Travel Advisory
Please check your government's official travel advisory before departure. Situations can change rapidly.
Safety Level
Official risk level and travel advisories
Zambia is one of the calmer countries in the region and tourist areas like Livingstone, Victoria Falls and the main game parks are generally safe in daylight. Petty theft and opportunistic crime happen in Lusaka, so stay alert, avoid walking alone after dark and pre-arrange transport at night. Border areas with Angola, the DRC and Mozambique carry extra risk.
- Overall
- Generally calm
- Watch
- Lusaka petty crime, night
- Borders
- Angola/DRC/MZ: extra caution
- Tourist hubs and parks are generally safe by day
- Avoid walking alone after dark; pre-arrange night transport
Danger Zones & Areas to Avoid
Regions with poor security or restricted access
Most of Zambia is fine for tourists, but take extra care within about 20 km of the borders with Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mozambique, where there is a residual landmine risk and more cross-border crime. In Lusaka, avoid quiet or poorly lit streets after dark and keep valuables out of sight. Stick to marked paths and tracks in rural and park areas.
- Borders
- Angola/DRC/MZ: landmine risk
- Lusaka
- Dark/quiet streets at night
- Rural
- Keep to marked tracks
- Stay on marked roads within 20 km of Angola/DRC/Mozambique borders
- Avoid dark, deserted streets in Lusaka after dark
Natural Disaster Risks
Earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and other hazards
Zambia has a hot wet season from roughly November to April and a dry season from May to October. Heavy rains can bring flooding and wash out rural roads, while droughts in some years affect water and power supply. There is no significant earthquake or cyclone risk inland. Plan game-park and self-drive trips around the seasons and check road conditions after storms.
- Wet season
- Nov–Apr (floods possible)
- Dry season
- May–Oct
- Risk
- Flooding, occasional drought
- Rural roads can flood or wash out in the wet season
- Droughts in some years hit water and power; no major quake risk
Health & Disease Risks
Endemic diseases and hygiene concerns
Malaria is present throughout Zambia, so antimalarial tablets and mosquito bite prevention are strongly advised, especially near water and in the wet season. Discuss routine and recommended vaccines (such as hepatitis A, typhoid) with a travel clinic before you go. Drink bottled or treated water, and arrange good travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, as advanced care is limited outside Lusaka.
- Malaria
- Countrywide – take precautions
- Vaccines
- Ask a travel clinic
- Water
- Bottled/treated
- Take antimalarials and prevent mosquito bites, especially near water
- Advanced hospital care is limited outside Lusaka; insure for evacuation
Crime & Scam Trends
Common crimes and scams targeting tourists
Most crime against visitors is opportunistic: pickpocketing, bag-snatching and theft from vehicles, mainly in Lusaka markets, bus stations and crowded areas. Common scams include overcharging taxis, fake tour guides and inflated craft-market prices in Livingstone. Agree fares and tour prices in advance, keep valuables out of sight, and use hotel safes. Serious crime exists but rarely targets tourists in daylight.
- Common
- Pickpocketing, bag-snatching
- Scams
- Taxi overcharging, fake guides
- Do
- Agree prices first; use safes
- Watch for pickpockets in Lusaka markets and bus stations
- Agree taxi and tour prices up front; beware fake guides in Livingstone
Political Situation & Protests
Political instability and potential demonstrations
Zambia is a stable multiparty democracy and is generally peaceful for travellers. Occasional political rallies, demonstrations or by-elections can draw crowds and briefly disrupt traffic, mostly in Lusaka and the Copperbelt. These are rarely aimed at tourists, but it is wise to avoid any protest or large gathering and follow local news and your embassy's advice, especially around election periods.
- Stability
- Stable democracy
- Watch
- Rallies/elections
- Do
- Avoid protests, follow news
- Demonstrations are occasional and mostly in Lusaka/Copperbelt
- Avoid gatherings and monitor news around elections
Local Laws & Prohibitions
Important local laws and penalties for travelers
You are subject to Zambian law. Drug offences carry severe penalties, and same-sex relationships are criminalised, so LGBT travellers should be discreet. Avoid photographing government buildings, military sites, airports and the president. Dress modestly away from resorts, and never buy or carry wildlife products such as ivory. Penalties for poaching-related offences are heavy.
- Drugs
- Severe penalties
- Photos
- No military/govt sites
- Wildlife
- No ivory/animal products
- Do not photograph military, government buildings or the president
- Same-sex relations are illegal; buying wildlife products is a serious offence
Emergency Contacts
Police, ambulance, and fire department numbers
For police in an emergency, dial 999; ambulance and fire services also operate but response times vary, so in a serious medical case a private clinic or your lodge/hotel may help faster. Save your embassy's number and your travel-insurance emergency line before you travel. Mobile coverage is good in towns but patchy in remote parks.
- Police
- 999
- Medical
- Private clinic / hotel help
- Save
- Embassy + insurance line
- Dial 999 for police; response times can vary
- Keep embassy and insurer emergency numbers saved offline
Embassy & Consulate Info
Location and contact details of your embassy
No embassy or consulate information is available for your selected nationality in this country.
Travel Insurance
Recommended coverage and tips for choosing a policy
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for Zambia. Make sure it covers emergency medical treatment and, crucially, medical evacuation, since advanced hospitals are mainly in Lusaka and serious cases may need airlifting. Check that adventure activities you plan — such as white-water rafting, bungee jumping or microlight flights at Victoria Falls — are included, and keep digital and paper copies of your policy.
- Must cover
- Medical + evacuation
- Check
- Adventure activities
- Keep
- Policy copies
- Ensure medical evacuation cover; advanced care is mainly in Lusaka
- Confirm rafting, bungee and microlight activities are covered