Go, but pay attention.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Zambia
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go, but pay attention.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Street money-changing
Groups of men offering to exchange money on the street are likely running a scam. Use banks for currency exchange instead.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Nighttime curfew
There is a 10PM curfew in most of the country. Being on the street after this time risks arrest.
Police corruption
Police require payment to file reports for insurance purposes. Lodging a complaint against a local can result in the accused being interrogated and beaten by police.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Cholera, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Measles, Monkeypox, Rabies, Typhoid
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
Visitors to Zambia must obtain a visa from one of the Zambian diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries whose citizens are eligible for visa on arrival. Visitors may alternatively obtain an electronic visa.
Passport validity required: 6 months beyond entry.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Terrorist attacks in Zambia cannot be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Zambia, and anyone convicted can get a long prison sentence. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →Right now
In the news the last few days
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / D / G · 230V
Driving side
left
Emergency
police: 999 / ambulance: 999 / fire: 999
SIM / Data
The country code for Zambia is "260." The city code for Lusaka is "211". For the city code for other towns, check the directory. However, phone service both within Zambia and into Zambia is very hit-or-miss. In large cities, you are more likely to get regular, dependable phone service, but it is by no means a guarantee. The farther you travel from Lusaka, the less likely you are to maintain a good
Cash vs. Card
The currency of Zambia is the kwacha – meaning "sunrise," so-named to celebrate Zambia's independence – denoted by the symbol ZK (ISO code: ZMW).
Show the receipts (7 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09