Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Zambia. Its purpose is solely to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they take this tour. Although we do our best to make sure that what follows here is completely accurate, it should not be used as a replacement for the formal document which will be sent to all tour registrants, and whose contents supersedes any information contained here.
ENTERING AND LEAVING ZAMBIA: British and American passport holders need a visa to enter Zambia. You can obtain a visa upon arrival, no payment involved. There is a US$25 departure tax leaving Zambia, which is usually included in airline ticket prices.
It is always a good idea to take a photocopy of your passport and air ticket with you when travelling abroad. They can prove invaluable in helping you get replacements if your originals are lost or stolen. Obviously, you should keep the photocopies in a separate bag to the originals.
COUNTRY INFORMATION: You can review the U.S. Department of State Country Specific Travel Information here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html. Review foreign travel advice from the UK government here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and travel advice and advisories from the Government of Canada here: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.
HEALTH: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommend a malaria preventative and suggest up-to-date inoculations against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, polio and yellow fever. It might also be worth checking that you are adequately protected against tetanus. As some of these inoculations cannot be given concurrently you should contact your doctor straight away and obtain his advice about when to start your treatment.
For malaria prevention, please talk to your doctor or public health or travel health clinic about which drug is best for you. The CDC currently recommends one of the following antimalarial drugs: mefloquine (Lariam®), doxycycline, or Malarone®. You can review the latest CDC advisories here.
Please note that all health information provided here is gleaned by WINGS from online resources devoted to traveler’s health. It is essential that you consult with your own physician for up-to-date professional advice.
CLIMATE: Expected to be warm throughout with some rain.
PACE OF TOUR AND DAILY ROUTINE: The first thing to realise about this tour is that in order to cover the full range of habitats there is a fair amount of driving involved and although a lot of time is spent in the vehicles to cover the large distances between localities, there will be ample exercise on the non-travel days, though this will be far from strenuous. There are some very early starts on this tour. These are usually because of the need to be on site at dawn or shortly after to take advantage of the early morning bird activity. On a number of days we will have packed breakfasts and lunches.
When we have had a particularly early start, we will try to have a break in the middle of the day, which is often a quiet period for birds anyway. On most days, apart from the days we do some owling, we will finish in good time to allow an hour or so for washing and changing before the checklist and evening meal. The tour is not a strenuous one, though there are some nice long walks, and anyone with a reasonable degree of fitness will be able to take part fully in the tour.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotels and lodges in Zambia vary from adequate to very good. We will spend some time in smaller camps where facilities may be limited. Food is excellent, plentiful and usually very European, although hot and spicy food is available at some centers. Some lodging may not have mosquito netting so it is a good idea to bring along your own net, just in case.
- Thorn Tree House and Tented Camp is located halfway between Livingstone town and Victoria Falls. It offers camping, tented chalets and cottages *. There is a cash bar and swimming pool. Limited Wi-Fi and power outlets in main area. The camp is frequently visited by Elephants and Hippo at night!
- Nanzhila Lake Camp is in a prime game viewing area of the Southern Kafue National Park, looking out over lake Itezhi-tezhi. There are 3 tented chalets with a large ensuite bathroom. And a family unit with 2 bedrooms sharing a bathroom *. All rooms have comfortable beds with mosquito nets and expansive covered veranda for midday game viewing. There is no Wi-Fi available, electricity is found in the main area (solar).
- Golden Pillow Lodge is a comfortable local guesthouse just out of Choma town. Rooms as basic with an ensuite bathroom. Restaurant serves Zambian meals and curries. No Wi-Fi offered. Power outlets in the rooms.
- Wasa Lodge lies in the centre of Kasanka National Park. The veranda has a great view of Lake Wasa. There are 5 ensuite chalets and 3 more basic ones*. There is limited Wi-Fi and electricity in main area. Cash bar available. Meals served main lodge. Guided game drives and activities available.
- Mutinondo Wilderness – Mayense Camp is a full catering lodge. Chalets are well-built, thatched buildings set on a rocky outcrop. The lodge has five chalets*, a self-service bar and dining facilities (set menu). Limited solar lighting. Wi-Fi and electricity for charging (solar) in main area. Each chalet has a solar and wood water heater.
- Gwabi River Lodge has chalets that are well furnished with comfortable beds and air conditioning. They are all en-suite with large walk-in showers. Power outlets in the rooms. Meals are served in the main area (menu), where there is Wi-Fi, a cash bar and a swimming Pool.
* Single rooms might not be available at Nanzhila, Wasa and Mutinondo depending on group size and make-up. At Thorn Tree single en-suite might not be available (some rooms have shared ablution).
WIFI: as described in Accommodations section.
DRESS: Informal throughout the tour.
TRANSPORT: Transportation will be by minibuses or 4x4 vehicles driven by the leaders. Bottled water will be provided in the vehicles.
LANGUAGE: English is widely spoken.
SMOKING: Smoking is prohibited in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If you are sharing a room with a nonsmoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, do so well away and downwind from the group. If any location where the group is gathered has a stricter policy than the WINGS policy, that stricter policy will prevail.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS OF WINGS TOURS: Please take a moment to read the WINGS General Information and Conditions. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours, and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for Tours to Zambia will be sent to each registrant on receipt of their booking. Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Updated: 17 October 2023