Travel advisory · ZambiaSome governments advise against travel to parts of Zambia.The warnings cover only these areas: DRC border areas.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- DRC border areas · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain, Italy
Also named by one government: Angola border areas (Italy), Chambishi mine surroundings (Copperbelt) (Italy), Northern borders (France), Southern borders (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No specific advice; general precautions only | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise normal precautions | Jul 31, 2023 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Take normal security precautions | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | Oct 22, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution elsewhere in Zambia | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Increased caution across the country; some border zones to avoid unless essential (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Zambia
Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, visited for Victoria Falls and national parks such as South Luangwa. Most of the country sits on a high plateau, so temperatures are moderate despite its tropical position.
Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa with Lusaka as its capital. It borders eight countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Angola. Most of the country sits on a high plateau at roughly 1,000 to 1,600 metres, which keeps temperatures milder than its tropical position suggests. The best-known sight is Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River, called Mosi-oa-Tunya locally, meaning thundering smoke. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its Zambian side lies within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
Zambia has 20 national parks and 34 game management areas. South Luangwa, North Luangwa, Kafue and Liuwa Plain are among the popular parks. Nshima, a thick porridge of pounded white maize, is the staple at most meals, and English is the official language. The cool dry season runs from May to August, the hot dry season from September to October or November, and the rains from November to April.
Five things to know before Zambia
- Check your visa-free stay
UK citizens can enter visa-free and stay up to 90 days in any 12 months, with a passport valid for 6 months and 2 blank pages. Other passports differ, so check the Zambian immigration site. UK entry rules
- Consider the KAZA UniVisa for Victoria Falls
For $50 it allows 30 days of travel between Zambia and Zimbabwe plus day trips to Botswana, available on arrival at major airports and borders.
- Time Victoria Falls for the flow you want
The falls are fullest from about March to May, when spray can hide the view. Low water late in the dry season shows the rock face and opens pools at the edge.
- Go on safari between June and October
The dry season concentrates game at the rivers in South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi. Many remote camps close during the rains, roughly November to April.
- Carry a yellow fever certificate if needed
It is required if you arrive from a country listed as a yellow fever transmission risk. Check the list for your route before you fly.
Zambia travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Visa-free stays, the KAZA UniVisa and passport pages.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical and evacuation cover, and what policies exclude.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMGetting data in Zambia from the day you land.
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards, ATMs and what to carry for rural stretches.
Read the guideGetting aroundDomestic flights, long-distance buses and hiring a driver.
Read the guide
Destinations in Zambia
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- ZMW 300
- Food
- ZMW 150
- Transport
- ZMW 50
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- ZMW 1,200
- Food
- ZMW 500
- Transport
- ZMW 250
- Sights
- ZMW 300
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- ZMW 3,000
- Food
- ZMW 1,200
- Transport
- ZMW 600
- Sights
- ZMW 1,000
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain24 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°RainyJanuaryRain
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 278 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- FebruaryRain20 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°RainyFebruaryRain
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 176 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Rains, falls risingMarchRain
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains, falls rising
- AprilPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Falls at peakAprilPartly cloudy
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Falls at peak
- MayClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low13°Dry, falls fullMayClear
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, falls full
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°Dry, coolJuneClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh24°Low11°Dry, coolJulyClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh28°Low14°Dry, warmAugustClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh31°Low17°Dry, hotSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh33°Low20°HottestOctoberClear
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Rains startNovemberRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- DecemberRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low19°RainyDecemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 174 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
Average daily high and low in Lusaka, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Zambia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 24°
- Humidity
- 18%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Lusaka
10:05 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today35°21°0%Monday: Clear. High 35°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue34°22°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 34°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed34°23°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 34°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu34°23°8%Thursday: Clear. High 34°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Fri34°23°8%Friday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sat34°21°43%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 34°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Sun34°20°53%Sunday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 53%.
Updated 07:25 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 20.22 ZMW
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Zambia
Zambia FAQ
Do I need a visa for Zambia?
Not on a UK passport: UK tourists can stay up to 90 days in any 12-month period. Rules for other passports differ, so check the Zambia Department of Immigration site.
What is the KAZA UniVisa?
A $50 visa valid for 30 days that covers Zambia and Zimbabwe with multiple crossings, plus day trips to Botswana. It is sold on arrival at major airports and border posts.
When is the best time to see Victoria Falls?
March to May for the most water, though spray can block the view. August to December shows more of the gorge and the rock face at lower flow.
When is the best time for a safari in Zambia?
June to October, when the bush is dry and animals gather at the rivers. September and October are hot but the best for game.
Which side of Victoria Falls is better?
Zimbabwe has the longer run of viewpoints; Zambia gets closer to the edge and the pools at low water. With the KAZA UniVisa you can see both.