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Country Commercial Guides for FY 2000: Zambia Report prepared by U.S. Embassy Lusaka, released July 1999   Note*

CHAPTER IX: Business Travel

Business Customs: Zambia inherited the British legal system at independence in 1964. Business law is based mostly on British law, and business customs are similar to those in the U.S. and Europe.

Travel Advisory And Visas: Visas are required for U.S. passport holders, and it is highly recommended that travelers obtain visas in advance of arrival. Multiple entry visas may be obtained from the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia, 2419 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008, telephone (202) 265-9717. A multiple entry visa costs forty U.S. dollars, and a single entry visa costs twenty five dollars. Visas specifically meant for tourists traveling as a group may be obtained at the border on arrival. These visas are usually single entry visas valid for 3 months and cost twenty dollars.

Crime is a problem in Zambia. Mugging is relatively rare, but car thefts, and house and car break-ins are not uncommon. The Copperbelt towns along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire) have seen periodic surges in crime due to problems across the border. There are no internal travel restrictions in Zambia, although areas around military bases may have restricted access. Police/traffic check points do occur, fining vehicles deemed not to meet safety regulations. Many observers see this as corruption problem.

Medical facilities are generally limited. Doctors and hospitals often require immediate cash payment for health care services. Medical insurance covering air ambulance evacuation is highly advisable. For the most recent travel information on Zambia, call (202) 647-5225. For fax information, call (202) 647-3000, or check "travel.state.gov" on the Internet.

Holidays:

Anticipated Zambian Holidays in the year 2000 are:

January 1--New Years Day
March 12--Youth Day
April 21--Good Friday
April 22--Holy Saturday
April 23--Easter Sunday
April 24--Easter Monday
May 1--Labor Day
May 25--African Freedom Day
July 4--Heroes Day
July 5--Unity Day
August 7--Farmers Day
October 24--Independence Day
December 25--Christmas Day

(Official holidays for next year will not be confirmed until 10/99)

Business Infrastructure: English is the official language and the language of government and business in Zambia.

There are weekly or more frequent airline connections to Lusaka from London, Dar es Salaam, Gaborone, Harare, Johannesburg, Lilongwe, Nairobi and Windhoek among other cities. Domestic flights are available between Lusaka, Ndola or Kitwe (Copperbelt Province), Mfuwe and Chipata (Eastern Province), Livingstone (Southern Province), and Kasama (Northern Province).

The railway system is rundown and undergoing restructuring. Passenger train travel is unreliable and can be uncomfortable. There are numerous private city bus lines, but they are overcrowded and often unsafe. There are luxury coach services on inter-city runs, including Lusaka-Harare and Lusaka-Johannesburg.

Road transportation is the preferred means of transport for many goods. The road network is uneven: fairly good on some stretches and abysmal on others.

Zambia is landlocked and goods come in and out via air freight, or four ports: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Beira, Mozambique; Durban, South Africa; and Walvis Bay, Namibia.

Telecommunications are generally adequate but can be unreliable, especially during the rainy season. Cellular service is currently offered in Lusaka, Copperbelt towns, and some towns along the line of rail. International telephone calls are expensive, about 8 U.S. dollars per 3 minute to the U.S., including tax. AT&T's USA Direct service is available, as well as similar services to Britain, Sweden and some other European countries. A number of callback service companies are operating, although their legality and operations are disputed by the parastatal telephone company, ZAMTEL. Fax machines are widely used in Zambia. The Internet is also becoming a popular communications tool.

Good quality housing is available but generally in short supply, particularly for rental housing.

Malaria is endemic in Zambia; cases occur in Lusaka, as well. Prophylaxis is strongly recommended if traveling outside the city. HIV prevalence is very high in Zambia, with estimated rates of 30-40% of the adult population in urban areas. The water in major city hotels is safe. When traveling outside the major cities, water should be filtered and boiled if possible.

Fresh meat, dairy products, fruits and vegetables are readily available and of high quality. Most processed food is imported from South Africa and is available in urban supermarkets, although it may be expensive. Lusaka has a number of good restaurants.

Guide For Business Representatives: This guide is available for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC 20402, Tel: (202) 512-1800; Fax: (202) 512-2250. Business travelers to Zambia seeking appointments with U.S. Embassy Lusaka officials should contact the Commercial Section in advance. The Commercial Section can be reached at Tel: (260-1) 250-955 or Fax: (260-1) 252-225.