Capital: Lusaka

Time: GMT + 2 hours 
 
Population: 9.9 million

Area: 752,614km˛

Currency:  Kwacha (ZK)

Climate: The country has a tropical climate, but temperatures are modified due to the altitude.  The country has roughly three seasons, cool and dry from April to August, hot and dry from September to October and warm and wet from November to March.  Summer temperatures don’t usually exceed 30ēC and in winter they rarely drop below 23ēC.  October is generally the hottest month of the year.
 
People: 99% African (made up of over 70 indigenous tribal groups - the major groups are Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja and Tongo) European 1.1%.

Official language: English. 

Geography: Zambia lies across a high plateau with some hills and mountains throughout and is divided into two regions by the Democratic Republic of Congo who's southern border projects into Zambia.  The Zambezi River flows along Zambia's western and southern fringes.  Zambia also borders Lakes Mweru, Bangweulu and Kariba.

Neighbouring countries: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Economy:  Zambia’s economy relies heavily on copper mining and processing: the country is one of the world’s leading copper producers.  The majority of the labour force, approximately 70%, is involved in agricultural activities, like the production of corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts and sunflower seeds, which are then exported to countries like South Africa and the United Kingdom.  Over recent years, the economy has been growing slowly but steadily.  Manufacturing and tourism are also important, and facilities for tourists are diverse and generally well maintained. 

When to go:  During the rainy season, many of the country’s wilderness areas are inaccessible, though Victoria Falls is at its most spectacular towards the end of the wet season.  For whitewater activities, November and December are best, and for game viewing, June to October is generally preferred. 
 
What to pack: As a general guide, it is best to bring comfortable, lightweight clothing that can be peeled off and put back on without taking up too much space in your luggage.

• Shorts, T-shirts, sun dresses
• Swimming costumes
• Good comfortable walking shoes
• Casual lightweight cotton, khaki or neutral coloured clothes for safaris
• Fleece or sweater and a warm jacket for game drives or cool evenings
• Wide brimmed hat
• Lots of sun tan lotion, sunblock and lip cream – don’t underestimate the hot African sun, you can get burnt even on overcast days
• Anti-malaria prophylactics – consult your doctor/pharmacist about the regions you will be visiting as the southern parts of the country do not have malaria, but if you are going to the far north, you will definitely need them
• Insect repellent creams
• Binoculars, camera (different kinds of film are widely available )
• Sunglasses