Zambian Airport Departure Tax Increase
Oct 17th, 2006, 08:14 AM
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Zambian Airport Departure Tax Increase
I’ve just learned that the Zambian Airport Departure Tax has been increased from US$20.00 to US$25.00 with immediate effect.
This amount is paid in cash by the guests on departure from Livingstone or Lusaka airports.
---No big deal but thought I would let everyone know. What is a big deal is that Zambia is extremely booked already for 2007, especially between late July to early September. Those thinking about going to Zambia next year should not wait any longer before acting. In the past Zambia could be booked just a few months in advance but now it is more like Botswana.
This amount is paid in cash by the guests on departure from Livingstone or Lusaka airports.
---No big deal but thought I would let everyone know. What is a big deal is that Zambia is extremely booked already for 2007, especially between late July to early September. Those thinking about going to Zambia next year should not wait any longer before acting. In the past Zambia could be booked just a few months in advance but now it is more like Botswana.
Oct 18th, 2006, 08:29 AM
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In addition domestic flights attract an $8 tax, but most alarming is the hike in tourist visas, up to $100 whether you are in transit, single or multiple entry! Yes there is still a visa waiver program for clients staying in the country, but amazingly names just seem to vanish off the list
Oct 18th, 2006, 09:42 AM
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Courtesty of CCAfrica (via e-mail)
>>>>>Dear CC Africa Travel Partner
Please be advised that the Zambian Authorities have changed their visa fees with immediate effect.
American nationals intending to visit Zambia will be required to pay a Visa fee of US$100-00. Visas can be obtained at the port of entry.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Thanks and warm CC African regards<<<<<
Mkhonzo's comment about names just disappearing off the visa waiver list just underline the reason why it is SO important to have a reliable ground handler in Zambia. For example, I know that my clients booking with lodges such as Chiawa, Luangwa River Lodge, Kafunta, Kaingo, Tafika, Star Of Africa and Chongwe River Camp are in very good hands and, KNOCK ON WOOD, none of my clients have ever disappeared off the list. I would expect that operators such as Robin Pope, Norman Carr, Bushcamp Company and other reputable operators would be in good hands as long as the booking agent used these lodges as the ground handler.
>>>>>Dear CC Africa Travel Partner
Please be advised that the Zambian Authorities have changed their visa fees with immediate effect.
American nationals intending to visit Zambia will be required to pay a Visa fee of US$100-00. Visas can be obtained at the port of entry.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Thanks and warm CC African regards<<<<<
Mkhonzo's comment about names just disappearing off the visa waiver list just underline the reason why it is SO important to have a reliable ground handler in Zambia. For example, I know that my clients booking with lodges such as Chiawa, Luangwa River Lodge, Kafunta, Kaingo, Tafika, Star Of Africa and Chongwe River Camp are in very good hands and, KNOCK ON WOOD, none of my clients have ever disappeared off the list. I would expect that operators such as Robin Pope, Norman Carr, Bushcamp Company and other reputable operators would be in good hands as long as the booking agent used these lodges as the ground handler.
Oct 18th, 2006, 09:54 AM
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actually, there is no list. the lodge sends a letter to the visa office at the airport on their letterhead requesting a visa waiver. the letter goes into a binder at the visa desk. the immigration officer looks through the binder for the letterhead of the camp who requested the visa waiver. not very efficient. if your operator books a ZambianAir meet and greet service, they'll help through the search process.
anyway, so now I have to pay $200.00 for 2 transit visas? the flight from jnb-vfa was full so going jnb-lvi. ching,ching there goes the budget!
anyway, so now I have to pay $200.00 for 2 transit visas? the flight from jnb-vfa was full so going jnb-lvi. ching,ching there goes the budget!
Oct 18th, 2006, 02:35 PM
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Of the people who have responded to this, how many of you are travel professionals?
It seems as though the original poster might be, as he is encouraging people to book their trips early.
I think it would only be fair to the occasional readers of these boards to indicate if you are a travel professional, so we might beefit from knowing this, don;t you agree?
Perhaps I shall post this separately.
Peterman
It seems as though the original poster might be, as he is encouraging people to book their trips early.
I think it would only be fair to the occasional readers of these boards to indicate if you are a travel professional, so we might beefit from knowing this, don;t you agree?
Perhaps I shall post this separately.
Peterman
Oct 18th, 2006, 04:04 PM
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Well, Peterman, I thank Rocco for the update on the visa, and departure fees. We, Ruth and I, non-professional travelers, just returned from Zambia, where we paid the, then, $5 domestic flight tax three times, and the $20. departure tax.
As for the visa waiver, I was concerned about making sure that it was in place, thanks to the heads-up provided on this forum. Rocco (yes we booked through him, as I suppose people here now know) made sure that the visa waiver would be taken care of, and we were met at the a/p by the owner of Chiawa, who had our visa waivers in his hand. And, yes, Rocco "pushed" Chiawa, and this attention to detail and personal service is one of the good reasons, as you will see in my report on the "Zambia-What an amazing journey!" thread. First installment almost ready--Honest!
We then handed them to the Zambian custom's agent. No thumbing through pages of visa waivers. It couldn't have been any smoother or anxiety-free.
So, a suggestion for travelers going to Zambia, no matter who you book through. It the visa waiver issue is a potential deal breader for you, ask who will be meeting you at the a/p, and get assurance, to your satisfaction, dirictly from the first camp that you will be staying at on how the visa waiver will be handled.
As for the visa waiver, I was concerned about making sure that it was in place, thanks to the heads-up provided on this forum. Rocco (yes we booked through him, as I suppose people here now know) made sure that the visa waiver would be taken care of, and we were met at the a/p by the owner of Chiawa, who had our visa waivers in his hand. And, yes, Rocco "pushed" Chiawa, and this attention to detail and personal service is one of the good reasons, as you will see in my report on the "Zambia-What an amazing journey!" thread. First installment almost ready--Honest!
We then handed them to the Zambian custom's agent. No thumbing through pages of visa waivers. It couldn't have been any smoother or anxiety-free.
So, a suggestion for travelers going to Zambia, no matter who you book through. It the visa waiver issue is a potential deal breader for you, ask who will be meeting you at the a/p, and get assurance, to your satisfaction, dirictly from the first camp that you will be staying at on how the visa waiver will be handled.
Oct 18th, 2006, 04:19 PM
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Peterman,
If you must know, I am only encouraging people to book early because already I am having a hard time finding space for clients at Puku Ridge for next August. This is not just for this camp, but the same holds true for many Zambian camps.
I was at Puku Ridge last September (before I started my tour operation) and for 2 of the 3 nights, I was the only one in camp. That is definitely not the case this year and Star Of Africa has told me that Zambia is set to have its busiest year ever in 2007.
This is no secret...do a search on the forum for Zambia and see how many trip reports you see in 2006 compared to years past. This is just a small sampling but it is indicative of what is happening in Zambia. I am not saying that Zambia is any busier than other countries, only that it is now maturing into an in-demand destination.
Peterman, I understand your cynicism, but I am in a much better position to advise people whether or not an early booking is required to guarantee they get their desired dates. It is just standard these days that bookings should be made 9 - 12 months in advance to have the best opportunity to get desired dates. Yes, if a client has a very wide window of travel dates, the client may be able to get away with a booking 3 - 4 months in advance, but chances are that if they are staying at multiple lodges that it is going to be very difficult and unlikely that they will be able to stay at each of their desired camps.
I have no need to come on Fodors and yell fire in a crowded theater. Anybody who has spent a reasonable amount of time on Fodors would not make such allegations.
If you must know, I am only encouraging people to book early because already I am having a hard time finding space for clients at Puku Ridge for next August. This is not just for this camp, but the same holds true for many Zambian camps.
I was at Puku Ridge last September (before I started my tour operation) and for 2 of the 3 nights, I was the only one in camp. That is definitely not the case this year and Star Of Africa has told me that Zambia is set to have its busiest year ever in 2007.
This is no secret...do a search on the forum for Zambia and see how many trip reports you see in 2006 compared to years past. This is just a small sampling but it is indicative of what is happening in Zambia. I am not saying that Zambia is any busier than other countries, only that it is now maturing into an in-demand destination.
Peterman, I understand your cynicism, but I am in a much better position to advise people whether or not an early booking is required to guarantee they get their desired dates. It is just standard these days that bookings should be made 9 - 12 months in advance to have the best opportunity to get desired dates. Yes, if a client has a very wide window of travel dates, the client may be able to get away with a booking 3 - 4 months in advance, but chances are that if they are staying at multiple lodges that it is going to be very difficult and unlikely that they will be able to stay at each of their desired camps.
I have no need to come on Fodors and yell fire in a crowded theater. Anybody who has spent a reasonable amount of time on Fodors would not make such allegations.
Oct 18th, 2006, 04:22 PM
#15
I went to Zambia last year and my tour operator did not inform me of the visa waiver. The only reason I knew to have them look for my name and camp info was because I had read about the visa waiver on Fodors. Many thanks to the previous travelers (both professional and non-professional) for posting information about the visas and waivers.
Cindy
Cindy
Oct 18th, 2006, 04:48 PM
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I can back up what Rocco has said regarding Puku Ridge. We have booked (through him)and have had to change our dates already for September 2007! Compromises have already had to be made. That's a booking almost 1 year in advance! (Don't even mention trying to negotiate F/Flyer booking/dates!)
Nontheless we look forward to our 7 nights at Kaingo/Mwamba + 5 nights at Puku Ridge.
Cheers
Marc
Nontheless we look forward to our 7 nights at Kaingo/Mwamba + 5 nights at Puku Ridge.
Cheers
Marc
Oct 19th, 2006, 10:01 PM
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Hi guys!!
I have just returned from Zambia this evening and it was an OUTSTANDING trip. Will have a full trip report in another thead. Here is my experience with the Visa situation.
I had a copy of my Visa waiver letter from Kafunta, but that copy really does not help much as the Zambian Immigration people will require an original letter in their files. When I got to the desk they gave me a thick 3 ringed binder which had about a 3 inch stack of letters and I proceeded to search for my letter. Just as I started to do this the Zambian Airways representative came to the window with my waiver letter in her hand as well as several others for guests staying at Kafunta Lodge and we then sailed through.
At Kafunta another American woman visiting her daughter in the Peace Corp. told Anke the manager and myself that she looked through the same book and could not find the letter. She was charged $25. Without a letter the visa fee should have been $100 and Anke thought this seemed suspicious and she surmised that the $25 was probably pocketed by the immigration official. Anke told me she sends two original letters - one to immigration and one to Zambia airways, but she did not know what Zambian airways did with their copy until I relayed this story.
As most of the lodge operators state on their websites they will do all they can to ensure the visa waiver letters get sent in a timely manner to the proper authorities but they can't guarantee it will work every time. But the system seems to work the vast majority of the time.
Departure tax is $8 for the domestic Mfuwe to Lusaka flight and $25 leaving Lusaka on the international departur flight. Everyone including the shoe shine man, bathroom attendent and his second cousin and 20 grandchildren will ask to see your departure tax receipt before you leave, so keep it in a handy place. Taped to you forehead may be a good idea.
I have just returned from Zambia this evening and it was an OUTSTANDING trip. Will have a full trip report in another thead. Here is my experience with the Visa situation.
I had a copy of my Visa waiver letter from Kafunta, but that copy really does not help much as the Zambian Immigration people will require an original letter in their files. When I got to the desk they gave me a thick 3 ringed binder which had about a 3 inch stack of letters and I proceeded to search for my letter. Just as I started to do this the Zambian Airways representative came to the window with my waiver letter in her hand as well as several others for guests staying at Kafunta Lodge and we then sailed through.
At Kafunta another American woman visiting her daughter in the Peace Corp. told Anke the manager and myself that she looked through the same book and could not find the letter. She was charged $25. Without a letter the visa fee should have been $100 and Anke thought this seemed suspicious and she surmised that the $25 was probably pocketed by the immigration official. Anke told me she sends two original letters - one to immigration and one to Zambia airways, but she did not know what Zambian airways did with their copy until I relayed this story.
As most of the lodge operators state on their websites they will do all they can to ensure the visa waiver letters get sent in a timely manner to the proper authorities but they can't guarantee it will work every time. But the system seems to work the vast majority of the time.
Departure tax is $8 for the domestic Mfuwe to Lusaka flight and $25 leaving Lusaka on the international departur flight. Everyone including the shoe shine man, bathroom attendent and his second cousin and 20 grandchildren will ask to see your departure tax receipt before you leave, so keep it in a handy place. Taped to you forehead may be a good idea.
Oct 20th, 2006, 03:35 PM
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Thanks Hari - I look forward to going out for a run in the morning. Now if only I could get my speed up to that of a hippo!!! Had my first views of hippos running full speed twice on this trip. Amazing how such a hulky big creature can move that fast!
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