Zambia Info
Joined: 20 Apr 2007
Posts: 15
Home Country: zambia
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 Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 8:12 am Post subject: GETTING AROUND IN ZAMBIA / ZAMBIA TRANSPORTATION GUIDE |
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GETTING AROUND IN ZAMBIA
BY AIR
Domestic flights on Zambian Airways — formerly Roan Air, and unrelated to now bankrupt state operator Zambia Airways — and tourist-geared Airwaves connect Zambia's major cities and tourist destinations. Zambian Airways (www.zambianairways.co.zm), Airwaves Zambia (www.airwaves.com.zm), Avocet (www.avocet-charters.com) and Proflight (www.proflight-zambia.com). While undoubtedly the fastest and most comfortable way of getting around, they are quite expensive with an hourlong flight. For example, Lusaka to Mfuwe typically costs US$150 one-way.
Charters operate domestic routes to destinations including Chipata, Kasaba Bay, Kasama, Kitwe, Livingstone, Lusaka, Mangu, Mfuwe, Ndola and Victoria Falls. There are over 120 other airports, aerodromes and airstrips in the country.
Departure tax: ZMK12,000 (US$5).
BY RIVER/ LAKE
Local ferries operate on all waterways. Contact local authorities for details.
BY RAIL
Zambia has three main internal train lines, one from Livingstone to Lusaka, from Lusaka to the Copperbelt, and from Kapiri Mposhi to the Northern border with Tanzania. The main train station is in Dedan Kamathi Road in central Lusaka, one road east of Cairo Road. There is a daily Kitwe – Lusaka – Lir stopping train. There is also an express train (The Zambezi Express) leaving Livingstone on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, arriving in Lusaka the next morning.
Children under three years of age travel free, children between three and 15 years pay half price. There is first- and second-class accommodation and light refreshments are available on some services.
BY ROAD
Traffic drives on the left. There is a fairly good network of roads (38,763km/24,087 miles in total, of which 8200km/5095 miles is tarred), although they are often in poor condition.
Bus
The network of intercity bus services is run by private operators and Zambia Telecommunications (Zamtel). The service used to be unreliable but it is much better nowadays. The buses provided are clean, cheap and frequent. CR coach, linking Lusaka with Livingstone, Chipata, Ndola and Mongu (twice a day, leaving from ShopRite in Cairo Road) should be booked well in advance. Other coach services are available, including Giraffe.
Car rental
Several firms operate in main centres. Information is available from the Zambia National Tourist Board or the Lusaka Bus Terminus on Dedan Kimathi Road, Lusaka. Firms can also provide chauffeur-driven cars.
Regulations: It is an offence to use a mobile phone whilst driving. The Government is also planning to introduce fines for anyone found smoking, eating or drinking whilst driving.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. UK driving licenses may be used for up to 90 days.
URBAN TRANSPORTATION
Bus services in Lusaka are provided by private minibuses and shared taxis. Minibuses — meaning vans outfitted with seats — are popular, but they are often irregular, dangerous, and uncomfortable. To maximise profits, a "conductor" will squeeze as many paying customers — and their luggage, or katundu (ka-TOON-doo) — into the bus as possible; whether or not the customers are comfortable is irrelevant. In terms of meeting locals, however, this method is among the best, and it can provide a traveller with a truly "authentic" experience. Payment is made during the journey — banknotes are passed down the bus to the conductor at the front, and change comes back via the same route. Taxis are not metered and fares should be agreed in advance. It is also advisable to negotiate a fare. |
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