Is Zambia Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Zambia is moderately safe for solo female travelers. While locals are generally friendly and helpful, it's crucial to stay vigilant, especially in urban areas due to occasional petty crime. Also, it's suggested to refrain from walking alone at night. Using reliable transport services and staying at well-reviewed accommodations can significantly increase your safety.

Safety rating

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How safe is Zambia?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Unsafe

Zambia, like many other places, experiences different safety situations at night. Though it has friendly locals, walking alone during the night is generally not advisable. It's safer to use official taxi services, and avoid less crowded and darker areas of towns in the evening. Safety can greatly depend on the specific areas within Zambia, so it is best to do some research and take necessary precautions for your personal safety during night hours.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Moderate

Zambia's public transportation system, mostly minibuses and taxis, provides a decent means of getting around. In general, it's relatively safe to use during the day, but it can be unreliable due to unexpected delays or breakdowns. Like in any country, it's always crucial to be alert and cautious. Feel free to negotiate taxi fares in advance to avoid overcharging and ascertain your route before boarding a minibus. Nighttime use of public transport is generally not recommended.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

In Zambia, you'll find that the environment is generally peaceful and people are quite friendly. Most locals are respectful, especially towards visitors. While occasional stares, verbal greetings or comments might arise, instances of aggressive or intense street harassment are relatively rare. As in any travel scenario, remain vigilant of your surroundings, avoid walking at night in deserted areas, and err on the side of caution when in public. Overall, Zambia is considered surprisingly safe for female travelers.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Moderate

Zambia experiences a moderate level of petty crime that commonly includes pickpocketing, purse snatching, and theft from vehicles, particularly in urban areas. Always be conscious of your surroundings, especially in crowded places. However, Zambian police are generally responsive to report these kinds of crimes.

Is Zambia worth visiting?

Laurence

Laurence

France

Zambia, Solo travel

I traveled (solo) in Zambia and Malawi. The two countries are pretty safe and traveling as a solo woman wasn’t a problem. The cost of living is very cheap if you stick to the local things ( transport, food, accommodation….). It can be tricky when it comes to getting from a place to another with public transportation especially in Malawi. Don’t miss the national parks and all the animals that live in. If you can afford a little safari then do it. And don’t miss the Victoria Falls

Posted: May 29, 2024
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Zambia, Group travel

Zambia is such an amazing country with so much to do! Personally I felt a lot safer being in a group as a woman, and could see myself feeling overwhelmed if on my own, especially in rural areas where public transportation isn’t accessible. Overall, the culture, the joy of the people, and the beautiful natural surroundings make Zambia the top place I want to revisit!

Posted: May 17, 2023
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Is Zambia safe for women?

Ngawa

Ngawa

Lusaka

It's hard to explain, but I generally feel both safe and unsafe in Lusaka. To some degree it's a matter of knowing where I'm going,obviously some areas are more safe than others. But I'm also aware that as a woman, I'm never ever truly safe anywhere. In my opinion the most common type of harassment is catcalling. Men will always try to walk you to your destination, get your number, comment on your body outfit name it. And the "I want to be your friend"🤮uncles(older men)who drive suspiciously close to you. Please always be aware of your surroundings,don't walk with headphones in both ears blasting loud music. I think this has always helped me stay clear of terrible situations. Oh and if you go clubbing,take care of your drink and be weary of men who want to excessively buy you alcohol, they call it "marinating"💔.

Posted: January 22, 2025
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Meet locals in Zambia

Ngawa

Ngawa

About Me

Hi Hi my name is Ngawa pronounced N-Gah-wah. I'm a law student,passionate about animal welfare and climate justice advocacy. I can speak basic Nyanja and Bemba,it definitely sounds better in my head. I collect hobbies like pokemon, 2025s hobby is crotchet. If im not bedrotting, I spend most of my days volunteering at the Cactus Animal Shelter,visiting art galleries, going to small indie concerts or Afro sunset raves(because I find clubs annoying) and going walking/jogging(plan on getting a bike soon). I enjoy teaching people about the little things I know about Zambia. And one of my super powers is knowing a guy for everything 🤣

Speaking

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DIANA

DIANA

About Me

Africa has been in my blood for 25 years. What gets me up and excited is my deep passion for storytelling, I love to craft and amplify the narratives of impactful projects, impressive people and gentle souls ❤ As a writer and creative mind with a tech-minded practicality, I harness the power of the internet to act as a loudspeaker. I love to connect people, and communicate ideas and concepts. I have lived and worked in 6 countries around the globe and consider myself a global citizen.

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Zambia

DIANA

DIANA

Lusaka

Can host for:

1 day

About me

Africa has been in my blood for 25 years. What gets me up and excited is my deep passion for storytelling, I love to craft and amplify the narratives of impactful projects, impressive people and gentle souls ❤ As a writer and creative mind with a tech-minded practicality, I harness the power of the internet to act as a loudspeaker. I love to connect people, and communicate ideas and concepts. I have lived and worked in 6 countries around the globe and consider myself a global citizen.

Speaking

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Alena

Alena

Lusaka

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I’m Alena! A Russian living in Zambia for just one month but already know places and some culture , while learning more. I love doing Tik Toks and dancing:)

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Zambia

Anneli

Anneli

About Me

Hello ladies! I'm a passionate traveller and world citizen, with a particular interest in an organic lifestyle, empowering girls & young women and animal/marin life preservation. I love connecting with people form different countries, cultures and religions to share both deep discussions, but also just to goofy around and enjoy the joyfulness of life itself. I'm an easy going person, curious, self-driven and very adaptable. I love to stretch the limits of my comfort zone, by challenging myself in all kinds of ways. I'm up for adventurous endeavours, cultural visits, culinary discoveries. My way of travelling varies depending on the destination, but I priviledge simplicity and authenticity. I walk a looooot! And I love to ride my 🏍️ Last year I had spent 45 000 hours on Spotify, so music is a great deal of my life. I've been trying to learn drums this year :)

Speaking

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Safety in Zambia