{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/zambia/lusaka","updatedAt":"2026-09-30T12:02:00.947Z","place":{"city":"Lusaka","country":"Zambia","countryCode":"ZM","lat":-15.40669,"lon":28.28713},"safety":{"score":62,"level":"MODERATE","answer":"Mostly — take normal precautions","saferThanPctOfCountries":60,"confidence":0.74,"caps":[],"databaseScore":62,"travellerSentiment":{"score":64,"label":"Mostly positive","summary":"Recent traveler reports indicate visitors generally feel safe in Lusaka during the day, particularly in upscale neighborhoods, but express caution at night and in crowded urban zones.","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":71,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":62,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":58,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":58,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":64,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":97,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":64,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":73,"tier":2}]},"advisories":[{"source":"U.S. Department of State","level":1,"label":"Exercise Normal Precautions","updated":"Mon, 31 Jul 2023","url":"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/zambia-travel-advisory.html"},{"source":"UK Foreign Office (FCDO)","level":1,"label":"No advisory against travel","updated":"2026-06-01T13:58:33Z","url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zambia"},{"source":"Government of Canada","level":1,"label":"Exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories)","updated":"2026-09-24T08:53:35.788196-04:00","url":"https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/zambia"}],"indicators":[{"key":"homicide","label":"Homicide rate","value":5.20150860823759,"display":"5.2 / 100k","year":"2015","score":65,"source":"World Bank Open Data"},{"key":"crime_major_constraint","label":"Crime seen as a major business constraint","value":0.6,"display":"0.6%","year":"2019","score":100,"source":"World Bank Enterprise Surveys"},{"key":"terrorism_deaths_pm","label":"Terrorism deaths (latest year)","value":0,"display":"0 recorded","year":"2021","score":100,"source":"Global Terrorism Database"},{"key":"road_deaths","label":"Road traffic deaths","value":17.1,"display":"17.1 / 100k","year":"2021","score":48,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"stability","label":"Political stability & no terrorism","value":64.1728259,"display":"64/100","year":"2024","score":64,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"rule_of_law","label":"Rule of law","value":47.3064578,"display":"47/100","year":"2024","score":47,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"corruption","label":"Control of corruption","value":38.6078994,"display":"39/100","year":"2024","score":39,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"gov_effectiveness","label":"Government effectiveness","value":40.9757367,"display":"41/100","year":"2024","score":41,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"regulatory","label":"Regulatory quality","value":48.2283671,"display":"48/100","year":"2024","score":48,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"voice","label":"Voice & accountability","value":49.7157692,"display":"50/100","year":"2024","score":50,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"city_population_scale","label":"Urban scale factor","value":2212301,"display":"2.2M residents","year":null,"score":58,"source":"City Geocoding"},{"key":"numbeo_crime_index","label":"Crime index (crowdsourced)","value":44.61,"display":"44.6 / 100 · city-level","year":null,"score":60,"source":"Numbeo Crime Index"},{"key":"numbeo_safety_night","label":"Feeling safe walking alone at night","value":48.54,"display":"49 / 100","year":null,"score":62,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"numbeo_safety_day","label":"Feeling safe walking alone in daylight","value":86.74,"display":"87 / 100","year":null,"score":92,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"numbeo_worry_mugged","label":"Worry about being mugged or robbed","value":44.93,"display":"45 / 100","year":null,"score":59,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"numbeo_violent_crime","label":"Violent crime as a local problem","value":39.93,"display":"40 / 100","year":null,"score":65,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"numbeo_property_crime","label":"Property crime as a local problem","value":52.07,"display":"52 / 100","year":null,"score":51,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"numbeo_drugs","label":"Drug dealing or use as a local problem","value":34.85,"display":"35 / 100","year":null,"score":70,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"bribery_contact_rate","label":"Bribery during public-official contact","value":18,"display":"18.0%","year":"2017","score":62,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"air_quality","label":"Air quality","value":78,"display":"US AQI 78 · Moderate","year":null,"score":77,"source":"Open-Meteo Air Quality"},{"key":"health","label":"Travel health notices","value":null,"display":"3 global notices","year":null,"score":92,"source":"CDC Travelers' Health"},{"key":"hospitals","label":"Hospitals nearby","value":34,"display":"34 within 15 km · nearest ~0.3 km","year":null,"score":95,"source":"OpenStreetMap"},{"key":"weather","label":"Extreme weather","value":31,"display":"September: highs ~31°C · no weather extremes","year":null,"score":100,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":6,"display":"6 active alerts · Wildfire (green)","year":null,"score":77,"source":"GDACS / USGS"},{"key":"advisory","label":"Government travel advisory","value":1,"display":"Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions · 2 govts","year":null,"score":100,"source":"CA / US"}],"healthNotices":[{"level":"Alert","title":"Global Polio","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level2/global-polio"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Dengue","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/dengue-global"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Measles","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe"}],"hazardAlerts":[{"kind":"Wildfire","severity":"green","title":"forest fire notification in Zimbabwe","distanceKm":168},{"kind":"Wildfire","severity":"green","title":"forest fire notification in Zimbabwe","distanceKm":171},{"kind":"Wildfire","severity":"green","title":"forest fire notification in Zimbabwe","distanceKm":196},{"kind":"Wildfire","severity":"green","title":"forest fire notification in Zambia","distanceKm":332},{"kind":"Wildfire","severity":"green","title":"forest fire notification in Zimbabwe","distanceKm":398},{"kind":"Wildfire","severity":"green","title":"forest fire notification in Zambia","distanceKm":452}],"fieldResearch":{"verdict":"Yes — Lusaka is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, with petty theft being the primary concern.","summary":"Lusaka presents a moderate overall safety risk, with violent crime relatively low but petty theft common in crowded areas and transport hubs. Affluent neighborhoods like Kabulonga, Roma, and Woodlands offer strong security, while nighttime movement requires caution and reliable transport. Recent incidents are limited to non-violent political and civic events, with no reports targeting tourists.","robberyRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Mugging and armed robbery occur but are infrequent against visitors; risk increases at night in poorly lit or isolated areas."},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"High","note":"Pickpocketing and bag snatching are common in crowded areas, transport hubs, and markets such as Soweto and Katalambulwa."},"safeAreas":["Kabulonga","Roma","Woodlands"],"avoidAreas":["Chainda Compound (rising crime linked to drug abuse)","Kanyama (high crime density, theft and violence)"],"scams":["Taxi overcharging at airports by unofficial drivers","Fake-official fee shakedowns by individuals posing as authorities","Gemstone sales pitches targeting hotel guests"],"zones":[{"name":"Kabulonga","level":"safe","note":"Affluent expatriate and diplomatic area with good lighting, private security, and low crime."},{"name":"Roma","level":"safe","note":"Upscale residential zone with tree-lined streets, modern amenities, and strong security presence."},{"name":"Woodlands","level":"safe","note":"Well-established neighborhood with shopping centers, schools, and generally quiet, secure environment."},{"name":"City Centre","level":"caution","note":"Commercial heart with shops and offices; petty theft and bag snatching reported in crowded areas and transport hubs."},{"name":"Soweto Market","level":"caution","note":"Busy market area where pickpocketing and theft from cars occur; use caution with valuables."},{"name":"Katalambulwa Market","level":"caution","note":"Another market hotspot for petty theft and bag snatching; keep belongings secure and avoid displaying valuables."},{"name":"Chainda Compound","level":"avoid","note":"Reports of rising crime linked to drug abuse and resident concerns over safety; avoid, especially after dark."},{"name":"Kanyama","level":"avoid","note":"High-density area with frequent reports of crime, including theft and violence; not recommended for visitors."}]}}