Luxury Lusaka Tours

Lusaka is Zambia’s capital city and the heart of the country, therefore it’s most likely your first point of call when arriving from overseas, even if it’s just for a night or two.

There may not be any big attractions, historical sites or major points of interest in comparison to Zambia’s incredible national parks and the epic Victoria Falls – however, a quick stop in Lusaka offers a taste of the real, modern Africa.

High-rise concrete constructions and modern commercial buildings are flanked by busy local markets and a network of tree-lined streets.

Culture can be soaked up at Namwandwe Gallery (the private home collection of businessman John Kapotwe), the Henry Tayali Visual Arts Centre (contemporary art by local artists) and the Lusaka National Museum, though the latter houses very similar exhibits to the museums in Livingstone, Mbale and Ndola.

One of Zambia’s newest national parks, having opened in 2015, is Lusaka National Park, located just 15 kilometres from the city.

Though you may want to save your game drives for South Luangwa, North Luangwa, Kafue or Lower Zambezi, this 46-square-kilometre park is home to white rhino.

It can be a chance to tick off the most elusive of your Big Five, but be aware that you’re likely to see the rhino in a holding pen than out in the wild.

Other natural sites to explore around Lusaka include the Lilayi Elephant Nursery and Munda Wanga Environmental Park.

The elephant nursery was founded by Zambian conservationist NGO, Game Rangers International; which rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants from Kafue National Park.

Similarly, Munda Wanga acts as a rescue centre, caring for animals such as pangolins and owls, which are big targets for hunting and poaching.

Aside from a bit of sightseeing, cosmopolitan Lusaka is also home to lively city markets, high-quality international restaurants, busy expat bars and a thriving nightclub scene.

Though you’ll most likely just be passing through Lusaka before heading off on safari or chasing waterfalls, a stopover here offers an insight into the real Zambia and one of the fastest developing cities in southern Africa.