getting money in Zambia

Hi all,

I will be travelling from Malawi to Lusaka next April and was wondering how easy it is to get money out whilst travelling through the country. Is the best way to go to banks and get out dollars and then exchange them at exchange shops?

Thanks

Hi much the same as my reply on the Malawi forum, with the possible exception of the comments on Forex bureau, and declaring forex on entry
Ivan

Cash is king in Africa. You want to avoid going into banks at all costs. The lines are frequently so long you'd swear they were having an old fashioned bank run, but that's just the way it is everyday. There are ATMs in larger towns, although I have a very distinct memory of obtaining cash from one in Chiapas and it shutting down moments after I pulled my card out of it (at least I got it back). Cash always works. Changing cash at forex bureaus is best and easiest method of obtaining local currency in many sub-Saharan African countries. It's initally disconcerting to travel with a few grand on your person but it is something I've gotten used to.

Hi,

I agree, cash is always possible! Though we had no problems at all taking money out with our Visa card. Even in a little town on the way to Kafue NP we could withdraw money.

You can change dollars (or malawi kwacha) to zambian kwacha at the border and they give you a good rate over there. We had a few grand on us in the moneybelt when we travelled through africa, but I never felt unsafe, just take good care. Changing is best on the street or in forex shops, not in banks as their rate is not as good and it takes ages (with passport checks and sttuff).

Good luck :)

all large towns have an atm which takes visa, but unreliable at best.