THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
Are you traveling to Lusaka, Zambia? Here are some interesting ways to explore Lusaka’s history, tourism, and daily life. and explore the top attractions, including the Lusaka National Museum, Kabwata Cultural Centre, and Arcades Shopping Mall. From cultural experiences to modern entertainment, this city has something for every traveler.
Lusaka is a rapidly developing city that offers an authentic African experience. Spending a few days in the capital is an excellent way to immerse yourself in Zambian culture and local life. From the city’s genuine African ambiance to its cosmopolitan population, quality restaurants, and luxurious accommodations, there are plenty of reasons to stay for a night or two. Here are the best places to visit in Lusaka, Zambia, and plan your adventure now.
Lusaka National Park is a must-see
Lusaka National Park is the newest and smallest national park in Zambia, located just 30 kilometers away from the city. Despite being situated in a populated area, there are over 1,000 species within the park, including white rhino, giraffe, eland, hartebeest, zebra, sable, kudu, blue wildebeest, waterbuck, black lechwe, impala, puku, bushbuck, reedbuck, warthog, pangolin, and axis deer. These animals roam freely in the park’s diverse habitat, which includes forests, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls. The park offers a variety of activities such as camping, walking safaris, bicycle trails, game viewing, boating, photography, bird watching, and picnics.
Experience a panoramic view of Zambia by visiting Nembo Scenic Park
Nembo Scenic Park is a miniature replica of the map of Zambia that covers an area of 47,000 square meters. You can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the country without having to take a flight. The park is situated approximately 11 kilometers from the city center, making it an ideal spot to take a leisurely walk with your family. You can also enjoy the serene beauty of the park’s lakes and waterfalls.
Shopping at Arcades Mall
Arcades Shopping Centre in Lusaka offers a variety of clothing and jewelry stores, eateries, and entertainment for the whole family. The center has fast food chains, sit-down restaurants, a nightclub, a casino, and a cinema complex. Arcades also have banking facilities, a Bureau de Change, a Spar supermarket, Mica Hardware, clothing stores, and gadget shops.
Pakati Market — A great place for gifts and crafts
One of the best weekend markets in Lusaka is the Pakati Sunday Market. It offers a wide range of products, including jewellery and home decor, in a convenient location. The Pakati Sunday Market is an excellent opportunity to discover the creativity of Zambia.
Kabwata Cultural Village, part of Lusaka’s history
Visit Kabwata Cultural Village in Lusaka for traditional Zambian artifacts and hand-crafted gifts. Over 80 resident artists come from all nine provinces of Zambia, offering a wide range of woodcarvers, basket weavers, and more. You can watch them create wood figurines, textiles, beads, and masks. Meet the skilled craftsmen who create beautiful artifacts right in front of you. You can buy these unique pieces directly from the creators themselves. While you’re here, you can enjoy a delicious lunch at the traditional restaurant in the village. If you’re visiting the region during winter, plan your Sunday around watching local dancers perform. It’s a great way to spice up your dining experience!
Explore the Chaminuka Game Reserve
Chaminuka Game Reserve in Lusaka, Zambia is a wildlife destination that offers visitors a range of activities such as game drives, bird watching, bush dinners, hot air balloon rides, night game drives, cycling, fishing, boat trips, and photography. This reserve boasts over 300 bird species and 72 Zambian species of mammals and reptiles, an opportunity to spot various animals such as elephants, zebras, lions, and more. It is a perfect destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts
Check out Zambia’s National Museum
Explore Zambia’s intriguing history by visiting the National Museum. This cultural history museum showcases Zambia’s journey through four main sections: ethnography, traditional ritual, history, and contemporary art. The ‘Freedom State’ statue, depicting a man breaking his chains, symbolizes the nation’s struggle for independence. The National Museum offers a lot to see and learn about Zambia’s culture and history, and it’s well-maintained to provide the best experience for visitors. It’s a fascinating and educational day out for the entire family.
The Lilayi Elephant Nursery
The Lilayi Elephant Nursery is a heartwarming place where you can watch orphaned baby elephants being fed and play with each other. It was established in 2012 with a noble mission to save elephant calves from poachers and provide them with a safe and caring environment. However, you should note that due to the trauma they’ve experienced, you cannot pet the baby elephants. Moreover, to ensure that they can be reintroduced back into the wild, they’re kept away from close interaction with humans. If you’re interested in learning more about the project, you can arrive before noon and listen to one of the staff members explain the organization’s work. This is an excellent opportunity for those who adore baby elephants and want to support the organization’s outstanding efforts.
Visit Paray’s Game Ranch to observe exotic wildlife.
Parays Game Ranch offers an exciting opportunity to get up close with Zambia’s wildlife. You can explore the park at your own pace on a 4x4 and see various animals such as zebras and wild boars. The white lions are the park’s main attraction and are free to roam in their well-maintained area. After observing the animals, you can enjoy a delicious barbecue of bush meat. Paray’s Game Ranch is an ideal destination for a fun family day out.
The Victoria Falls
When considering a visit to Zambia, a trip to Victoria Falls should be considered a top priority. Known as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’, or ‘the Smoke that Thunders’, these falls are a stunning spectacle of natural beauty, and one of Africa’s most notable attractions, as well as being one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Located on the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls serves as the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. They are the only waterfall in the world that spans over one kilometer in width and drops over 100 meters, making them the largest curtain of falling water in the world. Despite being a full-day excursion from Lusaka, the experience of visiting Victoria Falls is an unparalleled highlight of any Zambian adventure and should not be missed.
Visit Kalimba Reptile Park
Visit Kalimba Reptile Park to see giant Nile crocodiles, indigenous snakes, tortoises, and other reptiles. You can also spot the rare and elusive slender-nosed crocodile. Take a guided tour to learn about each type of reptile. It’s a great day out for families. Located 20 km northeast of Lusaka, the park also has a farm shop with affordable products
Visit Kamwala Market
Visiting Kamwala Market is one of the best things to do in Lusaka. It’s a bustling local market where you can find almost anything, from food and electronics to clothes and even livestock. The market is quite extensive, so you can easily spend an hour exploring it. Trust me, there’s a lot to see when visiting this place.