Zambia
Zambia’s plateau cities and river valleys echo with English and local languages, set against the roar of Victoria Falls.
Overview
Zambia’s landscape ranges from the Copperbelt’s urban bustle to the riverine calm of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls. English is the official language, but daily interactions often flow between Bemba, Nyanja, and other local tongues. Mining, conservation, and cross-border connections shape regional identities and planning choices.
At a glance
Language
- English(Official)
Population19,610,769
CurrencyZambian Kwacha (ZMW)
1 ZMW = 0.0527 USD
1 USD = 18.9709 ZMW
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially much less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerMuch weaker local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Healthcare IndexMixedSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
Crime IndexModerateSource category: Crime | 2026 | Crime index (100 = highest crime)
Safety IndexMixedSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
Pollution IndexHighSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
Traffic IndexHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Tourist / Visa Waiver, Tourist / Visa Waiver, Official / Diplomatic Visa, and 4 more.
Tourist / Visa Waiver
- Day Tripper
Zambia day-tripper visa issued at a port of entry for tourists visiting for less than twenty-four hours and exiting through the same port.
- 1 day
- No work rights
- Double Entry Visa
Zambia double-entry visa allowing the traveler to enter Zambia twice during the visa's validity, with a USD 40 fee.
- 90 days
- No work rights
- KAZA UNIVISA
Zambia KAZA UNIVISA allowing eligible tourists to visit Zambia and Zimbabwe multiple times, with Botswana day trips through Kazungula covered.
- 30 days
- No work rights
- Multiple Entry Visa
Zambia multiple-entry visa for repeated travel during the visa validity period, issued through Headquarters using the eVisa facility.
Languages
- English(Official)343,400 speakers
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Zambia.
Canada
Take normal security precautions
Advisory effective · Verified
Take normal security precautions in Zambia.
United Kingdom
No destination-wide FCDO travel warning
Advisory effective · Verified
FCDO travel advice currently has no destination-wide warning for Zambia. Review the full FCDO travel advice before travelling, including safety, entry, health, and insurance guidance.
United States
Level 1Exercise Normal Precautions
Advisory effective · Verified
Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. Exercise normal precautions in Zambia. Read the country information page for additional information about travel to Zambia. If you decide to travel to Zambia: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter. Follow the U.S. Embassy in Zambia on Facebook and Twitter. Review the Country Security Report for Zambia. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
Start planning your move
Choose a scenario to get started:
