About Lusaka

Lusaka is the capital of Zambia. Lusaka budget travel holidays offer a mix of city life, wildlife and adventure - making it a perfect destination for backpacking.

Lusaka Budget Travel

Lusaka budget travel is very easy with great value for money backpacking tours and fantastic highlights. Below is useful information on Lusaka to help you plan your budget holiday in Lusaka. We offer a variety of budget tours and backpacking advice in Lusaka.

Airports

Nearest major Lusaka airports include:
• Lusaka International Airport

Birdlife

With a number of reserves, parks and bush camps scattered around the city offering an array of habitats, it is no surprise that Lusaka birdlife is rich and diverse. Some of the country’s well-known species, including carmine bee-eaters and Zambia’s only endemic species, Chapin’s barbet, can be found in and around Lusaka.

Conservation

Lusaka conservation plays a key role in preserving and protecting the regions species and habitats. There are a number of game reserves, parks and conservation groups within the area, including Munda Wanga Environmental Park, Kalimba Reptile Park, African Wild Dog Conservation, Chaminuka Private Game Reserve and nearby Lower Zambezi National Park.

Culture

Lusaka cultures include the following:
• Music and dance plays a key role in may tribal cultures
• Urban cultures are beginning to develop across the city
• Food and drink has a multi-cultural influence
• Arts and crafts is an important culture and source of income
• Traditions and tribal customs are prevalent even in urban areas

Customs

Lusaka customs allows free import of the following for travelers of 18 years and over:
• 200 cigarettes or 450g of tobacco
• 1 opened bottle of alcoholic beverages

Health

As Zambia’s capital city, Lusaka health facilities are somewhat better than some of the more rural areas, however hospitals and clinics are still understaffed and often overcrowded and standards are not up to western standards. It is a good idea to take out comprehensive travel insurance, and also bring a basic first aid box with supplies such as headache, diarrhea and nausea pills, malaria medication, bandages and vitamins to ensure happy and healthy travels.

AIDS

Lusaka HIV/AIDS basic precautions include the following:
• Don’t ever share needles or syringes
• Practice safe sex at all times
• Equipment should be sterilized
• If you require self-administered injections, take an adequate supply of your own needles
• Avoid tattoos, acupuncture treatment or body piercing from suspect or unsterile operators

Vaccinations

Lusaka inoculations include the following:
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Rabies
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Tetanus-diphtheria

Languages

Lusaka languages include the following:
• English (official language)
• Afrikaans
• Silozi
• Nyanja
• Tonga

Malaria

Lusaka malaria medication includes the following:
• Mefloquine (Lariam)
• Doxycycline
• Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)

Money

Lusaka money and banking information includes the following:
• Banks are open Monday to Friday from 08h30-15h30
• Credit cards are accepted at many shops, restaurants and hotels, but not all
• Travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks or bureaux de change
• US Dollars are widely accepted
• Zambian currency is the Kwacha and Ngwee

People

Lusaka people include the following groups:
• Bemba
• Nyanja-Chewa
• Tonga
• Tumbuka
• Lunda
• Luvale
• Kaonde
• Nkoya
• Lozi
• White

Phrase

Lusaka local phrases in Silozi include:
• Welcome - Mulumeni
• Thank you - Ni itumezi
• Please - Nangu
• How are you - Muzuhile cwani?
• Fine - Lu zuhile hande

Vaccinations

Lusaka inoculations include the following:
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Rabies
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Tetanus-diphtheria

Plants

The Munda Wanga Environmental Park is just one habitat where Lusaka plants can be seen. With a large percentage of woodlands in the area, Lusaka is green and lush most of the year round. Key wetlands can also be found, including Dambo Wetlands. These areas have marsh vegetation and are important sources of habitat for a range of species.

Religion

Lusaka religion includes the following:
• Christianity
• Traditional beliefs
• Christian Zionists

Safety Tips

• Like many towns with a high unemployment rate, petty theft can occur in Lusaka
• Keep all valuables safe and out of sight in a moneybag under your shirt
• Do not swim in the rivers ' aside from hippos and crocodiles, there may also be bilharzia
• When on game drives, stay in your car at all times except at designated rest stops
• Drive carefully ' roads can be poor and wildlife can appear in the middle of the road so keep speed levels down

Transport

Lusaka local transport options include:
• Taxi
• Car
• Bus

Travel Books

Lusaka recommended travel books include the following:
• New Women of Lusaka by Ilsa Glazer
• Zambia Bradt Travel Guide 4th Edition by Chris McIntyre
• Zambia in Pictures by Bella Waters
• With Sword and Chain in Lusaka: A Londoner's Life in Zambia 1948-1972 by Richard Sampson
• Keeping House in Lusaka by Karen Tranberg Hansen

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Zambia

What To Buy

• Lusaka travel book plus up to date city map
• Plug adapter for UK and US visitors
• Sleeping bag plus camping mattress if you are on an overlanding tour
• Basic first aid box with supplies and vitamins, plus malaria medication
• Mosquito repellent spray and lotion

What To Pack

Lightweight clothing in neutral colours and long sleeves for mosquito protection
• Warm jacket for cooler months and evenings
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes, sandals and appropriate shoes for activities such as rafting
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and sunhat
• Camera with spare batteries plus film or memory card, and binoculars

When To Go

• The weather is cool and dry from April to August
• The hot and dry season runs from September to October
• The end of October before the rains in November is very hot and humid
• The warm and wet months run from November to March

Wildlife

Lusaka wildlife can be found at the beautiful Lower Zambezi National Park which is situated nearby. Game in this region includes large numbers of buffalo, elephants, lions, leopards, antelope, crocodiles and hippo. There is also a large number of game around the Zambezi River area which regularly cross over the river from the Zimbabwe banks.