Zambia uses British-standard electric power connections. Euro-standard plugs are often crammed into the British sockets without a converter since they "almost fit". The result is poor connection and damage to the socket.
When low quality British plugs are put in the sockets they can get overheated and melt if you are using for ex. an electrical kettle.
Updated Dec 21, 2011
It's a tough business to attract customers to travel on their bus when several other buses are going to the same destination. You are inundated by people shouting the praise of their bus company. Some companies engage unemployed men to track down and get hold of tourists to travel with their bus. At least one of the bus companies engaged local boxers to scare away the other competitors. There were a lot of pushing and quarrels among the unemployed men .
After seeing a serious fight (pictures taken right after), I asked one of the them why. He told me he was a boxer and was protecting the customers against thieves. He also got commission for each customers he found. If another took his customers he would not get paid. It's a scary sight to see violent fights. Taking pictures is not wise.
Buses in Africa does not depart before they are full, so I had the experience to wait for some hours. Since I already had paid for the tickets to Lilongwe, I could not change to another bus.
Updated Nov 12, 2009
I have had it twice and it is not fun...! If you are traveling in this region take precautions towards Malaria. If you do not take medication in prevention and you have the following symptoms after your return go straight to your doctor and tell him you were in a Malaria region: Flue like symptoms, combined with headache, backache and fever. Remember malaria kills almost a Million people each year and the longer you wait the more the parasite will multiply in your blood – the result is fatal!
Updated Aug 7, 2005
Remember that the rate of HIV infection in adults (aged 18-45) in Lusaka is between 20 and 30 percent. Be careful! Malaria prophylaxis isn't the only protection to consider!
I experienced a coup attempt, harrassment from the police, but never the threat of being mugged, or any personal threat as a result of war in neighboring countries. (And you can see from the photographs above that I am not averse to taking risks.) I think it is important to establish relationships with a small group of people you trust and to go with them -- not alone. This is true if you are going to town center to email family back home, trying to exchange foreign currency, going out for a drink at night, or travelling between cities.
A more banal precaution that I always took was I boiled and filtered my drinking water.
(PS The photo is a vulture, taken in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.)
Written Aug 24, 2002
Taking a taxi during the night is something that even the locals avoid doing because of the high number of fake taxis and robberies. As a tourist, you shouldn't do it UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
Updated Oct 23, 2007
While Lusaka is generally a safe place during the day, it's not a good idea for a tourist to hang outside during the dark hours.
Written Dec 14, 2006
Lusaka is generally a relaxed and friendly city. All that is really required is to use common sense, don't show off valuables, take taxis' at night etc
Updated Jan 22, 2006
1 - 7 of 7
Sponsored Links
14 Opinions
3 Reviews and 47 Opinions The fact that Lusaka had a Holiday Inn came as a surprise to me. I was so surprised that, though I...
9 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Lusaka attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Lusaka sightseeing.

Lusaka is generally a relaxed and friendly city. All that is really required is to use common sense, don't show off valuables, take taxis' at night etc
16 members live in Lusaka
Q: I would like to travel from lusaka to nairobi by bus.Are they any buses that ply this route and if so what would be the cost?

A: Yes, Lusaka to Mbeya aprx 25 USD, Mbeya to Dar 10 UDS and Dar to Nairobi via Mombasa 20 USD or dar to Nairobi via Namanga with the same price this is more or less the...
Read 2 Replies
1
Lusaka - The vibrant capital of Zambia

As zambiatourism.com puts it: "Lusaka is a city whose bustling chaos has a certain charm that is just Zambia." Sounds like a pretty precise descprition to me!
2
Lusaka - Capital City of Zambia

Lusaka is a city whose bustling chaos has a certain charm that is just Zambia. The tourist passing through the capital may not see any reason to stay, but Lusaka is the product of a country battling...
3

I only really got to spend one day walking around the downtown area of Lusaka. That is really all you need. To me it seems a typical Southern Africa capital city. Nothing special, but a fairly decent...
4

Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia. It is located in the southern part of the central plateau of the country, at an elevation of 1300m (4256ft). It has a population of 1,084,703 (2000......
5

I spent 3 weeks working in Lusaka and loved this city. While not very large, especially compared to many other overpopulated African capitols, Lusaka has a vibrancy that is hard to match. The people...
Build your own Lusaka page
Sponsored Links