Zambia Community Challenge

Money

Currency: Zambia Kwacha (ZMK), which comes in denominations of 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000. For up to date currency exchange, go to www.xe.com. US Dollars are commonly used for large purchases, and in hotels

Credit cards:  You should not depend on credit while in Zambia. Although ATMs can be found in most major cities, they are unreliable and will often only accept VISA. Maestro, American Express, and Mastercard are not widely accepted. Many restaurants will only accept payment in cash. In addition, you won’t have access to banks or ATMs once the challenge begins.

Travellers’ cheques: Traveller’s cheques are not widely accepted in Zambia and should not be relied upon.

Spending money: You will not need large amounts of money during this trip, and other than at the start and end of the challenge, you will be in rural areas away from any foreign exchanges or banks. You will only need money for any additional food & drink, gifts & souvenirs.

Tips: Tipping is personal and at your sole discretion. You should only tip if you feel that you have received good service. We recommend approx. US$3 per person per challenge-day, and this should be given to the challenge leader or charity rep at the end of the challenge who will distribute it among the support team, including guides, assistant guides, cooks, and porters.

Visa

You must hold a full ten-year passport with at least six months to run from the end of your trip, and two blank pages for your visa and entry/exit stamps. Visa fees for British nationals are US$50 (single-entry), we recommend getting for your visa before you travel rather than on arrival to ensure you are accepted into the country. We will send out the information of how to apply for your visa 3 months before departure.

All air passengers must pay a departure tax of US$25 when leaving Zambia.

Vaccinations

For up to date vaccination information please check the NHS government website ‘Fit for Travel’ at:http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is sometimes required for all travelers arriving from countries where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission. Malaria is common throughout the country and you should consult your GP about recommended anti-malarials. Always take necessary precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes. This includes wearing long sleeved shirts, long trousers and socks at dawn and dusk, and plenty of insect repellent.

Flights

Flights depart London and arrive in Ndola the next day, going via South Africa. The flight time is approx. 14-17 hours including transit times. Your flight tickets will be issued to you upon departure at the airport. If you choose to book your own flights you must confirm with the Charity Challenge office before paying otherwise you may be liable for your included group flights (please contact flights@charitychallenge.com for further assistance).

Please Note:  You will not require a visa or yellow fever certificate when transitting in South Africa. Transit passengers are exempt from requiring these.

Leadership

Along with the Build It International leadership team there will be a number of locally based leaders assisting at the campsite and during the transfers. The leadership team will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group.

Climate

The climate is tropical, and humid. June is the beginning of the dry season and the start of the dry winter. You can expect temperatures between 15 - 20 C and the nights can get cold.

Luggage and valuables

Try to keep luggage to an absolute minimum – details of what to pack are provided in your kit list. Your rucksack/holdall (suitcases are not appropriate) must not exceed the maximum weight limit of the airline you are flying with (usually 20kg, however do check this with the airline or contact our flights team if in doubt). 

We will do everything to provide adequate safety for the group and security for your possessions and at the hotel and on the campsite. There is a safe deposit box in each room at the hotel. The general rule is that if you don’t need it, don’t bring it. This includes jewellery, necklaces, rings and even watches.

Responsible Tourism

Only 60% of Zambians have satisfactory access to health clinics and this contributes to some of the highest levels of infant and maternal mortality in the world (ranked 25/180).

In many Zambian communities there is a need for front-line health services, especially maternal child health and HIV/TB. In Kapiri Mposhi demand for access to health care is growing and one small clinic currently serves a population of approx. 15,000. 

The construction of a new health centre will provide an outpatient clinic, under-fives clinic, HIV testing/TB clinic, laboratory, pharmacy/dispensary. There will a new four bed maternity unit, built separately from the main clinic to provide privacy. 

Twenty young men and women will learn building skills as they help to construct the new clinic for their community, the trainees will receive a qualification certificate and tool kit to help them secure paid employment in construction after the clinic is completed.

Typical Day

Most days will begin around sunrise (7am). You will help to get breakfast ready whilst maintaing a clean and tidy campsite and tent.  During the day you should carry only what is strictly necessary in a daypack. The day is ruled by the sun as everyone needs to be back at the campsite within an hour of sunset for safety reasons. You will transfer to Kapiri on the project days where the clinic is located and take part in some community interaction. Once back at the camp food is prepared and the evenings are relaxed around a camp fire.  

If you have any concerns about the requirements for this challenge then please contact us challenges@charitychallenge.com.

Accommodation

Whilst at the campsite you will be sharing a 3 person tent with one other person and mattresses are provided.

We will use a comfortable 3 star hotel near the town of Livingstone on the banks of the Zambezi at the end of your challenge. You will have a twin en suite room. If you are travelling with a friend or partner who you wish to share with, please let Charity Challenge know in advance.

During the transfer between Kabaka and Livingstone you will be staying a basic but comfortable hotel in same-sex twin share rooms.

Food & Drink

During the day a typical packed lunch provided might consist of fruit juice, fruit, crisps and a sandwich. The evening meals in camp may consist of beef stroganoff, spaghetti Bolognese, chicken curry, rice, potatoes and vegetables. Treated water will be provided throughout. You should have indicated on your registration form prior to departure if you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies and we will do our best to accommodate these. If you haven't filled this part of the form, or if these requirements should change prior to departure, please let us know. We cannot cater to all tastes so anyone with very specific requirements should consider bringing some foods to supplement their meals.

Clothing & Equipment

No specialist kit is required. A full kit list for this challenge can be found here and once you book you will have access to kit discounts with our partners The Outdoor Shop, Outdoor Hire and Cotswold Outdoor.

Toilets

The lodges has en-suite regular western toilets and hot running water. During the camping whilst on the project visit, you will use a short drop toilet (with screen for privacy) and will be provided with a bowl of warm water for washing. The camps are not permanent camps so facilities are minimal.

Phone and Wifi

You will have intermittent phone signal and wifi access, even at the lodges, will be limited and should not be relied on.

Local language

In a lot of the main towns in Zambia the locals use English as the main language (it is the official language in Zambia). However in the villages and more remote locations it is rarer to find people speaking in English. Learning a few simple words in the local dialect Tokaleya will make a big difference to the locals who will really appreciate it.

Safety

Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of its participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. In a nutshell, Our Challenge Safe brand formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the activity itself. Your welfare is paramount!

In terms of your Zambia Community Challenge, there are a couple of important points that you should be aware of:

• It is a very humid and remote environment.
• Please keep covered up from the sun. Wear long sleeves and always apply sunscreen throughout the day.
• Keep hyrdated throughout the day, especially during your time visiting the project in Kapiri.
• Always wear correct shoes whilst around the campsite, particularly at night, and avoid walking away from well trodden paths.