick, dough-like staple made from finely ground white maize meal, traditionally eaten with the hands alongside meat and vegetable relishes.
- Ifisashi: Green leafy vegetables such as spinach or pumpkin leaves boiled and simmered in a rich, creamy pounded peanut sauce.
- Kapenta: Tiny, sardine-like fish from Lake Tanganyika that are typically sun-dried and then fried with tomatoes, onions, and spices.
Essentials
- Plugs
- Type C / Type D / Type G
- Voltage
- 230V, 50Hz
- Driving
- Left side
- Tap water
- Avoid — buy bottled
- Emergency
- 999 (general), 991 (police, ambulance), 993 (fire)
- SIM tip
- Pick up an Airtel or MTN SIM card at the airport upon arrival, but remember you will need your passport to legally register it.
Etiquette
Always use your right hand for greeting, eating, and passing items, as the left hand is traditionally considered unclean.