Livingstone, Zambia Travel Guide: Victoria Falls & the Zambezi

Livingstone sits on the north bank of the Zambezi River in Zambia’s Southern Province, just ten kilometres from the edge of Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders.” It lies roughly 480 kilometres southwest of Lusaka and faces Zimbabwe across the river, with Botswana and Namibia only a short drive upstream. Founded at the turn of the twentieth century as a river-crossing settlement, the town served as the capital of Northern Rhodesia until 1935, and its wide streets are still lined with tin-roofed colonial buildings, verandahs and old trading houses.

Today Livingstone is Zambia’s adventure and safari capital, a relaxed, walkable town where you can watch the spray of the falls rise above the trees from your hotel garden. It is also a classic rail town: the line that reached here in the early 1900s made it a gateway to the interior, and it remains a celebrated stop for luxury trains such as Rovos Rail, whose great African journeys pass through the falls region. Spend a few days here before or after your train and you will see why travellers have been drawn to this stretch of the Zambezi for over a century.

What to see in Livingstone

• Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park) — The Zambian side gives you close-up views of the Eastern Cataract and the main gorge. Walk the rainforest trail and cross the Knife-Edge Bridge, where the spray can soak you in seconds during high water.
• Livingstone Island & Devil’s Pool — When the river is low, guided trips take you by boat to the island where David Livingstone first viewed the falls, and to a natural rock pool right on the lip of the cascade. Access is seasonal and depends on water levels.
• Victoria Falls Bridge — Completed in 1905 to carry the railway across the gorge, this steel arch links Zambia and Zimbabwe. Take a guided bridge tour of its engineering history, or watch the bungee jumpers from the viewpoint.
• Livingstone Museum — Zambia’s oldest and largest museum holds archaeology, ethnography and natural history collections, along with letters, maps and personal items belonging to David Livingstone himself.
• Mosi-oa-Tunya Game Park — A compact park along the riverbank with giraffe, zebra, elephant and buffalo. It is best known for guided walks to see white rhino on foot, accompanied by armed rangers.
• Zambezi sunset cruise — Board a riverboat above the falls in the late afternoon to watch hippos, crocodiles and elephants along the islands as the sun drops behind the palms.
• Livingstone Railway Museum — A collection of vintage steam locomotives and rolling stock that tells the story of the railways that opened up the region, a fitting stop for anyone arriving by luxury train.
• The Boiling Pot — A steep path from the falls leads down to the swirling whirlpool at the base of the first gorge, where you look straight up at the bridge and the cliffs.

What to eat in Livingstone

Zambian meals are built around nshima, a smooth, firm maize porridge eaten by hand and served with relishes such as ifisashi (greens cooked in a groundnut sauce), stewed beans or beef. On the Zambezi, freshly grilled bream is the dish to order, and small dried kapenta fish, fried with tomato and onion, are a beloved everyday staple.

Look out for chikanda, nicknamed “African polony,” a savoury cake made from wild orchid tubers and groundnuts, and roasted maize sold at roadside stalls. To drink, try Mosi, the Zambian lager named after the falls, or the traditional fermented maize drinks munkoyo and maheu. Lodges along the river also serve excellent game dishes and sundowners with a view.

Shopping & crafts

The curio markets near the falls entrance and in town are full of hand-carved wooden animals, soapstone sculptures, woven baskets, beadwork and chitenge cloth in bold prints. Zambia is a major copper producer, and copper bracelets, bowls and wall pieces make memorable souvenirs. Bargaining is expected at the markets, so take your time and enjoy the conversation.

Best time to visit

Livingstone is a year-round destination, but the falls change dramatically with the seasons. From roughly February to May, after the summer rains, the Zambezi is at full flow and the curtain of water is at its most powerful, though the spray can hide parts of the view. The cool, dry months of June to August bring pleasant days, clear views and good game viewing. From September to December the river drops, the weather turns hot, and Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool become accessible, revealing the dramatic basalt cliffs of the gorge.

Good to know

• The local currency is the Zambian kwacha; US dollars are widely accepted at lodges and for activities, and cards work in most hotels.
• The KAZA visa can cover both Zambia and Zimbabwe, which makes it easy to see the falls from both sides. Check current entry rules before you travel.
• Bring a light raincoat or plan to get wet when the water is high, and keep cameras and phones in a waterproof bag on the falls trails.
• Livingstone is in a malaria area, so speak to your doctor about precautions and use insect repellent in the evenings.
• Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport is a short drive from town and the lodges along the river.

Palace Tours can combine Livingstone and Victoria Falls with a Rovos Rail journey across Africa, private transfers and handpicked riverside lodges. Call us at 1-800-724-5120 (US/Canada), WhatsApp +1-786-408-0610, or +1-609-580-1372 internationally to plan your trip.