Zambia2024-02-06T09:20:03+01:00

Zambia

Travel tips for Zambia

Top 5 Experiences

Crossed by rivers and lakes, Zambia is considered one of the most fertile countries on the continent. As a real insider tip, the varied landscape impresses with numerous highlights:

South Luangwa National Park

In an off-road vehicle, by boat or on foot on a game drive to elephant, hippo, zebra & Co. – a true feeling of freedom! With its 60 animal and 400 bird species, the national park is one of regions in Africa with the highest biodiversity. The landscape is characterized by the Luangwa River and its numerous branches.n.

Kafue National Park

The largest and at the same time oldest national park impresses with its indescribable vastness and untouched wetlands. Especially impalas, zebras, wildebeests and antelopes feel at home here. But one should also look out for lions, leopards and one of the last wild dog populations while on safari.

Lower Zambezi National Park

A relatively young national park with untamed beauty. Situated on the north bank of the mighty Zambezi River and surrounded by mountains, the national park extends over two ecoregions characterized by forest savannah. The park is home to lions, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, crocodiles and hippos, among others.

Victoria Falls

The impressive Victoria Falls (World Heritage Site) are part of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Here, the water plunges 140m down the Zambezi River, and the resulting spray amazes visitors and hydrates the surrounding nature.

Culture

Zambia is not only rich in wildlife, also the 72 ethnic groups and 43 languages form a true mosaic of cultures. Far away from mass tourism, one can meet the people here eye to eye and get an authentic insight into their lives.

Tourist infrastructure

The capital Lusaka is the starting and ending point of all international air connections. Small airports, such as Livingstone near Victoria Falls, or Mfuwe near South Luangwa National Park, serve the most important domestic routes. By African standards, Zambia has a relatively well-developed road network with a total of 37,000km. Only the most important connecting roads are paved, so most of the time one drives on unpaved roads.

In the touristically developed regions one can find accommodations in different categories, but in limited numbers, since tourism in the country is still in development.

Climate and travel season

Zambia is characterized by a tropical climate, which is determined by three seasons: a cool dry season (May-September), a hot dry season (October-November) and a hot rainy season (December-April).

During the cool dry season, temperatures reach an average of 15°C to 27°C during the day. In the hot dry season, the thermometer rises to 24°C to 32°C. The hot rainy season with partly tropical storms is quite humid with 27°C to 38°C. Nevertheless, the rainy season is also sunny in some places. Regardless of the season, temperatures can also vary between regions and altitudes.

The best time for travelling to Zambia is in the winter months between May and October, as temperatures are pleasant, it is dry and the landscape is green. For ideal wildlife viewing, August to October is suitable.

Visa and entry

Austrian and German nationals can enter Zambia visa-free regardless of the purpose of travel since 2023. Upon entry, a valid return flight ticket and proof of sufficient funding for the stay in Zambia must be carried. A stamp is issued in the passport for the first 30 days of the stay at no cost upon entry. This can be extended on-site for tourists or visitors, free of charge, up to two times, each time for 30 days.

Since the regulations can change at any time, all information are non-binding and without guarantee. Please observe the visa regulations and the current information of the Federal Foreign Office / Federal Ministry European and International Affairs / Federal Department of Foreign Affaires at all times.

Impressions from Zambia

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General updates

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Country information

Current accessibility

  • Information on entry:

    The borders of Zambia are open to tourists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Travelers from high-risk areas must enter a 14-day quarantine. Germany, Austria and Switzerland are currently not high-risk areas. Entry is possible via the international airports and national land borders. The prerequisite for entry for tourists older than 5 years is the presentation of a negative PCR test, which must not be older than 72 hours. Travelers to Zambia are required to upload a copy of their PCR test to the Global Haven system for authentication prior to entry. Passengers with symptoms of Covid-19 and a body temperature of 38 ° C or higher will be tested for Covid-19 upon arrival and must quarantine in a government facility at their own expense. A further PCR test by a laboratory accredited by “Trusted Travel” is necessary for leaving Zambia.

  • Information on return:

    Since March 30, 2021, all travellers, no matter from which country they are coming and which means of transportation they use, must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection, which was completed at least 28 days ago and is maximum 6 months old, before entering the Federal Republic of Germany. The PCR test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. In addition, travellers must register their entry at the entry portal www.einreiseanmeldung.de➝ before arriving in Germany and carry proof of the corresponding registration with them. For stays in high risk areas classified by the RKI➝ there is a 10-day quarantine obligation. The quarantine can solely be prevented when a proof of complete vaccination or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection, which was completed at least 28 days ago and is maximum 6 months old, was submitted on the entry portal. After five days at the earliest, travellers who are not vaccinated or did not recover from a Covid-19 infection can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early. For stays in virus mutation areas a negative PCR-test, which must be performed at the earliest 72 hours before entering, needs to be shown before return and a fourteen-day quarantine must to be entered without possibility to shorten it.

    All travellers older than 12 years, must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection before entering Austria. The PCR-test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. Since January 15, 2021, travellers must register their entry here ➝ („Pre-Travel-Clearance“) before arrival. With the above mentioned certifications a quarantine can be fully prevented when entering from a country classified as safe. The certifications can be handed in 24 hours later if no hotel stay is planned. For vaccinated people arriving from countries not classified as safe or from virus mutations areas the quarantine does not apply neither. Non-vaccinated people however need to present a negative Covid-test or a proof of recovery as well as enter a 10-day quarantine. After five days at the earliest, travellers can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early.

    All air as well as transit passengers who are not fully vaccinated or did not surpass a Covid-19 infection within the past 6 months must register their entry on www.swissplf.admin.ch before or during arrival in Switzerland and need to carry the generated QR-code with them. Air passengers older than 16 years must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection before entering. The PCR-test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. Air as well as transit passengers who are not fully vaccinated or did not surpass a Covid-19 infection as well need to enter a 10-day quarantine and present a PCR-test. In addition, they need to inform their corresponding cantonal authority latest within two days after arrival. After seven days at the earliest, travellers can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early. The obligation to test or enter quarantine does not apply to fully vaccinated people who can present a certificate such as the EU Digital Certificate or a Swiss Covid certificate.

Für Einreisende in die Bundesrepublik Deutschland, die sich in den letzten 10 Tagen vor Einreise in einem Risikogebiet aufgehalten haben, besteht seit dem 08. November 2020 die Pflicht, sich unverzüglich in eine zehntägige Quarantäne zu begeben. Darüber hinaus müssen Reisende vor ihrer Ankunft in Deutschland ihre Einreise unter https://www.einreiseanmeldung.de ➝ anmelden und den Nachweis über die entsprechende Anmeldung mit sich führen. Nach frühestens fünf Tagen können sich die Reiserückkehrer Covid-19 Test unterziehen. Mit einem anschließenden Negativergebnis kann die Quarantänepflicht frühzeitig beendet werden.

ACHTUNG: Wer sich in den letzten 10 Tagen vor Einreise in Deutschland in einem Hochinzidenz-Gebiet oder einem Virusvarianten-Gebiet aufgehalten hat, muss bereits bei Einreise einen ärztlichen Nachweis oder ein negatives Testergebnis bei sich tragen und diesen bei Aufforderung der zuständigen Behörden vorlegen können. Der Test darf nicht älter als 48 Stunden vor Einreise sein. Darüber hinaus ist das negative Testergebnis auch vor Antritt der Rückreise dem entsprechenden Beförderer vorzulegen. Sollte es den Einreisenden aus etwaigen Gründen in einem Hochinzidenzgebiet oder einem Virusvarianten-Gebiet nicht möglich sein, sich vor Abreise testen zu lassen, können die entsprechenden Beförderer vor Abreise einen Schnelltest durchführen und bei Negativergebnis die Beförderung vornehmen. Der Beförderer darf den Test maximal 12 Stunden vor Abreise durchführen. Dieser Test muss den Anforderungen des RKI entsprechen: https://www.rki.de/tests ➝

Covid-19

Corona precautionary measures

  • Restrictions in the country:

    A minimum distance of 1.5m must be maintained in all public facilities. Beyond that, no restrictions apply in the country.

  • Mouth and nose protection:

    In Zambia, masks are mandatory in public areas throughout the country. Regular hand washing and disinfection is advised.

  • Hygiene measures in the country:

    In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Zambia National Public Health Institute the Zambian government has launched the “Zambia COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness” project (PDF). This complies with global hygiene standards.

Status: 05.10.2021

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