Travel safety comparison · Africa

Zambia vs Zimbabwe: safety comparison

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Zambia vs Zimbabwe: side-by-side safety comparison. Risk scores, FCDO + US State advisories, drug law, women's safety, LGBTQ+ status.

· How Warnely scores risk →
Zambia sits a little lower on the Warnely composite score than Zimbabwe (28 against 42), but the gap is small enough that the practical difference comes down to category-by-category detail rather than the headline. The biggest single category gap is in crime, where Zambia scores 2/5 against Zimbabwe's 3/5. The US State Department currently carries a Level 1 advisory on Zambia and a Level 2 on Zimbabwe.
🇿🇲Zambia 🇿🇼Zimbabwe
Warnely composite (0–100, lower is safer) 28 / 100 42 / 100
Risk tier Exercise Normal Caution Exercise Increased Caution
UK FCDO advisory No active advisory No active advisory
US State Department advisory Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution)
Global Peace Index rank #64 #114
Drug law Severe (long sentences) Severe (long sentences)
Women's safety rating Exercise Caution Exercise Caution
LGBTQ+ legal status illegal illegal
Tap water n/a n/a
Currency ZMW ZWL
Full guide

Is Zambia safe to visit in 2026?
Full guide

Is Zimbabwe safe to visit in 2026?

Zambia vs Zimbabwe: common questions

Is Zambia or Zimbabwe safer to visit?

Zambia has the lower Warnely composite risk score: 28/100 vs 42/100 (lower is safer). Both scores factor in crime, terrorism, natural disasters, health, civil unrest, and infrastructure.

Is Zambia or Zimbabwe safer for solo female travellers?

Zambia is rated Exercise Caution for women's safety; Zimbabwe is rated Exercise Caution. Read the full guides for city-level detail.

What do FCDO and US State Department say about Zambia and Zimbabwe?

Zambia: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) (US State). Zimbabwe: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) (US State).

More comparisons

Namibia vs Zimbabwe · Botswana vs Zimbabwe · Malawi vs Zambia · Mozambique vs Zambia · Botswana vs Zambia · Mozambique vs Zimbabwe · Malawi vs Zimbabwe · Democratic Republic of Congo vs Zambia

Planning the trip? Check Zambia visa requirements and Zimbabwe visa requirements.

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