Discover Zambia Your Way: 10 Tips for Safe and Enjoyable Self-Driving

The huge landlocked country of Zambia lies at the heart of southern Africa. It boasts a tapestry of breathtaking landscapes, vast savannahs, magnificent waterfalls, and meandering rivers. It’s a destination teeming with life, from bustling towns to wildlife-rich national parks.

Over the years, Zambia has become a sought-after destination for adventurous travellers, one of which is self-driving across Zambia’s diverse terrains. Self-driving gives visitors flexibility, and allows them to connect with the land, its people, and its diverse wildlife at their own pace.

Top 10 Tips for Self-Driving in Zambia

Self-driving in Zambia can be the adventure of a lifetime, but there are some very important points to bear in mind to ensure everything goes smoothly. As you plan your trip, do bear the following points in mind:

1. Understand and Stick to the Local Traffic Rules

Before venturing onto Zambian roads, you need to familiarise yourself with Zambian driving rules.

Here are a few pointers to start you off:

• Drive on the left: Zambians drive on the left-hand side of the road.
• Documentation: Keep your driving license, International Driver’s Permit, vehicle registration and insurance documents with you at all times while driving.
• Speed limits: Usually a signpost, but as a rule of thumb the general speed limit is 50 kmh/30 mph in urban areas and 100 kmh/60 mph on highways.
• Seat Belts: All passengers are required by law to wear seat belts and small children must be in a safety seat
• Mobile Phones: You’re not allowed to use a mobile phone while driving, unless you have a hands-free system.
• Alcohol and Drugs: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited, and strictly enforced.
• Parking: Take care to only park in designated parking areas, or risk a fine or having your vehicle towed away.
• Roundabouts/Traffic Circles: Vehicles already in the circle have right of way. Likewise pedestrians, emergency vehicles and animals have right of way.

2. Preparing for Your Zambian Self-Driving Adventure

Preparing for a self-driving adventure in Zambia involves both forward planning and informing yourself about Zambian conditions.

The Victoria Falls

We’ve already referred to ensuring that you’re familiar with Zambian traffic regulations, but here’s a further list of things to take into account:

• Plan your Route: Plan your route and itinerary in advance.
• Establish the Locations of Fuel Stations: Some stretches in Zambia have long distances between fuel stops, so this is crucial.
• Accommodation: Book your accommodations well in advance.
• Camping: If you’re going to be camping, make sure you’re properly equipped, and only ever camp in designated camping areas. Dispose of trash in proper disposal sites, or carry it with you until you can do so.
• Emergency Contacts: Make sure that you have local emergency numbers saved on your phone, i.e. the police, embassies, consulates and hospitals.

No Plastic Bags! Zambia has banned the use of plastic bags so don’t take any into the country with you. You could be fined quite heavily.

3. Seasonal Considerations

Zambia experiences a rainy season between November and April. During these months, some roads can become muddy and difficult to navigate. The dry season, from May to October, is generally considered the best time to visit Zambia.

The weather is generally cooler, and the wildlife tend to congregate around water sources, so excellent game-viewing is assured in Zambia’s parks, like South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, and Kafue.

However, the best time to travel to Zambia obviously depends on your personal interests and preferences. If you love lush green landscapes and abundant birdlife, you might prefer the wet season despite its drawbacks.

If wildlife viewing is your chief interest, the dry season will be preferable. But bear in mind that weather patterns are changeable, so it’s advisable to check with local sources closer to the time of your trip.

4. Carry Essential Supplies

Due to long distances between towns, self-driving in Zambia requires you to pack and carry essentials.

As in many African countries, the tap water isn’t safe to drink in Zambia, so make sure you always have a goodly supply of bottled water. On average, everybody needs about 2-3 litres of water per day. This is particularly important during the hottest months (October to Febrary) when temperatures often exceed 30°C/86°F).

You also need to carry a goodly supply of non-perishable foods, torches, and perhaps a blanket ot two for unexpected emergencies. Malaria is prevalent throughout Zambia, so make sure you take malaria prophylactics and mosquito repellent. Also ensure you take all your prescription medications along and that you have sufficient stocks to last you for the whole trip.

Elephants in line

You should also carry a well-stocked first-aid kit for minor injuries and common illnesses. It’s advisable to check what medications are allowed in the country.

5. Navigation and Staying Connected

Zambia’s primary roads are well-marked and sign-posted, but some secondary and tertiary roads in remote areas might not be. Make sure you have a reliable GPS system to ensure that you always know where you are and where you’re headed. But don’t solely rely on GPS in Zambia – make sure you have updated paper maps and offline maps on your cell phone as well. Once in Zambia it’s also advised that you stay connected by getting a local SIM card. Also make sure that people know what your planned route and itinerary are, and what your expected date of return is.

6. Regarding Your Vehicle

Depending on your route, a 4×4 may be essential, especially if you’re venturing into national parks or remote rural areas. If you’re using your own vehicle, ensure it’s in tip-top condition by having a thorough maintenance check done. Have it serviced if necessary, and make sure the brakes, tyres, (including at least one spare wheel), lights, and fluid levels are all good.

Long drives, particularly on dirt roads, can be very taxing on vehicles. Once in Zambia, regularly check your car’s engine oil, tyre pressure, and brakes. This not only ensures your safety but also guarantees a smoother journey.

Again, depending on your route, ensure you’re equipped for rough terrain. If you’re going to drive on particularly challenging roads, it might be advisable to equip your vehicle with undercarriage protection. Definitely consider hiring a vehicle with a higher ground clearance.

Make sure you carry some essential tools and equipment with you. These should include a flashlight, jack, safety flare, jumper cables, tyre inflator/pump and sealant, a good basic toolkit, and a shovel (for sandy areas). If you’re going in the wet season and will be driving in mud, you’ll need a set of tyre chains as well.

7. Always Put Safety First

It’s a good habit to always drive with your car doors locked and your windows up in Zambia. This is particularly important in urban areas as a measure to safeguard against opportunistic crime.

Night driving in Zambia is to be avoided if at all possible. Road traffic accidents are the third highest cause of death in Zambia (after malaria and HIV/Aids) and more than half of these road accidents happen at night. Due to these alarming statistics Zambia even instituted statutory restrictions on night driving in 2016. These included a ban on all public service vehicles being on the roads between 9pm and 6am.

However, it won’t be illegal for you to drive at night, but we strongly recommend that you avoid doing so. If you have to drive at night, you need to be extremely careful and vigilant. Zambian roads often have no road markings which results in a really dangerous driving situation in the dark.

Sandbars in river of lower zambezi area in Zambia, Africa

Road lights are also not plentiful in Zambia, so you often have to rely on your headlights alone. Many cars also don’t carry warning triangles, so a tree branch on the road (a danger in itself) often indicates that there’s a broken-down vehicle up ahead!

Therefore it’s crucial that you’re extremely alert for pedestrians, stationary and unlighted vehicles, and animals on the road at night. Animals often even sleep on the road at night because of the residual heat trapped in the road surface!

8. Interacting with Wildlife

One of the greatest thrills of driving in Zambia is the chance to see wildlife, sometimes even crossing the road right in front of you you. Remember that animals always have right of way!

Here are a few further guidelines regarding interacting with animals on your trip:

• Always stay on the designated roads and trails to avoid disturbing the wildlife and their often fragile habitats.
• Don’t crowd the animals – observe them from a safe and respectful distance, and always stay in your vehicle.
• Use binoculars or cameras with powerful lenses to get a good look without disturbing them.
• No matter how tempting, never feed wild animals. It can harm them in many ways.
• Approach wildlife quietly and slowly, and limit the time you spend with them.
• Respect mating behaviours and nesting areas by avoiding any disturbance.
• Never chase, provoke, or harass wildlife in any way. You could be prosecuted.
• Respect No-Entry Zones – they’re there for a good reason, i.e. a fragile ecosystem, nesting site or even danger.

9. Know Your Fuel Stops

Knowing your fuel stops is important when self-driving in Zambia. A good general principle is always to keep your petrol tank full if you’re able. In really remote areas it’s also a good practice to carry extra cans of fuel to ensure you don’t run dry. Also tap into local knowledge about the availability of fuel.

Here are several good reasons to know the location of petrol stations on your self-drive in Zambia:

• Particularly in Zambia’s rural regions, petrol stations are often few and far between. Knowing where they are will mean you won’t get stranded.
• Zambia is a big country and there are often long distances between cities, towns and villages. Knowing where your refuelling points are will help you plan your route and accommodations more efficiently.
• Knowing where the petrol stations are will also allow you to plan for other stops like rest breaks, meals and viewing local attractions.

If you know the distances between fuel stops, you can adjust your driving style to conserve fuel.

10. Respect the Local People and their Cultural Norms

It’s very important that you respect local traditions and customs in Zambia in order to not give offence. It’ll be an advantage to you to learn about the local culture and polite etiquette to ensure your interactions with the local people are positive. As regards photography you need respect the privacy of people and always ask for permission before taking photographs of them or their homesteads.

aerial view on the green trees in the bush land of lower zambezi area in Zambia

Like many African countries, Zambia has a conservative stance on homosexuality. Same-sex relationships still carry a stigma and are actually illegal. The conservative societal norms and cultural attitudes in place make it advisable to not indulge in excessive public displays of affection, especially in rural areas that are often very traditional.

Cool Trails for Self-Drive Adventures in Zambia

As a veritable Mecca for self-driving adventures, Zambia has numerous great self-drive routes and trails. Here are just three of them:

The Great East Road

Stretching from Lusaka to the border with Malawi, this road offers an ever-changing panorama of hills, valleys and villages. Along the way, you can stop at the Luangwa National Park, a gem of African wildlife and home to the walking safari.

Livingstone to Kafue National Park

Starting from the world-famous Victoria Falls in Livingstone, this route takes you through a mosaic of landscapes before arriving at Kafue National Park. This park, one of the largest in Africa, is a sanctuary of diverse wildlife, from lions to endangered African wild dogs.

The Zambezi Valley Route

Dive deep into Zambia’s natural beauty and culture by driving through the Zambezi Valley. This route will take you past traditional villages where you can experience the famous warmth of Zambian hospitality. Don’t miss the Lower Zambezi National Park, where you can canoe past basking crocodiles and grazing elephants.

Zambia, with its vibrant landscapes, rich culture and extraordinary wildlife, offers self-driving enthusiasts a self-driving experience second to none. The adventure promises unparalleled freedom and a great connection with the African wilderness.

By following the above tips, you can ensure that your self-driving journey will be safe, absorbing and unforgettable. And whatever route or routes you decide to follow, Drive South Africa can provide you with the perfect 4×4 vehicle for your next self-drive Zambian adventure!