
STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORY - Zambia
============================================================
ZAMBIA - Caution
 February 13, 1992

Summary:  The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to exercise
caution  while traveling in Zambia.  Declining economic conditions
have contributed to a rise in crime, especially in Lusaka and the
Copperbelt Province.  Zambian authorities are slow to grant consular
access when foreigners are detained.  Travel into military areas and
photography of military facilities are prohibited.  End Summary.

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to exercise caution
and prudence while traveling in Zambia.  Zambian authorities are
slow to inform embassies and to allow consular access when foreign
nationals are detained.  U.S. citizens should use extreme caution
when traveling off major roads outside of tourist areas.  Restricted
military zones are often unmarked and security authorities sometimes
harass tourists taking pictures.  Although Zambia has recently
dropped most restrictions against photography, some security
authorities still harass tourists taking photographs of facilities
they consider military and military-related, including bridges,
airports, and government buildings.  Although Zambia's state of
emergency was recently lifted, some roadblocks still exist and
security forces continue to search vehicles.

Due to uncertain security conditions, visitors should exercise
extreme caution when traveling in eastern Zambia on the Great East
Road along the Mozambique border and in the west near the Angolan
border.  However, tourist destinations, including national parks
located in eastern Zambia, are considered safe; thousands of game
viewers visit them annually without incident.  U.S. citizens should
exercise special caution along the Zambia-Zaire frontier because of
police and military actions aimed at curbing smuggling.

Crime is high in Zambia and travelers should take basic
precautions.  In Lusaka, U.S. citizens should be especially vigilant
on Cairo Road and in other commercial areas, where muggings and
petty theft are commonplace.  Moreover, visitors should avoid travel
on major city streets and main highways at night.  U.S. citizens
should also avoid travel at night outside of major cities because of
the absence of security features and roadside services.  Except for
airlines, public transport is generally unreliable and unsafe.

U.S. citizens should contact the American Embassy upon arrival in
Zambia for current information and to register their presence.  The
Embassy is located at the corner of Independence and United Nations
Avenues in Lusaka, tel.: 228-595.

 No. 92-022

This replaces the previous travel advisory dated March 12, 1991, to
provide current information on problems associated with the
photography of military and government buildings.

