Travel Smart
Honest, sourced guidance so you travel confident. Most of any country is calmer than the headlines suggest.
Safety
Countrywide advisory (Government of Canada)
Exercise normal precautionsExercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories) Regional advisories apply; see the source for zone-level detail.
Source: Government of Canada · Verified 2026-07-26
Livingstone and Victoria Falls
Exercise normal precautionsLivingstone is the primary tourist hub for Victoria Falls access. Secure infrastructure, active tourism industry, and strong police presence.
Common scams: Overcharging foreign tourists for activities and accommodations, unlicensed tour guides
Source: UK FCDO, US State Department · Verified 2026-07-06
Lusaka
Exercise increased cautionCapital city is the largest urban center. Petty crime and occasional theft occur, particularly in certain neighborhoods. Most crime is opportunistic rather than targeted.
Avoid: Certain suburbs (Kalingalinga, George) after dark; isolated areas at night
Common scams: Pickpocketing on public transport, taxi meter manipulation, currency exchanges at unfavorable rates
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
South Luangwa and Eastern Game Reserves
Exercise normal precautionsGame reserves and safari lodges are professionally managed with strong security. Wildlife encounters present expected risks (wild animals) rather than human security concerns.
Common scams: Unauthorized guides, overpriced tours through informal operators
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
4 zones rated separately against Government of Canada, UK FCDO, US State Department. Oldest check on this page: 6 July 2026.
Emergency Contacts
Zambia Police Service
police
Confirmed on both UK FCDO travel advice and the Zambia Police Service site, which lists 991 for general emergency, 992 for ambulance and 993 for fire as separate lines.
SourceFire service
fire
The fire number published by UK FCDO and corroborated on the Zambia Police Service site.
SourceNational ambulance line
ambulance
Confirmed on both UK FCDO travel advice and the Zambia Police Service site, which lists 991 for general emergency, 992 for ambulance and 993 for fire as separate lines.
SourceUniversity Teaching Hospital (UTH)
hospital · Lusaka
Zambia's main public referral hospital, from the UK Foreign Office list of medical facilities. The second number is the emergency line the same list gives for it. Speciality Emergency Services, a private ambulance operator in Lusaka on +260 211 278 101, appears on the same list and is what most visitors and residents actually call.
SourceCare for Business (CFB) Clinic and Hospital
hospital · Lusaka
The private hospital listed first on the UK Foreign Office list for Zambia, and the usual choice for visitors who can pay. Lusaka Rust Hospital on +260 211 254 702 and Victoria Hospital on +260 211 290 985 are the other private options on the same list.
Source