Tourist Scams in Zambia

Scammers approach tourists at ATMs in Livingstone, offering to help avoid bank fees or resolve card issues, while using a hidden card skimmer and observing the PIN being entered. A second variant involves following the victim after they withdraw cash and robbing them on a nearby quieter street. This pattern is flagged specifically by the US State Department, Australian Smartraveller, and Canadian Government advisories for Zambia.

How to avoid: Use only ATMs inside bank branches or secure hotel lobbies, never during night hours. Shield the keypad when entering your PIN and firmly decline all unsolicited help at the machine. Be aware of your surroundings after withdrawing cash and take a direct, busy route back.

Unlicensed money changers operating near the Victoria Falls gate, the border crossing, and along Mosi-oa-Tunya Road offer tourists above-bank exchange rates as an inducement to transact. During the exchange, they use sleight-of-hand to fold notes or remove bills from the count, leaving tourists with significantly less than agreed. This scam is consistently documented across World Nomads, Zambia Tourism safety advisories, and Canadian Government travel guidance.

How to avoid: Exchange currency only at official bank branches, hotel front desks, or licensed Bureau de Change offices. Never accept offers from individuals on the street regardless of how attractive the rate appears. Count any exchanged money yourself immediately before the person leaves.

Touts outside Livingstone's hotels and near the Victoria Falls entry gate approach tourists selling activity bundles — rafting, bungee, helicopter flights — at prices that may seem discounted but are sold by unlicensed middlemen who take a commission and leave tourists with lower-quality operators. In some cases, the activity booking is non-existent, and tourists arrive at the operator to find no reservation.

How to avoid: Book all adventure activities through your hotel, the Zambia Tourism Agency, or directly with Batoka Sky, Livingstone's Extreme, or other established operators with clear online presence. Never pay cash to a tout for a booking without a printed receipt from the activity company itself.

A scammer throws or smears a small amount of white paste or liquid on a tourist's shoulder while walking in Livingstone streets, prompting the victim to look up or stop. A second accomplice immediately steps in to "help clean" the substance, pickpocketing the wallet, phone, or bag during the distraction. This specific technique has been documented by multiple travel safety sources as operating in Livingstone's town centre.

How to avoid: If anything lands on your clothing unexpectedly in a public place, do not stop — move to a secure location before addressing it. Keep one hand on your bag or pocket at all times in crowded areas. Be suspicious of any stranger who immediately rushes to help with an unexpected mess.

Adventure activity operators in Livingstone — particularly those selling add-on photography and video packages for rafting, bungee, and other experiences — collect upfront payment for footage that is never delivered. Multiple independent TripAdvisor reviews describe paying USD 45–60 for activity photos and videos, waiting weeks for delivery, receiving poor quality or partial content, and then getting no response when requesting refunds. Some operators cite "technical failures" or "lost footage" to avoid delivery.

How to avoid: Do not pay for photography or video add-ons from unlicensed or unreviewed operators. If purchasing, pay after activity completion and after reviewing a sample of the footage. Use reputable operators with recent positive reviews on TripAdvisor or Viator and confirm their refund policy before paying.

Victoria Falls has separate entry points on the Zambia side (Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, ~USD 20) and the Zimbabwe side (USD 30). Touts near the Livingstone gate offer to "help tourists through entry" and collect money before handing tourists to the official booth — keeping a portion. Others claim tourists must pay a "dual-entry viewing fee" or a "conservation levy" that does not exist. Currency confusion (USD vs Zambian Kwacha vs Zimbabwean USD) is also exploited.

How to avoid: Pay entry fees directly and only at the official ZAWA (Zambia Wildlife Authority) booth at the Mosi-oa-Tunya gate. Do not hand money to anyone outside the booth. The fee is payable in USD or Zambian Kwacha at the official rate — no additional levies apply.

At the Zambia-Zimbabwe border at Victoria Falls, unofficial fixers present themselves as border helpers or visa agents and offer to guide tourists through immigration. After assisting with the queue or visa form, they demand a fee of USD 10–30 for a service that is entirely free and straightforward. Some fixers also offer unofficial KAZA Univisa processing and collect the visa fee directly, which is a significant fraud risk.

How to avoid: Do not engage with anyone soliciting your business at the border crossing. Visa applications at Victoria Falls are straightforward and the KAZA Univisa (USD 50) is purchased directly at the immigration counter. If you need help, ask uniformed immigration officers only — they will not charge a fee.

The Zambezi rapids below Victoria Falls (Grade IV–V) attract numerous rafting operators, some of whom are unlicensed and use worn or improperly maintained equipment including deteriorated life vests and helmets that do not meet safety standards. These operators typically sell trips through touts at a significantly lower price than licensed companies. Incidents including capsizing and injury have been associated with non-compliant operators.

How to avoid: Book rafting only with operators that are members of the Livingstone Operators Association (LOA) and can show a Zambia Wildlife Authority activity permit. Inspect life vests and helmets before departure — they should be in clean, intact condition with no visible cracks or worn straps. Avoid any operator who cannot produce licensing documentation on request.