SHOPPING IN ZAMBIA / ZAMBIA SHOPPING GUIDE

Zambia Info — Thu May 03, 2007 5:46 am

Author: Zambia Info

Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 5:46 am

SHOPPING IN ZAMBIA

General

Like every African country, Zambia has its fair share of curio markets. A trip down to one of them for a spot of haggling and a closer look at the local life is always worthwhile. You may even leave with a few prized souvenirs. At worst you'll leave with a couple of things you may not have wanted, but you'll be richer for the experience.

Before you even enter into the market expect to be approached and invited into every stall. No matter how clear you make it to the owners that you won't be buying anything, they will insist on ushering you in. This is part of the culture and, as the locals know, a rather effective selling technique.

Once you're inside you'll hear many stories about the originality of each craftsman's work and why you should purchase his rather than the same piece one stall down. Although this may seem tiring it has an up-side: it's a buyers' market. Everything is negotiable because everyone is selling it.

When you've found a stall and a souvenir that you like, enquire after the price. The first price offered is always the tourist price so a good rule of thumb when starting to haggle is to halve it, and then offer a little less. Then be prepared for some hard negotiations and, depending on your skills, you might walk away with a bargain.

The markets are filled with all shapes and sizes of wood carvings and hand-crafted souvenirs. Animals, masks, chairs, tables - almost anything you can imagine in an African market will be there. In addition, Zambia is known for its copper bracelets, fine hand woven and dyed materials and the famous Nyaminyami (the Zambezi river god) necklaces and staffs.

Curios and crafts can be found at Zambili in Luanshya Road. The Book House shop, in the Manda Hills Shopping Centre. Zintu Handicrafts are at the Holiday Inn. Moore Pottery on Kabalenga Road has an excellent range of ceramics and Zintu Za Nyimba at the bottom end of Panganani Road sells a wide range of locally made wooden furniture, batiks, candle holders, lamps shades, hand-dyed cloths and carvings. Hope House in Luanshya Road is a charitable organisation providing support to Aids victims and sell a range of home-made crafts. Every last Saturday of the month there is an excellent craft market in Kabulonga suburb at the Dutch Reform Church grounds.

Shopping hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1700 and Sat 0800-1300 (some stay open until 1700).

Banking hours

Vary from bank to bank, but most are open Mon-Fri 0815-1430. Some banks are open 0815-1030 on the first and last Saturday of the month.

Currency

Kwacha (ZMK) = 100 ngwee. Notes are in denominations of ZMK50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 1000, 500, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of ZMK1, 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. ATMs are available within Lusaka and some of the major towns in Zambia.

Credit & debit cards

Most hotels, restaurants, travel agents and bigger shops accept credit cards. Standard Chartered and Barclays Bank have ATMs which accept Visa.

Traveller's cheques

Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions

The import and export of local currency is limited to ZMK100. 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.

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SHOPPING IN ZAMBIA / ZAMBIA SHOPPING GUIDE