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Cars 4 Rental Information on  Zambia

General Area: 752,614 sq km (290,586 sq miles). Population: 10,649,000 (official estimate 2001). Population Density: 14.1 per sq km. Capital: Lusaka. Population: 1,640,000 (official estimate 2000). GEOGRAPHY: Zambia is a vast plateau bordered by Angola to the west, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the north, Tanzania to the northeast, Malawi to the east, Mozambique to the southeast, Zimbabwe and Botswana to the south and the Caprivi Strip of Namibia to the southwest. The Zambezi River together with Lake Kariba forms the frontier with Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls, at the southern end of the man-made Lake Kariba, is one of the most spectacular sights in Africa (if not the world). In the east and northeast, the country rises to a plateau 1200m (3937ft) high, covered by deciduous savannah, small trees, grassy plains or marshland. The magnificent Luangwa and Kafue National Parks have some of the most prolific animal populations in Africa. Government: Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1964. Head of State and Government: President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa since 2002. Language: English is the official language, but there are over 73 local dialects. The main languages are Bemba, Kaonde, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja and Tonga. Religion: Around 30 per cent of the population is Christian (Protestant and Roman Catholic), a smaller number are Muslim and Hindu, and a small minority have traditional animist beliefs. Time: GMT + 2. Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Communications: Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 260. Outgoing international code: 00. There are public telephones and most calls are made through a post office. Mobile telephone GSM 900 network. Operators include Celtel (website: www.msi-cellular.com), Telecel (website: www.telecel.com) and Zamcell. Coverage is limited to some areas around Lusaka and near the coast. Internet ISPs include Coppernet (website: www.coppernet.zm), Zamnet (website: www.zamnet.zm) and Zamtel (website: www.zamtel.zm). E-mail can be accessed from Internet cafes in Livingstone and Lusaka. Fax/telegram There are public fax facilities at the central post office in Lusaka and at principal hotels. Telegrams may be sent from telegraph offices in main centres, open Mon-Fri 0800-1700, Sat 0800-1300 (closed Sunday and public holidays). Post Airmail to Western Europe takes 7 to 14 days. Press Chronicle, National Mirror, The Sportsman, The Sun and Sunday Times of Zambia are published in English. Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. Back to Top Money Currency: Kwacha (K) = 100 ngwee. Notes are in denominations of K10,000, 5000, 1000, 500, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of K1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 ngwee. Currency exchange: Exchange of foreign currency is carried out at authorised banks and bureaux de change. Credit & debit cards: American Express is widely accepted, with more limited use of Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling. Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is limited to K100. Free import of foreign currency subject to declaration on arrival. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on import. All passengers entering or departing from Zambia must declare all currency notes exceeding US$5000 or equivalent. Note: Currency declaration forms and exchange receipts must be shown if purchasing airline tickets in Zambia. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Kwacha against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date Feb ’03 May ’03 Aug ’03 Nov ’03 £1.00= 8120.49 7819.54 7395.6 8132.63 $1.00= 5100.00 4775.00 4641.8 4792.50 Banking hours: Vary from bank to bank, but most are open Mon-Fri 0815-1430. Back to Top Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever Yes 1 Cholera 2 No Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A Malaria 4 N/A 1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving from infected areas. 2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Ghana. However an outbreak of cholera occurred in Lusaka District in 1999. 3: Vaccination against typhoid and polio is advised. 4: Malaria risks, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, are highest between November and June (except in the Zambesi Valley where high risk exists all year). The malignant form is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine. Food & drink: Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are generally safe for consumption. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Human trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) is reported in the north. Trachoma is widespread, as are hepatitis A and E. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Epidemics of meningococcal meningitis may occur, particularly in the savannah areas during the dry season. Plague occurs very rarely. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix. Health care: There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Health service is not free and health insurance is advisable. Adequate health care cannot be assured outside main towns. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies as they are limited in Zambia. Back to Top Climate Although Zambia lies in the tropics, the height of the plateau ensures that the climate is seldom unpleasantly hot, except in the valleys. There are three seasons: the cool, dry winter season from May to September; the hot, dry season in October and November; and the rainy season, which is even hotter, from December to April. Required clothing: Lightweights or tropical with rainwear. Back to Top Passport   Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required British Yes Yes Yes Australian Yes Yes Yes Canadian Yes Yes Yes USA Yes Yes Yes OtherEU Yes 1 Yes Japanese Yes Yes Yes PASSPORTS: Passport valid for 6 months from the date of entry required by all. VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to 30 days: (a) 1. nationals of Ireland (all other EU nationals do require a visa); (b) nationals of Romania and Serbia & Montenegro; (c) nationals of Commonwealth countries (except nationals of Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, The Gambia, Ghana, India, Mozambique, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka and the UK who do require a visa); (d) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Note: A Bonafide Tourist, who is travelling on a pre-arranged package tour with a foreign tour operator, or in conjunction with a local tour operator in Zambia, will be issued a fee-waived visa for a stay of no longer than 14 days. The fee-waived visa will be issued at any port of entry to Zambia. Types of visa and cost: Tourist, Business, Private and Transit. The cost depends on nationality. For UK citizens: £33 (Single-entry); £35 (when issued at port of entry); £45 (Double- and Multiple-entry). Payable in cash in person or by postal order payable to the Zambia High Commission. Validity: 6 months from date of issue for a stay of maximum 30 days; transit visa valid for 7 days. Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at High Commission or Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Application requirements: (a) One completed application form. (b) Two recent passport-size photos. (c) Valid passport. (d) Fee (payable in cash or by postal order). (e) Self-addressed stamped envelope for postal applications. (f) Letter of invitation confirming purpose of visit, from host in Zambia for all trips. (g) Proof of the Zambian host’s immigration status. (h) Proof of return journey to home country. (i) Proof of sufficient funds during length of stay in Zambia. Working days required: 3. Temporary residence: For stays in excess of 90 days, apply to the Chief Immigration Officer (CIO), Kent Building, PO Box 50300, Lusaka (tel: (1) 252 622 or 252 629; tel/fax: (1) 252 008; fax: (1) 251 725). Back to Top

Car Hire Zambia

Cars 4 Rental can provide car hire vehicles in all the popular locations throughout Zambia.

Whatever your requirements Cars 4 Rental will be able to provide a car to meet your needs. Our hire cars can be equipped with many optional extras including child seats so that your car rental is ideally suited to your needs.

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