23 March 2021
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, or are travelling to a destination that is exempt from the ban.
Our global travel advice remains at 'Do not travel' due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Some destinations were already set at Do Not Travel prior to COVID-19 due to the extreme risk to your safety.
If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, be prepared for delays and read our advice on trying to get home.
When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival, unless you have an exemption or are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from a green zone destination. At this time, vaccination against COVID-19 does not change this quarantine requirement. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View State and Territory Government COVID-19 information for information about quarantine and domestic borders.
If you're staying overseas, make plans to stay for an extended period. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe.
Our network of embassies and consular posts around the world will provide you with up-to-date local advice and support throughout this difficult period. Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures.
For the latest information, read and subscribe to our news and travel advice. Also see our COVID-19 information pages.
Call 999.
Call 999 or go to the hospital.
Call 999 or go to the local police station.
Do not travel to Zambia.
Do not travel overseas due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Crime persists throughout Zambia including:
Security risks increase after dark, especially in tourist areas and city centres.
Pickpockets and bag snatchers target tourists.
Thieves also target travellers in:
There have been violent robberies, some involving fatalities, along the Cairo Road area of Lusaka, including:
To protect yourself from crime:
Date-rape drugs have been used in bars and restaurants in Lusaka.
To help protect yourself:
If you're the victim of a violent crime, including rape, see a doctor straight away. HIV/AIDS is common.
Business fraud scams are common in Zambia. People have been cheated after being persuaded to travel to Zambia on business.
To avoid a potential scam:
If you're the victim of a scam, get legal help.
Don't travel to Zambia to get your money back.
Credit card fraud occurs.
To protect yourself from fraud:
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
To protect yourself during period of unrest:
More information:
Local transport and tour operators don't always follow safety and maintenance standards. This includes for adventure activities, such as rafting at Victoria Falls.
If you plan to do an adventure activity:
If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.
Getting too close to wildlife can be dangerous.
Swimming in lakes and rivers is unsafe because wildlife could attack you.
To protect yourself from wildlife:
Zambia experiences severe weather, including flooding.
The rainy season is from November to April. Roads may become impassable because of flooding.
To protect yourself if flooding occurs:
This advice predates COVID-19 and the Australian Government's travel ban for all Australians.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least eight weeks before you leave.
More information:
International travel and health (World Health Organization)
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
Medications containing diphenhydramine are regulated in Zambia.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Zambia. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Always carry a copy of your prescription and a dated letter from your doctor saying:
If you don't carry your prescription, you could be arrested and jailed.
More information:
COVID-19
COVID-19 remains a risk in Zambia.
More information:
The rate of HIV/AIDS (World Health Organization) infection in Zambia is high.
Take precautions if engaging in activities that expose you to the virus.
Malaria (World Health Organization) occurs throughout the year across Zambia.
Other insect-borne diseases, including these listed by the World Health Organization:
To protect yourself from disease:
Speak to a doctor if you develop a fever, muscle pain, a rash or severe headache.
Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common, including these listed by the World Health Organization:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
A cholera outbreak that began in October 2017 in Zambia has resulted in approximately 5,900 cases and 114 deaths by May 2018. The outbreak affected seven of the ten provinces in Zambia.
The Zambian Government has introduced measures to reduce the spread of cholera.
To protect yourself from illness:
If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help straight away.
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
The standard of medical facilities in Zambia is poor, especially in rural areas.
Medical supplies are limited. Some prescription medicines may not be available.
Know your blood type. Carry a sterile medical kit, including needles and dressings.
Most doctors and hospitals require up-front cash payment.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you'll need to be evacuated to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Zambian authorities don't always contact the Australian Embassy when they detain or arrest an Australian citizen.
If you're detained, you have the right to contact an Australian Embassy consular official.
More information:
Penalties for drug-related crimes are severe. They include long prison sentences and heavy fines.
More information:
Police and border officials can ask to see your passport and immigration stamp or visa at any time. They could detain or arrest you if you don't have them.
Always carry your passport and visa or immigration permit. You can get certified copies from the issuing office.
In Zambia, it's illegal to:
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Officially, Zambia recognises dual nationals. In practice, authorities may not recognise a second nationality.
In Zambia, dual nationals can't yet apply to have their other nationality recognised.
If you're both an Australian and Zambian national, local authorities may consider you a Zambian national. This limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained. Enter and exit on the same passport.
More information:
Visa conditions
You'll need a visa to enter Zambia. Business and tourist visas can be applied for online, and are available on arrival.
If you're visiting for fewer than 90 days, you can get a 30-day 'KAZA visa' when you arrive. You can get a KAZA visa if you enter via:
You can use the KAZA visa:
In other cases, you'll need to get a visa before you travel.
You're allowed two 30-day extensions on entry visas.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
If you plan to stay for more than 90 days, you'll need a National Registration Card.
To work in Zambia, including as a volunteer, you'll need a work permit. For more details please see Zambian Department of Immigration.
To live in Zambia, you'll need a residence permit. For more details please see Zambia Immigration Zambian Department of Immigration.
If you don't comply with these or other immigration rules, authorities may detain you.
Some Zambian immigration agents may issue fake documents. Make proper checks before and after using a local agent to get a visa or permit.
If you fly within or out of Zambia, you'll need to pay the National Airports Corporation levy. The levy isn't often included in airline tickets. You'll have to pay the levy in US dollars or Zambian Kwacha.
More information:
Zambian authorities have announced additional screening measures on entry for COVID-19. If you're entering Zambia by air, you are now required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR), conducted within the previous 14 days. Travellers not meeting this requirement will not be allowed into Zambia.
Quarantine arrangements vary and will depend on your travel arrangements and if you are a returning citizen or resident, or travelling for business or tourism. Returning citizens and residents who show no COVID-19 symptoms are able to quarantine for 14 days at home.
Business people, with a negative COVID-19 test (PCR), must monitor themselves for 14 days and if any symptoms arise they must report themselves to Health officials. Tourists with a visa and a negative COVID-19 test (PCR), can visit while adhering to recommended COVID-19 prevention measures. You should contact your nearest Zambian Embassy or Consulate to confirm requirements, which are subject to change.
All international airports are open. There are reports that land borders are being closed to non-essential traffic, with little or no notice.
Face masks must be worn in public.
As from 20 October, any travellers leaving Zambia are required to obtain a medical certificate confirming they have had a negative test for COVID-19 in Zambia within the previous 14 days. Certificates will cost 200 Kwacha and can be obtained from one of the following places: UTH Hospital; the Zambian National Public Health Institute; the District Health Office; or the Public Health Office.
If you wish to return to Australia, be aware that the Australian Government has placed caps on the number of passengers and flights into each capital city. You should consult your travel agent or airline for the latest information.
You'll need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate if you're arriving from a country where there's widespread yellow fever.
More information:
If you're travelling from an Ebola-affected area, you may be subject to a medical check at the Zambian border.
Zambian authorities have refused entry to people arriving from Ebola-affected countries. If there's another outbreak, authorities may again ban people who arrive from affected areas.
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for six months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than six months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
If you're travelling through South Africa, you'll need a full Australian passport. South Africa does not accept temporary travel documents.
More information:
The local currency is the Zambia Kwacha (ZMW).
Declare any ZMW and foreign currency over USD5000 when you arrive and depart. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
You must use ZMW to pay in Zambia. It's against the law to quote or pay in foreign currency for local goods or services. If you do, you could be fined or jailed for 10 years.
Use well-known banks or currency exchange companies to change or withdraw money. Fake USD100 and ZMW notes are common.
Zambian banks and foreign exchange agents won't accept US banknotes issued before 2000.
Zambia revalued its currency in 2013. Old notes are not accepted. Make sure you receive correct and legal notes.
Only ATMs in Lusaka accept international cards.
Some hotels, restaurants and shops in major urban centres accept credit cards. Many companies charge a fee to use a credit card.
Credit card fraud occurs in Zambia. See Safety
There are landmines and other explosives near Zambia's borders with:
These may not be marked.
Off-road travel in these areas is dangerous.
If you travel to these border areas despite the risks, ask local authorities about the safest routes.
To drive in Zambia you need both:
You must get your IDP before leaving Australia.
You're five times more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident in Zambia than in Australia.
Hazards include:
Traffic accidents often happen along the Great East Road in Lusaka.
Cars in Zambia must carry two metallic emergency triangles with white reflective stickers on the front. Red reflective stickers must appear on the back.
Drivers must carry identity documents.
If you want to take a vehicle into Zambia, you'll need to get a temporary import permit.
You'll also need to buy third-party insurance at the border. If you're not the owner of the vehicle, you must have a letter from the owner saying you can use the vehicle in Zambia.
Police road blocks are common.
If you plan to drive:
Always carry ID, such as your driver's licence, when driving.
More information:
Ask your travel insurer if your policy covers you when using a motorbike or similar vehicle. Your policy may not cover you for accidents in these vehicles.
Always wear a helmet.
Only use registered taxis and limousines, preferably arranged through your hotel.
There's no reliable public transport in Zambia.
Avoid long-distance buses. They are poorly maintained and often overloaded.
Travelling on river boats is dangerous. They can be overloaded and lack necessary lifesaving gear.
Always wear a life jacket, even if others don't.
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Zambia's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 999.
Call 999 or go to the hospital.
Call 999 or go to the local police station.
Police response, particularly outside major cities, may be slow due to lack of resources.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Phone: (+260) 960 706 908
Email: australian.consulate.zambia@gmail.com
1 Green Close
Borrowdale
Harare, Zimbabwe
Phone: +263 24 2853 235 55 or +263 24 2852 4716
Fax: +263 24 2870 566
Website: zimbabwe.embassy.gov.au
Email: zimbabwe.embassy@dfat.gov.au
Facebook: Australian Embassy, Zimbabwe
Twitter: @AusEmbZim
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.