Travel advice for Zambia

Take sufficient care throughout Zambia. Avoid non-essential travel to border areas with the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, except Ndola in Copperbelt Province. The Congo border areas face human trafficking, crimes linked to illegally circulated weapons and organised armed robbery, while the Angola border areas face weapons smuggling and landmines.

Travel to Zambia’s border regions with the DRC, Angola and Mozambique only if essential: landmines and unexploded ordnance lie there, and armed groups operate near the DRC. Elsewhere, watch for pickpocketing, theft, assaults, robbery and carjacking, especially in Lusaka, and avoid remote places after dark. Prepare for November-to-March floods and demonstrations that may turn violent. Drugs carry severe penalties; LGBT+ people risk punishment, discrimination and aggression.

Exercise caution in Zambia because Lusaka has high crime, including carjacking and armed robbery. In Copperbelt cities and tourist centres, carry little cash, never resist robbery, avoid night travel, demonstrations and crowds, and avoid the Angola border region, the DRC border region and the Angola and Mozambique border area. Hospitals fall below European standards; cholera, malaria in tsetse areas, raw fruit, salads, tap water and bilharzia pose risks.

Take normal security precautions in Zambia, but exercise a high degree of caution within 20 kilometres of the Angolan, Congolese and Mozambican borders due to landmines, unexploded ordnance and cross-border crime. Petty and violent crime occur, especially in Lusaka and Copperbelt, while demonstrations and harassment may also occur. Avoid the contaminated Mwambashi Stream and Kafue River area, and be alert to spiked food and drinks.

Travel with heightened caution because cholera affects several provinces, especially Chibombo and Lusaka districts, and mpox is spreading in Muchinga and on the Tanzanian border. Observe hygiene and use bottled or reliably treated water. Near Mufulira and the upper Kafue River, avoid river water, fish and shellfish within 100 kilometres because of heavy metal contamination. Ebola screening applies at border crossings despite no confirmed cases in Zambia, so expect delays.

Travel to Zambia with a high degree of caution. No Ebola cases are confirmed, but entry screening applies; monitor health for 21 days after return from Ebola affected or neighbouring countries and seek care for symptoms. In Central and Copperbelt Provinces, avoid the Mwambashi incident area, water sources and fish possibly from the region because toxic waste polluted the Kafue River; boiling does not remove heavy metals. Expect flight delays, cancellations.

Australia advises normal precautions for Zambia.

Travel to Zambia can generally proceed if usual precautions are followed. Ebola has been declared an international public-health emergency in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, although no infections have been recorded in Zambia. In Zambian provinces bordering the DRC, travellers should account for symptom screening and follow infection-prevention measures; Mpox cases have increased and a new variant has emerged.

Take normal precautions when travelling to Zambia. Because Estonia has no embassy there, consular assistance is available through the nearest EU member state representation, and Estonian citizens need no visa. Entry and stay conditions may change without notice, so additional questions should be directed to the nearest Zambian embassy.

Germany advises normal precautions for Zambia.

Hong Kong advises normal precautions for Zambia.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Zambia because crime is high. Petty crime, armed mugging and sexual assault occur, while date-rape drugs have been reported in bars and restaurants; avoid protests, which can become violent. Avoid driving off main roads near borders with Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique and Zimbabwe because of landmines, unexploded ordnance and insecurity, and guard against malaria and rainy-season access disruption.

No warning applies. British passport holders need no visa but must carry a passport valid for six months after arrival, plus onward tickets and sufficient funds. Zambia may impose Ebola screening or entry restrictions for arrivals from affected regions, and taxable or prohibited goods must be declared. The KAZA UNIVISA covers Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, with arrival visas in Lusaka, Livingstone, and at the Victoria Falls and Kazungula borders.

United States advises normal precautions for Zambia.