27open jobs
11organisations hiring
1violent events in 3 months
1deaths (estimate)
To prepare a mission or a new post: the essential context, region by region. This briefing does not replace your organisation's security briefing on arrival.
presidential republic
There 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.
Bemba 21%, Tonga 13.6%, Chewa 7.4%, Lozi 5.7%, Nsenga 5.3%, Tumbuka 4.4%, Ngoni 4%, Lala 3.1%, Kaonde 2.9%, Namwanga 2.8%, Lunda (north Western) 2.6%, Mambwe 2.5%, Luvale 2.2%, Lamba 2.1%, Ushi 1.9%, Lenje 1.6%, Bisa 1.6%, Mbunda 1.2%, other 13.8%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.)
Bemba 33.4%, Nyanja 14.7%, Tonga 11.4%, Lozi 5.5%, Chewa 4.5%, Nsenga 2.9%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda (North Western) 1.9%, Kaonde 1.8%, Lala 1.8%, Lamba 1.8%, English (official) 1.7%, Luvale 1.5%, Mambwe 1.3%, Namwanga 1.2%, Lenje 1.1%, Bisa 1%, other 9.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2010 est.)
Protestant 75.3%, Roman Catholic 20.2%, other 2.7% (includes Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and Baha'i), none 1.8% (2010 est.)
Country profiles: The World Factbook (CIA), public domain, last edition (2025-2026).
lower-middle-income sub-Saharan economy; regional hydroelectricity producer; trade ties and infrastructure investments from China; IMF assistance to restructure debt burden; one of youngest and fastest-growing labor forces; systemic corruption; extreme rural poverty
21.9 MPopulation2025
45.9 %Urban population2025
$1,318GDP per capita2025
3.8 %GDP growth2025
13.9 %Inflation2025
71.7 %Extreme poverty (international line)2022
5.9 %Unemployment2025
71.8 %Adult literacy2024
17.1 %Internet users2024
53.6 %Access to electricity2024
83,225refugees hosted2025
12,906asylum seekers2025
892refugees and asylum seekers from the country2025
Indicators: World Bank (CC BY 4.0); refugees and displaced people: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. Latest available year for each figure.
Zambia Defense Force (ZDF): Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, Zambia National ServiceMinistry of Home Affairs and Internal Security: Zambia Police (2025)
Party names as coded by UCDP, July – September 2026. "Government of …" refers to State forces.
| Actor | Events | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Government of Zambia | 1 | 1 |
Informative list, to be complemented by your organisation's security analysis and NGO security forums.
UK government (FCDO) travel advice. Some guidance is aimed at British nationals; always follow your organisation's instructions.
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
Follow FCDO:
Organised violence events recorded by UCDP, July – September 2026.
By month: July 0 · August 1 · September 0
| Region | Events | Deaths | Civilians | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lusaka | 1 | 1 | 1 | new |
This guide also has safety advice for regions of Zambia.
There 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.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Terrorist attacks in Zambia cannot be ruled out.
Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.
There 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.
Travel 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:
Keep valuables and originals of important documents in a safe place and carry a copy of your passport’s photo page and entry stamp.
It is illegal to possess pornographic material in Zambia, and offenders may be jailed or deported.
It is illegal to possess or use drugs, including marijuana. Drug use and smuggling are serious offences.
It’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.
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Zambia, and anyone convicted can get a long prison sentence.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
It 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.
Wild 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.
Adventure 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.
If you are planning to drive in Zambia, see information on driving abroad.
You 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.
Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.
Many roads are severely potholed. During the rainy season from November to April, sudden floods can wash away bridges and roads.
Vehicles 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.
It 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.
Travel 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.
This section has safety advice for regions of Zambia. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.
You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
Take 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.
Legitimate border crossings in these areas are generally safe.
66.5yearsLife expectancy2024
48.4per 1,000 live birthsUnder-5 mortality2024
85per 100,000 live birthsMaternal mortality2023
252.4per 1,000 people at riskMalaria (new cases)2024
0.32per 1,000 peoplePhysicians2022
73.4 %Basic drinking water access2024
Before you travel check that:
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
See what health risks you’ll face in Zambia including:
The 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.
Chemical 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:
avoid bathing in rivers and streams near the Chambishi stream, and where the Mwambashi and Kafue rivers meet
avoid consuming untreated locally sourced water or fish from this area. Boiling water does not remove heavy metal contaminants
seek medical attention if you feel unwell
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
FCDO has a list of medical providers in Zambia.
Medical 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.
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
Passport Index Data (passportindex.org), MIT licence. Indicative, for a tourist stay; always check with the embassy or consulate. (17 February 2026)
This 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.
The 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.
To 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.
Make sure you get your passport stamped.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You 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.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
Zambia recognises dual nationality. However, to avoid delays at the airport you should leave Zambia on the same passport you used to enter.
British passport holders do not need a visa to enter Zambia. You must be able to show:
Tourists 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.
For further information, email the Zambian High Commission at [email protected] or contact the Zambian Department of Immigration.
The 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.
You can apply online in advance, or get the visa on arrival if you are arriving at:
On 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.
To 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.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Zambia guide.
As 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.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) have declared Ebola as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
There 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.
Before you arrive, register with the coordination bodies: they share alerts, cluster meetings and useful contacts.
Clusters: health, nutrition, protection, WASH, food security, shelter, education, logistics, emergency telecommunications and CCCM. OCHA publishes their meetings and contacts in each country where they are activated.
Organisations hiring in the country, based on open jobs on the site:
Violence over the last 3 months, jobs and passages of official advice that mention the region.
1 event · 1 death · 1 civilian
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Lusaka
There 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.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
Chemical 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:
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
This briefing gathers public information to prepare a mission. It does not replace your organisation's security analysis, your security focal point's instructions or the country's authorities.