Summary
- We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Zambia because of the risk of criminal activity.
- Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
- The situation remains calm in Zambia, however, you should avoid large crowds, political rallies and demonstrations as they may turn violent.
- We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the border areas with the Democratic Republic of the Congo because of armed criminal gangs, and the border areas with Angola and Mozambique because of landmines near these borders.
- The level of HIV/AIDS infection in Zambia is high.
- Australia has a Consulate in Lusaka headed by an Honorary Consul which provides limited consular assistance (not including the issue of passports). The Australian Embassy in Zimbabwe provides full consular assistance to Australians in Zambia.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
Entry and exit
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Zambia for the most up-to-date information. Further information on visa requirements is available on Zambia's Department of Immigration website.
Zambia’s three main airports were renamed in September-October 2011. Lusaka International Airport is now known as Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Livingstone Airport is now known as Harry Nkumbula Airport and Ndola Airport has been renamed Simon Kapwepwe Airport.
From January 2011 the National Airports Corporation introduced an additional airport tax that must be paid by all departing passengers on both domestic and international flights. Travellers are advised that the airport tax is not included in airline tickets at present. Fees can be paid on departure in US dollars and Zambian Kwacha. The fee is three US dollars for domestic flights and five US dollars for international flights. These fees may change without notice.
Travellers may be required to show proof of yellow fever vaccinations if they have visited a country where yellow fever is present.
South African authorities require travellers from Zambia to show proof of yellow fever vaccination. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required from all visitors and includes travellers who are transiting through South Africa. Failure to produce a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate may result in being placed in quarantine or refusal of entry.
Failure to adhere to immigration requirements, such as not renewing residence permit or working (including volunteer work) without a permit could result in arrest, imprisonment or deportation. Travellers should exercise caution if using an immigration agent to obtain visas or permits. Some immigration agents operating in Zambia have been known to issue documents that are not authentic.
Make sure your passport has at least six months validity from your planned date of return to Australia. It is a requirement of the Zambian government that your passport has two blank pages. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas. Provisional travel documents are no longer accepted for travelling or transiting through South Africa.
Safety and security
Terrorism
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Civil unrest/political tension
You should avoid large crowds, political rallies and demonstrations as they may turn violent. You should monitor local media for information about possible safety and security risks.
Crime
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Zambia because of the risk of criminal activity. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
The crime rate in Zambia is high. Tourists may be targeted by pickpockets and bag snatchers. Armed robbery, carjacking, petty crime and residential break-ins occur throughout the country. There have been violent robberies (some involving fatalities) along the Cairo Road area of Lusaka, including Chachacha, Freedom Way and Lumumba Roads. When travelling by car, you should keep the doors locked and the windows up at all times. Valuables should be kept out of sight.
Thieves particularly target luxury 4WD vehicles and travellers in bus and railway stations and shopping areas. You should avoid changing money in busy public areas. Security risks increase after dark, especially in tourist areas and city centres. Avoid walking alone or travelling after dark.
Due to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance.
Commercial fraud scams are common in Zambia. Individuals have been the victims of extortion after being persuaded to travel to Zambia on business. If you receive a message that sounds too good to be true - don't be fooled, it probably is. Our International Scams travel bulletin provides details on the type of scams that may originate in Zambia.
Money and valuables
Before you go, organise a variety of ways of accessing your money in Zambia. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Credit cards are only accepted at some hotels, restaurants and shops in major urban centres. ATMs accepting international cards are only available in the capital, Lusaka. Use only reputable banks and Bureaux de Change to exchange money or use ATMs as there are counterfeit US$100 and Kwacha 50,000 notes in circulation. Credit card fraud does occur in Zambia. Be sure to keep your card in sight at all times while payments are being processed.
Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
Local travel
Driving in Zambia can be dangerous as many roads in rural areas are in disrepair. Bad driving habits, poorly maintained vehicles, pedestrians, animals wandering onto roads and inadequate road lighting also pose safety risks when driving. Traffic accidents occur regularly along the Great East Road in Lusaka. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
When hiring a motor vehicle, you should ensure it is equipped with two metallic emergency triangles with white reflective stickers on the front and red reflective stickers on the back. Drivers face heavy fines for non-compliance. Police road blocks are common and identity documents may be requested.
The safety standards Australians might expect of tour operators are not always met especially for activities such as adventure sports. Sufficient life jackets and adequate safety equipment may not be provided. Recommended maintenance standards and safety precautions may not be observed. Particular care should be taken when rafting near Victoria Falls.
When visiting Victoria Falls, you should take care to protect your passport from exposure to water. You may face difficulties if you try to travel using a damaged passport, and you may have to pay for a replacement.
Border areas with Angola, Mozambique and Democratic Republic of Congo: We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the border areas with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola and Mozambique because of the presence of landmines near these borders. Landmines can make off-road travel highly hazardous in these areas, and may not be marked. Local authorities can provide advice on affected areas. There are armed criminal groups in the area near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Airline safety
For further information, please refer to our Aviation Safety and Security travel bulletin.
Laws
When you are in Zambia, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Zambian authorities do not always advise the Australian Embassy when an Australian citizen is detained or arrested. If you are detained, you have the right to contact an Australian Embassy consular official.
Police and immigration officials can request to see your passport and immigration stamp/visa at any time. Failure to produce these documents may result in detention. We recommend you carry your passport and visa or immigration permit at all times.
Penalties for drug offences can be severe and include lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines.
Homosexual acts are illegal in Zambia and penalties include imprisonment.
Possession of pornographic material is illegal in Zambia and penalties include a jail sentence and/or deportation.
It is illegal to photograph around military zones, military assets and/or military personnel.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
Information for dual nationals
Zambia does not recognise dual nationality. Australian citizens holding Zambian citizenship will be regarded solely as Zambian citizens by the Zambian authorities. This may limit the ability of Australian officials to provide consular services to Australians who have retained their Zambian citizenship, particularly if they are detained or arrested.
Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Health
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
The standard of medical facilities in Zambia is poor, especially in rural areas. Medical supplies are limited and some prescription medicines may not be available. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with the required facilities would be necessary. Medical evacuation costs could be considerable.
You may be asked by Zambian Customs to produce prescriptions for any medication brought into the country. Failure to do so may result in arrest and imprisonment. Some medications that do not require a prescription in Australia may be controlled in Zambia, including those containing diphenhydramine. We recommend you carry either a letter from your doctor or your prescription with you. For more information see the Zambian Drug Enforcement Commission website, or contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Zambia for more information.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has upgraded the risk of yellow fever in Zambia from “No risk” to “Low risk”. Travellers should be aware that the South African Government may require passengers in transit to and from Zambia to show proof of having received a yellow fever vaccination at least 14 days prior to arrival in South Africa. Those without proof may be denied entry. Further information can be found in our travel advice for South Africa.
The rate of HIV/AIDS infection in Zambia is high. You should exercise appropriate precautions if engaging in activities that expose you to risk of infection.
Malaria occurs widely throughout the year in Zambia. Other insect-borne diseases (including plague and African sleeping sickness) also occur. We encourage you to consider taking prophylaxis against malaria and to take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times, wearing long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, and ensuring your accommodation is mosquito proof.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis, hepatitis, measles, haemorrhagic fevers, and rabies) are prevalent, with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as bilharzia (schistosomiasis). Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
Where to get help
Australia has a Consulate in Lusaka headed by an Honorary Consul which provides limited consular assistance (not including the issue of passports). Contact details for the Consulate are:
Australian Consulate, Lusaka
Al Jahazi Villas
155 Kabulonga Road
Lusaka, Zambia
Telephone (+260 211) 261144
You can obtain full consular assistance from the Australian Embassy in Harare:
Australian Embassy, Harare
1 Green Close
Borrowdale
Harare, Zimbabwe
Telephone (263 4) 853 235 55
Facsimile (263 4) 870 566
Website www.zimbabwe.embassy.gov.au
Email zimbabwe.embassy@dfat.gov.au
If you are travelling to Zambia, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
Additional information
Natural disasters, severe weather and climate
The rainy season is November to April when flooding may occur and roads may become impassable. You should monitor local media for information, follow the advice of authorities and consider leaving an area for higher ground if flooding worsens and if it is safe to do so.
Wildlife
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Swimming in lakes and rivers is unsafe because of the possibility of being attacked by wildlife and the risk of catching water-borne diseases.
For parents
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities in Zambia we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.