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Other Information

What to bring:

• Personal toiletries (some might be available in Zambia but perhaps not your favorite brand)
• sun screen
• all necessary medication- esp prescription meds. Note: You should carry a copy of your prescriptions for all meds and for over the counter drugs as well and a letter from your doctor stating your need for them.
• your own towel and sleeping bag/bed roll if you plan to organize a "village experience" (bed and bath linens from MIAM cannot be taken off campus for any reason)
• comfortable walking shoes
• flashlight (torch, as it is called here)

Money:

Carry cash! Traveller Cheques are not useful in Zambia- do not bring them. US $50 and $100 notes give the best exchange rate and the notes must be the newest type with big faces and also should have no tattered or torn edges. Bureau d'changes give better rates than banks usually but can be more difficult to get to when you are just arriving.

Upon arrival in the country you should exchange some money at the airport before travelling onward since you'll need kwacha for any transportation or food costs on the way. There is no currency exchange done at Macha so consider that as well before leaving town.

ATM's are in towns and cities and often work (but not always).If you have the 4 digit password type debit/credit card, it can be used but don't fully depend on it to get all your needed cash.

www.oanda.com is a good site to check for an up to date rate of exchange.

Transportation:

You can get to the bus station by taxi from the airport for about K150,000 (about 30 - 45 min ride depending on the time of day).There are reasonable and reliable "luxury buses" from Lusaka or Livingstone to Choma, the nearest town to Macha. From Lusaka you will pay about K60,000 to K75,000 for a seat on one of these buses (about a 4 hour trip), a bit less from Livingstone (about 2.5 hours). Mon to Fri buses leave the city on an hourly basis starting early in the morning. They go less frequently on weekends and holidays but they do go. When you reach Choma you might find a vehicle going to Macha for about K20,000 (you should plan to reach Choma before 2 pm as most vehicles start leaving town by then). Otherwise, you can hire a taxi to drive you to Macha for about K250,000- K300,000. If you can coordinate your schedule to arrive on a Wed in Choma you can pre-arrange transportation in the MIAM vehicle which goes to town each Wed. There is no charge if you ride in a MIAM vehicle but again you have to be in Choma before 2 pm. and this must be by prior reservation. The trip to Macha from Choma is about 1.5 hours.

MIAM is not responsible for the transportation of MIAM guests (except in special situations) but we do try to be helpful. If we know of a trip to town or to the city of your arrival/departure and can coordinate a MIAM vehicle with your schedule we will try our best to do so.

For answers to your questions or to make reservation write to us at hospitality@miam.org.zm