Traveling Luck for Zambia. Zambia, Africa

Political Situation

Zambia Country Profile

Avoid large crowds, demonstrations and obvious political gatherings.  Trouble on the streets can be spontaneous.  For example 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.

We advise against all but essential travel to the parts of the north western Copperbelt, Central and Luapula provinces, which are close to the order with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly after dark. 

There are continuing reports of armed cross-border raids from the DRC.  These are often cattle or food raids, targeting border villages, but some have been attributed to the Congolese Mai Mai faction.  Travel in the bush for hunting or prospecting along this border is not advised.  The use of legitimate border crossings is safe, though Congolese officials may request payments.

The border area between Zambia and Angola also remains sensitive.  However, talks about the opening of official border crossing points between the two countries in North Western Province, with a view to easing the movement of people and trade are ongoing.

Landmines are a danger in Zambia's border areas, particularly those neighbouring Angola, the DRC and Mozambique.  British residents who consider their presence essential in these border areas should be cautious about venturing off the main roads.

Wild animals in the bush are unpredictable and do kill.  Whether travelling on land or water, you are at risk of potentially fatal animal attacks.  It is important to observe local regulations at all times and always to 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.

The Zambian Road Traffic Commission allows holders of UK driving licences to drive in Zambia for up to 90 days.  Anyone intending to stay longer than 90 days will need to obtain an International Driving Permit or a Zambian driving licence.

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 the provocation, care should be taken not to 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.

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community.  You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel:  http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm.

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 is an offence.  The punishments can be severe.  Prisons in Zambia are basic and overcrowded with little sanitation and inadequate food and medical services.

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 several years’ imprisonment.

It is an offence to use a cellphone 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.

British passport holders require a visa to enter Zambia.  It is best to obtain visas prior to travel in order to avoid any potential problems with the airlines or with the Zambian Immigration Authorities – see volunteer workers below.  Visas can be obtained from the Zambian High Commission in London – see address below.  However, single entry visit visas are available at all ports of entry at a cost of £35.  You must pay in Sterling.  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:  Zambian representation in the UK, 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, payable in Dollars.  Residents can pay either US$25 or the Kwacha equivalent.

There is a special provision for day visitors coming across the border from Zimbabwe into Livingstone.  They pay only a fee of US$10 for a "Day Tripper Visa" but they must exit Zambia on the same day before the border closes at 18:00 hours.

Zambia does not recognise dual nationality.  So it is important to be able to produce a passport bearing the exit stamp from the country from which you have travelled.

Any non-Zambian national overstaying their visa, not renewing their residence permit or working without a permit, including volunteer workers who should obtain business visas from the Zambian High Commission in London prior to departure or upon arrival in Lusaka, 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.

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 representation in the UK.

We strongly 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.  Please see:  Travel Insurance

On arrival in Zambia, customs officials may ask to see prescriptions for any medication brought into the country.

Medical facilities and communications are poor, especially in rural areas.  Even basic drugs and clean needles may not be available.  In the event of a serious accident or illness, emergency services are limited.  You should know your blood group.  You should carry a sterile medical kit including needles, dressings etc.

Malaria, including cerebral malaria, is endemic in Zambia and poses a serious risk, particularly to visitors from non-endemic countries. You should take adequate precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes. More than three-quarters of British travellers who contracted malaria in 2005 did not take preventive measures, such as malaria prevention tablets.  However, malaria can occur despite appropriate prevention, and therefore you should promptly seek medical care in the event of a fever or flu-like illness in country or in the first year following your return from travelling to a malaria risk country.  Before travelling you should seek medical advice about the malaria risk in Zambia.

Rabies is common in animals. The rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals and transmitted to humans through bites, scratches or contact of saliva with broken skin and can be fatal once symptoms manifest themselves.  All travellers who have possibly been exposed to the rabies virus, whether by bites, scratches or other exposure, should seek medical advice without delay (even if pre-exposure vaccine was received).  This also applies to travellers in low risk areas in case other animal-transmitted infections are present, or the animal may have strayed across the border from an endemic country.  More information can be found on the National Travel Health Network and Centre website at: http://www.nathnac.org

There is a high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) throughout the country.

HIV/AIDS affects a high proportion of the population and you should be particularly alert to the dangers of unprotected sex.

Outbreaks of cholera and dysentery are endemic and are especially prevalent during the rainy season (November-April).  The border at Chiengi was closed by the Zambian Government after an outbreak of cholera in the area.  It has since re-opened.  Drinking water should be filtered and boiled or bought in brand bottles with unbroken seals.  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.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at:  www.dh.gov.uk

If things go wrong when overseas, please see:  What We Can Do To Help

Long-term visitors and residents should register on arrival with the British High Commission in Lusaka.

Money

ATMs are available within Lusaka and some of the major towns in Zambia.  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.  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.