Overview

Lusaka, Zambia’s largest city and capital, is a city often overlooked by travelers to Africa. However, this sprawling city is a new emerging center of tourism that has enjoyed something of a revival in recent years, with lively city markets, a number of upmarket restaurants and bars, and its link with other major African destinations through its International Airport. The city plays host to the country’s commercial and government hubs, and is the starting point for the country’s four major highways, each stemming out towards the country’s borders.

With its central position and rapid urban development, Lusaka is a melting pot of cultures, colors, and communities. It is a place of hustle and bustle, however, the parks and green areas just outside of the city, like Lusaka National Park or Munda Wanga Environmental Park, offer peaceful retreats for visitors and residents alike. The colorful street markets and (art) museums are further stops worth exploring on a visit to Lusaka.

Things to See and Do

Visit Lusaka National Park. Located about 15 miles from the city, Lusaka National Park – Zambia’s newest but smallest national park – is a great destination for a day trip. The location is rather unusual, as it’s located close to the city and in a populated area. However, it’s home to thousands of species such as rare white rhinos, giraffes, zebras, blue wildebeest, and eland, which roam freely throughout the habitat, comprising of forests, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls.

A guide can take you on a long walk or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can enjoy some bungee jumping. This park is one of the most popular attractions in Lusaka.

Explore the city. With its diverse suburbs and informal settlements, it's the perfect way to experience the culture of the city. Take a map and explore the city's markets, its second-class shopping area and many other nooks.

Go on safari and take a culture tour in Chaminuka Game Reserve. The reserve sits on top of a hill overlooking Lake Chitoka. It's a private reserve that's home to over 70 different species of Zambian mammals and reptiles, along with over 300 species of birds. It's located just 15 miles away from the city center of Lusaka, but it seems like a totally different world. See lions, cheetahs, ostriches, hyenas, giraffes and elephants while enjoying the landscape in either a jeep or on foot during a safari tour, or a boat tour of the lake. Cheetahs are the main attraction.

Visit Kabwata Cultural Village. The Kabwata Cultural Village is one of Zambia's traditionally styled trade centers that still uses thatched-roof huts. There are over 80 resident artists that come from all nine Zambian provinces, allowing for a great variety of wood carvings, drums, bijou, woven baskets, masks and traditionally designed fabrics. During the holidays, live performers play throughout the village to entertain travelers while also getting the opportunity to view the craftsman at work.

Explore the Namwane Art Gallery. The gallery displays many excellent pieces created by Zambian artists, as well as other African artists. It features a permanent collection of paintings, pottery and a variety of sculptures. Some of the paintings at the museum are the finest of Zambian artworks. This gallery is a must-see for every art lover.

Learn about the history and culture of Lusaka. Zambians are wonderfully proud of their history and love to share the details of the birth of their country through to its transition from northern Rhodesia, to what is today, a thriving Zambia. There are various attractions in the city worth visiting to learn more about this.

Lusaka National Museum offers a lesson through Zambia's significant historical periods across the upper and lower galleries, that range from its own prehistoric past to the contemporary way of life you see today. Chilenje House 394 is the former residence of the first president of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda. This residence is now the site of a museum that details Kaunda's journey of fighting for the independence of Zambia.

See baby elephants at Lilayi Elephant Nursery. The orphaned baby elephants here are being protected from poachers, providing them with a safe and caring environment. A visit here is a great way to learn about the mission of the orphanage and support the great work the organization is doing.

Cuisine

Lusaka will not disappoint you when it comes to eating. With a number of cafes and eateries in the city, you can plan a day just for a food tour wandering from the street cafes to some exotic dining restaurants. Zambia has a colorful collection of delicious local dishes that truly need to be experienced. The markets are a great way to sample an array of traditional Zambian street food vendors. Chindo Road is the closest thing that Lusaka has to a restaurant strip.

Lusaka has a surprisingly wide variety of restaurants including traditional Zambian, German, Chinese, Indian, Irish, Creole, Lebanese and others. Many restaurants are within larger hotels or other accommodation providers, and many are in converted homes.

Zambian cuisine is largely based on nshima, which is a food prepared from pounded white maize. Nshima is part of nearly every Zambian meal. In addition to nshima, Zambian cuisine includes various types of stew, cooked vegetables, and different types of beer. Dried fish and insects are also eaten.

Markets

Visit the Arcades Shopping Mall, featuring a cinema, fast-food establishments, excellent restaurants, funky cafes, a bookstore, and a large supermarket. This is a great place to spend a few hours of your day with an excellent ambiance. Every Sunday an outdoor market is hosted in the car park outside the mall that boasts a huge selection of handicrafts and knick-knacks. The mall occasionally features musical and theatrical events too.

Lusaka's Pakati Sunday Market is an amazing market offering a diverse range of items from jewelry to house decor, set in an accessible location. Haggling is expected, it's the only way you'll get an item for the price you desire. This market is located in the parking lot of the Arcades shopping mall. Be aware, the sellers target tourists and can inflate the prices, so negotiating is key.

Soweto Market is open daily selling everything from beans to used clothes, and everything in between.

Comesa Market, located in the Central Business District, referred to as 'town', is the best variety of styles, colors and prints of the chitenge. A 'chitenge' (a colorful-spring wraparound cotton fabric) is an important part of the Zambian woman's wardrobe, as it is used to make outfits for special occasions, as a wrap to carry babies, worn as a skirt to funerals and other occasions. It also makes a great souvenir.

City Market on Lumumba Road has independent sellers with items ranging from motor vehicle parts to fresh vegetables, and is the most popular place to buy second-hand clothing called 'saluala' which translates to 'pick'. As with other markets, expect to haggle for a fair price.

Kabwata Cultural Village is located in the residential area of Kabwata. This market offers lots of options for souvenirs such as wooden key chains, copper items, pottery, and more. Unlike Comesa and Soweto markets, Kabwata Cultural Village is smaller and much less overwhelming.

Burma Road Tuesday Market is one of the best places to buy fresh vegetables in Lusaka. Vegetables, tofu and fish can all be purchased at a much cheaper price than any of the chain stores.