I took taxis around Ndola and Lusaka in May - every single one I asked preferred ZMW or equivalent USD. Some drivers talk up mobile wallet transfers, ...

Rode a big coach from Ndola to Chipata in early June - paid with $10 USD at the terminal, collected ticket, and paid ZMW to the conductor on board. No...

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 stay...

During my April travels through Zambia, I tried using Amex at a mid-range guesthouse in Kitwe. The receptionist apologized and said their system doesn...

Yes, this happens often in Zambia. My Mastercard would work at Stanbic and Standard Chartered ATM branches in Lusaka and Livingstone, but fail elsewhe...

I skipped the Lusaka airport bureau in May - brought enough USD to pay taxi fare. Visited FNB in downtown Lusaka next morning and got a far superior r...

While withdrawing money from an ABSA ATM in Kitwe in April, the machine ate my card and locked up. I took a photo of the serial number, froze the card...

Visited Lusaka and chose ABSA Bank ATM three times in June. Withdrawal limit per transaction was ZMW 4,000 (~$200), with a $5.50 fee. You could do two...

In June I toured Zambia with a small group. We averaged $60/day - this covered guided day trips, meals, bus travel, tips and hotel stays. Day meals co...