For travelers visiting Zambia in 2026, the yellow fever vaccination requirement is primarily based on your travel history rather than your presence in Zambia itself. According to current health regulations, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for all travelers aged 9 months or older who are arriving from, or have transited for more than 12 hours through, an airport in a country with a high risk of yellow fever transmission (such as Ethiopia, Kenya, or various West African nations). If you are flying directly from a non-endemic region like the United States or Europe without a long layover in an at-risk country, you generally do not need to show proof of vaccination. However, while not strictly required for entry from low-risk zones, health organizations like the CDC still recommend the vaccine for those visiting the North West and Western Provinces of Zambia due to a small, localized risk of the virus. Always keep your "Yellow Card" (ICVP) with your passport, as border agents in neighboring countries like South Africa or Zimbabwe often demand to see it if they see a Zambian stamp in your travel documents.