About this trip

Mothers Without Borders expeditions to Zambia are structured to provide a life-changing experience suitable for ages 8 to 85. An expedition to Zambia with us includes exposure to our different programs, meeting beneficiaries of our many services, cultural exchange activities, service projects, and more! 

For more information, view our Expedition FAQ's!

Team Leader Information

Each Expedition is led by 2 MWB Team Leaders (TL’s). The TL’s work together with MWB's local staff to make each part of your trip intentional and valuable.

More information to come about the TL’s assigned for this trip.

Travel Information

Expedition volunteers are responsible for booking and paying for their own air travel. The Expedition Fee does not cover airfare.

We recommend booking your flights two to eight months before departure for the best pricing and availability! 

ARRIVAL INFORMATION:

Airport: Kenneth Kaunda International Lusaka Airport (LUN)

Date: DAY 1

Time: 6AM-6PM Local Time

DEPARTURE INFORMATION:

Airport: Kenneth Kaunda International Lusaka Airport (LUN)

Date: DAY 8

Time: Anytime

Tour Add-On Travel Information

MWB partners with Alpine Lakes Travel and Voyagers Zambia, two trusted agencies (one US based and one Zambia based) that specialize in leisure travel in Zambia. If you would like to work with one of their trusted agents, please find their contact information below:

Agent: Kris Allen, Alpine Lakes Travel (US based company)

Email: kris@alpinelakestravel.com

Phone: (425) 241 - 2042

Agent: Molly Care, Voyagers Zambia (Zambia based company)

Email: molly.care@voyagerszambia.com

Medical Evacuation Insurance

MWB requires all expedition volunteers to purchase medical evacuation insurance. This insurance covers transportation to a clinic or hospital during medical emergencies. It must cover at least $25,000. Proof of coverage must be provided to MWB as part of registration. 

Medical evacuation insurance can be purchased separately or as part of a travel health insurance policy. It can cover emergency transportation from a remote area to a high-quality hospital, which could otherwise cost more than $100,000.

In addition, MWB encourages all expedition participants to purchase standard travel insurance and trip cancellation coverage due to unforeseen circumstances that might cause trip disruptions or unexpected flight cancellations. 

Suggested Policy Providers:

Insure My Trip

www.insuremytrip.com

Square Mouth Travel Insurance

www.squaremouth.com

TravelInsurance.com

Allainz Travel Insurance

www.allianztravelinsurance.com

If you are a student or faculty member, the least expensive way to acquire emergency evacuation/medical insurance is the international youth/student/faculty I.D. card ($20). Most universities offer these through their study abroad office. You will need to provide proof of current school enrollment or faculty employment and a passport-sized photo.

There is also an International Student Card that is a $25 plan and covers our medical evacuation requirement. See if you qualify and more information on their website below.

Travel Checklist + Additional Documents

Please download your expedition handbook here. This handbook has all of the pertinent information related to your expedition. 

MWB Registration Materials

• Medical Evacuation Insurance
• Passport (Valid for 6-months beyond Expedition return date)
• Book Flights + Upload full Flight Itinerary
• Bio Picture 
• Terms and Conditions (signed)

For more information see here. For CDC Travel Guidelines see here.

Extra Suggestions and Recommendations

• Did I read all important pre-departure materials (accessible on this site)?
• Did I check local weather reports before departure?
• Did I make copies of passports and insurance policies to take with me (or save digital copies to a device)?
• Did I receive recommended and/or routine vaccinations? (For updated recommendations see here.)
• Did I pack proper electrical adapters/converters?
• Did I contact my banking institution before departure (to use credit/debit cards abroad)?
• Did I grab some spending cash for personal expenses? (~$250 for souvenirs and extra food/drink.)
• Did I leave phone numbers with friends and relatives?
• Did I check with the airline(s) regarding baggage weight limits and potential excess baggage fees?
• Did I reconfirm flights and/or check for changes in flight times?

Travel + Packing Information

Travel Information

CURRENCY

Zambian Kwacha

Exchange Rate: $1.00 USD = 26.42 Kwacha 

Exchange rate could change; please look up the current exchange rate before departure. 

ELECTRICITY

In Zambia, power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type C, type D and type G are used. The standard voltage is 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz. You need a power plug travel adapter for sockets type C, D and G in Zambia. 

WEATHER: 

Zambia has a sub-tropical climate with pleasant temperatures due to its high altitude. Expeditions fall during the cool, dryer season (from May to August). The average daily temperature during this time is 75 degrees fahrenheit. Early morning and evening temperatures could drop to around 50 degrees fahrenheit. It is important to dress in layers to easily adapt to these temperature changes. 

FOOD

During the expedition, MWB will provide 3 daily meals to all volunteers. Expedition participants can expect to eat standard American foods combined with local elements: cereals, breads, salads, soups, chicken, fruits, etc. MWB will also provide drinks such as milk, fruit juices, and soda pop. Participants are encouraged to bring personal food and snacks that they prefer to have on hand in between meals (supplement bars, sweets, etc). Drinkable water will be available during all meals and at the place of lodging. We encourage each participant to bring a reusable water bottle.

PACKING LIST

This comprehensive packing list has been prepared as a convenience. The recommendations reflect the experience of MWB as well as recommendations from previous expedition participants. If you have questions about anything on the packing list, feel free to ask the Expedition Staff or Team Leaders. 

MWB recommends that all volunteers pack as light as possible. Please check with the airlines regarding baggage allowances and excess baggage fees. MWB will not be responsible for such fees.  

One golden piece of advice: Leave behind a clean change of clothes at the hotel or keep a clean change of clothes inside a bag during the entire expedition. Why? So that there is a fresh outfit to wear when boarding the international flight home! You’ll thank us later! 

NECESSARY ITEMS 

Clothing

• durable walking shoes (hiking boots or well-built tennis shoes)
• sandals or flip-flops (for use in shower and inside sleeping area)
• swimsuit (for use in shower)
• multiple pairs of socks (lightweight long socks protect ankles from insect bites)
• three (3) pair of work pants or knee-length shorts (casual, quick-dry – not jeans)
• four (4) or five (5) t-shirts or work shirts (casual, quick-dry – not sleeveless)
• sweatshirt and/or light jacket
• one (1) long-sleeve shirt for the evenings
• simple rain poncho/waterproof jacket
• underclothing (enough for entire trip without washing)
• pajamas appropriate for group sleeping
• hat or sun visor

Toiletries/First-Aid

• antibacterial wet wipe packets (80-100 per person) and/or antibacterial hand gel
• toothbrush/toothpaste
• deodorant
• pocket size packs of tissue
• water bottle (plastic or aluminum)
• extra prescription medicine (packed in carry-on luggage)
• sunscreen
• lip balm
• minor blister/wound care (band-aids, moleskin, triple antibiotic cream etc.)
• pain reliever (ibuprofen, etc.)
• diarrhea medication (imodium, etc.)
• constipation medicine
• decongestant or allergy medication
• personal prescriptions
• mosquito repellent with at least 20% DEET

Other Items

• travel pillow
• headlamp with new batteries
• good work gloves
• jumbo and mid-size ziploc bags (for dirty/wet clothes, garbage, organizing and packing)
• personal hygiene items: towel, washcloth, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, etc.
• day bag (to transport water, jacket, hat, gloves, camera, snacks to worksite)
• personal journal and pen
• passport

RECOMMENDED ITEMS

• sleep aids (ear plugs, etc.)
• travel pocket guide
• cultural sharing items (small musical instruments, photo albums, etc.)
• supplies and games for village activities (fingernail polish, materials for necklaces and
• bracelets, frisbees, soccer balls/ pumps, etc.)
• compact travel games or cards

OPTIONAL ITEMS

• bandana (used around head or neck)
• sunglasses
• snacks (granola bars, fruit leather, etc.), sweets, powder juices
• Our expeditions are structured to provide a life-changing experience suitable for ages 8 to 85. An expedition to Zambia with us includes:

Arrive at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, and transfer to lodging venue. Unpack and settle in. There will be a Mothers Without Borders Welcome Orientation, and an opportunity to meet an MWB women's sewing club. You can place orders for custom made Zambian outfits. End the day with a delicious meal, and retire early to bed. 

You will begin the day with a simple breakfast, followed by a Mothers Without Borders program orientation where you will be introduced to the many services MWB offers to youth and women in the greater Lusaka area. You will then enjoy a local meal at the Chikusus residence, followed by a drive out to the MWB property in West Lusaka. You will take a tour of our property (including our main offices, school, farm and Children's Resource Center), followed by meeting the children that live at the CRC. You will travel back to Lusaka for dinner and an evening debrief. 

After breakfast, you will travel back to the Mothers Without Borders Property in West Lusaka for a day of service projects. You will participate in different projects that will help improve our property. Lunch will be served in between projects, with an opportunity to participate in the feeding program at the Carol Zulu Primary School. You will return to Lusaka late afternoon, enjoy dinner followed by a team debrief.

After breakfast, you will travel to Bwafwano, a community organization that is a long time partner of Mothers Without Borders. You will be welcomed by the organizational leaders, followed by a tour of the facilities and programs Bwafwano offers. You will then depart into the community in smaller groups for home visits of families that are supported by Bwafwano. After home visits, you will enjoy a quick lunch, followed by community engagement activities with the local children. After, you will return to your lodging for dinner, a special guest, and a team debrief. 

After breakfast, the team will travel to Kabwata Artisan Market to meet local vendors that specialize in arts and crafts. You will have the opportunity to find Zambian treasures to bring home for friends and family. You will then enjoy a local lunch at the Chikusu residence alongside special guests from the MWB Zamtsogoro Microloan Program. Following, you will visit other participants of Mothers Without Borders Programs and learn about them. You will then travel back to your place of lodging, and enjoy dinner with guests from the MWB Boys Empowerment Program, followed by a team debrief. 

After breakfast, you will travel to the Mothers Without Borders Property in West Lusaka for a day with the students at the Carol Zulu Primary School. You will begin with a tour of the school by school administrators, followed by classroom visits to experience what school is like as a young Zambian student. After lunch, you will walk with a select student to their homes, where you will meet their families and be introduced to what life is like at home for these students. While at the homes, you will participate in a chore chosen by the families. You will then travel back to your lodging venue, enjoy dinner, and participate in a team debrief. 

After breakfast, you will travel to a rural village (about a 2 hour drive) to visit one of the MWB Women's Groups. You will be introduced to the women's group and explore a pop-up market created by the women including items that have made or grown for sale. After lunch, you will visit the home of one of the women to understand the way of life of a rural woman. After, you will travel back to your place of lodging, enjoy dinner with special guests, and participate in a team debrief. 

After breakfast, you will travel to the Mothers Without Borders property in West Lusaka to spend the afternoon with the youth living at our Children's Resource Center. You will enjoy a special program by the youth and time to connect and enjoy each others company. You will then travel back to Lusaka for dinner with special guests, and participate in a team debrief. 

Depending on flight departure times, you will enjoy breakfast in the morning, and depart your place of lodging for the airport to either return home, or continue your trip for leisure activities.