Frequently Asked Questions
Please feel free to ask us any queries you may have! Pop us a mail here.
FAQ : DO I NEED A VISA TO ENTER ZAMBIA?
Zambia has waived the visa requirement for many travellers!
Visa-exempt nationals are allowed to remain in the country up to 30 days with an option to extend up to 90 days.
The following countries are exempt from visa requirements:
Australia, Canada, Norway, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, US, UK, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and China.
If you are planning on visiting both Zimbabwe and Zambia, the KAZA UNIVISA is the most economical option.
The fee is US$ 50 per person and allows tourists to obtain one visa to visit both countries multiple times. Please verify if you qualify for a KAZA UNIVISA here.
The visa is valid up to 30 days in any given period of 12 months, as long as the holder remains within Zambia and Zimbabwe. It also covers those returning to Zambia and Zimbabwe who visit Botswana for a Chobe Day Trip through Kazungula Border - but please note that an entry visa may apply for Botswana. Please verify if you require an entry visa for Botswana here.
FAQ : IF I STILL NEED A VISA, HOW MUCH ARE THEY?
Effective 01 January 2022, the following fees apply;
Single Entry Visa - US$ 25.00
Double Entry Visa - US$ 40.00
Multiple Entry Visa - US$ 75.00
KAZA Visa - US$ 50.00
FAQ : HOW DO I GET TO CHUNDUKWA RIVER LODGE?
Chundukwa River Lodge is located on a horse ranch just outside Livingstone (the “Zambian-side” of Victoria Falls!)
Visitors may reach us by flying into Harry Mwaanga International Airport, also known as Livingstone Airport (LVI) where our driver will be waiting to meet you and bring you to the lodge, a short 35 mins drive away. Livingstone Airport has excellent and frequent flight connections from South Africa, Kenya and the Middle East, as well as daily domestic flight connections with Zambia’s top tourist destinations.
Guests on a self-drive adventure will find us on the Zambezi River stretch between Livingstone and Kazangula Bridge (Botswana) just 25kms from Livingstone Town. View our location here!
FAQ : IS MALARIA A CONCERN?
We would highly recommend that travellers consult a travel clinic before coming to the area. Although not all mosquitoes are of the Anopheles variety, it is wise to apply mosquito repellent and wear clothing that protects your body, particularly arms and ankles in the evenings. 80% of all mosquito bites occur between the knee and the ankle in the hours of darkness so we advise you wear long garments at night!
FAQ : WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
Opt for light, cotton clothing in neutral tones – ideal for hot sunny days, wildlife activities and relaxing here at Chundukwa River Lodge!
Light long-sleeved shirts and trousers are optimal to keep any mosquitoes at bay all year round.
Bring warm clothes for May/June/July/August. Winter months are surprisingly chilly, particularly on those early morning game drives or river trips!
A good pair of trainers or hiking shoes – for bush walks and the unseen adventure.
Hat / Sunscreen / Sunglasses - will be essentially all year round, especially for river-based activities and the water/sunshine glare!
Swimwear / Board shorts - a daily staple.
Riding clothes for horse-lovers - another daily staple around here!
Remember to bring the right adaptor for your camera/charging units. We have 250v plug sockets with multi-country adapters and USB ports for charging phones, cameras and computers.
We suggest you bring a small bag or medical kit with the essentials including your chronic medication if required, insect repellent and antihistamine, plasters and anti-malarial prophylaxis if you’re taking them!
FAQ : WHAT AMENITIES DO YOU OFFER?
Large walk-in mosquito nets.
Fans (note - due to the open-fronted nature of our accommodation we do not have air-conditioning)
Lock-up safe.
Gowns.
Electric blankets in the winter.
Mosquito spray.
Tissues.
A cupboard with hanging space for clothes.
Luggage racks.
Water flasks.
Good quality organic shampoo, conditioner and moisturiser. As the lodge is situated between two waterways (the river in front and series of lagoons behind) we prefer that you utilise our shampoos, creams and soaps that are organic and environmentally-friendly.
FAQ : WHAT CURRENCY IS ACCEPTED IN LIVINGSTONE?
Zambia’s unit of currency is the Kwacha and is required for things such as shopping in the local supermarkets, pharmacies and restaurants, but credit and debit cards, including International Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted.
The South African Rand, the US Dollar, British Pound and the Euro are also widely accepted as payment in hotels, by taxis and by curio market vendors. Bureaux de Change and ATM machines are readily available in all the towns. Banks do not accept US Dollars printed in 2006 or before.
FAQ : IS IT SAFE TO WALK AROUND LIVINGSTONE?
We have a small, bustling town that is full of friendly people, wonderful sights, colourful markets, pop-up artisanal enterprises and a fascinating Museum that’s well worth a visit. Generally, Livingstone is a very safe and friendly town to walk around, you will easily make new friends on any corner of our town! In tourist hotspots such as the curio market, the usual cautions should be exercised. We encourage our guests to be courteous with their camera, it is polite in Zambia to request permission before taking photographs of any people in public places. Explore Livingstone here!
FAQ : CAN I BARTER AT THE MARKETS?
Livingstone has a few excellent markets to visit where travelers can source some beautiful handicrafts, souvenirs, fabrics and treasures, or local foods, second-hand clothing and wares. Our recommended places to visit are the Victoria Falls Curio Market, Mukuni Park Curio Market, Mukuni Village, Dambwa Market and Zimbabwe Market. Your visit supports our local small businesses to earn sustainable livelihoods. Everybody is keen to make a sale and barter/bargaining are commonplace in these markets! The key is to have fun, remain courteous and negotiate a fair deal. If you are paying with forex, it is a good idea to establish the rate of exchange in advance of purchase.
FAQ : WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO VISIT?
Different seasons mean different views of the Falls and activities on offer. This is mainly due to the rains and the Zambezi River water levels which does have an effect on many factors that might influence your trip.
FAQ : WHICH SIDE OF THE FALLS SHOULD I VISIT: ZIMBABWE OR ZAMBIA?
Both if you can! In Zimbabwe, you'll get an excellent impression of their epic scale – all 1700m of thundering whitewater cascades. The numerous lookouts that run along the gorge inside Victoria Falls National Park include show-stopping views of the Devil’s Cataract; precarious Danger Point; and the spectacular Main Falls, the largest single sheet of water in the world.
On the Zambian side, the lookout points are positioned very close to the Falls themselves which gives you another angle entirely. Watch the water plummet over the edge from just a few feet behind the Eastern Cataract and cross the Knife Edge Bridge to be completely in the sight and sound of the falls. You can also climb down to the river’s edge at The Boiling Pot, named for the way the water rebounds off the rock face to create a swirl of criss-crossing currents. See Victoria Falls Day Trip for more info!
FAQ : WHAT IS THE ENTRANCE FEE FOR VICTORIA FALLS?
Zambia - International US$ 20 & SADC US$ 20 per person
Zimbabwe - International US$ 50 & SADC US$ 30 per person