Zambia

Recommended Vaccinations For Zambia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Polio Vaccine

Travellers who intend to visit this country for 4 weeks or more may be required to show proof of polio vaccination taken 4 weeks to 12 months prior to arrival in the country. Failure to produce this documentation may result in vaccination at the entry ports. Childhood vaccinations, including polio, should be up-to-date prior to travel.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources my be contaminated.

Recommended Medications For Zambia

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Zambia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Zambia through contaminated food or water.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever occurs in this country.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks occur in Zambia.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Zambia. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in Zambia.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Zambia.

For Some Travellers

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Polio

Vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was detected in this country, with the potential risk of global circulation. Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated travellers are at a higher risk if they come in direct contact with an infected person or through contaminated food and water, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas with poor hygiene standards.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in this country. Ticks that cause this disease are usually most active from November through April. Travellers engaging in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and game hunting in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas may be at a higher risk.

Malaria

All areas of Zambia are at risk for malaria, including Lusaka.

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is found in Zambia. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Zambia, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 2)

African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) only occurs in rural Zambia. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Safety & Security in Zambia

Personal Safety

Petty crime is common across Zambia, particularly in Lusaka and Livingstone. You face risks of pickpocketing, bag snatching, and vehicle break-ins, especially near transport hubs, shopping areas, and tourist sites. Security risks increase significantly after dark in both tourist areas and city centres. Violent crime, including armed robberies, residential burglaries, and carjackings, occurs throughout the country, with Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces seeing higher rates. The risk of crime climbs sharply during nighttime hours.

Carjackings have been reported on roads in the Copperbelt region, particularly on the Mufulira to Ndola road near the Democratic Republic of the Congo border. Thieves often target vehicles at traffic stops by grabbing items through windows or opening unlocked doors. Date-rape drugs have been used in bars and restaurants in Lusaka. Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent, often targeting foreigners. Tourists also get approached for bogus fees by individuals posing as officials.

Border areas within 20 km of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, and Mozambique carry elevated risks due to armed criminal gangs, unexploded landmines, and unexploded ordnance from previous conflicts. Cross-border criminal activity from the DRC has increased crime on the Zambian side. A February 2025 toxic waste spill into the Mwambashi Stream in the Copperbelt Province introduced heavy metals and chemicals into water systems, creating serious public health risks in the Chambishi, Mwambashi, and Kitwe areas.

Extreme Violence

Terrorist attacks in Zambia cannot be ruled out, and attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. However, there have been no significant terrorist attacks reported within the country in recent years. Zambia remains cautious about cross-border threats due to its proximity to regions with higher militant activity, especially in neighbouring Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The country experiences relatively low levels of extreme violence compared to regional neighbours. Zambia has one of the lowest homicide rates in its region, similar to rates in the USA when adjusted for population. Organized crime exists in Zambia, with the country scoring 4.93 on the Global Organized Crime Index. Criminal networks engage in modern slavery, illegal logging, illicit mining, and heroin trafficking. Wildlife crime, particularly stock theft, and firearms trafficking are priority crime concerns.

Violent crimes do occur, particularly in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces, with the risk higher after dark. Incidents include armed robberies, residential burglaries, and occasional reports of ritual murders. There have been violent robberies resulting in fatalities in Lusaka and on roads in the Copperbelt region. The main threats to visitors remain opportunistic crimes rather than targeted extreme violence. Most serious crimes can be avoided by taking sensible precautions and avoiding high-risk areas and times.

Political Unrest

Demonstrations and protests occur occasionally in Lusaka and other urban areas, and they can disrupt local transport and become violent. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn confrontational and escalate quickly. Protests often occur around election periods and in response to issues like rising cost of living and power outages. In 2024, authorities prevented or disrupted several planned protests, including youth-led demonstrations about electricity load-shedding.

The Zambian government has increasingly restricted opposition activities and public gatherings under President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration since 2021. Police regularly deny permits for opposition rallies citing security concerns, and the Public Order Act requires seven days’ notice for public meetings. Authorities have arrested opposition leaders, activists, and journalists covering protests. In 2024, UN experts expressed concern about arbitrary arrests and detentions on charges of unlawful assembly, espionage, hate speech, and seditious practices.

Protester roadblocks should not be crossed as this is likely to provoke violent reactions from demonstrators. Police have used force to disperse crowds, and demonstrations have resulted in deaths in the past. Student rallies can also get out of hand. The political situation ahead of the 2026 national elections has shown signs of increased tensions, with authorities monitoring and restricting movements of opposition figures. You should avoid all protests, political rallies, and large public gatherings, and leave the area quickly if crowds develop.

Areas To Avoid

Areas within 20 km of the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) require heightened caution due to armed criminal gangs, unexploded landmines, and unexploded ordnance. The Mufulira to Ndola road, which runs parallel to the DRC border, is a known carjacking hotspot. Copperbelt, Central, and Luapula provinces close to the DRC border have experienced increased armed banditry. Remote areas near the Angola and Mozambique borders also contain risks of unexploded landmines from previous wars.

In Lusaka, certain neighbourhoods carry higher crime rates, particularly the shanty towns of Chibolya and Kanyama and areas along the railroad. The Lusaka bus station is considered unsafe, especially after dark. The Copperbelt province has an elevated crime rate and should be approached with caution. Following the February 2025 toxic waste spill, you should avoid the Chambishi, Mwambashi, and Kitwe areas of the Copperbelt Province where contaminated water poses serious public health risks.

Downtown areas of Lusaka and Livingstone see frequent bag snatching and theft, particularly near transport hubs, internet cafes, restaurants, and shopping areas. High-density residential compounds, public parks, and poorly lit areas throughout the country pose increased risks, especially after dark. Walking alone at night should be avoided in all urban areas. Travel in larger cities and major game parks is generally safe during daylight hours, but you should remain alert to your surroundings at all times.