Zambia Travel Tips: Money, SIM Cards, Safety and More

Planning your first trip to Zambia? These are the practical things we get asked about most, from money and phones to safety and etiquette.

Visas and entry

Entry rules depend on your nationality and change from time to time. Check the current requirements with Zambia's Department of Immigration or your nearest Zambian embassy before you book. If you plan to cross to Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls, ask about the KAZA UniVisa, which has covered both countries.

Health

• Malaria is present in Zambia. Talk to a doctor or travel clinic about prevention before you travel.
• You may need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you're arriving from, or have recently travelled through, a country with yellow fever risk.
• Drink bottled or filtered water.

Money

• Zambia's currency is the Zambian kwacha (ZMW), usually written with a K, as in K500.
• Cards are accepted at hotels, shopping centres and larger restaurants. Carry cash for markets, small shops and tips.
• ATMs are easy to find in Lusaka, Livingstone and other towns.
• Some tourist services, such as lodges and transfers, quote prices in US dollars.
• Zambians use mobile money widely, through services such as Airtel Money and MTN MoMo.

SIM cards and internet

The main mobile networks are Airtel, MTN and Zamtel. You'll need your passport to register a SIM card. Data bundles are good value, and coverage is strong in towns but patchy in remote areas and national parks.

Getting around

• Zambia drives on the left.
• Distances are long: Lusaka to Livingstone is about a day's drive. See how to get from Lusaka to Victoria Falls.
• Avoid driving between towns after dark, when livestock, pedestrians and unlit vehicles are hard to see.
• In Lusaka, use pre-booked drivers or ride-hailing apps. We also run airport transfers.

Power

Zambia uses 230V. The UK-style three-pin plug (type G) is the most common, but you may also see two-pin sockets, so a universal adapter is useful. Short power cuts can happen, so a power bank helps.

Weather

Zambia has three seasons: cool and dry from about May to August, hot and dry from September to November, and rainy from about late November to April. See the best time to visit Victoria Falls for how the seasons change the Falls.

Safety

Zambia is known as one of the more peaceful countries in the region, and most visits are trouble-free. Take the usual precautions: keep valuables out of sight, use trusted transport at night, and keep copies of your passport and travel documents.

Etiquette

• Greetings matter. Say hello and ask how someone is before asking a question.
• Dress is generally conservative outside hotels and resorts.
• Ask before photographing people, and don't photograph government buildings, police or military sites.