Want to avoid last-minute ATM runs. Do most hostels in Zambia take card payments at check-in
When I arrived at a Backpackers Lodge in Ndola last month, I pre-paid via Mastercard but needed ZMW cash at check-in to cover local tax. A friend staying next door with just Amex got stuck - no terminal recognized it. TN mid-range hostels accept Visa/MasterCard, but almost none accept Amex. Best plan is reserve a card-friendly stay and bring cash backup.
Used hostelbooker for a stay in Kitwe in June and paid the deposit by Visa card - worked fine. At check-in they asked for remaining balance in ZMW cash. So a mix of card and cash seems standard. My rule: carry an extra 200-300 ZMW so you don’t end up scrambling for an ATM on arrival.
Staying in hostels around Livingstone since April, I found that mid-range ones like RV Lodge process Visa and MasterCard - often with a small fee. Budget dorms, though, are almost always cash-first. A surprising number requested EcoCash too, but rarely Amex. To avoid ATM runs, book a place that lists Visa or Mastercard specifically. Better safe than at the mercy of late-night queues.
Checked into Nomad’s Backpackers in Lusaka in May and they accepted Visa at the desk, slapped on a 5% surcharge. But most basic hostels… you’ll be paying cash. I once had to hunt for an ATM at 9 PM in Ndola - super stressful. My hack now: ask ahead during booking if Visa is okay; otherwise withdraw cash before arrival.