You are coming to Zambia, but it's the first time you've ever left the States - you need to know what to do. Or you've traveled before, but could use a refresher. Here are some more specifics of getting into Lusaka, Zambia.

You've checked your luggage and have been given boarding passes. Sometimes you will receive boarding passes that get you to your first stop in Africa. Sometimes, though you'll only receive boarding passes to DC. If you fly South African air from DC to Johannesburg, you'll need to get from the terminal you land in to the international terminal, get the rest of your boarding passes, go back through security and then to your gate. (That's why you need a decent layover!)

This trip, we routed through O'Hare and didn't have any of that to deal with. We flew United across the pond, so got boarding passes all the way to London when we checked into Salt Lake. When we landed in O'Hare, our gate for our international flight was only about 4 gates away from the one we pulled into. Very nice. But Dulles is a booger – I've dealt with it several times to and from Africa and don't like it. It's my least favorite airport so far.

To get to Lusaka, you'll likely route through Johannesburg, both coming and going. As you de-plane in Jo'burg, follow the signs for international transit passengers. You'll be tired, but it's hard to let lost at that point. You will check in with the appropriate airline personnel, then they will send you on your way. You will STILL need to check in at your gate and get your new boarding passes. There will be no one there to help you until you are within about two or three hours of your flight, so plan your layover activities accordingly.

There is a hotel right in the airport that you can rent by the hour if you have a longer layover. Good idea, if you ask me. I slept on the chairs in the Jo'burg airport in September – it worked, but not nearly as nice as a bed and shower would have been. They also have an Internet cafe there in the airport that you can pay for in dollars, as well as gift shops and restaurants that also take dollars. Some might even take a credit card . . .

(Continued here)