Where to stay
Neighborhood guide
Chipata is the capital of Zambia's Eastern Province, close to the Malawian border in hilly country. It is a compact market town and the commercial centre for a farming region.
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Chipata, Eastern Province, Zambia uses Africa/Lusaka, currently CAT (UTC+02:00). No clock changes are scheduled in the next 12 months.
Chipata is a city in Zambia, with a population of about 327,100. Unlike many places, it does not observe daylight saving time.
Time zone
UTC offset
UTC+02:00
Country
🇿🇲 Zambia
Population
327,059
Calling code
+260
Currency
ZMW
Chipata vs. other major cities
Shift date & time
−12h+12h
Compare time zones: best time to call
The band below is your local scale — accent shows when everyone's business hours overlap. Add or remove a city on the left and this updates too.
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good
tight
asleep
- Sunrise / sunset
- 05:17 / 17:49
- Day length
- 12h 32m
Chipata, beyond the clock
Written for people arriving, calling in, or planning a trip around the time difference.
What to see
Timed to the light
The town is a staging point rather than a destination. South Luangwa National Park to the north is among the finest wildlife areas in Africa and the birthplace of the walking safari, and Chipata is the usual road gateway to it.
Weather & daylight
October
- Sunrise
- 05:17
- Sunset
- 17:49
- Daylight
- 12h 32m
Getting around
Transit notes
Shared taxis and minibuses cover the town. Reaching South Luangwa requires a long drive on a partly unsealed road, or a light aircraft, and lodges generally arrange transfers.
Best time to visit
Seasons & timing
The dry season from around June to October is much the best for wildlife, as vegetation thins and animals concentrate at the river. The wet season brings lush green landscapes and excellent birding but many camps close.
Currency & language
🇿🇲 ZMW
Zambia uses the ZMW, calling code +260.
Zambia uses the kwacha, and English is the official language with Nyanja and Chewa widely spoken here. Greetings are extended and important, and mobile money is very widely used alongside cash.
Common questions
What time zone is Chipata in?
Chipata uses the Africa/Lusaka time zone, currently CAT (UTC+02:00).
Does Chipata observe daylight saving time?
No clock changes are scheduled for Chipata in the next year.
How many hours ahead or behind is Chipata?
Chipata is 2 hours ahead of UTC, 6 hours ahead of New York City, 1 hour ahead of London and 7 hours behind Tokyo. Relative to your own clock: .