zambia

Zambia Travel Guide

Trek Zone
shani
( Bemba)
Say hello
99°F
Thursday
101°F
Friday

Tourist season

Are December and January good months to visit Zambia?

12

December

Off
season

1

January

Off
season

Visa Limitations

Visa requirements for citizens of United States visiting Zambia for tourism.

Visa not required

A visa is not required.

Daily budget (1 person)

How much will you spend on accommodation, local transport, sightseeing, meals?

Backpacker's budget
from 23 to 35 USD

Tourist's budget
from 63 to 97 USD

Did you know?

The population of Zambia is around 18.38 mil., which puts the country in 65. place in terms of population (out of 231 countries and dependent territories).

How far is it?

1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings

The distance between Lusaka (ZM) and Washington D.C. (US) is 7699 miles

To calculate distance between your location and Lusaka click here

Lusaka
Lusaka
Chingola
Kabwe
Kitwe
Ndola
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C.
Philadelphia
Houston
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York City
7699
mi

Country Comparison

Compare Zambia to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.

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Time Timezone

00:00

Safety

General travel safety level in Zambia on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).

1

Level 1 • Exercise normal safety precautions (plus additional regional warnings).

Update: 13 Oct 2024

Upcoming holidays

25 December 2024• Christmas Day

1 January 2025• New Year's Day

Currency

Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) - rate compared to selected currencies

1 ZMW
Rate
Inversion
EUR
0.03463
28.87945
GBP
0.02856
35.01029
USD
0.03634
27.51668
Update: 11 Dec 2024

Get ready for your next trip

With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.

Cities and Top Tourist Attractions

From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Zambia

Map
Distance matrix
MilesLusakaKitweNdolaLivingstoneKabweChingolaKafue FlatsBarotse Floodplain
Lusaka-1801692356720085371
Kitwe180-3138211430211414
Ndola16931-38510260213435
Livingstone235382385-292391172257
Kabwe67114102292-137124389
Chingola2003060391137-221404
Kafue Flats85211213172124221-287
Barotse Floodplain371414435257389404287-

Best Ways to Experience Zambia

  • Cuisine
  • Animals

Practical Information for Travelers

  • Budget
  • Currency
  • Vaccinations
  • Visa
  • Electricity

Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country

More

Backpacker's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).

from 23 to 35 USD

Tourist's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.

from 63 to 97 USD

You can find out more about travel costs and prices in Zambia via the Prices link

Currency

More

Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)

EUR
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • USD
  • ZMW
ZMW
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • USD
  • ZMW
 = 
Exchange rates provided by Open Exchange Rates. Last update: 11 December 2024
Zambian KwachaZambian KwachaZambian KwachaZambian KwachaZambian Kwacha

Vaccinations

More

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Zambia.

Routine vaccines

Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Take antimalarial meds
  • Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in Zambia

Umiarkowane

Areas with malaria

All

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Some travelers

Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.

Cholera

Cholera is a disease of the digestive tract caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.The most common infection occurs through the ingestion, mainly through water contaminated with human faeces, and also through food (mainly fruit, seafood). Less often by contact with the sick person and their environment.
Prevention
  • Eat and drink safely
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Avoid sharing body fluids
  • Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment

Rabies

Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Keep away from animals

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥9 months of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YFV transmission.

This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

With or without a visa?

Visa requirements for citizens of

United States
  • United States
  • More

visiting flagZambia for tourism

Updated on 2 March 2023. Based on Visa requirements for United States citizens
Visa not required

A visa is not required.

  • Allowed stay: 90 days
  • Exact period determined on arrival, later extendable free of charge.
  • All visitors are fingerprinted.
  • Two blank pages required
  • International Certificate of Vaccination required.
  • Electronic visa also available.

Electricity

230V (50 Hz)

In Zambia the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type C, D, G sockets are used.

Click on the socket icon to see more information
socket CType C
socket DType D
socket GType G

Facts and Figures

Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country

Population

65 / 231
Ranking
18 383 955
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%

Area

40 / 230
Ranking
290.6 thous. mi²
It is approximately 8% of the territory of United States.

Life expectancy

168 / 196
Ranking
65.9
Life expectancy expressed in years.men 64.2women 67.8

Median age

8 / 157
Ranking
16.9
Average age of population expressed in years.men 16.7women 17

Population growth

10 / 172
Ranking
2.93%
The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss.

Literacy

71 / 131
Ranking
86.7%
Ability to read, write and count.men 90.6%women 83.1%

GDP

165 / 194
Ranking
3 456 INT$
GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population.
Source: WDI World Bank & CIA World Factbook Country Comparison

Where to next? Discover country icon Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country in the region worth visiting, or use the destination finder