Places to Visit in Zambia

Livingstone is one of the oldest and most popular places in Zambia. Located in the Southern Province, this city was the capital of Zambia till 2012, after which Lusaka became the capital. It shares its borders with Zimbabwe and is a city that is thriving with tourism and activities.

Livingstone is the tourism centre from which people can explore the world-famous Victoria Falls, which is one of the most famous places to visit in Zambia. The presence of these falls has also led to the formation of tropical gardens and brooks in the area that you can explore on foot. The city itself is home to several gardens and picnics spots as well.

Apart from the stunning Victoria Falls, you can also check out places like the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park where zebras and deer roam free and the Livingstone Museum which is a hub of local history, archaeology and ethnography. The Railway Museum is also an interesting attraction that outlines the history of the railway in the area.

You can spend several days exploring the many adventures that Livingstone has to offer. This includes travelling to the Livingstone Islands from where you can get a clear view of the Victoria Falls, exploring the area around this majestic waterfall on foot or hiking through the landscape of Livingstone.

The city experiences a hot semi-arid type of climate, very hot summers, cool winters and intense rainy seasons. The average temperature varies between 6 degrees Celsius at its lowest in winter and 43 degrees Celsius at its hottest during the summer season.

Kitwe is a bustling industrial city located in the northern part of Zambia and in the South-Central part of Africa. It is one of the most developed commercial centres in the country that is a collection of small cityships and several suburban areas.

Due to the city being primarily an industrial centre in the copper belt, there is little natural beauty that you can enjoy here. However, on the outskirts of Kitwe, you can drive through vast stretches of grassland, see waterfalls and mountains in the distance and enjoy picnics in the manicured gardens that are built all over the city.

While the copper mines in the city are interesting places to visit, you can learn more about the development and history of this city in the local museums and galleries. You can also visit the famous Chembe Bird Sanctuary and the Mindolo Dam, which are some of the best places to visit in Zambia.

The serene natural beauty in the outskirts of Kitwe allows you to enjoy birdwatching, picnics, treks and hikes in the grassy terrain. Exploring the beautiful Nkana Mines, which is the main activity of the cityspeople is also an interesting activity to indulge in. You can also engage in several watersports such as boating, swimming and jet skiing when in Kitwe.

Kitwe experiences subtropical humid weather throughout the year. It is generally warm throughout the year, with intense monsoons and dry winter seasons.

Chingola is one of the newest citys to be built in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province, in order to cater to the Nchanga copper mine. Chingola was established in 1943, and is one of the most picturesque citys, with innumerable gardens, flowers, clubs, hotels and stadiums. It is located near the northern border of Zambia, 411 km from Lusaka.

Chingola is one of the highest rainfall-receiving places in Zambia, which has led to the flourishing of many tropical trees, plants and the development of colourful gardens that are well-maintained by the authorities. It is surrounded by the natural beauty that you can explore on walks, hikes and invigorating treks through the region.

Some of the most exciting places you can explore when in Chingola include the Kafue River, which has a hippo pool, home to several families of these majestic animals. You can also travel 60 km from the city to visit the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage, which rescues and provides sanctuary to orphaned chimpanzees. On the road to Kitwe, you can also visit the Five Mile Rock, which is one of the most popular Zambia tourist attractions.

Chingola is a vibrant city with golf clubs, swimming clubs, rugby club, tennis, hotels, cinema halls, gardens and shopping malls. You can spend your time soaking in the local culture, exploring the stunning flower gardens in the city and indulging in sports in the various clubs in city.

The warm and humid city of Chingola received a large amount of rainfall throughout the year, making it one of the wettest places in Zambia. The average temperature stays at around 21.1 degrees Celsius, making the weather pleasant and comfortable.

Chipata, formerly known as Fort Jameson, is one of the fastest growing urban centres in Eastern Zambia. While previously it was the capital of old Zambia (North-Eastern Rhodesia), today, it is the administrative capital of the Eastern Province of the country. It is a popular stop for refreshments and refuelling for people travelling east to Malawi or to Lundazi in the north.

Chipata Is a typical Zambian city with bustling marketplaces, mountains on the horizons and a unique local natural beauty that you can explore. This includes 4 beautiful streams that drain into the Luangwa River.

While the city itself is filled with universities, golf courses, gardens, shopping malls and local markets, you can also explore the suburbs where the Ngoni people live. This indigenous tribe celebrates the Ncwala ceremony every year in February, where they commemorate the first harvest of the season.

Apart from exploring the rivers, streams and suburbs, some of the most popular things to do in Chipata includes visiting the Central Mosque and the Kanjala Hills. Markets such as the Kapata Market are also representative of the thriving culture of Chipata.

Chipata experiences a sunny and warm climate throughout the year, with January experiencing the highest amount of rainfall. The average temperature in summer, which lasts from September to December is around 31 degrees Celsius while in winter (June – July), the average temperature is 25 degrees.

Located in the Northern Province of Africa, Kasama is a thriving city that can be found 856 km to the north-east of Lusaka. The city is located on the tip of the famous Lake Tanganyika and on the central-southern African plateau.

Kasama is one of the most beautiful places in Zambia, full of lakes, rivers, waterfalls and valleys. Five major rivers flow through the district including Lubansenshi, Chambeshi, Luombe, Lukulu and Lukapa, which are major Zambia tourist attractions. You can also, of course, explore Lake Tanganyika when you are in Kasama and check out the stunning Chishimba Waterfall that can be found on the Lumbee River.

Some of the oldest human relics can be found in Kasama. Cave paintings from the Stone Age have been discovered in the area and are some of the major attractions for tourists. Chishimba Falls is also one of the popular tourist attractions in Kasama.

Exploring the many rivers and waterfalls in Kasama is one of the most exciting things you can do here. The landscape is such that it allows for trekking and hiking expeditions in the outskirts of the city as well. Kasama is also home to the Bemba ethnic group, whose lifestyle and culture you can experience when you are visiting.

The city experiences a warm, and dry climate with heavy rainfall only during the month of December. During summer, the average temperature remains at around 28 degrees Celsius while in winter, the average temperature is 11 degrees Celsius.

Lusaka is the capital city of Zambia and one of the fastest developing urban centres in all of Central Africa.  It is located on the southern side of the central plateau at an elevation of 4,196 feet above sea level. It has a well-developed network of highways from the north, south, east and west, making it a highly accessible city from all parts of the continent.

While Lusaka itself is a developing city with roads, shopping malls and tall buildings, the outskirts of the city is a place of exceptional natural beauty that people escape to for a respite from urban living. One of the most popular natural landmarks outside of Lusaka is Lake Kariba, which is ideal for boating trips, picnics and excursions. The area around Lusaka is surrounded by picturesque mountains on the horizon, large stretches of savannah land and peaceful water bodies, ideal for short trips.

When you are exploring the city, you can visit several tourist attractions and local hotspots such as the Lusaka National Park, the Sunday crafts Market, Chaminuka Game Reserve and the Kalimba Reptile Park. You can also get a taste of the local history at the Namwane Art Gallery and the National Museum.

Activities such as hiking, wildlife tours, safaris and camping adventures, eco-tours and road trips are popular ones enjoyed by tourists in Lusaka. Exploring the historical sites and museums on foot throughout the city is also a fun activity that can be enjoyed in Lusaka.

Due to the elevation at which the city is located, Lusaka enjoys a humid subtropical climate. The coldest month of the year is July, when temperatures drop to 14 degrees Celsius at night, whereas the hottest month of the year is October.

Ndola is the third-largest city in Zambia in terms of population. It is also located in the Copper-belt region along with Kitwe and is actually the capital of the Copperbelt Province. It is located at a distance of 10 km north of the border with DR Congo. John Edward “Chiripula” Stevenson founded this quaint industrial city in 1904.

While Ndola is a peaceful industrial city with mining being the main occupation of the residents, just outside the border you can find endless stretches of grassland, a beautiful lake that has formed at the bottom of a crater and the Nsobe Game Camp, which is home to some of the beautiful local animals such as giraffes and antelopes.

The mine at Ndola is the prime attraction in the city. You can also learn about the relatively young history of the city in the Copperbelt Museum. You can also visit the Mupapa Slave Tree when you are in Ndola, which is a grim monument in remembrance of the slave-trading that used to take place even a few years back in the region.

Ndola has several cafes, restaurants and museums that you can explore when you are travelling through this city. Each place is a reminder of the history of Ndola, while the cafes serve delicious local food, as well as Italian and French delicacies. You can visit the Copperbelt Museum and the Dag Hammarskjold Memorial.

Ndola enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with the hottest months being October, November and December. Temperatures rise to over 40 degrees Celsius during this time of the year. The coldest months are June and July with the average temperature dropping down to 7 degrees Celsius. The area received heavy rainfall during December.

Kabwe is another quaint and beautiful Zambian city that was founded in 1902 when zinc and lead deposits were discovered in the land. Today it is the capital of the Zambian Central Province, located 69 miles from the capital city Lusaka.

Kabwe has been a mining city since its establishment in 1902. It was one of the first places in Zambia to get railways and was an important political place. However, today, it is mostly barren land, with very little natural beauty to speak out. On the outskirts, however, you can find extraordinary natural beauty in places like the Lukanga Swamp, the Mulungushi and the Lunsemfwa Rivers and the Chikungunya Hills.

When touring through Kabwe, you can check out local attractions such as the Mulungushi Rock of Authority, the Mulungushi University, the Broken Hill Man Memorial which is the place where an ancient human skull was discovered, the local mall, golf course and library.

Apart from visiting the local university and the memorial sites, along with the monuments and mines, some of the most exciting activities you can do in Kabwe include golfing, fishing in the Lukanga Swamp, exploring the Wonder Gorge in Lunsemfwa River and hiking on the Broken Hill, which used to be an erstwhile mine.

October, November and December constitute the hottest months of the year when temperatures rise to 38 degrees Celsius during the day. July is the coldest month when the average temperature remains at 9 degrees Celsius. The area receives rainfall during December.

Mufulira is another city in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia that was established in 1930. It is the administrative capital of the Mufulira District. The name of the city translates directly to “Place of Abundance and Peace” and shares its international border with DR Congo.

Mufulira is primarily a mining city, where the residents have built their lives around the mine. While the city itself is a functional urban unit, you can travel to the outskirts of Mufulira where you can check out rolling hills, valleys, rivers and much more where you can enjoy picnics and treks.

When you are out exploring the city, apart from the massive mining structures in Mufulira, you can check out the Chembe Bird Sanctuary and St. Lawrence Catholic Church, which are the two main tourist attractions.

Birdwatching in the Chembe Bird Sanctuary is a very popular activity in Mufulira. You can catch sight of many different and colourful migratory birds that frequent the sanctuary. Mufulira is also surrounded with rugged hills and valleys that are ideal for trekking and hiking.

Mufulira experiences warm weather throughout the year. During the monsoon season, which occurs primarily during December, the area sees a substantial amount of rainfall.

Luanshya was discovered in the early part of the 20th Century when William Collier, an explorer, shot an antelope on the banks of the River Luanshya and in the process, discovered a rich deposit of copper in the area. Today, the city is an important site on the Copperbelt Province, located close to Ndola and a centre of sports, industry, culture and history and is one of the most interesting places to visit in Zambia.

Luanshya, also known as the wall-fence city, is known for the brilliant architectural layout of the streets and the many trees that can be found in all corners of the settlement. Due to the proximity to the Luanshya River, there have developed many gardens and flowering plants that are spread throughout the cityship.

Luanshya is home to the United Church of Zambia, one of the oldest churches in the country. It is also a city that has many gardens, picnic spots and grasslands where you can enjoy rides and tours. The city also has a massive golf course as well as several vibrant markets.

Some of the most popular activities that tourists can enjoy in Luanshya include hiking and trekking in the outskirts, golfing in the golf course, shopping in the many markets that sell local goods and items as well as mine tours in the local mine that is at the centre of society in Luanshya.

Luanshya has an extensive dry season which is hot and windy, whereas the monsoons are overcast and rainy. It is relatively warm throughout the year.