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Zambia
Sustainability Politics
✈️ Travel Guide

Zambia

Zambia's Thundering Falls and Wild Savanna

Capital
Lusaka
Currency
Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Language
English
Best Time
May–Oct
Time Zone
CAT (UTC+2)
Flag of Zambia
👋 Overview

Welcome to Zambia

Welcome to Zambia, a Southern African country home to the thundering Victoria Falls and vast, wildlife-rich savanna. Victoria Falls, known locally as "The Smoke That Thunders," ranks among the most spectacular waterfalls on Earth. South Luangwa National Park offers exceptional walking safaris amid dense wildlife populations along the Luangwa River. Lusaka, the capital, provides a relaxed gateway to the country's renowned national parks and wilderness areas.

Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park offers canoe safaris past elephants and hippos along the scenic river. Traditional villages throughout the country preserve rich customs, music, and craftsmanship. Zambia's commitment to low-impact tourism has helped preserve genuinely wild, uncrowded safari experiences. Zambia invites travelers to experience dramatic waterfalls and authentic African wilderness.

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📍 Where to go

Popular Cities

01

Lusaka

Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, offers the Lusaka National Museum, tracing the country’s history from its earliest human settlements through independence from British colonial rule. The city’s markets, including Soweto Market, one of the largest in Southern Africa, offer produce and crafts from across the country.

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The Moore Pottery Factory and surrounding craft markets showcase Zambian ceramics and traditional carvings. Lusaka’s Kabwata Cultural Village offers a concentrated look at traditional Zambian architecture and craftsmanship within the city itself. Lusaka serves mainly as a practical gateway before heading to Zambia’s famous wildlife parks and waterfalls. Its relaxed pace offers an easy introduction to Zambian city life.

02

Livingstone

Livingstone serves as the gateway to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, where the Zambezi River plunges over a mile-wide precipice in a thunderous curtain of mist visible for miles. The Victoria Falls Bridge, spanning the gorge between Zambia and Zimbabwe, offers bungee jumping with the falls as a dramatic backdrop.

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The Livingstone Museum, Zambia’s oldest and largest, traces the region’s history including the expeditions of explorer David Livingstone, for whom the town is named. Devil’s Pool, a natural rock pool at the very edge of the falls, allows swimmers to peer over the precipice during the drier months of the year. White-water rafting through the Zambezi’s rapids below the falls ranks among the most thrilling commercially run rafting trips in the world. Livingstone’s access to Victoria Falls makes it one of the premier adventure travel destinations in Southern Africa.

03

Ndola

Ndola, in Zambia’s Copperbelt region, developed around the country’s mining industry and retains a more industrial character than the capital or the tourist-focused Livingstone. The Copperbelt Museum traces the region’s mining history and its central role in Zambia’s economy since colonial times.

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Nearby, the Chichele Presidential Lodge and access points to Kasanka National Park offer wildlife viewing away from more crowded safari circuits, including one of the largest mammal migrations in the world when millions of fruit bats arrive each year. Ndola’s parks and gardens offer a green counterpoint to its mining-town origins. The city’s role in Zambia’s copper economy has shaped much of its development and infrastructure. Ndola offers a practical, less-touristed stop for travelers interested in the Copperbelt region’s history and nearby wildlife areas.

🍴 On the menu

Local Food to Try

Discover some of Zambia's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.

Nshima

Nshima is a well-known part of Zambia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Ifisashi

Ifisashi is a well-known part of Zambia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Chikanda

Chikanda is a well-known part of Zambia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Kapenta

Kapenta is a well-known part of Zambia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Kalembula

Kalembula is a well-known part of Zambia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Village Chicken

Village Chicken is a well-known part of Zambia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Delele

Delele is a well-known part of Zambia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Vitumbuwa

Vitumbuwa is a well-known part of Zambia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Munkoyo Porridge

Munkoyo Porridge is a well-known part of Zambia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

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💡 Did you know?

Little-Known Facts

1

Zambia is home to Victoria Falls, shared with neighboring Zimbabwe, one of the largest waterfalls in the world by combined width and height, known locally as "Mosi-oa-Tunya," or "The Smoke That Thunders," a reference to the massive spray cloud visible from miles away. The country takes its name from the Zambezi River, one of the largest rivers in Africa, which forms much of its southern border and supports the massive Kariba Dam, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the world by volume.

2

Zambia is home to significant populations of African elephants and other large wildlife across parks like South Luangwa, often praised by safari guides for its particularly high concentration of leopards, among the most elusive of Africa's big cats. The country was formerly known as Northern Rhodesia under British colonial rule before gaining independence in 1964 and renaming itself after the Zambezi River.

3

Zambia is also one of the world's significant sources of copper, and the mineral has played a central role in the country's economy since the colonial era, historically making the industry both a major source of national wealth and a point of ongoing economic vulnerability tied to global copper price fluctuations.

🧳 Before & during your trip

Travel Tips

Tap a topic to open it.

Before You Go
  • Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
  • Check whether a tourist visa is required.
  • Keep digital copies of important documents.
  • Consider purchasing travel insurance.
Money & Payments
  • Review the local currency and exchange rate.
  • Carry some cash for small businesses and markets.
  • Check for international bank transaction fees.
  • Learn the country's customary tipping practices.
Stay Connected
  • Review your mobile carrier's international plan.
  • Consider purchasing a local SIM or eSIM.
  • Download maps for offline use before traveling.
  • Avoid sensitive transactions on unsecured Wi-Fi.
Transportation
  • Research public transportation before arrival.
  • Use licensed taxis or reputable rideshare services.
  • Check which side of the road vehicles use.
  • Confirm whether an international permit is needed.
Electricity
  • Check the country's voltage and outlet type.
  • Bring the correct plug adapter for your devices.
  • Use a voltage converter when required.
  • Pack a portable charger for longer excursions.
Weather & Clothing
  • Review the seasonal weather before packing.
  • Bring layers for changing temperatures.
  • Pack rain protection when appropriate.
  • Use sunscreen even on cool or cloudy days.
Food & Water
  • Research whether tap water is safe to drink.
  • Communicate food allergies clearly.
  • Try traditional dishes from reputable vendors.
  • Observe local dining customs and meal times.
Safety
  • Secure valuables in crowded tourist areas.
  • Avoid displaying large amounts of cash.
  • Share your itinerary with someone you trust.
  • Review current government travel advisories.
Language & Etiquette
  • Learn a few polite words in the local language.
  • Respect dress requirements at religious sites.
  • Ask permission before photographing people.
  • Follow local traditions, laws and social customs.
Emergency Planning
  • Save the country's emergency telephone number.
  • Locate your nearest embassy or consulate.
  • Keep medication in its original packaging.
  • Store emergency contacts offline and on paper.
Smart Packing
  • Pack comfortable shoes for walking and tours.
  • Keep essential medication in your carry-on.
  • Bring a reusable bottle where appropriate.
  • Leave room for locally purchased items.
Local Research
  • Check attraction hours and reservation policies.
  • Review national holidays and local closures.
  • Download important addresses before departure.
  • Leave flexibility for unexpected discoveries.

Important: Entry requirements, transportation rules, weather conditions and safety guidance can change. Verify important information with official sources before traveling.

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