Lusaka City
Zambia’s Capital City
Zambia’s main tourist attraction is our wildlife and safaris, we understand this, but whilst you’re here you can see what else we have to offer too! With Zambia’s main international airport it’s likely that you’ll fly into Lusaka City and we believe that it’s worth having a night or two in the city when you arrive or before you leave Zambia to experience our capital city.
Being both the capital and largest city in Zambia, Lusaka has plenty to offer. Some of the main attractions within the city include the Zambia National Assembly, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka, the Lusaka National Museum, the Lusaka Playhouse theatre, the Freedom Statue, and the Agricultural Society Showground’s, two golf clubs and three cinemas. There are also many large shopping malls and African Markets. Over the years the diversity of restaurants has increased with a choice of Indian, Greek, Continental, Fish, Thai, and Chinese as well as Steakhouses and cafes.
Many tourists to Zambia don’t spend a great deal of time in the capital, but we’d recommend a day or two to see what it has to offer before heading to your safari, or departing back home.
Ready to explore Lusaka?
Start Planning Your SafariTailor-Made Trips
Your itinerary will be 100% tailor-made and designed to your unique requirements.
5 Star Reviews
Highly rated on third party review sites such as Trip Advisor
Responsible Travel
Zambia and Southern Africa is a beautiful place & we want to do our bit to keep it that way.
Our Lusaka City Safari Itineraries
13 Days in Zambia’s Animal Kingdom
This 13-day itinerary showcases the extraordinary diversity of Zambia’s wildlife, beginning in Kafue National Park — one of Africa’s oldest and largest protected areas — with a full day exploring its wildlife-rich southern sector. From there, the journey continues to… Find out moreExtraordinary Shoebill Safari in Zambia
Are you ready to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in search of the elusive shoebill? This extraordinary safari takes you through three of Zambia’s most remarkable destinations: South Luangwa National Park, Kasanka National Park, and the Bangweulu Wetlands. Alongside the… Find out moreBest of Photographic Safari in Zambia
Explore Zambia’s premier safari destinations through game drives, Canoeing, Boat Cruise, and walking safaris activities. This luxury itinerary combines three of the country’s premier safari destinations, Lower Zambezi , Kafue and South Luangwa National Park and to create the ultimate… Find out moreWildlife Safari & Likumbi Lya Mize Festival
The Likumbi Lya Mize of the Luvale people is a cultural experience in the centre of Zambian traditional masquerade. This trip is mainly lodging in National Park and hotels in the major cities. To make the most of your trip,… Find out moreLower Zambezi 4-in-1 Canoe Adventure Safari
This safari incorporates several activities along the Zambezi River as it passes through the flood plains of the Mana Pools region. The additional activities on this safari offer a wider variety of game viewing options and a chance to meet… Find out more10 Days Wild Zambia: South Luangwa & Kafue Adventure
Embark on a 10-day Zambia safari that begins with an overnight stay in Lusaka and continues to two of the country’s most spectacular destinations. Enjoy the serene beauty of the Kafue River with four nights at Hippo Lodge in Kafue… Find out moreExploring Luangwa’s Unspoilt Wilderness on Walking Safari
Not all safari experiences are created equal, if you are looking for an expertly guided walking safari; an absorbing mix of tracking, stalking & observing Africa’s wildlife on foot – this is for you. Deb Tittle, one of Luangwa’s most… Find out moreUnique Bat Migration Safari in Kasanka National Park, Zambia
They’re coming in their millions… Are you ready? Between October and December each year, about 10 million straw-coloured fruit bats descend into a tiny patch of evergreen swamp forest inside Kasanka National Park, Northern Zambia. This natural phenomenon, unique only… Find out moreSouth Luangwa, Victoria Falls & Lake Kariba Safari
The Combination of all areas in this itinerary gives clients the full Zambia Safari and Tour experience with the start of the Safari Holiday in South Luangwa national park on the world’s prime wildlife area, Clients will get an opportunity… Find out moreLuangwa Valley Frontier Safari
A 13 days safari through Luambe, North Luangwa, and South Luangwa National Parks Discover new and intriguing regions in these parks on a thirteen-day safari across the Luangwa Valley! Experience most of what Luambe National Park has to offer with… Find out moreZambia’s Premier Wildlife Safari, South Luangwa National Park
For most guests, South Luangwa National Park is by far the most effective park to visit in the valley. This is Zambia’s premier wildlife park, with magnificent wildlife and many great cabins. Where the now popular walking safaris originated from… Find out moreLower Zambezi Canoeing & South Luangwa Safari
This 15-day safari & tour features a spectacular canoe safari on the Lower Zambezi River and a world-class wildlife safari in South Luangwa National Park, which is renowned for its high leopard population and Walking Safari. Find out more13 Days Safari in Zambia’s Animal Kingdom – Luxury
This itinerary is best for clients who are interested in the abundance of wildlife as it features Zambia’s top prime wildlife area the Kafue National Park which is one of the oldest parks in Africa with a visit to the… Find out moreClassic Zambia’s Private Photographic Safari
Explore Zambia’s premier safari destinations through game drives, walking safaris and river activities. This luxury itinerary combines two of the country’s premier safari destinations, Lower Zambezi National Park, and South Luangwa National Park and to create the ultimate Zambia safari… Find out moreUnforgettable Zambia Safari Experience
This itinerary takes you to some of Zambia’s and Africa’s most iconic places. You’ll begin your journey in Lusaka before travelling to South Luangwa National Park, the Lower Zambezi, and finally Victoria Falls. It is one of the world’s seven… Find out moreWhy Choose Absolute Zambia Safaris?
Absolute Zambia Safaris is a specialist in bespoke and private safaris in Zambia. Through our large safari operators, we proudly assist our guests in designing custom-made safaris.
Find out moreRecommended Accommodation
Protea Hotel Lusaka Tower
Lusaka City
Latitude 15 Degrees Hotel
Lusaka City
M’kango Golfview Hotel
Lusaka City
Pioneer Lodge & Camp
Lusaka CityM’kango Golfview Hotel
Lusaka CityLusaka City Travel Advice & FAQs
Which markets are best to visit in Lusaka?
The city prides itself on its market culture, and every day, thousands of stalls sell a myriad thing. With fresh fruit stalls, hairdressers, fishmongers, restaurants, spare parts, second-hand clothing and gifts and so many more.
Lusaka City Market: Zambians go to this exciting market to get their discounts. The market is gathering at over 400 stalls, and notwithstanding its chaotic nature, visitors don’t often get bothered.
Soweto Market: this market is more operative than the City Market but is nevertheless worth a visit.
Sunday Craft Market: every Sunday the Arcades Shopping Centre car lot turns into a craft market. A great place for gifts and crafts
North mead Market recognized as a great place to buy mementos and to experience the small, restaurants, supermarkets and fresh food shops in the space.
Culture in Lusaka
There enough to see and do for the guest. The Lusaka National Museum, art galleries concentrating on local artists, the Kabwata Cultural Village, the Lusaka Playhouse theatre, and the Moore Pottery Factory are excellent places to visit in the city. The city flaunts a rich culture of local artists, with most of their pieces are ready for sale.
Family friendly activities in Lusaka
Adventure City gives a diversity of activities including water slides, paint-balling, and swimming pools. About 11 kilometers from the city center is the Nembo Scenic Park which is designed, to scale, over a 47 000 square meters area showing a representation of the map of Zambia. The Park features lakes and rapids and is an excellent place to go for a stroll with the family.
The Kalimba Reptile Park has an exciting selection of tortoises, chameleons, crocodiles, snakes, and additional reptiles, found in the neighboring areas, and the rest of Africa. It is a magnificent place to visit for the entire family and has a playground for the little ones. Set in a luxuriant garden, its amenities include a cool veranda where food is served and a mini-golf course.
Monkey Pools is at the Mukamunya Estate and gives a beautiful outing for swimming in the crystal bright turquoise waters, the source of the Mukamunya River. The grounds are stunning and with jungle-like forests and create a beautiful picnic place for the day. Find them out at the Leopards Hill Rd anywhere the tar ends. Taking the road to the left and looking out for signs.
Wildlife in Lusaka and nearby
Munda Wanga is 16km away from Lusaka City Centre. It is an Environmental Park that is composed of an Environmental Education Centre, a Wildlife Park and home and a beautiful Botanical Garden. Open daily from 8 am- 16:00
Lilayi Elephant Nursery. 15 minutes south of Lusaka on the Kafue Rd, you’ll encounter a turnoff to Lilayi Game Reserve, and here you will see the Elephant Orphanage program that saves and rehabilitates orphaned elephants before releasing them back into the wild animals. Open daily for viewing the baby elephants between 11.30am and 13:00.
