Zambia
Getting to Zambia
Our adventure in Zambia was only four days. Therefore, we took a plane to the small Livingstone airport. Livingstone is Zambia’s second-largest city and a pleasant tourist hub. It’s the perfect spot to arrive to visit the stunning Victoria Falls. From Livingstone, you can also take tours into Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.
Getting a Visa
You may be able to get visa-free entry into Zambia for EU and US passport holders. The Zambian visa website says that the cost for a single-entry visa is USD 50 and a multi-entry USD 150. However, neither I (US passport) nor Wilhelm (EU passport) paid to enter; this is the list of countries that do not need a visa. Please check the entry requirements yourself.
You may want to get a multi-entry visa so that you can do day trips to Zimbabwe and Botswana as we did.
There is an evisa option for people who need a visa prior to travel. Check with your local embassy to see if it’s easier to do it in person or online.
KAZA Visa
Technically there is a combination visa to get entry into Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. There is even a dedicated line when you enter the airport! However, when I asked the airport agents, I was told this wasn’t available and instead I was stamped in for 7 days (about the duration of my trip). If you are able to get the KAZA Visa, it is USD 50. Cash is more reliable though I did see a card machine; I can’t tell if it was working or not. Read more about the visa here.
Image from the plane as we were about to land. I was sitting on the lefthand side of the plane taking off from Joburg. Try to get a seat on the right side to get a view of Victoria Falls.
Money
Zambia uses the Zambian Kwacha (ZMW). We were mostly able to use credit cards around Zambia (and pay for hotels and activities online) but you may want to get out some cash for paying taxis around town.
Getting around Zambia
We were in the Livingstone area for 4 days and used local taxis and tour companies to travel around. As such, we didn’t rent a car from the airport. However, you can rent a car from the Livingstone Airport.
Taxis were reliable in Livingstone. You can also get their number and make a call to pick you up whenever you need. Getting between different places in town was around ZMW 60. The cost to get to Victoria Falls from a hotel in Livingstone will cost around ZMW 120. I was quoted ZMW 300 by another taxi and then used our hotel recommendation for the ZMW 120 price.
Getting to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
We easily walked between the Zambia and Zimbabwe border posts. It was about a 20-minute walk between the two sides and you won’t need a car for this day trip. The best part about it is the bridge that goes over the Zambezi River and has an incredible view You’ll start to see the falls and feel the mist. Look out for rainbows too. We also walked from the Zimbabwean Victoria Falls Entrance to the town of Victoria Falls.
