Our Favourite Things To Do In Livingstone, Zambia

Our favourite things to do in Livingstone include hanging with the rhinos, eating Indian food, going to museums, and relaxing by the river.

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One of our all time favourite things to do in Livingstone, Zambia, was visiting the rhinos in the wild during a guided walking safari.

You've probably heard a lot about Victoria Falls, one of world's most majestic wonders. But have you heard about its next door neighbour, the small city of Livingston, Zambia?

Livingstone is often treated a bit like a base for exploring other destinations and, to be honest, we were a bit guilty of that ourselves at first. We stayed in Livingstone for about a week as we organized trips in Zimbabwe and Botswana. Thankfully, along the way we clued in to the fact that this is much more than a town that takes care of all the traveling essentials, from groceries to pharmacy, banks to stamps. There is a long list of Livingstone activities to enjoy during your visit and exploring the city was a highlight of our time in Africa. Here's what should be on your radar during your visit.

Visit Victoria Falls, of course!

Was there ever any doubt about what would be on the top of my list? If you go to Livingston, you MUST take a visit to see the remarkable Victoria Falls. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, which translates as "the smoke that thunders," these magnificent waterfalls are a must-see for anyone visiting Zambia. As you approach Victoria Falls, you'll hear the roar of the water long before you see it and you might feel it too. In the rainy season, you’ll want to wear a poncho as the mist will definitely get you!

If you're feeling adventurous, you can take a helicopter tour over the falls for a bird's-eye view of this incredible natural wonder (though we were neither this adventurous ourselves, nor did we have the funds – these are pricey flights!) Alternatively, you can take a guided tour on foot. We did something a bit in the middle and saw part of the Falls during a combination walking and driving safari.

It’s well worth it to experience the falls from both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides as each offers a different perspective and vantage point. However, it’s important to note that you can’t just wander across the bridge to check things out in Zimbabwe. You’ll have to go through passport control and you might need a visa, depending on your circumstances.

BTW, in case you’re wondering, we went nowhere close to Devil’s Pool, a natural infinity pool that’s on the very edge of the falls. People who were way, WAY more adventurous than us totally did though! Eek. I shudder just thinking about it.

Explore ​Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

​Located just a few miles from the edge of Victoria Falls, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park covers an area of over 50 square miles and is home to a variety of animals, including zebras, giraffes, elephants, birds, and buffalo. Visiting Victoria Falls and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park at the same time go hand in hand. It’s how we saw both, as we had a driving and walking safari in the park that included views of the waterfall. 

However, as much as we adored seeing these incredible animals in the wild, they paled in comparison compared to the parks’ main attraction. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is home to a successful rhino breeding program! We were able to see them up close as part of a walking safari (and felt safe, thanks to heavily armed park rangers). I cannot say enough how wonderful the rhinos were. While I would never underestimate their strength and power, they struck me as gentle, peaceful animals.

Take in a sunset cruise (or just a few drinks) along the Zambezi 

The Zambezi River is one of the most iconic rivers in Africa. As you glide down the river, you'll be able to watch the sun dip below the horizon and spot wildlife along the riverbanks, including elephants, hippos, and crocodiles. Many tour operators offer sunset cruises that include drinks and snacks (which can vary in quality.)

However, if you’d rather not go on the water or maybe you already did your Zambezi cruise from the Zimbabwe side, you can follow in our footsteps and go for some smart drinks at a water-side resort. While we couldn’t afford to stay in these luxury accommodations, drinks and eats is a reasonably priced alternative. Check with your hotel about arranging a private ride to and from the other properties so you’re not stuck without a plan after dark.

Learn about local history at the Livingston Museum 

If you're interested in learning more about the history and culture of Zambia, a visit to the Livingstone Museum should be on your list. The museum is located in central Livingston and features exhibits on the region's geology, archaeology, and ethnography. A must-see collection of artifacts relates to David Livingstone, the Scottish explorer who was the first European to see Victoria Falls. The museum houses many of his original artifacts, including his belongings and journals.

Learn how the area grew in size and importance at the Railway and Gateway Jewish Museum

The Railway Museum is located in the heart of Livingston and is dedicated to the history of rail transportation in Zambia. The museum has a collection of vintage locomotives, carriages, and other railway artifacts, as well as exhibits on the history of the railway industry in Zambia.

Its sister museum is the Gateway Jewish Museum and it’s a fascinating spot to check out. It offers a look at how Livingston’s Jewish community came to settle in the region from Lithuania from the late 1800s onward. It’s just one of several sites related to Livingston’s Jewish heritage, which also includes the Jewish cemetery and the country’s first synagogue, which is now a church.

We toured all of these sites by hiring a guide for the afternoon, something we arranged through our hotel for about $60. They seemed a bit befuddled with our request and I’m not sure they knew what to make of two people who weren’t Jewish yet were interested in these historical sites. They kept checking to make sure we weren’t looking for long-lost relatives! The synagogue-turned-church in particular doesn’t seem to see a lot of visitors and our guide had to chat with the caretaker for a while and make a donation to help us gain entry. Still, despite these tiny logistical hiccups, it was a fascinating experience.

Visit Mukuni village

Located just outside Livingston, Mukuni isn’t a tourist attraction but an actual village which welcomes tourists to come and learn about their food, clothing, dance, and more (okay, maybe it’s a little bit of a tourist attraction). The village is well known for its large outdoor market where local artisans sell their handmade crafts. You can find everything from carved wooden figurines to beaded jewelry to hand-woven baskets. This is a great place to pick up souvenirs or gifts for friends and family back home.

Where we stayed in Livingstone, Zambia 

We stayed at the Protea by Marriott Hotel Livingstone. We appreciated that we were able to find something between the humble accommodations favoured by backpackers and overlanders and the lavish waterside resorts favoured by, well, mostly everyone else. We enjoyed the dining options, including the breakfast buffet (though it was on the pricey side) and the comfortable rooms. And when we returned to Zambia after a camping safari in Botswana. I really, REALLY appreciated getting a room with a bathtub! We didn’t love the location, however. It was too far from the town center to be in the heart of all the action but not so far away that we had peace and quiet among nature. 

Where we ate in Livingstone, Zambia 

In addition to grabbing food at our hotel, we also enjoyed meals at the nearby Golden Leaf restaurant, which serves lovely Indian cuisine and has a small shelf of local crafts for sale. 

We grabbed breakfast and lunch a few times at the Mango Tree Cafe that’s part of the ZigZag motel complex and we liked the smoothies, easy comfort food, and Pepsi (okay, that’s Ryan, who didn’t love being in the land of Coke). However, their famous muffins didn’t impress us much – we found them on the dry side. 
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Da Canton did a so-so job with Italian dishes but much better with their ice cream. I wanted to visit Olga’s, another popular spot in town, but we never made it so it will have to go on the list for next time. Finally, we loved the view and drinks at the Waterfront Bar at the Victoria Falls Waterfront Lodge.


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