How to Get Around Zambia

Zambia is big and its parks are far apart, so the visitor's Zambia is flown: into Lusaka's Kenneth Kaunda airport or Livingstone's Harry Mwanga Nkumbula airport for the falls, then by light aircraft to the airstrips of the Luangwa, the Lower Zambezi and Kafue. Departure by air costs the equivalent of US$25 on international flights and a US$3 security charge on domestic ones, normally in the ticket and otherwise payable in cash in kwacha. Driving is possible -- a foreign licence is valid for 90 days, traffic keeps left, turning left on red is prohibited, and every vehicle must carry two metal warning triangles and white front and red rear reflectors -- but the Canadian advisory calls the road-safety problems major, names the Great East, Great North and Kafue roads for fatal accidents, and notes there are no ambulances for a road crash. Rural roads become impassable in the rains from December to April.

The British advice for the cities is to pre-arrange transport rather than walk at night, to keep windows closed and doors locked, and to watch for carjackers at gates after dark. Cards work in the larger shops, restaurants and hotels of the big towns and ATMs exist in the main cities; carry kwacha in the rural places and in the parks. The Kazungula and Victoria Falls land borders and the two international airports issue the US$50 KAZA UNIVISA, good for 30 days across Zambia and Zimbabwe and for day trips to Botswana.

Entry and exit

Nationals of 167 countries enter without a visa since a waiver for 53 more took effect on 1 January 2025; British passport holders are among them and may stay 90 days in any twelve months as tourists, showing a return or onward ticket and enough money. The passport must be valid six months beyond arrival with two blank pages. The KAZA UNIVISA, US$50 and valid for 30 days in any twelve months within Zambia and Zimbabwe plus Botswana day trips through Kazungula, is issued at Lusaka and Livingstone airports and the Victoria Falls and Kazungula land borders, or online in advance for those arriving on the Zambian side. Departure tax: US$25 international and US$3 domestic security charge, normally in the ticket. A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a transmission-risk country; Ebola screening may be introduced for arrivals from affected regions.

Roads

Drive on the left; a foreign licence is valid for 90 days, an International Driving Permit or Zambian licence beyond that. Turning left on a red light is prohibited; two metallic warning triangles and reflectors are compulsory; drunk-driving penalties are severe. Fatal accidents are common on the Great East, Great North and Kafue roads, pedestrians are often involved, and police and emergency assistance is limited or unavailable in rural areas, with no ambulances for road accidents. Rainy-season flooding closes rural roads from December to April. If stopped for a traffic violation, ask for a written fine to pay later or insist on the nearest police station.

Money and power

The kwacha is the currency; US dollars, pounds and rand can be exchanged at any bureau; major cards are accepted in the larger supermarkets, restaurants, shops and hotels of big towns and ATMs are in the main cities; carry local currency in rural places. Drought cuts the hydropower and brings prolonged electricity shortages that affect lighting, telecoms, shops, banks and ATMs, so keep water, food, fuel, a torch and a power bank to hand.

Emergency numbers

There is no centralised emergency number outside Lusaka. In Lusaka: police 991, medical assistance 991 or 995, fire 993. Elsewhere, carry the contacts of the local police and clinic.