Connecting African Culture Through the Seas
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
Lusaka, whose population tops 1.7 million, is Zambia’s largest city and is located in the dead center of the country. Business travelers tend to be the most common type of visitors due to Lusaka’s status as a regional economic hub, and leisure travelers tend to skip it or use it as a pass-through to other destinations in Zambia. However we think it’s worth exploring for a few days, if you have time.
Lusaka has a cosmopolitan energy that comes from its status as one of the fastest-developing cities in the region. Though its bereft of monuments, attractions and icons, the dusty city is home to an array of quality restaurants, bustling markets and the odd museum and gallery.
Cairo Road, the city’s north-to-south main drag, is a microcosm of the city and a mandatory Lusaka experience. Here you’ll find banks, shops, travel agencies, cafes and fast food restaurants. For shopping, the Lusaka City Market is behind the bus station and sells everything from produce to hardware and clothing in row upon row of chaotic stalls. The nearby Soweto Market is the largest market in all of Zambia and always buzzing, but the sheer number of people packed in here can make it feel intimidating and also a bit dangerous. If you’re interested in purchasing unique pieces from up-and-coming and established local artists, the nearby Namwandwe Gallery is also worth visiting. three major malls – Manda Hill, Arcades and Levy Junction
Animal lovers will want to travel just south of the city to a town called Chilanga where travelers can explore the Munda Wanga Environmental Park, a great place for viewing wildlife. Nearby is Lusaka National Park, which is full of rhinos, giraffes, kudu, and warthogs.
Travelers staying in the city will find a decent range of hotels at all price points, although Lusaka definitely caters more towards the mid-range and luxury travelers rather than to backpackers. Most of Lusaka’s restaurants are located in and around the city’s malls — which have both fast food and sit-down selections.
SAFETY: Petty theft is a reality in Lusaka and you should travel with as little cash as possible, and pay special attention in crowded places like markets and on Cairo Road. Avoid carrying other valuables such as phones and cameras out in the open. At night it is best to take a taxi rather than walk.
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
Lusaka is the capital and largest city in Zambia, but is often overlooked as a place to visit. It’s true that it doesn’t quite have the hip vibe of say, …