Testbed 2 – Zambia: Useful Information

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Zambia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Laws and cultural differences

Pornography laws

It is illegal to possess pornographic material in Zambia, and offenders may be jailed or deported.

Illegal drugs

It is illegal to possess or use drugs, including marijuana. Drug use and smuggling are serious offences.

Using cameras in secure areas

It’s illegal to take pictures of sensitive sites such as army barracks or government buildings, and you could be arrested. If in doubt, do not take pictures.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Zambia, and anyone convicted can get a long prison sentence.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Wildlife, animal products and souvenirs

It is illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts without a licence. Anyone caught purchasing or trafficking such goods will be prosecuted and get a fine or a prison sentence.

Vaccination Recommendations

Most Travellers are recommended to be vaccinated against Hepitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid

To enter Zambia, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Zambia guide.

Zambia has a high risk of Malaria in all regions

atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine recommended.
Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the UK can be found here:

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

Healthcare in Zambia

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Zambia.

Medical facilities throughout Zambia are of a lower standard than in the UK. Facilities in rural areas are basic and emergency services are limited. Carry basic medical supplies. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

MPox

There have been reports in the News recently about MPox being brought back to the UK from Africa. Currently the affected countries are Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi

Mpox does not spread easily between people unless there is close contact.

Spread between people may occur through:

• direct contact with rash, skin lesions or scabs (including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or other skin-to-skin contact)
• contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, snot or mucous
• contact with clothing or linens (such as bedding or towels) or other objects and surfaces used by someone with mpox

For the current clade I outbreak vaccination indications for pre-exposure travel vaccination are being reviewed by the JCVI travel sub-committee, but vaccination is not currently recommended for travellers.

More information regarding Mpox can be found here