Nationally, same-sex intimacy is criminalised and there’s no recognition of same-sex unions. We therefore travel with discretion, avoid public displays of affection, and brief the group on privacy (incl. social media/apps). In and around Victoria Falls/Livingstone, however, the tourism corridor is service-led and many lodges/hotels we choose are quietly progressive and welcoming; we work only with vetted suppliers and host with care so your experience feels relaxed and joyful.
Overview
- Capital: Lusaka. Major gateways: Lusaka (LUN); Livingstone (LVI) for Victoria Falls; Ndola (NLA) for the Copperbelt. LVI sits ~15 km from the Falls.
- Language: English (official) plus numerous local languages (Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Lozi).
- Currency: Zambian Kwacha (ZMW). Cards widely accepted in cities; carry small cash for markets/tips.
- VAT/Sales tax: Standard 16%. Zambia operates a limited VAT refund on selected goods for non-resident tourists—keep original tax invoices and allow time at the airport; not all purchases qualify.
- Power: 230V / 50Hz; plugs Type C, D & G (most hotels use Type G). Bring a universal adaptor/power bank.
- Water: Use bottled/filtered water for drinking; lodges provide safe supplies.
- Driving: Left-hand driving; night driving is not advised due to wildlife
- Time: UTC+2 year-round (no daylight saving).
- Health: Yellow Fever certificate required if arriving from/through a risk area. Malaria is present (incl. Livingstone) — consult your clinic for prophylaxis; bring repellent.
Victoria Falls specifics: Water levels peak roughly Feb–May (dramatic spray, wet walkways) and run low Sep–Dec(clearer rock views; some activities operate only in low water). KAZA Univisa (for many nationalities) allows multiple entries between Zambia & Zimbabwe for up to 30 days and permits day trips to Botswana—ideal for crossing the bridge to view the Falls from both sides or popping to Chobe. Availability and rules can change; we’ll advise the latest.
Airfare
International flights
- Not included unless specifically stated.
- We’ll confirm your arrival/departure airport(s) (often LVI for Falls trips, LUN for wider circuits). If you finish across the border (VFA in Zimbabwe), consider an open-jaw ticket or add a short hop.
- Please wait for our written tour confirmation before booking personal international flights.
- Typical booking windows: best economy pricing ~3–5 months out; business class ~5–8 months.
- Check baggage rules carefully—some regional fares are hand-luggage only unless you add a bag.
- Want us to handle it? We can book and ticket your international flights (service fee applies), align schedules to the land itinerary, and assist if airlines adjust timings.
Domestic / regional flights (within your itinerary)
- Where used, they’re usually included (unless otherwise stated) and ticketed in economy. Safari routes may use light aircraft with strict, soft-duffel baggage limits—we’ll brief you.
- Fares remain subject to change until ticketed due to airport/government taxes and exchange-rate movements; any increases/refunds will be communicated promptly.
Good to know: Names must exactly match passports; allow 3 hours for international and 90 minutes for domestic check-in.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory—medical cover, trip cancellation/curtailment, medical evacuation (vital for remote areas), luggage, and any optional adventures you add (e.g., rafting/heli flips, which have specific cover requirements around the Falls).
Tour Leader
Afrigay trips are hosted by Mike or a trusted Tour Leader, with licensed local guides in each area (Livingstone & Mosi-oa-Tunya, Kafue, South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi). Your leader handles logistics, check-ins, safety briefings, day pacing and the thoughtful touches that make a trip feel special.
Travelling Alone
Solo travellers are very welcome. You can:
- Room solo (single supplement applies), or
- Opt to share—we’ll try to pair you with a traveller of similar profile to avoid the supplement. If we can’t match you, we’ll offer the best single rate available.
Meals
Inclusions vary by itinerary and are shown on the What’s included tab. We aim to include a Welcome Dinner and a Farewell Dinner so the group connects at the start and celebrates at the end. Not all meals are included—we leave space to explore; we happily cater for vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free and other needs—please advise in advance.
Optional Activities
Only the activities listed as Included on your trip page are part of your package. Anything else is optional and not included.
If you’d like extras, we can arrange them at additional cost—before travel or on tour—subject to availability, season, weather and any minimum numbers. Optional add-ons are usually paid direct to suppliers; if we pre-book, they’ll appear on your invoice. Your insurance must cover any optional activity you choose.
Tipping Protocol
Tipping is customary in safari tourism but always at your discretion. USD is widely used in lodges; ZMW is also welcome.
- Restaurants/Bars (towns): 10–12% if service isn’t included.
- Taxis/e-hailing: round up.
- Hotel porters: about US$1–2 per bag.
- Housekeeping: US$1–3 per room per night.
- Local guide/driver (day touring): US$10–20 per person per day (group size/service dependent).
- Safari lodge staff (pooled): US$5–10 per guest per night (general staff guideline).
- Tour Leader (multi-day Afrigay host): US$5–10 per person per day—aligned with common global norms.
What to Bring
- Passport & copies, visa/eVisa (or KAZA Univisa if eligible), insurance details.
- Bank cards plus some small USD/ZMW for tips/markets.
- Adaptors (Type C/D/G), power bank, unlocked phone for eSIM/SIM.
- Light layers; rain jacket or poncho and a dry bag for phones/cameras (Falls spray!); sun protection and insect repellent.
- Comfortable closed shoes; soft-sided duffel if your route uses light aircraft.
- Personal meds and a small first-aid kit.
We’ll send a tour-specific packing cue sheet with your final documents.
LGBTQ+ Information
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Rights Reserved
We may make reasonable changes to the itinerary, accommodation, transport or sequencing when required by weather, safety, governmental advice, availability or operational factors. Equivalent or higher-quality services will be substituted where possible. Afrigay Travel and partners operate within Zambian law and industry standards (and applicable international standards); participation implies acceptance of our full Terms & Conditions issued at booking.