Summary update
Take care if you travel in the rural parts of North Western, Copperbelt, Central and Luapula provinces close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) particularly after dark. See Local travel
There is a risk of explosive remnants of war in remote areas near the borders with Angola, Mozambique and DRC. See Local travel
Don’t drive after dark outside the main towns. See Road travel
Around 60,000 British tourists visit Zambia every year.
There is a low threat from terrorism. See Terrorism
Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.
Travel Summary
- Any non-Zambian national overstaying their visa, not renewing their residence permit or working without a permit, including volunteer workers, risk arrest, imprisonment and deportation. A number of British nationals have recently been arrested and charged with immigration offences.
- You should exercise caution when travelling in the rural parts of North Western, Copperbelt, Central and Luapula provinces close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly after dark. You should also be aware that there is a risk of landmines on the Angola side of the Zambia/Angola border, as well as on the Zambia/Mozambique and Zamiba/DRC borders.
- Around 100,000 British tourists visit Zambia every year (Source: Zambia Tourist Board). 51 British nationals required consular assistance in Zambia in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (24 cases); hospitalisations (1 case); and arrests, for a variety of offences (13 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (41 cases).
- There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
- We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Advice .
Safety and security
TerrorismThere is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad page.
Crime
There are incidents of armed robberies and vehicle hijackings. Gangs target luxury four wheel drive vehicles; on occasion attacking stationary vehicles as they wait to enter gated properties. You should be particularly careful when approaching locked gateways at night. Lusaka, the Copperbelt towns and tourist centres are the main targets of criminals but attacks can happen elsewhere in Zambia. There have been reports of car-jackings by Congolese gangs on the Mufulira to Ndola road that runs parallel with the Congo border. Stay alert and do not, for example, stop to give lifts to people flagging you down at the roadside. Exercise caution where objects appear to have been placed to block the road. When driving keep windows closed and doors locked.
Muggings, bag snatching and theft from parked cars are common in down town areas, particularly near bus and railway stations and in some shopping areas. Keep large amounts of money, expensive jewellery, cameras and cell phones out of sight. Do not change large sums of money in busy public areas. Keep originals of important documents in a safe place and carry copies of passports and immigration permits in a separate place to the documents themselves.
Walking after dark, particularly in tourist or down town areas, can be dangerous. Avoid the Cairo Road area of Lusaka, including Chachacha, Freedom Way and Lumumba Roads, as there are often violent robberies in this area, sometimes resulting in fatalities. Tourists are occasionally attacked in remote locations. You should be particularly careful when overlooking the abseiling point on Victoria Bridge from the road which leads to Songwe Village. Tourists have also been attacked in remote areas in Northern Province.
In Lusaka you should use reputable banks and Bureaux de Change to exchange money or use ATM's, as counterfeit US$100 and Zambian Kwacha 50,000 notes are in circulation.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
Zambia Country Profile
Zambia’s next Presidential elections will be held in 2011 . We advise that you avoid any political rallies, demonstrations or large gatherings.
Trouble on the streets can be spontaneous. There are occasional student demonstrations, which can lead to violence, at the University of Zambia on the Great East Road, which is the main route to and from Lusaka International Airport.
Local Travel
For those travelling to the border area between Zambia and Zimbabwe, including the Victoria Falls area, please also read our Travel Advice for Zimbabwe.
You should exercise caution when travelling in the rural parts of North Western, Copperbelt, Central and Luapula provinces close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly after dark. The use of legitimate border crossings in these areas is safe, though Congolese officials may request payments to cross these borders. Travel in the bush along this border for hunting or prospecting is not advised.
Risk of landmines is high in Zambia's border areas, particularly those neighbouring the DRC and Mozambique. There is also the risk of landmines on the Angola side of the Zambia/Angola border. You should exercise caution when venturing off the main roads in these areas.
Wild animals in the bush, including poisonous snakes, are unpredictable and do kill. Whether travelling on land or water, you are at risk of potentially fatal animal attacks. Always observe local regulations and follow your tour or safari guide’s instructions.
Adventure sports, such as those on offer in the Victoria Falls area, carry inherent risks. Serious accidents and deaths occasionally occur. The medical care available in such emergencies varies greatly in quality. Participants should follow operators’ safety instructions closely. Your insurance policy must cover any adventure sports you may wish to undertake.
Road Travel
The Zambian Road Traffic Commission allows holders of UK driving licences to drive in Zambia for up to 90 days. If you intend to stay longer than 90 days you need to obtain an International Driving Permit or a Zambian driving licence.
Drink driving is against the law, as is driving while talking on a mobile telephone.
Road travel at night in rural areas can be hazardous. Abandoned vehicles, pedestrians and stray animals are a danger to road users. Many roads are severely pot-holed or otherwise unsafe, especially during the rainy season (November-April) when bridges and roads risk being washed away by sudden floods. There are frequent fatal crashes.
There are also dangers in urban areas, including in Lusaka - vehicles are often poorly lit, inadequately maintained and badly driven. There have been incidents of road rage. No matter what the provocation, do not retaliate, particularly by gesticulating.
Travel by long-distance public transport can be hazardous owing to poor standards of driving, lack of rest periods for drivers on long journeys, dilapidated vehicles and poor road conditions. Minibuses used in urban areas are usually severely overcrowded, poorly maintained and badly driven.
For more general information see Driving Abroad page.
Air Travel
With effect from 15 July 2009, all Zambian airlines have been refused permission to operate services to the EU. This decision, by the EU Air Safety Committee, followed an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit of Zambia, which discovered significant shortcomings in the ability of the Zambian civil aviation authorities to ensure the safe operation of airlines licensed by them. It is recommended that you avoid flying with any airline from Zambia if an acceptable alternative means of travel exists. If you already have a flight booked with an airline from Zambia and it is part of a journey which commenced in the EU you should consult your travel agent. The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community: European Commission Transport - Air.
For more general information see Airline Security.
Local laws and customs
The possession or use of narcotics, including soft drugs such as marijuana, is strictly prohibited. Customs may ask to see prescriptions for any medication brought into the country. Drug taking and smuggling are offences. Punishments can be severe. Prisons conditions are very poor.The possession of pornographic material is illegal in Zambia and offenders may be jailed and/or deported.
Homosexuality is illegal in Zambia and those caught engaging in homosexual acts can be sentenced to long terms of imprisonment.
It is an offence to drive after drinking alcohol and to use a mobile telephone whilst driving.
The Zambian authorities do not always inform the British High Commission when British Nationals have been arrested. If you are detained, you may insist on your right to contact a British consular officer.
You should avoid taking pictures of sites deemed sensitive by the Zambian government. This includes power stations, explosives factories, pumping stations, army barracks, government buildings, river junctions, road and rail bridges, the Ndola Oil refinery, mining areas and airports. If in doubt, do not take pictures.
For more general information see Your Trip page.
Entry requirements
Visas British passport holders require a visa to enter Zambia. Visas can be obtained from the Zambian High Commission in London (address below). Visa fees for British nationals are US$50 for a single entry visa and US$80 for a multi-entry visa. Single entry visit visas are available at all ports of entry, but multi-entry visas are not and must be applied for before travelling. It is possible to obtain a double entry visa at ports of entry for US$80. It is important to carry the exact amount with you, as change may not be available. For further information on Zambian visa requirements, you should contact the Zambian High Commission in London or visit Zambia Department of Immigration, rather than relying solely on advice from sponsoring organisations and local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). On leaving Zambia, non-residents pay a departure tax of US$25. This is now normally included in the cost of an air ticket but you will be asked to pay this separately in US Dollars if it is not.Volunteer workers should obtain business visas from the Zambian High Commission in London prior to departure. Any non-Zambian national overstaying their visa, not renewing their residence permit or working without a permit, including volunteer workers, risk arrest, imprisonment and deportation. Agents claiming to be able to obtain residence and work permits from the Immigration Department for foreign nationals may be bogus and the documents they provide may be forged. Passport validity Your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months on arrival and have at least two blank pages. Zambia does not recognise dual nationality. It is important to be able to produce a passport bearing the exit stamp from the country from which you have travelled.
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Zambian High Commission in London.
Health
Medical facilities and communications in Zambia are poor, especially in rural areas. Even basic drugs and clean needles may not be available. Emergency services are limited. You should know your blood group and carry a sterile medical kit including needles, dressings etc.On arrival in Zambia, customs officials may ask to see prescriptions for any medication brought into the country.
Malaria, Rabies and Tuberculosis (TB) are common to Zambia. There have been recent cholera outbreaks in Zambia, including in parts of the capital, Lusaka. Cholera and Dysentery are common to Zambia, especially during the rainy season (November-April). You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. You should only eat food, which has been thoroughly cooked, and for which basic hygiene precautions have been taken. Food purchased from local street vendors may not meet adequate hygiene standards. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Zambia you should seek immediate medical attention.
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 980,000 adults aged 15 or over in Zambia were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 15.2% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Zambia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel at: NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
General
Insurance We recommend that before travelling, you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance, which should include cover for medical evacuation by air ambulance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is When Things Go Wrong.
Registration
Long-term visitors and residents should register on arrival with the British High Commission in Lusaka, either in person or by email (LusakaConsularEnquiries@fco.gov.uk). You may also register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Money
ATMs are available within Lusaka and some of the major towns in Zambia, though these tend to only accept Visa and not Mastercard. The major credit cards are increasingly accepted by the larger shops, hotels, restaurants and tour operators though paper rather than electronic transactions are the norm. Many companies charge a 5% fee for the use of credit cards to pay for goods or services. You should ensure that credit cards are swiped no more than necessary and that all carbons are destroyed. In Lusaka you should use reputable banks and bureaux de change to exchange money or use ATMs, as counterfeit US$100 and Zambian Kwacha 50,000 notes are in circulation.
Contact Details
Office hours:
GMT: Mon-Thur: 0600-1100/1200-1430; Fri: 0600-1100;
Local: Mon-Thurs: 0800-1300/1400-1630; Fri: 0800-1300.
Out of hours, High Commission will give contact number.Address:
British High Commission
5210 Independence Avenue
PO Box 50050
15101 Ridgeway
Lusaka
ZambiaTelephone: (260) (211) 423200
Facsimile:
(260) (211) 253798 (Management/Press and Public Affairs/ Development
(260) (211) 251923 (Consular)
(260) (211) 252848 (Chancery)
E-mail:
General Enquiries - LusakaGeneralEnquiries@fco.gov.uk
Consular Enquiries - LusakaConsularEnquiries@fco.gov.uk
Visa Enquiries - LusakaVISAEnquiries@fco.gov.uk
Press Enquiries - LusakaPressEnquiries@fco.gov.uk
Projects - LusakaProjects@fco.gov.uk
Office hours: GMT: Mon-Thurs: 0600-1100 / 1200-1430; Fri: 0600-1100; Local Time: Mon-Thurs: 0800-1300 / 1400-1630; Fri: 0800-1300.
Out of hours: The British High Commission answer machine gives an emergency contact number.
Website: UK in Zambia
