Things To Do
in Zambezi
Zambezi is a town located in the Northwestern Province of Zambia along the Zambezi River. The town serves as a gateway to the nearby Zambezi National Park, known for its diverse wildlife such as elephants, hippos, and crocodiles. Zambezi offers a range of outdoor activities for visitors including game drives, fishing, and boat cruises on the Zambezi River.
The town also hosts the popular Mutanda Falls, where visitors can enjoy scenic views and swimming in natural pools.
- "Muli bwanji" - How are you
- "Natotela" - Thank you
- "Bwanji" - Hello
- "Nanga" - Goodbye
- "Ndikufuna" - I want
Prices
- 🏠 Accommodation (per night): $15 - $100
- 🍽️ Meal at a Restaurant: $5 - $30
- ☕ Coffee: $1 - $5
- 🚌 Public transport ticket (single journey): $0.50 - $2
- 🛒 Grocery shopping (per week): $20 - $50
- 🏋️♂️ Gym Membership: $10 - $25
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Start your day with a thrilling white-water rafting experience on the Zambezi River, navigating through breathtaking rapids. Enjoy the stunning scenery and keep an eye out for local wildlife along the riverbank.
After lunch, visit the nearby Victoria Falls to witness its splendor from various viewpoints. Capture stunning photos and learn about the history and significance of this natural wonder.
End your day with a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Enjoy the beautiful colors of the sky as you relax with a drink and watch wildlife come to the banks for their evening drink.
Rise early for a guided safari in Zambezi National Park and experience the thrill of tracking elephants and other wildlife. Listen to the sounds of nature waking up and enjoy breathtaking views of the park.
After lunch, continue your adventure with a game drive, focusing on spotting lions, leopards, and other majestic creatures. Capture unforgettable moments as you observe animals in their natural habitat.
Return to your lodge for a traditional Zambian dinner under the stars. Share stories with fellow travelers and enjoy a nightcap around the campfire.
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Stunning natural beauty, including the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls.
- Rich biodiversity and opportunities for wildlife viewing in national parks.
- Cultural experiences with local tribes and traditions.
- Adventure activities such as white-water rafting and bungee jumping.
- Growing tourism infrastructure that enhances visitor experiences.
- Limited access to healthcare facilities in remote areas.
- Economic challenges and potential poverty affecting local communities.
- Infrastructure issues, including road conditions and transportation.
- Seasonal flooding can disrupt travel and local livelihoods.
- Potential safety concerns related to wildlife and regional stability.
Best Activities in Zambezi
Outdoor fun you shouldn't miss!
Experience the thrill of navigating the turbulent waters of the Zambezi River, one of the best destinations for white-water rafting in the world.
Explore the nearby Zambezi National Park and catch a glimpse of diverse wildlife, including elephants, lions, and various bird species in their natural habitat.
Enjoy fishing in the Zambezi River, where you can catch species like tiger fish and bream, while soaking in the scenic views.
Relax on a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River, offering stunning views of the landscape and wildlife, perfect for unwinding after a day of adventure.
Take a guided canoeing safari on the Zambezi River for a unique perspective on wildlife and the natural surroundings, often allowing for close encounters with animals.
Enjoy breathtaking aerial views of Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River with a helicopter tour, providing a unique perspective of the natural wonders in the region.
Engage in guided walking safaris in the nearby reserves that provide an intimate and immersive experience in the bush.
Experience the beauty of the Zambezi wilderness by camping under the stars, complete with campfires and storytelling.
Tours
Uncover the best of Zambezi with these unforgettable tours.
Places to Visit in Zambezi
Visit one of these nice places.
One of the largest and most famous waterfalls in the world, providing breathtaking views and numerous vantage points for stunning photographs.
The majestic river offers various spots for scenic views and opportunities to capture the natural beauty of the surrounding landscapes, especially during sunset.
Located near Victoria Falls, this island provides unique perspectives of the falls, allowing for dramatic images and a sense of adventure.
This park features walking trails that lead to fantastic viewpoints of the Zambezi River and the falls, offering diverse wildlife photography opportunities.
The gorge provides dramatic landscapes with steep cliffs and turquoise waters, perfect for panoramic shots and adventurous photography.
Though just outside Zambia, this park offers stunning sunset views along the Chobe River with opportunities to capture wildlife in their natural habitat.
A suspension bridge offering a thrilling vantage point to capture images of Victoria Falls and the surrounding rainforest.
Provides relaxing views of the river and the surrounding area, ideal for leisurely photography sessions at any time of day.
Sunset river cruises offer picturesque views of the river and wildlife, providing memorable photo opportunities as the day ends.
An uninhabited island in the Zambezi River that allows for unique nature compositions and opportunities to capture the essence of the Zambezi wilderness.
Food in Zambezi
Zambezi Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Nshima, a maize-based porridge, served with grilled Chambo fish is a staple of Zambian cuisine. The dish can be found in local eateries and markets throughout Zambezi.
Must-Try!
Ifisashi is a popular vegetable stew made with groundnuts, spinach, and other leafy greens, often served with nshima or as a side dish. It is a must-try for visitors seeking an authentic taste of Zambian food.
Unique Experiences
Get to know Zambezi better with these unique experiences.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
The Victoria Falls Craft Market is a great place to sample a variety of street food offerings, including grilled meats, local snacks, and traditional Zambian dishes in a bustling and vibrant atmosphere.
Livingstone Adventure offers an array of street food options, from flavorful skewered meats to seasonal fruits and snacks, providing an opportunity to indulge in local flavors while exploring the area.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
In Zambezi, it is customary to greet everyone you encounter with a handshake and a friendly smile. Greetings are considered essential and show respect and acknowledgment of others.
Elders in Zambezi are highly respected. It is important to address them appropriately and show deference. When interacting with older individuals, you should stand or sit respectfully and refrain from interrupting.
Modesty in dress is crucial, particularly in rural areas. It is advisable to wear conservative clothing that covers shoulders and knees, especially during visits to local households or religious sites.
Hidden Gems
Discover the hidden gems of Zambezi with these exclusive activities.
Safety
Tipping in Zambezi
Ensure a smooth experience
In Zambezi, Zambia, tipping is not a widespread practice and is generally not expected in most service industries. However, it is appreciated in situations such as dining in restaurants, where a small amount (10% of the bill) may be left for good service. Additionally, in hospitality settings, such as hotels or during guided tours, tipping can be provided to staff as a token of appreciation for excellent service.
Payment practices in Zambezi reflect a mix of traditional cash transactions and modern electronic methods. The Zambian kwacha is the official currency, and cash is commonly used. However, mobile payment systems are becoming increasingly popular, especially among younger generations. Merchants, vendors, and service providers may accept mobile payments through apps and platforms that facilitate cashless transactions, though overall, cash remains dominant in everyday payments.
Top Things To Do
Engage in these activities to dive deeper into Zambezi.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
This is considered the best time to visit Zambezi, Zambia, as wildlife is easier to spot near water sources and the weather is cooler and less humid. Expect clear skies and great conditions for safari and outdoor activities.
During this season, expect heavy rains and higher humidity. While this is not the best time for wildlife viewing as animals tend to disperse and vegetation becomes dense, it is a great time for birdwatching as migratory birds arrive. The landscape is lush and vibrant.
These transitional months can be a good time to visit, as the landscape is still beautiful and wildlife can be spotted before and after the wet season. April may still have some rain, while November starts to dry out, making it a good time for both adventure and relaxation.
Zambezi at Night
Hiking in Zambezi
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
A breathtaking natural wonder located near Zambezi, offering hiking trails with stunning views of the falls and surrounding landscapes.
A beautiful park where visitors can hike along the Zambezi River, enjoying wildlife and diverse ecosystems.
Hiking trails that provide stunning views of the Zambezi Valley and opportunities to explore the unique geological formations.
Various hiking routes around Chimanga Lodge that allow visitors to explore the local flora and fauna.
While a bit further out, Kafue offers incredible hiking opportunities in a vast national park known for its wildlife and beautiful scenery.
Unforgettable Journeys
Delve deeper into Zambezi through these rare and unique activities.
Aiports
How to reach Zambezi by plane.
The main international airport serving Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, about 450 kilometers from Zambezi.
Located in Livingstone, this airport is approximately 600 kilometers from Zambezi and serves as a gateway to the Victoria Falls.
Situated in Ndola, this airport is around 700 kilometers from Zambezi and serves the Copperbelt region of Zambia.
Located in Kasama, this airport is approximately 800 kilometers from Zambezi, offering regional flights.
Found in Chipata, this airport is about 400 kilometers away from Zambezi and serves domestic flights.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
A major ethnic group primarily found in the Zambezi region, known for their agricultural practices and traditional ceremonies.
An indigenous group residing in the Zambezi Valley, famous for their rich culture and fishery activities.
This group has a historical presence in the region, known for their kingdom and involvement in trade along the Zambezi River.
A Bantu-speaking group that has settled in parts of the Zambezi region, known for their farming and hunting traditions.
A smaller group in the Zambezi area, primarily engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing.
While primarily located in Northern Zambia, some Bemba people also reside in Zambezi, contributing to the region’s demographic diversity.
The Soul of Zambezi
Discover the essence of Zambezi through these truly unique experiences.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Football is the most popular sport in Zambia, with a passionate fan base and a strong national league.
Rugby has a growing presence in Zambia, with several clubs and national competitions.
Netball is widely played among women and has a strong following in schools and communities.
Basketball is gaining popularity, particularly among the youth and in urban areas.
Athletics events, such as running and field events, are popular and Zambian athletes often compete internationally.
Cricket is played recreationally and has a small but dedicated community in Zambia.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Zambezi.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
While traditional Zambian cuisine heavily features meat, many restaurants and cafes in Zambezi offer vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, including vegetable stews, salads, and fruit-based dishes. It's advisable to communicate dietary preferences clearly when dining out.
Visitors requiring gluten-free options will find that many establishments in Zambezi are able to accommodate this dietary need, offering dishes such as grilled meats, rice-based meals, and fresh seafood.
Cultural Immersions
Experience the heart and soul of Zambezi with these cultural adventures.
