Cheap Campervan Hire Zambia

You are higher up off the ground so you have a better chance of spotting wildlife in a 4x4. If you rent a camper you have all the cooking facilities on board. Self-catering saves you money. You also have all your camping gear on board too so you can stay in campsites all across Zambia.

If you are visiting the Victoria Falls make sure you visit during early summer as by September they can be disappointing due to the lack of rainfall during the dry season.

Zambia is a safe place for tourists to visit.For up to date information please visit Zambia Tourist Information from the British Foreign Office.

You are advised not to travel after dark either within cities or outside in the parks. There are many large wandering animals during dusk and at night so take extra care when driving as there may be large animals sleeping on the roads.

If you hold a British licence you can drive for 90 days. You are advised to get an international driving permit for driving in Zambia.

If your driving licence is in another language other than English, then an International driving licence is required with an English translation.

Africa can be very hot during the day and quite chilly at night. Pack for cool evenings so take a light jacket or jumper. Loose cotton is cool. Take layers as the temperature does change throughout the day and into dusk. Africa is a conservative society so keep knees covered and the small of the back (no short t-shirts please).

Don't pack your best clothes. Zambia is a dusty place and the dust does get everywhere. Keep one outfit for dining out or visiting people's homes. Pack walking boots for during the day and trainers for in and out of the camper.

Don't pack that much. You have enough room for the basics. Take a soft bag and not a hard case for storage in the camper.

Yes, but be aware of the additional charges.

• Cross border charges. These are for permits to allow you to enter other countries.
• One-way fees or drop off fees. This is an additional charge levied when you pick up and return to a different location.

There are many recommended routes. These have been put together by Zambia Tourism

• South Luangwa National Park
• North Luangwa National Park
• Nyika Plateau National Park
• Kasanka National Park
• The Bangweulu Swamps
• Livingstone Memorial
• Lake Tanganyika
• Nsumbu National Park
• Victoria Falls
• Lake Kariba
• Lower Zambezi National Park
• Kafue National Park
• Chimfunshi Chimp Sanctuary

Yes, but make sure you take a good map with you at all times. If you run out of signal or battery then you won't get lost.

Having GPS will help you navigate but you will also find out where the nearest petrol stations, accommodation, campsites, banks and some stores.

You should take an air compressor while driving around Zambia as there are many potholes, gravel and dirt roads and the tyres will often need pumping up. Not all garages have air compressors. (they are also useful for cleaning dust out of the camper!)

Make sure you have all your documentation together including the following:

• International Driving Permit
• Police Clearance - let your rental supplier know that you want to travel into Zambia and they can arrange this ahead of time
• Passport and any visas
• Customers Import Permit (CIP)
• Carbon Emissions Tax
• Road Toll Fees
• Third Party Insurance
• Council Levy

Your vehicle will also have to carry:

• White and Red reflective tape. Two small white rectangular size strips on the right and left hand side of the front bumper as well as two small red square strips on the right and left hand side of the rear bumper.
• Warning Triangles. Two warning triangles. They must be on a metal plate.
• Fire Extinguisher. Compulsory if carrying fuel in a jerry can.

Crossing a border into Zambia takes time. Be patient, courteous. Take a pen. Watch your belongings.

You will be issued with a TIP - a Temporary Import Permit, COMESA insurance (third party insurance), carbon pollution tax, road access fees paid on entry and valid for one year and a council levy which is paid on entering and leaving Zambia.

Be aware of the possibility of being overcharged. Check the rates before you reach the border crossing.

Water is usually safe to drink from taps on mains water supplies in towns or at lodges/hotels, but if it is bore water on a campsite, you are best to take a purifier kit or boil the water.

Drive on the left-hand side of the road. Drive slowly and cautiously at night and on tracks.

• Speed limits on the main highways and secondary roads is 100km/h.
• Speed limits on urban roads is 65km/h unless otherwise stated.

There are good forums to check out the latest routes, conditions etc. and also contributors will help with good advice. Try Zambia Forum. There is a lot of good advice and feedback but do check the dates that the posts were listed. The Zambian Tourist Board has an excellent website too. Wikitravel also has a good page on Zambia.

The local currency is the Zambian Kwacha which you should get for spending in markets and local shops but the US$ is widely accepted. You can also use South African Rand and the British Pound.

Yes, you can take your 4x4 through the game parks. Read up or watch YouTube videos about how to behave around wild animals in Africa. Always tay inside your vehicle at all times. If you are nervous about driving in the parks perhaps join a guided safari at first to get used to the roads and terrain and how animals behave around vehicles.

No. We strongly recommend pre-booking a campsite. You may only have to book a day ahead or even during the day of travel depending on the time of year. You definitely need to be on a campsite.