General Information

Zambia's population of about 17 million comprises of more than 70 Bantu-speaking ethnic groups. Some ethnic groups are small, and only two have enough people to constitute at least 10% of the population. Most Zambians are subsistence farmers. The predominant religion is a blend of traditional beliefs and Christianity. Christianity is the official national religion.

The total land area that Zambia occupies is 752,612 sq. km and the terrain varies with places that one may visit but generally the terrain is plateau savanna with the climate being generally dry and temperate. The country has 10 administrative provinces and the capital is Lusaka. The annual growth rate is 2.9%. Zambia’s official language is English and there are about 70 other languages that are used in the country. Zambia got its independence from the British on 24th October 1964. The first president of The Republic of Zambia was Dr Kenneth Kaunda.

In 1855 David Livingston was the first European to see the magnificent waterfalls on the Zambezi River and he named the waterfalls Victoria Falls after Queen Victoria. The town near the falls was also named Livingstone after Dr David Livingston’s name.

Although poverty continues to be a significant problem in Zambia, its economy has stabilized, attaining single-digit inflation in the last 10 years, real GDP growth, decreasing interest rates, and increasing levels of trade. Much of its growth is due to foreign investment in Zambia's mining sector and higher copper prices on the world market.

The Livingstone Victoria Falls Volunteer Program (LVVP) is based in the tourist capital of Zambia, Livingstone. Livingstone is a historical town situated on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River opposite Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe. It is also main tourist centre for the Falls. The population is estimated to be about 150 000 people. The town has a number of world class activities, lodges and towns that provide accommodation to tourists. Livingstone has its own airport, The Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport. The airport offers both domestic flights to and from Lusaka and international flights to and from Oliver Thambo International Airport in South Africa.

Zambia’s unit of currency is the kwacha, sometimes listed as ‘ZMK’ (Zambian kwacha) or ‘KW. In the cities and larger towns, you can change cash and travelers cheques at branches of Banks. Larger Bank branches have ATMs that accept Visa and Master Card. Foreign exchange Centres, often called bureau de change – are easy to find in all cities and larger towns. Credit cards are accepted by larger shops, hotels, restaurants and tour operators.

There are three seasons: the dry and cold season (mid-April to August), where temperatures drop at night, the hot season (September to mid-November) and the wet season (mid-November to mid-April). Livingstone is very hot between November and January.

Zambia has a generally fair health care service system especially in towns and cities. The situation is different in rural areas. Livingstone a big General Hospital and many private clinics that medical insurance from all over the world. All volunteers coming to LVVP are required to produce proof of a valid medical insurance before they travel. For further or more detailed health preparedness information, please contact your medical insurance provider in your home country to get informed before departure.

In Livingstone there are air medical rescue services that carry people on medical insurance to South Africa for specialized medical treatment. In the dry and hot seasons Zambia has got a lot of mosquitoes hence visitors to Zambia must bring with them mosquito repellents. Zambia is a safe country, not that visitors have to walk around without taking care of their belongings. It is however advised that visitors should not carry what they consider their valuables with them in the streets. Money can be changed anywhere in the streets, bureau de change and banks in Zambia but as a visitor you are advised to exchange your money from banks or bureau de change were you will get a proper receipt for the transaction. The possession or use of narcotics, such as marijuana or ecstasy, is not allowed. Drug taking and smuggling are offences against the Zambian law.

The possession of pornographic material is not legal in Zambia and you can be deported or may be jailed for it. Homosexuality is also illegal in Zambia and if one gets caught engaging in homosexual acts he/she can be sentenced to several years of imprisonment. It’s an offence to drive and drink alcohol or using your cell phone while you’re driving.

The Zambian Government is very sensitive in taking pictures of buildings such as power stations, explosive factories, pumping stations, government buildings, mining areas, airports and border posts. Please avoid making pictures of such places without consent. If in doubt please talk to LVVP staff members.

While Livingstone is generally safe, please avoid walking alone after sunset, it may be dangerous. Leave large amounts of money, jewelry or cameras at a safe place in your accommodation or at the LVVP offices for safe keeping.

LVVP strongly recommends that visitors to Zambia check their visa requirements before they travel. It is however not difficult to acquire a Zambian Visa on arrival at the port of entry. For most foreign countries passport holder’s, visas are required to enter Zambia. The fees depend on the country where the passport holder comes from. Visa application can be done before departure or at the port of entry at anything between US$50 and US$150 depending on whether the visa is single entry, double entry or multiple entry. Please check always check the Zambian Immigration website for short-term changes and further information. https://www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm

Shorty term volunteers are advised to apply a short term tourist visas. Long term volunteers will be assisted by LVVP to apply for short term employment permits. Your passport should be valid for a minimum of six month and should have two blank pages left before travel.

All volunteers must obtain comprehensive medical insurance. This policy should cover for necessary treatments, additional accommodation, travel expenses arising from sickness or injuries. When purchasing insurance you must disclose full details of any permanent or recurring illness. Some policies will cover these pre-existing conditions but won’t pay for continuing or routine treatment or if you travel against medical advice. If you suffer from an existing illness you must tell the insurance company. Insurers may want a doctor’s note certifying that you are fit to travel.

In an emergency situation a doctor may confirm that you must be evacuated for medical treatment to the nearest medical centre or to your country of origin, due to a physical injury or sickness. This insurance is highly recommended for people who are going to take adrenalin activities such as bungi jumping during their time in Zambia.

With Emergency Medical Evacuation cover you are issued with a telephone number you or friends can call to access English-speaking doctors. They will then take over your case working with local doctors to determine if you can be treated where you are or if you need to be repatriated. Make sure you keep the telephone number with you at all times. All volunteers must have this cover.

Once you apply to volunteer with LVVP you will be given specific dates showing the start and end of your volunteer schedule. While we offer individual volunteer schedules for logistical reasons we try as much as possible to have a minimum of 3 volunteers at any given time. Your arrival date should be one day before the start date of the volunteer activity at the Livingstone International Airport.

Your pick up from the Livingstone airport or Livingstone Border will be arranged by LVVP

Airlines that fly into Livingstone from South Africa are South African Airways and British Airways. One can also fly into Lusaka and travel by a public bus service to Livingstone.