How to call Zambia from South Africa
- From mobile
- +260 xxx xxx xxx
- From landline
- 00 260 xxx xxx xxx
From $0.74/min in your browser, no plan needed
How to dial Zambia from South Africa
How to make a call to Zambia from South Africa: dial the exit code, the country code, and the number
- 00South Africa exit code
- 260Country code of Zambia
- 211Lusaka
- xxx xxxLocal number
- From a mobile: +260 xxx xxx xxx
Paste or type a number here to see how to dial it from anywhere
Example: +260 211 234 567
- Mobile
- +260 211 234 567
- Landline
- 00 260 211 234 567
Main area codes in Zambia
The area code comes right after 260, then the local number
- Ndola/Copperbelt and Luapula Provinces00 260212then 6 digits
- Chipata/Eastern Province00 260216then 6 digits
- Solwezi/Western Province00 260217then 6 digits
- Kabwe/Central Province00 260215then 6 digits
- Kasama/Northern Province00 260214then 6 digits
- Livingstone/Southern Province00 260213then 6 digits
- Mongu/North-Western Province00 260218then 6 digits
- Lusaka Province00 260211then 6 digits
Before you call Zambia
Dial a Zambian city
Each city code takes 6 more digits after it.
- Lusaka00 260 211
- Ndola00 260 212
- Livingstone00 260 213
Drop the 0 after 260
Zambian numbers start with a 0 at home. Leave it out after the country code.
- Fails
- 00 260 0211 xxx xxx
- Works
- 00 260 211 xxx xxx
Calling Zambia cell phones
A mobile takes the same 9 digits as a landline.
- Press and hold 0 for +
- Dial 260
- Dial the 9-digit number
Calling Zambia from South Africa without an international plan
Suparelay calls Zambia for $0.83/min from your browser, with no plan. Without one, carriers in South Africa charge up to $0.42/min. Cell C, MTN, and Vodacom include Zambia in no plan, so each call from them bills by the minute.
| Carrier | Per minute |
|---|---|
SuparelayNo plan needed | $0.83 landline$0.74 mobile |
 | $0.42 |
 | $0.42 |
 | $0.42 |
Want to call Zambia?
Type the number and call from your browser, with no app and no plan
When to call Zambia
The time now in Zambia, and the best hours to call. Zambia has no time difference from Johannesburg, so the calling hours stay the same all year.
- Time difference
- All year: the same time as Johannesburg
- Daylight saving time
- None, the clocks never change
Why a call to Zambia fails
Cell C contracts need activation first
A Cell C contract has no international calling until Customer Care activates it. Call 135 before you dial abroad.
Cell C, International CallingVodacom standard calling costs more per minute
Vodacom's standard international calling has higher rates than International Calling Plus, which bills per second. Plus is an upgrade, so ask Vodacom to switch it on.
Vodacom, Affordable International Calling RatesFrom any country, a call to Zambia also fails when
- The 0 is still in the number
- The exit code is wrong for your country
- The number does not take calls from abroad
Questions
How to call Zambia from South Africa: how do I call Zambia from South Africa on a cell phone or mobile?
Dial +260, then the number. It works from any mobile in South Africa
Are calls to Zambia included in South Africa phone plans?
Not on most plans. No carrier in South Africa that we checked includes Zambia in a plan
How much does it cost to call Zambia from South Africa?
With no plan, carriers in South Africa charge up to $0.42 a minute. Suparelay charges each started minute, from your browser
How to call Ndola/Copperbelt and Luapula Provinces from South Africa?
For Ndola/Copperbelt and Luapula Provinces, dial 00 260 212, then the 6-digit local number
Do I need to dial 00 to call Zambia?
From a landline, yes: dial 00, then 260. From a mobile, type + instead, and the phone adds the exit code
How do I dial a +260 number?
Press and hold 0 until + appears, then dial 260 and the 9-digit number
Can I call Zambia on my iPhone?
Yes. In the Phone app, press and hold 0 for +, then dial 260 and the 9-digit number. Your plan must allow calls to Zambia
Why isn't my call going through to Zambia?
The usual causes: the 0 is still in the number, the exit code is wrong for your country, and the number does not take calls from abroad. Each one is listed above, with a link to its fix
How to make a free call to Zambia from South Africa?
An app calls for free only when both sides have it. A call to a landline, or to a phone without the app, costs money
How to call Zambia from South Africa on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp and FaceTime call for free, but only someone with the same app. To ring a landline or a phone in Zambia without the app, use your phone plan, a calling service, or Suparelay
How to call Zambia landline from South Africa?
From a landline in South Africa, dial 00 260, then the 9-digit number
When is the best time to call Zambia?
Call between 8:00 and 22:00 in Zambia. All year: the same time as Johannesburg
How to make an international call to Zambia?
Dial 00 260, then the 9-digit number. From a mobile, +260 works too