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Zambia

Zambia offers travelers some of the world's best safari opportunities, a glimpse into "real Africa", and Victoria Falls, one of the World's Seven Natural Wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Regions
Zambia can be divided into five geographic regions:

Cities

 * — the capital and largest city of the country
 * — in the industrial Copperbelt region
 * — provincial capital of Eastern Province, on the way to Malawi
 * — large town midway between Lusaka and Ndola
 * — capital city of the Northern Province
 * — mining city in the Copperbelt and Zambia's second largest
 * — gateway to the Victoria Falls
 * — administrative capital of the Copperbelt
 * - biggest town in Zambezi Basin.

Other destinations

 * — very accessible, with lechwe, zebra and buffalo
 * — largest national park of the country
 * — excellent for bird watching
 * — used to be the president's private game reserve, now pristine wilderness without mass tourism
 * — open for day trips and safaris
 * — was very popular in the 1970s but has declined since
 * — one of Africa's great safari destinations
 * — one of the world's largest waterfalls
 * — the only one in Zambia covered by forest

History
The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices, one party democracy and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Kenneth Kaunda, who led the fight for independence, instituted one party rule, which came to an end in 1991. Since then, Zambia has been a multi-party democracy.

Economy

Much of Zambia remains desperately poor, with GDP per capita on the order of US$600/year, and the bulk of Zambia's population lives on subsistence agriculture. The economy continues to revolve around copper, but after decades of mismanagement the industry is now doing better thanks to higher commodity prices and investments made after privatisation. The country's tourism sector has benefitted from the misfortunes of its neighbour Zimbabwe as tourists have flocked to the northern side of the Victoria Falls and Zambia's safaris.

People
As can be seen even from the bizarre squashed-peanut shape of the country, Zambia is one of the stranger legacies of colonialism, agglomerating a large number of different ethnic groups (73, according to the official count) and languages (20, plus dialects). Fortunately, with a long history of coexistence, significant migration around the country and similar Bantu-family languages, they all seem to get along pretty well and Zambia has been spared the violent interethnic strife that has decimated countries like Rwanda.

The Bemba are the largest ethnic group in Zambia, but they still form only about 20% of the population. The Bemba came from the Congo in the 16th century, and while their homelands are in the north and centre of the country, many have immigrated to Lusaka and the Copperbelt.

The Chewa, Ngoni and Nsenga tribes, all found in the east of the country, share the Nyanja language and form Zambia's second largest grouping with about 15%.

The Tonga, Ila and Lenje, known together as the Bantu Botatwe (Three Peoples), are a close runner-up with 15% of the population, concentrated in the west of the country in the Zambezi Valley and the plateaus to the north.

The Lozi in the far west (6%) are known for their craftwork, particularly basketry, and for a low-key (non-violent) secessionist movement calling for an independent Barotseland.

Other tribes in Zambia's patchwork include the Lala and Bisa (5%), the Kaonde (3%), the Mambwe and Lungu (3%), the Lunda (3%), the Lamba (2.5%) and the Luvale (2%), and 57 more. Despair not: the differences are not crucial for travelers, and locals will be happy to explain their traditions when needed, notably at festivals.

White Africans of English or Afrikaner descent (1.2%) are also visible, particularly in the more upscale areas of the major cities.

Festivals
A highlight of any trip to Zambia is a visit to any of the many traditional festivals held throughout the country. Planning ahead can be tough though, as schedules are variable and not all are held yearly. Also, if you do manage to attend, bring along tolerance for heat, dust and crowds (increasingly drunk as the evening wears on) and patience for endless speeches by local functionaries like the Assistant Vice-Secretary for Fertilizer Co-operatives in Rutungu Sub-Province. On the plus side, any foreigners attending can usually sneak into the VIP stands, although you may get hassled for photo permits.

This is a popular August festival (The Day of Mize). This ceremony takes place at Mize, the official palace of Senior Chief Ndungu, about seven kilometres west of Zambezi Boma. People of the Luvale tribe gather to celebrate their cultural heritage, bringing displays of all types of handicrafts and spicing the event with traditional singing and dancing while the chief holds court. Mize is the official palace of Senior Chief Ndungu. The Makishi dancers recreate famous events from Luvale mythology, and local artists display their work.
 * Kazanga, Kaoma [Central Western Zambia] (June - August). The Kazanga ceremony is considered Zambia's oldest traditional ceremony having been celebrated by the Nkoya people for over 500 years. The ceremony celebrates and maintains Nkoya traditions of music, dance and many other ancient practices.
 * Kuomboka, Lealui/Limulunga (Western Province, around Easter (March-April). The most famous of Zambia's festivals, this is the ceremonial migration of the Lozi king (litunga) from his dry season abode at Lealui to his wet season palace at Limulunga.  Wearing an elaborate Victorian ambassador's costume, the litunga is taken by a flotilla of barges down the river, with musical accompaniment and, of course, much feasting at the destination.
 * Ncwala, near Chipata, 24 February. A Ngoni festival to celebrate the first fruit of the season, where the Ngoni chief ceremonially tastes the fruit of the land, then spears a bull and drinks its blood.
 * Kulamba, near Chipata, August. A Chewa thanksgiving festival known for its Nyau secret society dancers.
 * Likumbi Lya Mize (August)

 * Livingstone Cultural & Arts Festival This was first held in 1994, this festival bring the traditional rulers from all the provinces of Zambia and visitors are also allowed with the knowledge of their culture in their tribe. This festival capture musicians, artist, poets, and dramatist.
 * Shimunenga  is a ceremony to show devotion to ancestors. The ceremony takes place on a full moon on weekends in September and October. The Ba-lla tribe celebrate this ceremony at Malla on the Kafue Flats.
 * Umutomboko ceremony of the Lunda people in Luapula Province is held at Mwansabombwe to depict the coming to Zambia by the Lunda and Luba people from Kola in now Congo DR. The ceremony is held in July and is graced by Mwata Kazembe who performs a dance to commemorate the occasion.

Climate

If you look at a map, Zambia appears to be squarely in the tropics, but thanks to its landlocked and elevated position it does have distinct seasons that run as follows:

 * Dry season — May to August. The coolest time of the year, with temperatures 24-28°C during the day, can drop as low as 7°C at night.  Probably the best time of year to visit Zambia: come early in the dry season for birdwatching or to see Vic Falls at their biggest, or later when the bush has dried up for good game-spotting on safari.
 * Hot season — September to November. Temperatures rocket up to a scorching 38-42°C and clouds of swirling dust make driving on dirt roads an asthmatic's nightmare.  If you can take the heat, though, it's a good time for safaris as wildlife clusters around the few remaining watering holes.
 * Wet season — December to April. Temperatures cool down to 32°C or so and, true to the name, there is a lot of rain — sometimes just an hour or two, sometimes for days on end.  Unsealed roads become impassable muddy nightmares, and many safari lodges close.

Temperatures do fluctuate based on the altitude, if you are in a valley (such as the Zambezi) it will be warmer and if you are higher up (Kasama) it will be cooler.

Holidays

 * January 1 - New Year's Day
 * March 12 - Youth Day
 * Easter - moveable
 * May 25 - African Freedom Day
 * October 18 - National Prayer Day
 * October 24 - Independence Day
 * December 25 - Christmas

Tourist information

 * Zambia Tourism website

Visas

Most Western visitors no longer need a visa to enter Zambia. Visa-free entry is also possible for some nationalities, including Malaysia, Singapore, Zimbabwe and South Africa. See the immigration department's web-site for the full list of visa-exempt nationalities. Current visa prices for anyone that needs a visa are US$50 for a single-entry and US$80 for a multiple-entry visa for all nationalities and is valid for 3 months;
 * A day entry visa is available to any nationalities that need a visa at US$20, valid 24 hours
 * Transit visas carry the same cost as a single entry visa, valid 7 days

There is also the 30-day US$50 Univisa which is good for both Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Univisa can only be obtained at Livingstone airport, Victoria falls land border, Kazangula Botswana border and Lusaka airport.

Do check with the nearest Zambian embassy for the latest information; the Zambian Embassy to the US has some information on their homepage, and getting the visa before arrival will reduce the uncertainty factor.

If you require a visa to enter Zambia, you might be able to apply for one at your embassy or consulate in the country where you legally reside if there is no Zambian diplomatic post. For example, the British embassies in Al Khobar, Amman, Belgrade, Budapest, Guatemala City, Helsinki, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kyiv, Prague, Pristina, Rabat, Riga, Riyadh, Rome, Sofia, Tallinn, Vienna, Warsaw and Zagreb accept Zambian visa applications (this list is not exhaustive). British diplomatic posts charge £50 to process a Zambian visa application and an extra £70 if the authorities in Zambia require the visa application to be referred to them. The authorities in Zambia can also decide to charge an additional fee if they correspond with you directly.

Lusaka Airport Customs and Immigration is unprepared to deal with lots of tourists. There are four lanes, segmented by: Zambian passport holders; Residents; Tourists; and Diplomats. Tellingly, the lane for tourists is sometimes unstaffed. Although there are many immigration officers present, in the Tourist lane is often unstaffed. Be prepared for all other lanes to empty before being processed.

For those who would prefer to leave the hassle to someone else, specialist safari holiday companies can arrange immigration for you.

Clearing customs
Every country has its quirks, and one of Zamibia's is that you are not to possess even small amounts of a very common (and very safe) medication for treating allergy attacks: diphenhydramine. This is the active ingredient in Benadryl brand antihistamine pills, but it's also added to some other over-the-counter medications. Zambian Drug Enforcement Commission has arrested unwary tourists who had no idea that this everyday drug was restricted here.

By plane
Zambia's main international gateway is Lusaka airport, which has flights to
 * Istanbul with Turkish Airlines.
 * Addis Ababa and Harare with Ethiopia airlines
 * Dubai with Emirates Airlines
 * Nairobi and Harare with Kenya airways
 * Johannesburg with South Africa airways & Airlink
 * Dar es Salaam with Air Tanzania
 * Kigali with RwandAir
 * Doha with Qatar airways.
 * Lilongwe and Harare with Malawi airlines

For flights within Zambia, ProFlight airlines goes to Livingstone, near Victoria Falls, and Mfuwe, near South Luangwa National Park, Kasama, Ndola, Kitwe, Solwezi, and Lufupa in Kafue National Park.

Livingstone International Airport has direct flights to
 * Johannesburg with Airlink, CemAir, Zambia Airways and Low-cost FlySafair
 * Nairobi and Cape Town with Kenya airways.

Ndola International Airport has direct flights to
 * Johannesburg with Airlink
 * Nairobi with Kenya airways
 * Addis Ababa with Ethiopian airlines
 * Dar es Salaam with Air Tanzania

By train
TAZARA trains run between Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Tuesdays and Fridays. According to the schedule, the trip takes 38 hours. a train ride between Dar es Salaam and Zambia is a beautiful way to see the countryside at a reasonable price (US$30 for a first class sleeper and $25 for second). Several important things to note about this trip, however: The 2nd class sleeper train fare from Kapiri Mposhi to the Tanzanian Border at Tunduma is 135 Kwacha. The journey is 883 km (549 miles).
 * Bring water.
 * Immigration officials stamp passports as soon as the train crosses the border — probably in the middle of the night. Naturally, this is also when thieves work. If you are riding in a first- or second-class cabin, be very careful when opening your door.
 * If you miss the immigration official, they will either: turn you around and send you back to the border; or, arrange for a stamp, pending payment of a "special tax."
 * Immediately upon crossing the border, the crew no longer accepts the currency of the country you just exited. In other words, if you are travelling from Lusaka to Dar es Salaam, the moment you cross the border, your Kwacha is no longer legal tender; you must use Shillings. It is, therefore, a good idea to exchange money before the journey — blackmarketeers along the railroad offer poor exchange rates.
 * Do not leave valuables near windows, especially at stops.
 * Normally the trains have restaurant cars in the middle of the train and in the end or a train saloon car with a bar. However, some stages of the journey, the restaurant and bar may have run out of stock.
 * Reservations are not always honoured; someone may be sleeping on your bed already if you came onboard in the middle of the journey.
 * In first class cabins, women and men can stay in same compartment, but in 2nd class they are female and male only.
 * Tazara (Tanzania Zambia railways) were built with Chinese help and labour in the 1970s. Wagons were brought from China, therefore they are of a high standard, however. maintenance has been lacking somewhat in the last couple of decades.
 * The last stop in Zambia is in the middle of nowhere, a small town named Kapiri Mposhi. Plenty of minibuses are eager to carry you to Lusaka, it's about a 2-3 hour trip. The first town that deserves that name on the way to Lusaka from Kapiri is Kabwe (it is rated among 5 most polluted place on earth due to mining!)

Via Zimbabwe/Victoria Falls: trains in Zimbabwe run from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls. You can take a taxi or hike 13 km across the border at the Victoria Falls Bridge to Livingstone station in Zambia and catch a Zambia Railways train to Lusaka and the Copperbelt connecting with the Tazara railway in Kapiri Mposhi.

By car
Vehicles drive on the left side of the road in Zambia.

There are many ways to get into Zambia by car, but the most popular include:
 * through Livingstone (in the south) from Zimbabwe
 * via the Chirundu Bridge (in the south) from Zimbabwe
 * via the Kariba Dam (in the south) from Zimbabwe
 * through Chipata (in the east) from Malawi
 * through Chingola (in the Copperbelt) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
 * via the Katima Mulilo Bridge from Namibia
 * via the Kazungula Ferry from Botswana
 * through Tunduma and Nakonde from Tanzania

Crossing international borders by car will incur a tax, depending on the size of the vehicle. The process can also take awhile as you will have to pay at different booths or offices, often not conveniently located. For a standard sedan, you can expect to pay the following:
 * Carbon tax at K50, payable in kwachas only
 * Third Party Insurance at approximately US$46, payable in rands, US dollars, or kwachas
 * You will also pay a toll fee of US$10, payable in dollars as there are no Toll Gates on the road in Zambia. You can get a $5 road pass if you are only going to certain locations with in the country e.g. Kazungula to Livingstone
 * Kazungula Ferry charges based on vehicular size approximately $10, payable in Kwacha. There are black market traders on the ferries but their rates are bad.

Border crossings are not without corruption and you are particularly vulnerable when travelling by car. Try to avoid arriving early in the day to avoid having to choose between paying a bribe or spending the night in the car at the border post.

By bus
There are many international bus routes to Zambia. You can take a bus across the border from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Namibia. Immigration might be painstaking, considering the large number of people requiring simultaneous processing.

By boat
Zambia is landlocked but borders on Tanzania's Lake Tanganyika, and there are regular international ferry services across the lake a few times a week. The ship, M/S Liemba was built in Germany in 1914, cut in pieces, shipped to Tanzania, carried by train to Kigoma (Tanzania) and reassembled there again. It is a charming ship of Titanic era, sunk twice, with reasonable services. This trip should be taken if you are not short of time. Also, if you enter Zambia through Namibia's Caprivi Strip, you will have to cross the Zambezi River. You will have 2 options:
 * 1) You may ride on a ferry (for a dollar); or,
 * 2) You may hire a local boy with a dugout canoe to carry you across (for 50 cents).

Get around
Zambia is large and distances long, so budget plenty of time for getting around.

By plane
Domestic flights on Proflight connect Zambia's major cities and tourist destinations. While undoubtedly the fastest and most comfortable way of getting around, they are quite expensive with an hour-long flight (say, Lusaka-Mfuwe) typically costing around US$150 one-way. Also note that planes are small and schedules sparse, but if you can rustle up enough people you can also charter planes for not much more.

By minibus

Minibuses — meaning vans outfitted with seats — are popular, but they are often irregular, dangerous, and uncomfortable. To maximise profits, a "conductor" will squeeze as many paying customers — and their luggage, or katundu (ka-TOON-doo) — into the bus as possible; whether or not the customers are comfortable is irrelevant. In terms of meeting locals, however, this method is among the best, and it can provide a traveler with a truly "authentic" experience. Payment is made during the journey — banknotes are passed down the bus to the conductor at the front, and change comes back via the same route.

By bus
Larger, more sophisticated "luxury coaches" exist, too Power Tools, Juldan Motors, UBZ. These tend to be more reliable and safer; they depart on-time; they have dedicated space for guests and luggage; and tickets may be purchased in advance. Luxury coaches are much more comfortable and are virtually guaranteed to arrive, but they might seem "generic" to a seasoned traveler.

By car
Vehicles drive on the left side of the road in Zambia — at least most of the time.

Car rental agencies exist in Zambia, but the costs are potentially great. Not only are rental rates high (US$100/day), but some of the main roads in Zambia are in very poor condition. Potholes often take up the entire road, and during the rainy season, large sections of the roads wash away. As you move away from city centres (possibly only a kilometre or so away) you will encounter dirt roads. Although they might look solid, the dirt is often loose, and the chances of an accident are huge if you do not keep to a reasonable speed. Although you are not likely to get lost driving in Zambia (there are only a few roads), you are likely to underestimate the destructive power of these roads and damage a rental vehicle, or worse, yourself! 4WD vehicles are recommended at any time and necessary on dirt roads in the rainy season, although some roads will become completely impassable then.

Remember: there are no Roadside Assistance Packages, and very few ambulances, tow-trucks, or emergency vehicles of any kind in Zambia. Given the circumstances, bush mechanics can do an amazingly good job of patching up your vehicle, but patching up humans isn't so easy!

A nice 4x4 route in Zambia

For adventurous campers, the South Luangwa tour: Lusaka-Petauke-Malama-Mfuwe-Nsefu-Chipata-Lilongwe or Mpika. Very adventurous en scenic routes and campsites. Recommendable and for sure unforgettable.

Zambia is a big country (as big as France) and the public roads are pretty fair for a normal car. Sometimes there are deep potholes (holes in the road), but they are avoidable if you do not drive too fast. Most Zambians drive in a controlled way, sometimes a little too fast. Be especially aware for buses and trucks. They are wide and very long and drive far too fast. If you see a truck or bus approaching, then drive slower and keep left as left as you can. They tend to use your half of the road, pushing you off the road. If you want to see more of Zambia, you will need a good 4x4 four wheel drive car. Especially from December until early April at times rain falls and the roads are wet and muddy.

Zambia is a wonderful country, lovely people, full of stunning nature and wildlife. The most well known parks in Zambia are Kafue (West of Lusaka) and South Luangwa (East of Lusaka). South Luangwa is known and acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful wildlife parks in all Africa. Most national parks in Zambia, like South Luangwa National Parl (SLNP), can be visited with your private car. However, to enjoy this to the full, you will need a 4x4 car.

The South Luangwa National Park is surrounded by the so-called GMA’s (Game Management Areas). You will find only limited habitation and you will be able to see an abundance of wildlife, like, lions, leopards, elephants, girafs, etc. A recommendable tour is from Petauke to Malama, on to Mfuwe and to the Nsefu sector (or the other way around). This route can only be done with a well equipped 4x4 car. You will see and enjouy to the full, the true rural Africa, the local people and their villages and wildlife. From Lusaka you take the road to Chipata (Great Eastern Road) and from that road (well before Chipata) take the junction to Petauke. Once you drove through Petauke you will go off the tarred road on a very fair gravel road. After 60km on this road, you turn left followed by a 120 km local rural road to Malama Chiefdom and Mfuwe. The road is really not too bad. On the way you will have to go over some steep hills, but you will manage. When you go under the electricity network cables (ZESCO Main Power Lines), you enter the Malama Chiefdom and will be 15 km away from the junction. This junction will lead (via the Malama Chief’s Palace) you either to the Lusangazi Gate of the National Park (left) or onwards direction Mfuwe (right). The junction is at a little village. If you are able and willing to do so: The people here and in the villages around the Chief’s Palace, are very friendly and helpful. Leave something for them. It will be highly appreciated because the local people are poor. If you head for Mfuwe, you will find a campsite after 9 km along the Luangwa River, called Malama Umoyo Camp. It is near (1.5 km after) the scouts training centre. This (basic) campsite is located at a stunning location overlooking the Luangwa River and a dry lagoon, most of the time filled with wildlife. Your hosts here are Menno en Virginie. From here it is also possible to make a daytrip to the National Park.

From Malama Umoyo Camp it is 42 km (2.5 hours drive) to Mfuwe. Mfuwe is a local but bigger than normal village. In the Mfuwe area you will find a lot of lodges, but also a good campsite. Recommendable is Croc Valley Camp. If you arrive from Malama and hit the tarred road, you turn left after 3km and after a few hundred metres right off the tarred road on to a gravelled road. Signposts will lead you further to Croc Valley Camp. Your hosts at Croc Valley Camp are Shaun and Milly. From here it is only a 5 minute drive to the main gate of the South Luangwa National Park (SLNP). Entree fee for the SLNP is US$25 per person per 24 hours and US$35 for a private car entering the park. At 06:00 the park is open and for private cars it is open until 18:00 hours.

From Mfuwe/Croc Valley Camp you can proceed to the Nsefu sector. Do not forget to fill your fuel tank in Mfuwe. You follow the tarred road to Chipata and the local airport and after about 12 km from Mfuwe (the cropping it is called) you turn left (you will see a signpost and two palm trees). After about 12 km you will reach the gate of the National Park. If you are going to camp, then tell at the gate that you are on your way to Zikomo camp. Zikomo Camp is just outside the borders of the park. Right after the gate you turn left and follow the road (about 4 to 5 km) to Zikomo Camp. Your host at the camp is Demian Wallace. The Nsefu sector is part of the SNLP and considered by many as the most beautiful part of the park.

After visiting Mfuwe, you can then return to Chipata (about 2 hours drive). Chipata is the capital of the Eastern Province and a good place to buy supplies and refuel. There are two supermarkets and lots of shops. Opposite Total fuel station you can find Afroc. Here you can refill camping gaz. From Chipata it is a 20 minutes drive to the Malawi border.

Crossing the border will take about half an hour. When entering Malawi, you have to fill in a TIP form for your car and pay 5,000 Malawi kwacha. This will allow your car in Malwai for 30 days. Do not forget to insure your car for Malawi, because they check on it frequently. Just after the border there is an insurance company. Try to get Malawi kwachas before you enter the border post because they only accept Malawi kwachas and not US dollars or any other currency. At the border there are many money changers. Tip: take one US$100 note in your hand, put away your wallet, and change this for 100 x 180 Malawi kwacha. Be careful. These guys are quick and often give you less than they say. So you get 18,000 kwachas for US$100. You should a least get a 15% better rate than the official bank rate.

If you passed the border it will be another 125 km over a good tarred road to Lilongwe. Watch your speed, especially where it says you have to drive 50km.

Alternative route:

From Mfuwe there is the possibility to go right through the park to the North. This is a really adventurous road. Do not drive this road when it is wet/raining! When you passed the northern gate, you will reach the escarpment and you have to drive up a very steep road. It can be done by good 4x4 drivers, but do it slowly. Once out of the Luangwa valley you will have a stunning view over the valley. You then can proceed to Mpika. In Mpika you can camp and get new supplies and fuel. From Mpika you can visit Kasanka NP (in November you will be able to see the daily migrations of millions of bats) or you can go up north. Recommended is to visit Shiwa Ngandu. A beautiful mansion built by an eccentric British gentleman (Stewart Gore Brown) a 100 years ago in the middle of nowhere. Camping you can near the hot water springs. The water is lovely and relaxing for at least a half hour dip. Mark Harvey and his wife are your hosts here. From here you can proceed for example to Tanzania (to Ruaha NP, also a place not to miss).

When visiting Mfuwe, if you prefer a lodge for a good sleep, dinner and a warm shower: Thornicroft Lodge en Croc Valley are both recommendable (good value for money).

By train
You can catch TAZARA trains between Kapiri Mposhi and Nakonde at the Tanzanian border. The Zambezi train, operated by Zambia Railways runs between Livingstone and Kitwe via the capital Lusaka and Kapiri Mposhi every Wednesday. All trains are relatively reliable and safe, but slow. You might still consider them for the views and sense of adventure they provide, though.

By thumb
Hitchhiking in Zambia is popular, although it can be extremely hit-or-miss as traffic density is low. Also note that, if picked up by a local, you will be expected to pay for the ride. Nevertheless, hitchhiking does not carry with it the same stigma in Zambia as it does in the United States; you are unlikely to be harmed, and you might make a great connection.

In Zambia, travelers do not "thumb" a ride. The proper method for flagging transportation is:
 * 1) Pile your luggage near the road.
 * 2) Sit in the shade.
 * 3) When you see/hear a vehicle, jump up.
 * 4) Rush to your luggage.
 * 5) From your shoulder, wave your entire arm up and down, palm open and facing the ground, as though you are fanning someone in front of you.
 * 6) Hope the vehicle stops.

By taxi
In the south the use of private taxis or cabs is easy enough. Cabs are a distinctive light blue, though not all have a taxi sign on top. Most drivers will negotiate a rate and are quite happy to drive between cities and often cross in Zimbabwe from Livingstone.

Talk
Thanks to its former colonial status, English is Zambia's official language and the language most often spoken in schools, on the radio, in government offices, etc. However, there are over 70 different Bantu languages spoken throughout the country, the most important of which are:

 * Bemba, spoken in Lusaka (a little), the Copperbelt and the north;
 * Nyanja (Chewa), spoken in the east as well as in Lusaka where it is the main language;
 * Tonga, spoken in the south and Livingstone;
 * Lozi, which predominates in Western province; and
 * Lunda and Kaonde, which are spoken in Northwestern Province.

Many urban Zambians will speak at least passable English. As you move into the rural areas, though, expect communication to become more difficult. Nevertheless, do not be surprised to find a rural Zambian who speaks flawless English.

The most important thing to remember when speaking to Zambians is to greet them. When you first approach a Zambian, always begin by asking, "How are you?" even if you do not care. They will consider you very respectful. Sport, especially football (soccer) is a very good conversation topic with men; church is a good topic with either gender.

Wherever you happen to be in Zambia, it is a good idea to learn the local way of exchanging greetings, asking for something politely, and thanking someone. These simple phrases will help make life easier.

Afrikaans usage is on a slow but steady rise, mainly because of immigration from South Africa and the ease of learning the language.

See
With national parks all over the country, it's never hard to find a piece of postcard-perfect Africa in Zambia. The country offers excellent safari opportunities, and parks range from popular tourist destinations to seemingly unexplored wilderness. There's an amazing array of wildlife to spot, and elephants, giraffes, huge herds of grazers, lions and hundreds of kinds of birds are only the tip of the iceberg when talking about Zambia's fauna. South Luangwa National Park is surely the most famous one, and a travellers' favourite because of its dense and greatly varied population of wild animals. North Luangwa National Park is far less crowded and known mainly for the massive herds of buffalo and the large lion prides that roam its area. Even more off the beaten track - to the extent that even dirt roads are very limited - is Lower Zambezi National Park. The fact that it was the private hunting ground for the president ensured that development remained limited and the real, untouched African wilderness is all around. If you're around in October, head to Kasanka National Park to witness the enormous bat migration, with an estimated 8 million of the little creatures flying in the air above you. If you're fit enough, go canoeing down the Zambezi river as far as the gorgeous Mpata Gorge.

Apart from its great wildlife and African landscapes, the Victoria Falls, marking the border with Zimbabwe, are one of Zambia's major draws. No visit to the country is complete without a stop at one of the most stunning waterfalls in the world. An extra fascinating experience is a November dip in the Devil's Pool, a naturally formed basin, allowing for a few weeks of fairly safe swims right on the edge of the dramatically high drop.

For a more cultural experience, make sure to be part of one of the country's many colourful festivals and witness traditional ceremonies like the springtime Ku'omboka of the Lozi people. Visit the Shiwa Ng'andu estate near Mpika for a remarkable insight of Zambia's colonial past. Or, for a more urban vibe of modern Africa, spend a day strolling the colourful outdoor markets of bustling Lusaka.

Money
The currency of Zambia is the kwacha — meaning "sunrise," so-named to celebrate Zambia's independence — denoted by the symbol ZK (ISO code: ZMW).

The currency was re-based (dropping the last three zeros) in 2013, but you can occasionally receive change in both the new re-based currency and the old currency.

Coins of Zambia come in denominations of 5, 10 and 50 ngwee and 1 kwacha. Banknotes of Zambia come in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 kwacha.

U.S. dollars are still commonly used for larger purchases (although it's illegal) and will be accepted by anybody dealing with tourists. It is not unusual to see all printed prices at a hotel restaurant in local currency, and then receive a bill in U.S. dollars. If you bring U.S. dollars, in Zambia only the "big heads" (new notes) are accepted in banks and bureaux de change, small heads are not accepted (if you are lucky you can change them in Livingstone). US$50 and US$100 notes are the best to bring, for smaller nominations you will get a poorer rate at the bureaux (5-10% less).

Changing euros is difficult, especially up country: bureaux are giving a very poor rate (25% less than the market rate!) International banks will accept, but with commission charge. Finance Bank, Arcades Shopping Centre Lusaka is known to accept euros at a good rate and without commission charge. Bureaux and banks will only change a maximum of US$1000 (or equivalent) per person per day. Watch the rates as they can change overnight, fluctuations of 3-5% per day are common.

South African rand are exchanged relatively easily in major centres. Other second tier currencies like the Australian dollar are not worth bothering with. Expect blank looks from the locals, and a mocking laugh from those in the tourist trade.

If you want to sound like a local, refer to 1000 kwacha as a pin, so for example 10,000 kwacha is "ten pin". In the 1990s, the kwacha devalued so rapidly that the government didn't have time to produce new, larger bank notes. To pay for things, Zambians often had to bundle — or "pin" together — large numbers of small bills.

ATMs
ATMs may be found in all major towns and cities. Most of the ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard. Other international credit cards (like American Express, Union Pay, Discover card, Diners Club, JCB) can also be used at some ATMs. Most supermarkets, shops and restaurants accept debit or credit cards, as do practically all high-end hotels and safari lodges. ATMs only dispense local currency. The big banks ATM networks which all take Mastercard and Visa Card are Access bank, Ecobank, Standard Chartered Bank, FNB, Zanaco, Stanbic, UBA and ABSA.

Traveler's cheques are impossible to process in Zambia.

Shopping
Most shopkeepers advertise fixed prices and are unwilling to negotiate, but this is not a given. On the other hand, most "freelance" salesmen — vendors selling curios; taxi drivers; etc. — who do not post their prices are usually willing to negotiate. As a (very) general rule of thumb, assume the first price they mention is at least double the amount they will accept. You should not be afraid to bargain — after all, Zambians bargain among themselves — but try not to get carried away with saving a few pennies.

Tipping is not required — indeed, it was at one point illegal — but often expected. Porters expect US$0.50 or so per bag, and better restaurants typically add in a 10% service charge or expect an equivalent tip.

Finally, keep in mind the Zambian custom of mbasela (em-buh-SAY-la) — giving a freebie when more than one item is purchased. If you buy a few small items, do not be shy about asking for your mbasela.

Costs
Zambia has about the same costs compared to its neighbours. A bare-bones budget traveler will be looking at a minimum of US$25 a day just for a dorm bed in a Backpackers hostel and three meals and transport. At the other end of the spectrum, all-inclusive safari lodges or Lusaka/Livingstone's five-star hotels will take care of all your needs but charge US$250/day and up for the privilege. Finding a middle ground between these two extremes can be difficult but there are safari operators who will offer 'DIY' camping for around US$10 to $95 and above - it pays to look around (see below).

Zambian safaris are amongst the best available in Africa; they offer top-quality viewing experiences with the continent's top guides. Zambia's national parks are not 'commercialised' as in other countries (e.g. Kenya and South Africa) and one will not see the ridiculous zebra striped game viewing buses, Land Cruisers, etc.

Eat

Traditional Zambian food revolves around one staple, maize, served in one form, nsima (n'SHEE-ma). Nsima is basically a type of thick porridge, rolled into balls with your right hand and dipped into a variety of stews known as relishes (ndiwo, umunani). Those who can afford them eat relishes of beef, chicken or fish, but the many who can't make do with beans, tiny dried fish (kapenta), peanuts, pumpkin leaves (chibwabwa) and other vegetables such as okra (ndelele), cabbage and rape. At breakfast, nsima can be served watered down into a soup, maybe with a little sugar. Local restaurants will serve nsima and relish for less than 5 kwacha.

Western food has also made major inroads, particularly in major cities, and in Lusaka or Livingstone you can find almost any food you like. Fast food — including chips and burgers, pizza, and fried chicken — is very popular in Zambia. Bakeries making cheap fresh bread are a common sight in towns, and rice from Chama provides an alternative staple if all the maize starts to get to you.

For sit-down meals, ethnic eateries are popular. In Lusaka, especially noteworthy is the Sunday brunch at The Intercontinental; and if you like Indian food, be sure to hit The Dil. Of course, game parks often cater to wealthy — usually foreign — visitors; therefore, high-quality Western meals can be found easily. Along the major roadways, you will find "tuck shops" featuring packaged cookies or take-away meals — meat pies or sausage rolls, for instance — which may or may not satisfy you.

Finally, in terms of hygiene outside the major cities, you are unlikely to find a proper washroom with running water. You will probably be given a bowl of water, a piece of soap, and a (damp) towel. Therefore, some travelers bring small bottles of anti-bacterial hand soap with them.

Drink
Tap water in Zambia is generally not drinkable, at least unless boiled. Bottled water is widely available in cities, but not necessarily in rural areas. It is advisable to carry chlorine pills to purify water, in case of emergency.

Soft drinks
A traditional local drink worth trying is maheu, a somewhat gritty and vaguely yogurty but refreshing beverage made from maize meal. Factory-produced maheu is sweet, comes in plastic bottles and is available in a variety of flavors including banana, chocolate and orange, while homemade versions are usually unflavored and less sweet.

Coke products are accessible and cheap at less than a quarter a bottle, but beware of the deposit system: in rural areas, you may have to return an empty bottle before they'll sell you a new one!

Beer
Zambia's best-known brew is Mosi, a clear 4% lager available everywhere. Eagle has more taste and more kick at 5.5%, while Zambezi Lager is a microbrew worth sampling if you run into it. The South African brand Castle is also bottled locally, and all of the above run around $1 in a store or $1-2 in a bar.

If you are near the borders, you are likely to find Carlsberg (good, from Malawi), Simba (excellent, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo), Kilimanjaro (nice lager, from Tanzania), and Tusker (strong, from Kenya). Other imports can be found in larger markets but will also cost more.

Local alcohol
The locals' drink of choice is masese (muh-SE-say) or ucwala (uch-WALA), also known as Chibuku after the biggest brand, made from maize, millet, or cassava and resembling sour porridge in texture and taste. If you want to try this, it's best to look out for the factory-made kind in milk-carton-like containers.

In rural areas, there are opportunities to drink local "homebrews." A wide variety of homebrews exist in Zambia, from beers made from honey (in the Southern province of the country), to wine made from tea leaves (in the Eastern portion of the country).

Finally, there is kachasu (cuh-CHA-suh), a spirit distilled from anything Zambians can get their hands on — including battery acid and fertiliser. For obvious reasons, therefore, it is better to avoid this moonshine.

On a final note, most men at bars are relaxing, while many women at bars are working. Therefore, if you are a single woman in a Zambian bar, be aware that you might be approached and offered the opportunity to do something you did not intend to do.

Sleep
Accommodation in Zambia runs the gamut. In Zambia, you can sleep in a top-notch hotel for a few hundred dollars per night (such as The Intercontinental); or you can stay in an independent hotel (like The Ndeke), for about $50; or you can opt for a budget experience, and spend about: $5 to $8 (camping) or $10/15 (dorm bed) or $10-30 (double room) at a one of about 7 backpackers hostels around Zambia. These are only a few of the options. There are now many Budget Lodges in many towns from K 200 a night. You need to ask around when you get to a town.

Outside the big cities or tourist areas, however, you might be hard-pressed to find quality accommodation. If your tastes run to the elegant — or even if you demand constant electricity — you might want to reconsider venturing too deep into the bush. However, if you seek an enjoyable, memorable, and authentic night at a local hotel, you might be pleasantly surprised.

Learn
The University of Zambia is the official university. However, it is not affordable for most Zambians. There are also technical schools throughout Zambia, and teachers' training colleges are found in each provincial capital, providing two year's coursework for about US$300.

Northrise University is in Ndola. As a private university, it focuses on business, information technology and theological study.

For tourists, the biggest educational experiences would likely be:
 * Visit a game park and learn as much as possible about the area's animals from the guides. Guides can be an incredible source of information.  Remember to tip them.
 * Arrange for an overnight stay in a "Traditional African Village". Of course, because the locals have prepared for you, it is no longer 100% authentic, but you will get an idea of the hardships Zambians face.

Work
Unemployment in Zambia was 8% in 2018, a considerable improvement compared to the decades before 2011. The agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries employ over 70% of Zambian workers. The legal minimum wage for non-unionised workers equates to around US$90 per month – one of the lowest minimum wages in the world. Most minimum wage earners supplement this through subsistence farming. In practice, almost all unionised workers received salaries considerably higher than the non-unionised minimum wage.

As for tourists, temporary work is likely to be difficult to secure. Although there is a substantial expat community in Zambia, most of these individuals are contracted by international agencies; by and large, they did not come to Zambia and then find work. Persistence and connections might pay off, but outside of the few hostels or Western-oriented bars, a tourist should not expect to find ready employment.

Stay safe
Women should avoid going to bars alone. Furthermore, men should avoid purchasing drinks for Zambian women they meet casually in bars; this is an invitation to spend the night.

There is a 10PM curfew throughout most of the country. Avoid being found on the street after 10PM or risk being arrested.

As the Kwacha has been declining, it often takes fistfuls of cash to purchase items. Be careful about flashing money.

While it's possible to get a good exchange rate from an individual money-changer on the street (although you really should use banks if you can), you should avoid changing money with groups of men. They are likely running a scam.

Generally, Zambians are friendly people. However — as with any location — be careful about walking at night, especially if you've been drinking. There are few streetlights, and many of the locals are very poor.

Carjacking is also a potential risk while driving after dark.

Many places of accommodation have electric fences, gates and guards for added security. You can check before booking.

Corruption is endemic in Zambia. Don't expect the police to be of any substantial assistance to you. If you need to log a report for insurance purposes, you can expect to have to pay to do so. If you make an accusation or indicate a suspicion against a local, the person you lodge the complaint against may be interrogated and beaten by the police.

Stay healthy
Drinking tap water in the cities is potentially risky, unless either (a) you have a strong stomach, or (b) you are at a restaurant or hotel that caters to foreigners. If neither of these conditions apply to you, you should probably stick with the bottled stuff, boiled water or chlorine tablets. Check bottles of water to make sure that they are sealed, as some local "bottled" water could be simply tap water poured into a used bottle.

'''The HIV infection rate among older teenagers and adults was estimated to be 11.6% in 2017 – and even higher among younger women. Do not have unprotected sex.'''

Zambia is a highly malarial country. Especially at dusk, you should make every effort to cover exposed skin with clothing or insect repellent. In addition, using malarial prophylaxis is highly recommended.

In practice, yellow fever is not a problem in Zambia anymore, except perhaps in the extreme west along the Congolese borders. However, many countries will insist on a yellow fever vaccination certificate if they find out you've been to Zambia, so it's best to get a jab at least 10 to 14 days before arriving.

Typhoid and Hepatitis B vaccines are advised for all travelers entering Zambia.

Respect
Zambians follow a strict patriarchal society — men are afforded more respect than women, and older men are respected more than younger men. However, you might find that a white person, of any gender or age, is granted the most respect of all. A holdover from colonial times, this might make a traveler uncomfortable, but this is largely a Zambian's way of being courteous. Accept their hospitality.

Zambians are a curious people. To a Western mindset, this might be interpreted as unnecessarily staring at you or talking about you in front of you. Be prepared to be greeted by kids yelling mzungu, mzungu! (literally, white man) and answer lots of questions about yourself.

Zambians love to shake hands, and you should oblige them. However, Zambians often like to hold hands for the duration of a conversation. This should not be interpreted as anything sexual; they are merely trying to "connect" with you. If you feel uncomfortable, simply pull your hand away. If you wish to be courteous or show respect then holding your right wrist or elbow with your left hand as you shake is acceptable. Do not expect a firm handshake as this is considered aggressive, likewise do not be too firm in yours.

Eye contact is also considered aggressive and disrespectful, you can make eye contact but do not hold it, slide your eyes away, but do not face away.

Women should not wear shorts or mini-skirts, especially as they travel away from Lusaka. (Thighs, to Zambian men, are huge turn-ons.) Low-cut tops, however, while discouraged, are not nearly as provocative.

Pointing with the index finger should not be done, it is considered vulgar.

Finally, when meeting a Zambian — even to ask a question — you should always say hello and ask how they are. Properly greeting a Zambian is very important. They are uncomfortable with the Western notion of simply "getting to the point." Enquiries about children are generally welcome and are a good way to break the ice.

By mail
The Zambian mail service is slow and a little flaky (especially outside Lusaka), but not completely hopeless. Using a private courier service is still recommended if sending something important.

By phone

The country code for Zambia is "260." The city code for Lusaka is "211". For the city code for other towns, check the directory. However, phone service both within Zambia and into Zambia is very hit-or-miss. In large cities, you are more likely to get regular, dependable phone service, but it is by no means a guarantee. The farther you travel from Lusaka, the less likely you are to maintain a good connection. International calling rates can be as high as $3 per minute.

Zambia has a highly competitive market in mobile phones with three main operators: Airtel (0976,0977,0979), Cell Z (0955) and MTN (0966,0967). Generally speaking, Airtel has the largest network, while Cell Z is the cheapest. You can pick up a local SIM card for as little as 5,000K (US$1). Prepaid time is sold in "units" corresponding to dollars: figure on 0.4 units for an SMS or up to 1 unit/minute for calls, although as always the precise tariffs are bewilderingly complex. If you plan on roaming with your non-Zambian SIM, check first to see if your home operator has made any roaming agreements; Zambia is usually not on the top of their list. Also note that the roaming prices are very high and coverage in rural areas can be spotty.

Booths labeled "public telephone" these days consist, more often than not, of a guy renting out his cellphone. Typical rates are 5K/min for domestic and 15K/min for international calls.

By internet
Internet cafes are springing up in Zambia, but again, connections can be sporadic and very slow. Moreover, because constant electricity is not a guarantee, some Internet cafes operate backup generators, which can be extremely costly. Be prepared to see Internet cafe charges as high as 25 cents per minute. Most hotels and backpackers hostels will offer internet connections to their guests for free.

title: Zambia


text:
Zamboanga

There's more than one place called Zamboanga:

Philippines

 * Zamboanga City - capital city, and a sub-region, of the Zamboanga Peninsula
 * Zamboanga Peninsula - a region on the island of Mindanao which includes the city and three provinces
 * Zamboanga Del Norte
 * Zamboanga Del Sur
 * Zamboanga Sibugay

There is also a town called Zamboanguita on another island, in Negros Oriental.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Zamboanga


text:
Zamboanga City

Zamboanga City is in the Mindanao region of the Philippines. Known as the "City of Flowers" (the etymology of Zamboanga comes from the Malay word jambangan means garden of flowers), it is now one of the most important and busiest port cities in the Philippines.

Zamboanga is often called "Asia's Latin City", partly because the Chavacano language, a Spanish-based creole, is common and partly because is shares other Spanish traditions; it even has the same patron saint as Spain, Our Lady of the Pilar.

Understand
Zamboanga City is one of the largest cities in the Philippines by land area, with a size of about 1,500 sqkm, coming third after Puerto Princesa (about 2,300 sqkm) and Davao City (2,400 sqkm). It is also the second largest city in Mindanao (after Davao City) and the sixth largest in the Philippines. by population, with about 860,000 residents as of 2015.

The city is an important seaport, being the main transportation to the south. During Spanish times, Zamboanga provided protection to the rest of the Philippines from menacing Muslim pirates (which remains a threat until today).

Orientation
Zamboanga City is large sizewise, around as large as Davao City. With its vast area, mostly rural, it is much more of a province with an urbanized area at the southern end and towns and villages surrounding it. It is subdivided into 98 barangays, 30 being urbanized. Zamboanga City is bordered to the north by the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay, and Basilan Island to the south.

People
Zamboanga City natives mostly belong to the Zamboangueño ethnic group, a result of marriages between Spaniards and Austronesian peoples brought to the city to build forts. Zamboangueños speak the Spanish-based creole language Chavacano, which is widely spoken across the city, and are proud of their Spanish ancestry. Due to migration out of the insurgency-ridden Sulu Archipelago, Muslim-majority Yakan, Samal, and Badjao (Sama-Bajau) are also widespread.

Climate
Compared to the majority of Mindanao, Zamboanga City has a tropical wet and dry climate with an average of. Daily highs range between and lows between. There is rather a short dry season, running between January to March; it is mostly rainy for the rest of the year.

Talk
The two commonest languages in the city are Cebuano (Bisaya) which is spoken in many nearby areas and Chavacano (Zamboangueño), a creole language whose vocabulary is 80% Spanish but whose grammar is mostly from Philippine languages.

The national government promotes Tagalog as a national language, but it is not indigenous to this region. Both Tagalog and English are taught in all schools, so many people speak one or both though the levels vary hugely.

There are some people in the city whose native tongue is that of some nearby area — Hiligaynon in some parts of Mindanao, Tausug in the Sulu Islands — but most of them will also speak one or more of the languages mentioned above.

By plane

 * Philippines Airlines has flights from Manila, Cebu, and Davao.
 * Cebu Pacific has flights from Manila, Cebu and Davao. Cebgo has flights from Cotabato City.
 * Philippines AirAsia has flights to Cebu and Clark
 * Philippines AirAsia has flights to Cebu and Clark

By boat
The Port of Zamboanga has a scheduled international passenger ferry from Sandakan in Malaysia. In addition, it is served by several shipping lines offering regular trips from Dipolog, Dapitan, Jolo, Bongao, Isabela City, and Dumaguete, Cebu City, Iloilo City and Manila.

 * 2GO Travel has a ferry from Manila once per week via Dipolog and Dumaguete.
 * Aleson Shipping Lines operates a ferry from Sandakan in Malaysia. There are departures from Sandakan every Tuesday and Friday at 5PM.

By bus

Rural Transit has services from Ipil, Dipolog, Pagadian, Ozamiz, Iligan and Cagayan de Oro. A trip from Cagayan de Oro to Zamboanga takes about 8-9 hours.

From the Visayas, Ceres Liner has one air-conditioned luxury bus from Cebu City via Dumaguete and Dipolog. From Luzon, Ceres Transport has one bus from Manila to Zamboanga City via Batangas City, Iloilo City, Bacolod and Dumaguete.

By car
Zamboanga serves as the southern end of Asian Highway 26, or the Pan-Philippine Highway.

By jeepney
Jeepneys are widely available, with routes connecting the downtown from the airport and bus terminal. Routes are numbered (as of 2022), but are not visible; you generally find their destination from markings on the side and signs on the windshield. Route of interest to visitors are between Sevilla Street downtown and the bus terminal in barangay Divisoria, and Reyes Street downtown and the airport at Canelar.

By taxi
The taxi fare for a 5-km trip would be less than, but there aren't that many available. Most taxis congregate around the bigger malls and the airport.

By tricycle
Tricycle fares start at. Zamboanga City tricycles are mostly motorcycles with a sidecar body and a windshield extending into the passenger side, but Bajaj auto rickshaws are taking over

Buy

 * Bargain-priced goods - ranging from various Chinese, Malay and local food, delicacies and imported items.
 * Fruits and vegetables - Try visiting Bagsakan Center (just across Sta. Cruz Market) at night for easy access to a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that are on season at a knock-down price. Seasonal fruits vary from the famed durian, sweet lanzones, mangosteen and a lot of locally harvested fruits.
 * Lokot-lokot - a roll that looks like a bunch of golden brown hair intertwined together. You may purchase one at the airport or even at some local delicacy stores around the city.
 * Pearls - the home of the South Sea Pearls- you can buy different kinds of pearls at Lantaka Hotel or at various malls within the Business District like the Sophia Jewellery at the 3rd level of Mindpro Citimall.
 * Sardines- there are many popular sardine brands in the Philippine market today. Most of these brands are canned and packed in Zamboanga City's west coast areas, where the sardines are freshly caught.
 * Seafood - you can buy fresh fish at the waterfront of the Main Public Market, Aderes Flea Market (in Guiwan), or at the weekend makeshift market at the Cawa-cawa Boulevard or at Sinunuc. The catch ranges from the famous Curacha to Freshwater and Saltwater Crabs to Yellow-fin and Bluefin Tuna, to unusual looking fishes and seaweeds.
 * Souvenir items - You can choose a number of souvenir items at the Home Products store along Ledesma St.( near San Jose Rd. corner Climaco Ave.).
 * Yakan-weaved Cloth - you can purchase this from the Yakan Village Weaving Center at Upper Calarian-just across the famed La Vista del Mar Beach Resort. The clothes are intricately woven to creat an ethnic pattern. Visitors usually use the clothes as table lining, tapestries or even as accessories to their formal wear.

Eat

Stay safe
Zamboanga City lies just north of the Sulu Islands, and the risk of the insurgency there spilling over into the city remains high. In September 2013, Zamboanga was besieged by the then-Islamic nationalists Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which flattened parts of the city, but hostilities have hardly affected the downtown.

Stay healthy

 * Zamboanga City Medical Center. Veterans Avenue. +63 62-9910573 (Government Hospital).

Cope

 * Bureau of Immigration Zamboanga Office. 1st Floor. Radja Building. Gov Cains Avenue. Phone +63 62-9912234.

Go next

 * Ipil
 * Dipolog
 * Pagadian
 * Iligan
 * Cagayan de Oro
 * Davao
 * Metro Cebu

title: Zamboanga City


text:
Zamboanga Peninsula

Zamboanga Peninsula is on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.

Regions
The peninsula is divided into three parts:

 * Zamboanga del Norte — Dipolog (provincial capital) and Dapitan are the main cities.
 * Zamboanga del Sur — Pagadian (the provincial capital) and Zamboanga City are the main cities.
 * Zamboanga Sibugay — Ipil (the provincial capital) and Kabasalan.

Cities

 * — the Shrine City of the Philippines
 * — the "Bottled Sardines Capital" and the "Gateway to Western Mindanao"
 * — known as the "Little Hong Kong of the South" for its mountainous terrain
 * — an old town that used to host a rubber plantation for Goodyear. The former residence of Goodyear's expats was converted into a resort, with overnight accommodations and a swimming pool and bar. Other attractions in the town include a hotspring, beaches, and mountain resorts. It is about 20 km east of Ipil, about 15-20 minutes by bus or jeepney.
 * — the "City of Flowers" is one of the busiest port cities in the Philippines
 * — the "City of Flowers" is one of the busiest port cities in the Philippines

Understand
This region has a Christian majority, in contrast to the Muslim majority in neighboring Bangsamoro (formerly the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM). Most people speak either Cebuano or Chavacano (a Spanish-based creole); many speak both.

Zamboanga Peninsula is rather a poor region, but it has a booming export-oriented economy. Major industries are agriculture, fishing, forestry, and mining. Zamboanga City is known for its canned sardine production.

History
The first inhabitants on Zamboanga Peninsula were the Subanon people, an animist ethnic group. Part of the peninsula became Muslim after an invasion by the Sultanate of Sulu. The Spanish arrived in 1569, and the region became an important outpost to protect the rest of the Philippines from Muslim marauders. The Spaniards faced constant war from the Muslim Filipino (Moro) pirates and warriors. While many towns still have heritage churches, many have been repeatedly damaged or destroyed by the marauding Muslims.

In the final stages of the Philippine Revolution, where the Americans invaded the Philippines, Zamboanga was a short-lived republic, which was eventually annexed into the rest of Mindanao, as part of the Moro Province under the American colonial government. Zamboanga became a separate province as the Moro Province was renamed into the Mindanao and Sulu department.

Zamboanga province, which included the provinces of Sulu Archipelago, composed the region of Western Mindanao until the formation of the ARMM in 1988. The province has since been split up into three provinces retaining "Zamboanga" in their name, while Zamboanga City became an independent city. Isabela City remains part of the Zamboanga Peninsula administratively, while surrounding Basilan joined an expanded ARMM.

Zamboanga Region used to be called Western Mindanao until it was officially renamed in 2015. The regional center has been transferred to Pagadian, which is to the ire of Zamboanga City's locals. That said, Zamboanga City has a more developed economy and a vibrant tourism scene.

People
Most of the people in Zamboanga Peninsula descend from Visayan migrants, and speak Cebuano (Bisaya), except in Zamboanga, where the Zamboangueño ethnic group are the majority. Zamboangueños are a result of intermarriage between Spaniards and the Austronesian peoples; they speak the creole language Chavacano and take pride in their Spanish ancestry and Spanish-based culture.

Zamboanga Peninsula is the ancestral homeland for the Subanen people, one of the Lumad indigenous peoples. They used to inhabit most of the region until Visayan migrations turned them to a minority mostly concentrated in Zamboanga del Norte. The Subanen have an approximate population of 500,000; they are mostly Christians, but about 3% converted to Islam and call themselves the Kalibugan. The Subanen also hold ancestral land claims on much of what is now Northern Mindanao.

Poverty is widespread in the region, with Zamboanga del Norte the poorest.

Talk
Cebuano (or Bisaya) is the major language spoken in the Zamboanga Peninsula, but Chavacano, a Spanish creole, is also spoken, most particularly in Zamboanga City.

By plane
is the main port of entry, but despite its name, there are no international flights, except for short-lived services from Sabah in Malaysia. The provincial capitals of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, Pagadian and Dipolog, respectively, has smaller airports, served by daily flights from Manila, Cebu, Jolo and Tawi Tawi.

By bus
Rural Transit connects most cities and provincial capitals in Zamboanga from Cagayan de Oro.

From the Visayas, Ceres Liner has a bus from Cebu City to Zamboanga City. From Luzon, Ceres Transport has a bus to Zamboanga City from Manila via Iloilo City, Bacolod, Dumaguete, and Dipolog. Those take the ferry between Dumaguete and Dapitan.

By ferry
is served by ferries from Luzon and the Sulu islands, and internationally, from Sandakan in Malaysia. Dapitan has frequent ferries from Dumaguete and Cebu.

By car
Asian Highway 26 enters Zamboanga from Lanao del Sur in the Bangsamoro region. Rtes 9 and 79 connect the region from Northern Mindanao. There are also RORO ferries from Dumaguete in Negros to Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte.

Get around
The primary way of travel across Zamboanga is by bus. Red Rural Transit buses practically serve much of the region, with frequent departures from Zamboanga City, Pagadian and Dipolog. Most other towns mostly only have bus service from smaller companies running ordinary non-AC buses.

UV Express vans are abundant, but in a lot of cases they are unmarked and unlicensed.

Jeepneys are available in Zamboanga City, but elsewhere, tricycles are the only way around, with jeepneys primarily used for trips to nearby towns

See
Visitors to Zamboanga Peninsula tend to have Zamboanga City at the top of their minds, but there are many hidden attractions waiting to be explored

The Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal, lived in exile at Dapitan after being arrested by the Spaniards for his revolutionary activities. Dapitan, a city since the 1960s, has a Spanish-era downtown, with a city square Rizal has designed. The hut where he once lived on is now a shrine.

Dipolog, the capital of Zamboanga del Norte, has an American-era city hall which replicates the town hall in Maribojoc, Bohol, and a waterfront boulevard, once littered but now clean.

Many rural municipalities have hidden natural sights.

Stay safe
While Zamboanga Peninsula is Christian-dominated, there remains risks from the spillover of the insurgency in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. In 2013, Zamboanga City was sieged by the then-insurgent Moro National Liberation Front. Chances of a terrorist attack remain low elsewhere, but likely in areas bordering Bangsamoro.

title: Zamboanga Peninsula


text:
Zamyn-Üüd

Zamiin-Üüd is a small town in the Dornogovi province of Mongolia. It's also often spelt as Zamyn-Üüd.

Understand
It's the town on the Mongolian side of the sole border crossing into China open to foreigners. You will pass through when travelling between Beijing and Ulaanbaatar as described in Mongolia. The town on the Chinese side of the border is Erlian.

Get in
A paved road was finished from Sainshand to Zamiin-Uud in 2013, completing a paved road from the Chinese border to the Russian border at Suhbaatar through Ulaanbaatar. From China, you can cross the border from Erlian as described in Erlian.

To China, instructions are pretty much identical to the above, with the following amendments:
 * By bus - the bus leaves from in front of the train station
 * By jeep - the jeep trip from Zamiin-Uud to Erlian costs ¥50-80 (Chinese yuan)

By bus
The daily buses to Ulaanbaatar depart at 1000 and 1300 and arrive at Tenger Plaza in Ulaanbaatar about 10 hours later. There are daily buses to Erlian, too.

By train
To Ulaanbaatar your best option is by train. Trains leave Zamiin-Uud for Ulaanbaatar on at least a daily basis, as of May 2023 at 18:05 and arrive at 09:20. Train tickets are sold on the top floor black glass building to the left of the main train station building as you face it. Left luggage is in the basement of this building.

Getting tickets on the same day can be an issue - later on in the day often only soft sleeper and hard seat are available. At busy times (for instance around the Nadaam) and on days when only one train to Ulaanbaatar runs sometimes soft sleeper sells out as well. It's best to cross the border as early as possible to ensure a bed. If you speak Mongolian, you could also try contacting Anda Tour below who can reserve tickets for you.

It costs 25,600 ₮ (May 2018) for hard sleeper and 40,000 ₮ (April 2011) for soft sleeper to UB and takes 15 hours for the slow train at 18:05.

Below is the timetable for trains leaving Zamiin-Uud as of May, 2018):

Eat
There are several restaurants on the square in front of the train station.

Drink
The beautiful "yellow shop" to the left of the station sells ice-cold beer.

Sleep
There is one hotel beside the train platform and four others on or near the square in front of the train station including

Cope
There are a currency exchange and several telecom shops in the train station. As with most places in Mongolia, expect only Mongolian, and possibly Russian, to be spoken.

Go next
Zamiin-Uud is a dusty border town. Probably best to take the train or shared taxi to Sainshand, the provincial capital. From there, it is easier to explore the Gobi Desert.

 * Erlian, China: there are buses and jeeps to Erlian. The border opens around 08:30. From Erlian there are buses and trains to other locations in China.

title: Zamyn-Üüd


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Zamość

Zamość is a picturesque Renaissance town in the Lublin voivodship, in southeastern Poland. In 1992 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

By plane
The closest airport is near Lublin (, about 40 km from Zamość), serving connections to London (Stansted and Luton), Oslo-Torp Sandefjord, Milano-Malpensa, Eindhoven (Netherlands), Dublin and Liverpool with low-cost airline carriers.

Further away there are two other international airports in Rzeszow (120 km) and Warsaw (230 km). The latter is a major flight hub, with numerous domestic and international connections, and its full name is the Frédéric Chopin Airport.

By train
The is of relatively minor importance. There is only one long-distance train daily, the TLK Hetman, which does a very long loop from Zamość to Poznań in 16 hours, through in. al. Kraków (7 hours from Zamość), Katowice (9.5 hours) and Wrocław (15.5 hours). There are also local REGIO trains to Krasnystaw, Chełm and Lublin. The latter is the regional capital and railway hub, where one can change to trains for other major cities. The REGIO takes about 2 hours to travel between Zamość and Lublin. There are five trains in each direction daily and the tickets are about 15 zł one way.

If traveling from Rzeszów there is one direct train a day, running in the evening for about 42zł one way. The ride takes about 3 hours.

By bus
The is on the other side of the center, and offers more frequent connections to Lublin and surrounding towns. Many international connections (see more detailed information).

By car
You can easily get there by car from Lublin via E372.

Get around
Since the city center is rather small, the most convenient way to get around is to walk.

Go next

 * Lublin — the regional capital
 * Rzeszów
 * Roztocze
 * Lviv — the cultural centre of western Ukraine

title: Zamość


text:
Zamora

There is more than one place called Zamora:

Ecuador

 * Zamora (Ecuador) - A city in Zamora Chinchipe province.
 * Zamora Chinchipe - A province.

Mexico

 * Zamora de Hidalgo - A town in Michoacan.

Spain

 * Zamora (Spain) - A city in Zamora province.

United States of America

 * Zamora (California) - A town in Yolo county in California.
 * Zamora (New Mexico) - A town in Bernalillo county in New Mexico.

title: Zamora


text:
Zamora (Ecuador)

Zamora is a city in southeastern Ecuador. It is the capital of Zamora Chinchipe province.

Understand
With just 16,000 inhabitants in the whole area it is one of the least populated areas in Ecuador. Zamora is the second most populous city in Zamora-Chinchipe after Yantzaza. It's in the foothills of the Andes mountains at 970 m above sea level, on the convergence of the Zamora, Bombuscaro and Jamboé rivers.

Zamora's growth is attributed to the discovery of gold in the surrounding region. Zamora was founded as a colonial town by the Spanish, but was attacked by the Indians and reclaimed by the indigenous Indian groups that include the Shuar and Saraguro Indians. You'll see them from time to time milling around the neighborhood in their distinguishable black shorts.

Get in
The closest major airport is Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, 440 km away. Once landed, visitors can take a bus to Zamora, or take an internal flight to Cuenca or Loja from Quito and then a bus to Zamora.

Get around
There's nothing much to do in Zamora. Your best bet can be go camping in the Podocarpus National Park, ask in advance for the fee entrance. Zamora has got a sightseeing site, well if you like walking you can try the Yamila trekking. Yamila is the name of one of the small hills that surrounds Zamora. This like light backpacking trek is in the Yaguarzongo neighborhood. At the end of the trek you will be able to see one of the most complete views of Zamora and its surroundings.

Do
if you are one of those people that like to start your day with something special or different try visiting the parque lineal, a nice park next to the Zamora river. you can watch how the light gradually changes and it turns into a new day. After this your next stop perhaps would be the main market, where you will find some stands dedicated to natural beverages (jugos naturales). Try the horchata con savila, a sort of herbal tea made of five different medicinal plants mixed with aloe. Definitely one of the healthiest breakfasts you'll ever have.

Zamora is home to a large section of the Podocarpus National Park. This park possess one of the highest bio-diversity areas on earth, contributing to the amazing beauty of this place. The area is cut up into two main areas, an upper pre-montane section which has sensational walking routes, the tropical cloud forest that is superb for birdwatching and the lower subtropical section, with remoter areas including virgin forest and endemic species of flora and fauna with a cost of around US$5 to enter either area.

 * Orquideario Paphinia, some 2 km away from town, is a greenhouse which is developing a great collection of over 3000 native plants including orchids and aroids, as well as living samples of useful timber trees, medicinal plants, edible native plants and many other ornamental plants and shrubs.
 * Orquideario Paphinia, some 2 km away from town, is a greenhouse which is developing a great collection of over 3000 native plants including orchids and aroids, as well as living samples of useful timber trees, medicinal plants, edible native plants and many other ornamental plants and shrubs.

Eat
There are few restaurants in the city of Zamora. That list includes Las Gemelitas, traditional Ecuadorian cuisine with set meals. In your way to the entrance of the Podocarpus National Park there are a lot of grocery stores, where visitors can purchase snacks and water. And if you're around the downtown area you might want to check out, the Chonta Dorada restaurant or the King Ice fast food restaurant in front of the main park, which serves traditional dishes, such as ancas de rana, deep fried bullfrog legs or tilapia, sort of a fish pond.

Like any of the twenty something provinces in Ecuador, Zamora has a distinctive and typical drink, its name is chicha, a homemade alcoholic beverage made of manioc or chonta, sort of a nut.

Natives of this region, shuar or ashuar like to drink large quantities of this chicha. This traditional drink is offered to all newcomers specially in mingas, when people in the community gathers to work in group.

Chicha of chonta and chicha of yuca have a very characteristic flavor. They are completely tasteless. This is because natives don't use any sugar nor other substances to provoke fermentation and they don't use salt to condiment their traditional recipes either.

Sleep
There are plenty of hotels and a few cheap inns in Zamora like the Chonta Dorada, the Gymifa Hotel or the Torres Internacional Hotel. If you have some extra money to spend, you can try the Orillas del Zamora Hotel near the Zamora River or the Wuampushcar Hotel. Budget travelers may prefer the Hostal Seyma (24 de Mayo and Amazonas street) or the Hostal Zamora (Sevilla de Oro and Pio Jaramillo street), which isn't a 5-star hotel but you will find the basics to enjoy a nice rest.

title: Zamora (Ecuador)


text:
Zamora (Spain)

Zamora is a city in Castile and Leon. Zamora has the highest concentration of Romanesque art and architecture in Europe, and is therefore known as the city of romanesque. The 14 Romanesque churches in the old town (also has 23 temples municipality) and the Cathedral draw a lot of attention, as well as the castle surrounded by gardens (its inside can be visited), medieval ramparts, the bridge, two palaces and nine houses.

Understand
Zamora is a small and quiet town of 62,000 inhabitants (2018) in the southeast of the province. The town of Zamora lies on a rocky hill in the northwest of Spain, near the frontier with Portugal and is crossed by the Douro river (río Duero).

Holy Week in Zamora is very famous and attracts a lot of visitors.

The town is on the European modernist route, with 19 buildings with clear influence from Catalan modernism.

Through the province of Zamora passes the vía de la plata (silver way), a millenary Roman route that connects Seville to Gijón and also traditionally has been used as a southern route of the Way of St. James by pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. This route is becoming increasingly popular and crowded. In Zamora, lodging is offered to pilgrims in the pilgrims' hostel next to the Church of San Cipriano, for those who spend the night in the town.

By car
Zamora is well connected by several highways. You can get to Valladolid (and therefore Madrid), Salamanca and Benavente by highway. It is also well connected by smaller highways to other surrounding towns, villages and Portugal.

By bus
There is a Bus Station from where you can take a bus to Salamanca, Valladolid, Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Sevilla and many other cities of Spain and Portugal.

By train
Zamora has a nice Train Station with two lines:

 * A Coruña, Santiago de Compostela, Ourense, Zamora, Segovia, Ávila y Madrid. The train from Madrid is the AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) line.
 * Connection Puebla de Sanabria with Valladolid. On the train ride Zamora to Puebla de Sanabria, old train stations and landscapes are especially beautiful.

By plane
The nearest commercial airport is Villanubla, just a few kilometres out of Valladolid, the capital of the Castile-Leon region. Valladolid lies some 90 km from Zamora (one hour and quarter by bus). This small airport is served by flights run by Iberia, Air France and Ryanair. The low-cost carriers fly from Barcelona, Lanzarote, London-Stansted airport, Brussels-Charleroi airport and Milan-Malpensa.

Madrid airport is relatively close to Zamora (3 hours by bus) and is much better connected to European destinations and the rest of the world.

Get around
The city is pedestrian-friendly with many car-free zones. Everything is accessible by foot, especially the main attractions, which are fairly close to one another. For slightly longer journeys there are two taxi companies, and several bus routes - tickets are cheap, and you can buy them directly from the driver on board or for longer stays get a travelcard from one of the branches of the bank Caja Duero. During the summer months be sure to take advantage of the Tren Turístico (Tourist train) that offers a ride all around the city and gives a great overview of history and monuments.

See

 * Medieval ramparts
 * Viewpoints towards the Douro river
 * Viriato Square
 * Mayor Square
 * Balborraz street
 * Santa María Magdalena Church
 * San Ildefonso Church
 * San Cipriano Church
 * Santa María la Nueva Church
 * Santiago de los Caballeros Church (12th-century carvings on the columns)
 * San Juan de Puerta Nueva Church (12th century, featuring a stained glass circular window, symbol of Zamora)
 * San Claudio de Olivares Church (12th-century carvings on the columns)
 * Palace of Condes de Alba y Aliste
 * Romance bridge
 * Bridge of poets
 * Riverbank path close to historical centre
 * Watermills “Las Aceñas de Olivares”. 10th century. Inside the three watermills is Interpretation Center of traditional industries water.
 * Watermills “Las Aceñas de Cabañales”
 * Pelambres Beach (riverbank in front of Cathedral)
 * Thoroughfare of three trees (paseo de los tres árboles)
 * Valorio forest (bosque de valorio)
 * Pelambres Beach (riverbank in front of Cathedral)
 * Thoroughfare of three trees (paseo de los tres árboles)
 * Valorio forest (bosque de valorio)

Museums and cultural centers

 * Museum of Holy Week. Opposite the Santa María la Nueva church, devoted to the Holy Week processions which are celebrated with particular ceremony in Zamora. The museum displays a large collection of pasos, the figures which are carried in procession through the streets by various 'cofradías' or brotherhoods.
 * Interpretation Centre of medieval ramparts
 * Museum of Holy Week. Opposite the Santa María la Nueva church, devoted to the Holy Week processions which are celebrated with particular ceremony in Zamora. The museum displays a large collection of pasos, the figures which are carried in procession through the streets by various 'cofradías' or brotherhoods.
 * Interpretation Centre of medieval ramparts
 * Interpretation Centre of medieval ramparts
 * Interpretation Centre of medieval ramparts
 * Interpretation Centre of medieval ramparts
 * Interpretation Centre of medieval ramparts

Do

 * Old Town, especially the whole forming Cathedral, Castle and its gardens and medieval ramparts.
 * Viewpoints towards the Douro river.
 * Riverbank path close to historical centre. If the walk is at sunset is better to start the walk way from the "thoroughfare of three trees" (paseo de los tres árboles), you can even cross to one of the islands in the river, then pass, (if the river is not very grown up) through the eye of the roman bridge and address watermills "Aceñas de Olivares".
 * Cross the romanesque bridge and go to the opposite side of the river, turn right, and go to the beach "los pelambres" (cathedral in front). Continue to walk along and cross the modern bridge called Bridge of Poets. Very near the bridge is Santiago de los Caballeros Church. From here there are two options: the first one, to surround the ramparts on the left (Trascastillo street), up from the park and go through door in ramparts "portillo de la traición" to the gardens of the Castle. The second one, up directly to the Cathedral through "la puerta del Obispo" (Bishop's door).

Learn
The combination of Castile-Leon's reputation for pure Spanish and nearby Salamanca's reputation of learning due to its respected university, makes Zamora an excellent place to immerse yourself in the culture and improve your Spanish. A little fluency in Spanish will get you a long way, as you should only expect English in tourist places like the Parador and other 4-star hotels. If you're eating out, fitting a basic Spanish-English dictionary into your bag would be an excellent idea.

Buy
As the local saying goes: "Zamora no se ganó en una hora" (Zamora was not conquered in an hour) so forget your car and take a stroll around Zamora. Shopping areas are mainly centred on Tres Cruces Avenue, Santa Clara Street and parallel-running San Torcuato. If you prefer Malls, the biggest one is the Centro Comercial Valderaduey, named after one the local rivers or as it is known by locals, Eroski. The other one is called 'Vía de la Plata'. Almost all shops in town accept major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, Spanish 4-B and 6000). There are plenty of Cajeros Automáticos or ATMs scattered around town.

Most ATMs will allow you to withdraw money with your credit card, but you'll need to know your card's PIN for that. Many stores will ask for your passport, driving licence or ID card before accepting your credit card. Although somewhat awkward for people from Eurozone countries that do not have an ID Card, this measure helps avoid credit card robbery and fraud.

Typical souvenirs include items featuring elements from Semana Santa or Easter. Local wines and cheese, as well as chickpeas from Fuentesaúco always make a good buy. If you're more into the vintage-style buying, check out the weekly mercadillo, a street market held every Tuesday morning in Calle Alto de los Curas east of the train station (as of 2020).

If you visit Zamora at the end of June, pottery would make an excellent souvenir too, as Viriathus Square is filled with stands from all over the country selling their creations. You can find items both for everyday use and for display. The 'big day' of the San Pedro festivity is June 29th. You can buy some of these products and other souvenirs, cheese or wine at the store Aperos y Viandas (literally "Farming implements and Food") which is on the way to the Cathedral or at some the shops in and around Ramos Carrión Square. These cater especially for tourists, but you can find many local products, especially wine, at any supermarket (Mercadona, El Arbol, Eroski, etc.)

Eat
The excellent raw materials used in the local cuisine really stand out. Staple ingredients include the pulses, the famous chickpeas from Fuentesauco or 'garbanzos', the exquisite cheese made from sheep´s milk, honey from Sanabria, asparagus from Guareña, peppers from Benavente, steak from Aliste, mushrooms, game, cold meats, cakes and sweets... Apart from the tasty roasts, also worth tasting are the rice dishes from Zamora. Traditional dishes include bacalao a la tranca (a cod dish), el pulpo a la sanabresa (an octopus dish), dos y pingada (two fried eggs with fried ham, usually served in Easter) and '"presas de ternera" (a veal dish). For dessert there is the rebojo Zamorano, a very tasty though hard type of bun, and "las natillas almendradas" (Spanish style custard with almonds).

In general, tipping is not always expected but always appreciated. There's not a fixed rate, just leave the spare change or a few euros, depending on where you eat.

Budget

 * Hostal/Restaurante Jarama: A bit off the tourist areas. The three-course menu will run you on €10. Popular with local workers and kids celebrating their football victories during the weekend.
 * Restaurante Gofer's: This self-service place will cost you around €8.
 * Telepizza: The only outlet of the Spanish pizza giant. Near the Plaza de la Marina.
 * McDonalds: Only one, at Eroski shopping centre.
 * Burger King: Only one, can be accessed both off the Bus Station or Avenida de Cardenal Cisneros.
 * Döner Kebab: The best is in Calle Amargura, called Burger Zafiro. Another one is soon to be opened outside the Bus Station, near Burger King.
 * Several bars offer a set menu, usually under €10. It is either a three-course meal or a plato combinado, that is a fish or meat dish, served with a salad or french fries/chips. A much better alternative to fast-food chains.

Tapa culture in Zamora is deeply-rooted. To further promote it, the contest De Tapas por Zamora was established in 2006 and is held in May-June. Participating bars create an appetizer or tapa for €1 especially for this contest, and locals have to choose a winner while entering a raffle sponsored by local businesses.

The best-known tapa in town is the pincho moruno, grilled pork meat with herbs on a skewer, served at Bar Lobo, between San Torcuato Street and Santa Clara Street (close to Maestro Square). It has the ability of drawing people from all over the country merely to get a taste of it.

Another excellent stop would be Dolfos, with both loads of sweet and sour options to choose from. Just mind the steep flight of stairs on the way in/out.

Mid-range
Overall value of the restaurants is very good, here is a small selection of good restaurants:
 * Restaurante Sancho II. Located in the heart of town, this is a popular place where locals celebrate company dinners, weddings and such. It went through an extensive renovation a couple of years ago. A fine example blending local tradition and international culinary trends. Parque de la Marina S/N.
 * Restaurante París: Excellent value for money. A plentiful three-course meal will run you on €35. This elegant establishment is on Avenida de Portugal, near the Parque de la Marina and features a well-kept greenhouse. Excellent seafood, not only serving traditional dishes like bacalao a la tranca but also international delights like a too-good-to-be-true lobster salad or Ensalada de Bogavante. Skip your diet and top your meal off with the Teja de la Casa dessert, a thin almond and caramel cookie, accompanied by custard, ice-cream, etc.

Drink
The Toro wines (very dark, almost black, nowadays made using modern techniques - with a rapidly growing reputation for their taste and quality). Popular local brands include Colegiata, Bajoz and Fariña.

There are many bars and cafes distributed throughout the town, but some of the best known are concentrated in three areas:

 * Calle de los herreros meets most of the people coming out at the beginning of the night (open until 14:30). It is a very narrow street that comes from the plaza mayor (mayor square) and in which only one after the other, there are all kinds of bars to drink and eat tapas.
 * Mayor square and surroundings: people after going to the calle de los herreros, going to mayor square and surroundings. Many of these bars are also cafes that are open in the afternoon or during the day: Semura, Ocellum and Café Opera.
 * The typical area to eat tapas and drink wines is los lobos and is in the triangle formed by San Torcuato street, Santa Clara street and Plaza del Maestro (maestro square). Two of the most typical bars are El Lobo where is very recommended to eat the spicy or not spicy pinchos morunos (grilled tender meat) and bar bambú where Tiberius (mussels in spicy sauce tomato with potatoes) are its top tapa.

Sleep
The city has 18 hotels, 4 of them in the four-star range.
 * If you don't mind driving a bit, you can book a room at Hotel Convento I, a four-star accommodation in the nearby village of Coreses, . Experience the second-most luxurious hotel in Spain. Halls are decorated with paintings and furniture recovered from castles, convents, etc. One of them features a reproduction of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City, Rome (Italy). It also has spa facilities.
 * If you don't mind driving a bit, you can book a room at Hotel Convento I, a four-star accommodation in the nearby village of Coreses, . Experience the second-most luxurious hotel in Spain. Halls are decorated with paintings and furniture recovered from castles, convents, etc. One of them features a reproduction of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City, Rome (Italy). It also has spa facilities.
 * If you don't mind driving a bit, you can book a room at Hotel Convento I, a four-star accommodation in the nearby village of Coreses, . Experience the second-most luxurious hotel in Spain. Halls are decorated with paintings and furniture recovered from castles, convents, etc. One of them features a reproduction of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City, Rome (Italy). It also has spa facilities.
 * If you don't mind driving a bit, you can book a room at Hotel Convento I, a four-star accommodation in the nearby village of Coreses, . Experience the second-most luxurious hotel in Spain. Halls are decorated with paintings and furniture recovered from castles, convents, etc. One of them features a reproduction of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City, Rome (Italy). It also has spa facilities.
 * If you don't mind driving a bit, you can book a room at Hotel Convento I, a four-star accommodation in the nearby village of Coreses, . Experience the second-most luxurious hotel in Spain. Halls are decorated with paintings and furniture recovered from castles, convents, etc. One of them features a reproduction of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City, Rome (Italy). It also has spa facilities.
 * If you don't mind driving a bit, you can book a room at Hotel Convento I, a four-star accommodation in the nearby village of Coreses, . Experience the second-most luxurious hotel in Spain. Halls are decorated with paintings and furniture recovered from castles, convents, etc. One of them features a reproduction of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City, Rome (Italy). It also has spa facilities.

Stay safe
Zamora is one of the most quiet and safest places in Spain. Do not walk alone in poorly lit areas, parks or near Valorio forest at night.

In the health department, the town of Zamora is served by two well-equipped public or state-owned hospitals: the Hospital Virgen de la Concha or "El Clínico" to locals. The second, smaller hospital is the Hospital Rodríguez Chamorro or "El Provincial" to locals. For first-aid you could also go to the nearest Centro de Salud or Clinic. Though well-equipped and attended by very professional staff. If you are a EU citizen, always obtain your E-111 form before you leave. Be respectful and patient with queues, as most hospitals in Spain are understaffed.

Tap water is safe to drink, but does have minerals such as Calcium in it. It is considered hard water or "agua dura", so if you don't like the taste, you can always buy agua embotellada. Popular bottled water brands include: Lanjarón, Font vella, etc. The province is from time to time subject to droughts and the subsequent water restrictions, but these rarely affect the capital.

Dial 112 for emergency services like ambulances, fire brigade and police.

As in the rest of Spain, medicines (not even aspirin) are not sold in supermarkets, they're sold in 'farmacias' (chemist's), identified with a green cross or a Hygeia's cup. Opening times are something like 09:00-14:00 and 17:30-20:30. If that particular farmacia is closed, look for a sign indicating the nearest 'farmacia de guardia' or on-duty chemist's. Their staff is made up of well-trained professionals and will provide proper advice on minor ailments. Should you require specific treatment, always go to the nearest hospital.

Go next

 * Remain of Castrotorafe Castle. Templar monks lived in this amazing Castle and Monastery, 12th century.
 * Remains of Moreruela Abbey. Beautiful cistercian monastery, 11th century.
 * Lagoons Nature Reserve Villafáfila and its Interpretation Center. Bird Sanctuary, it is the second largest wetland in Spain.
 * San Pedro de la Nave. Visigothic Church, 7th century.
 * Sanabria Lake Natural Park. The lake, the surrounding mountains and forests of oak make it an amazing and highly recommended place to visit
 * The Douro Natural Park. A boat crosses the river between cliffs over 200 m high and where it is easy to spot golden eagles, black storks and cormorants. Shipments in Miranda do Douro (Portugal) and Aldeadávila de la Ribera (Salamanca).

title: Zamora (Spain)


text:
Zamora de Hidalgo

Zamora (sometimes called Zamora de Hidalgo) is a small city of 155,000 people (2020) in Michoacan. Its big main plaza surrounded by local commerce, a cathedral, and the Federal Palace. Visiting is particularly recommended on Sundays when people come to mingle in the plaza. You can buy the famous homemade bread of the region, and real fruit candy.

Understand
Zamora is surrounded by the fertile Tziróndaro Valley which is an important agricultural area that exports large amounts of produce to the United States. Zamora is well known for its production of quality strawberries and blackberries. Another important activity is the manufacture of dairy foods: cream, butter, cheese and traditional sweets.

By plane
While there is a very small airport located in Zamora, it is not used for scheduled commercial flights. If travelling by air, you will need to transit through one of the bigger cities in the area like Guadalajara or Morelia. Both are about two and a half hours away from Zamora. From the airport, one has to either take a taxi (hired inside the airport) or travel, by taxi, to the bus station, which unfortunately is located in the other side of Guadalajara. This is a long trip but cheaper than taking a taxi all the way to Zamora.

By car
It is a 2-hour drive from Guadalajara to Zamora on good, modern highways. From Guadalajara, drive southeast of the city on federal highway MEX-15D. Expect tolls on this route.

From Morelia, it is a 2-hour drive west to Zamora if you use federal highway MEX-15D (tolls), or about 3 hours if you use the freeway, highway MEX-15. The toll roads are generally safer choices for foreign travelers.

By bus
From Guadalajara, Autovias operates 5 buses per day to Zamora. The 2-hour 15-minute trip will cost M$330 (Nov 2023).

See
Historic buildings dot the city center, built during Spanish colonial times and the 19th century. Some of these monuments are the Temple of San Francisco, and the church of El Calvario.

Do
Every year in December the Festival of the Chongos zamoranos is held, where the visitor is able to taste gastronomical samples, musical dances and interpretations, as well as the “Poets Meeting” and every 12 of December in Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and in diverse places of the city.

The nearby Lago de Camécuaro National Park is one of 5 national parks in Michoacan. The park is fairly small (a little less than 10 hectares) featuring a scenic natural lake that slowly drains into the Dueno River. It is a very scenic park with deep green waters in the lake's calm surface reflecting the dense vegetation of the surrounding forest. It is a good place for picnics and nature walks. The park is located 14 km east of Zamora de Hidalgo on federal highway MEX 15.

Eat
Zamora stands out in its gastronomy for the traditional regional sweets based on milk. Different milk sweets are made combined with pistachios, nuts, pine nuts and almonds. The famous regional candy known as zamoranos chongos is a dessert of milk traditional in the cuisine of Mexico.

The perfect place to taste Zamorana food including the famous chongos is in Pasaje Morelos, in front of the Zamorana Cathedral where you can enjoy a great variety of dishes and a very pleasant view of the main square of Zamora and its portals.

title: Zamora de Hidalgo


text:
Zanesville

Zanesville is a city in Ohio's Southeast Ohio region and is the county seat of Muskingum County.

By plane
Nearest major airport is in Columbus, 45 miles east.

By car

 * I 70 EW
 * SR 40 EW
 * SR 60/40 NS

By bus
Zanesville is served by Greyhound with routes from several cities in Ohio as well as a few long-distance routs.

Get around
Local bus service is provided by SEAT.

See

Downtown Zanesville has a number of historic buildings.

Churches
Zanesville has a number of historic churches.

Buy
Pottery and china have been manufactured here since pioneer times. There are numerous outlets for these products.

Budget

 * Bakers Motel, 8855 East Pike, I-70 exit 160, 1+ 740-872-3232link title

Nearby

 * Blue Rock State Park, 15 miles south.
 * Dillon State Park, 12 miles northwest.

Muskingum County

 * Muskingum River State Park, Muskingum County, near Zanesville, at Ellis Campground, 1390 Ellis Dam Road. At Lock 11, there are 20 campsites off State Route 60 and County Road 49, water, picnic tables, fire rings, pet camping, there are eight boaters-only, primitive campsites at Lock #5. Boats with unlimited horsepower motors, house boats, pontoon boats, canoes and rowboats travel the river. Public launch ramps, at Locks 4, 5, 6 and 11, private ramps located near Locks 2, 7 and 10. Picnic tables, grills, latrines, drinking water and ten locks on the river.

Mount Sterling

 * Deer Creek Resort and Conference Center, 20635 Waterloo Road, Mt. Sterling (West of Zanesville). 3,100 acre retreat with lodge, rooms, cottages or historic Harding Cabin. Dining in a lakeview restaurant, marina, lake and golf course. Muskingum County west of Zanesville.

Go next

 * Columbus
 * Circleville

title: Zanesville