Things to do in Zambia
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Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls are one of the world's most spectacular plunges. The 2km(1.2mi)-wide Zambezi River drops more than 100m (328ft) into a steeply-walled gorge. The Zambian side of Victoria Falls has long played second fiddle to its better-known Zimbabwean counterpart, but trouble next door means Livingstone is positively booming.
For close-up views of the Eastern Cataract, nothing beats the hair-raising (and hair-wetting) walk across the footbridge, through swirling clouds of mist, to a sheer buttress called the Knife Edge. If the water is low and the wind favourable, you'll be treated to a magnificent view of the falls and the yawning abyss below the Zambezi Bridge. Adre…
reviewed
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Manda Hill Shopping Centre
The swish Manda Hill Shopping Centre is easy to reach by minibus from along Cairo Rd or from the Millennium Bus Station, or by taxi (around ZK120). As well as banks, bookshops, internet cafés, furniture stores, restaurants and fast-food outlets, the shopping centre boasts a huge Shoprite supermarket.
reviewed
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Rhapsody's
Jump on a minibus to one of the two modern shopping centres: Manda Hill or Arcades on Great East Rd. Arcades has a cluster of top-end restaurants, the most popular being wine-bar/restaurant Rhapsody's, a hang-out for nongovernment organisation (NGO) types and well-to-do Zambians at weekends.
reviewed
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South Luangwa National Park
For scenery, variety of animals, accessibility and choice of accommodation, South Luangwa is the best park in Zambia and one of the most majestic in Africa. Amongst the varied terrain of dense woodland, oxbow pools and open grassy plains lurk beasts of all shapes and sizes, from massive elephants to pesky tsetse flies. Take precautions against malaria.
South Luangwa is where walking safaris (Jun-Sep) began. Being in the park, on foot, with the wildlife all around, is a truly exhilarating experience. Despite its many charms, South Luangwa attracts far fewer visitors than other African parks, especially during the wet season, making it all the more attractive. (Note that lo…
reviewed
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Arcades Shopping Centre
The swish Arcades Shopping Centre is easy to reach by minibus from along Cairo Rd or from the Millennium Bus Station, or by taxi (around ZK120). As well as banks, bookshops, internet cafés, furniture stores, restaurants and fast-food outlets, the shopping centre boasts a huge Spar supermarket.
reviewed
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LA Fast Foods
An ideal place to grab a meal if you have to wait a while for your visa from any of the nearby embassies. Allow some time to plough through the confusing array of menus on the counter offering Chinese food, burgers, steaks and a hundred variations of 'chicken and chips'.
reviewed
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Debonairs
Jump on a minibus to one of the two modern shopping centres: Manda Hill or Arcades on Great East Rd. At Manda Hill, you'll find Debonairs, the incredibly popular Subway for sandwiches, and Irish-themed pub O'Hagans.
reviewed
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Chit Chat
A popular place for lunch or dinner in a relaxed, open-air atmosphere, it has the most eclectic menu in Lusaka and features a rotating exhibition of purchasable modern art from local artists.
reviewed
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Sunday Market
The Sunday market at the Arcades Shopping Centre features artisanal goodies that are a step up in quality from markets elsewhere.
reviewed
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Kafue National Park
Covering more than 22,500 sq km (8687 sq mi), this is the largest park in Zambia and one of the biggest in the world. With terrain ranging from the lush riverine forest of the Kafue River to the vast grassland of the Busanga Plains, the park rewards wildlife enthusiasts with glimpses of various carnivores and their nimble prey.
The main road between Lusaka and Mongu runs though the park, dividing it into northern and southern sectors. (You don't pay park fees if you're in transit.) There are several gates, but three main ones: Nalusanga Gate along the eastern boundary, for the northern sector; Musa Gate, near the New Kalala Camp, for the southern sector; and Tatayoyo Gate…
reviewed
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Southern Africa Explorer
19 days (Cape Town)
A classic overland journey through South Africa, Namibia and Botswana .
Not LP reviewed
from USD$2,720 -
African Wilderness in Comfort
21 days (Cape Town)
A quality overland traverse through South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Highlights include Table Mountain, Augrabies Falls National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Swakopmund, Namibian Desert, Okavango River, Etosha National Park , Chobe River and Victoria Falls..
Not LP reviewed
from USD$4,390 -
Munda Wanga Environmental Park
Munda Wanga Environmental Park rehabilitates all sorts of animals for re-entry into the wild, unless they are too injured. The park features plenty of regional flora and fauna, including two cheetahs and seven lions, though the American black bear (a gift from Kenneth Kaunda) looks a little out of place. For visitors, the pool, bar and braai grills are welcome additions. It's about 16km south of central Lusaka.
reviewed
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Chobe & Vic Falls Lodge
4 days (ex Livingstone/Victoria Falls)
by Intrepid
Enjoy the serenity of the African bush, Cruise the Chobe River to spot wallowing hippos, Experience the power of Victoria Falls, Seek out elephants in Chobe Nat…Not LP reviewed
from USD$2,850 -
Kalimba Reptile Park
A bit of a schlep northeast from town, Kalimba Reptile Park is not only a crocodile and snake zoo (not for petting!), but is also a pleasant place to grab a beer and a crocodile sandwich, though you'll need a 4WD to get there. To get there, go east on the Great East Rd 13km from Arcades. Then make a left at the Caltex filling station, take the road to the end (11km) and the park is on the right.
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National Museum
Though there's not much to see, the downstairs galleries in the National Museum offer a perfect snapshot of Zambia, both past and present. Highlights are the displays of contemporary Zambian paintings and sculpture. Upstairs are exhibits of cultural, ethnographical and archaeological interest; don't miss the display about witchcraft.
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Soweto Market
The Soweto Market, close to the Lusaka City Market, is the largest market in Lusaka, but is more functional and lacks the traditional ambience of the Town Centre Market or Lusaka City Market. This is one place where you are most likely to be relieved of your valuables - so be careful.
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Botswana Buffalo Trail
8 days (Maun)
Ideal short safari in Botswana visiting abundant game reserves and the mighty Victoria Falls.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,990 -
Botswana Leopard Trail & Kalahari
17 days (Maun)
Explore the best of Botswana from the Kalahari to the Victoria Falls.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$3,690 -
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Kabwata Cultural Village
At Kabwata Cultural Village, southeast of the city centre, you'll find a scruffy collection of huts and stalls. Prices are cheap, however, because you can buy directly from the workers who live here. The specialities are carvings, baskets, masks, drums, jewellery and fabrics.
reviewed
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O'Hagans
Jump on a minibus to one of the two modern shopping centres: Manda Hill or Arcades on Great East Rd. At Manda Hill, you'll find Debonairs for pizza, the incredibly popular Subway for sandwiches, and Irish-themed pub O'Hagans, popular with South Africans.
reviewed
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Town Centre Market
The Town Centre Market is chaotic and, frankly, malodorous, but fascinating. Zambians get their bargains here, whether it's fruit or veggies, new or secondhand hardware, tapes or clothes. The market is relaxed and tourists don't get hassled.
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Lilayi Lodge Horse-Riding
Horse riding among wildlife can be arranged at Lilayi Lodge for US$25 per person (two hours). The lodge is about 8km off Kafue Rd and about 12km south of the city centre, and only accessible by taxi or private/rented car.
reviewed
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Ababa House
Ababa House is a smart boutique full of imaginative creations from Zambian and Zimbabwean artists, furniture-makers and weavers. Most are made for Western tastes and are not the sort of things you'll see in the markets.
reviewed
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Zanzibar To Victoria Falls
19 days (ex Dar es Salaam)
by Intrepid
Try the legendary Dabaga chilli sauce in Iringa, Travel through the vast, rolling African plains, Witness the awesome power of Victoria Falls, Canoe down the ge…Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,160
