No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Zambia’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Zambia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Zambian High Commission in the UK.
\n\nTo enter Zambia, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. It must have at least 2 blank pages for entry stamping.
\n\nMake sure you get your passport stamped.
\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nZambia recognises dual nationality. However, to avoid delays at the airport you should leave Zambia on the same passport you used to enter.
\n\nBritish passport holders do not need a visa to enter Zambia. You must be able to show:
\n\nTourists may remain in Zambia for a total of 90 days in any 12 month period. For business visitors the maximum stay in Zambia over a 12 month period is 30 days.
\n\nFor further information, email the Zambian High Commission at info@zambiahc.org.uk or contact the Zambian Department of Immigration.
\n\nThe KAZA UNIVISA, for use in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, is valid for unlimited travel between Zambia and Zimbabwe and for day trips to Botswana. It costs 50 US dollars and is valid for 30 days.
\n\nYou can apply online in advance, or get the visa on arrival if you are arriving at:
\n\nOn leaving Zambia, all air passengers must pay the equivalent to 25 US dollars for international travel and a security charge of 3 US dollars for domestic travel. Both charges are normally included in the cost of an air ticket, but you will have to pay in cash with Zambian kwacha if they are not.
\n\nTo enter Zambia, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Zambia guide.
\n\nAs a public health measure, Zambia may introduce entry restrictions including health screening for travellers arriving from affected regions. Check entry requirements for the country you’re travelling to or transiting.
\n\nThe World Health Organisation (WHO) have declared Ebola as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Zambia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"This guide also has safety advice for regions of Zambia.
\n\nThere is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nTerrorist attacks in Zambia cannot be ruled out.
\n\nAttacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.
\n\nThere are occasionally demonstrations and protests in Lusaka and other urban areas. They can disrupt local transport and become violent. Avoid them and leave the scene as soon as possible if a crowd develops. Do not cross protester roadblocks as this is likely to provoke a violent reaction from demonstrators.
\n\nTravel in larger cities and the major game parks is generally safe during daylight hours. However, serious crimes can happen. Pre-arrange transport to avoid walking at night and stay aware of your surroundings, especially after dark. Stay alert and take precautions against vehicle crime by:
\n\nKeep valuables and originals of important documents in a safe place and carry a copy of your passport’s photo page and entry stamp.
\n\nIt is illegal to possess pornographic material in Zambia, and offenders may be jailed or deported.
\n\nIt is illegal to possess or use drugs, including marijuana. Drug use and smuggling are serious offences.
\n\nIt’s illegal to take pictures of sensitive sites such as army barracks or government buildings, and you could be arrested. If in doubt, do not take pictures.
\n\nSame-sex sexual activity is illegal in Zambia, and anyone convicted can get a long prison sentence.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nIt is illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts without a licence. Anyone caught purchasing or trafficking such goods will be prosecuted and get a fine or a prison sentence.
\n\nWild animals in the bush, including venomous snakes, are unpredictable and do kill. Whether you are travelling on land or water, you are at risk of potentially fatal animal attacks.
\n\nAdventure sports, including in the Victoria Falls area, carry risks. There have been serious accidents and deaths. The quality of medical care varies greatly. Follow safety instructions closely. Make sure you have appropriate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment or potential repatriation.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Zambia, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Zambia for up to 90 days. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence. If you plan to stay in Zambia for more than 90 days, you’ll need to have the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) or a Zambian driving licence.
\n\nHire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.
\n\nMany roads are severely potholed. During the rainy season from November to April, sudden floods can wash away bridges and roads.
\n\nVehicles in Zambia are often inadequately maintained and badly driven. There are frequent fatal crashes. Drink-driving and driving while on a mobile are illegal but commonplace. Zambia’s Road Traffic and Safety Agency prosecutes traffic offenders through a fast-track court system.
\n\nIt is dangerous to drive outside the main towns after dark due to abandoned vehicles, pedestrians and stray animals on the road, and vehicles being driven without lights.
\n\nTravel by long-distance public transport can be dangerous due to poor standards of driving, lack of rest periods for drivers, the poor quality of vehicles and poor road conditions. Minibuses in urban areas are usually severely overcrowded, poorly maintained and badly driven.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"This section has safety advice for regions of Zambia. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.
\n\nYou should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
\n\nTake care when travelling in rural parts of Zambia, close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The border is not demarcated and there is a risk of inadvertently illegally entering DRC.
\n\nLegitimate border crossings in these areas are generally safe.
\n\n","slug":"regional-risks","title":"Regional risks"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in Zambia including:
\n\nThe UNAIDS Zambia country progress report of 2020 estimated the overall HIV prevalence in the adult population is 11%, compared to a prevalence of 0.2% in adults in the UK. Take normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.
\n\nChemical waste containing heavy metals was released from a mine in Copperbelt Province into the Chambishi Stream and the Mwambashi and Kafue Rivers in February 2025. Exposure to heavy metal contaminants may affect health. As a precaution:
\n\navoid bathing in rivers and streams near the Chambishi stream, and where the Mwambashi and Kafue rivers meet
\navoid consuming untreated locally sourced water or fish from this area. Boiling water does not remove heavy metal contaminants
\nseek medical attention if you feel unwell
\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Zambia.
\n\nMedical facilities throughout Zambia are of a lower standard than in the UK. Facilities in rural areas are basic and emergency services are limited. Carry basic medical supplies. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nPolice: 991
\n\nAmbulance: 992
\n\nFire: 993
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Zambia on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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