TURNIPSEED TRAVEL
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Partner With Us
  • New Visitors
  • Social Media

Our Favourite Things To Do In Livingstone, Zambia

6/3/2023

 

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

This post contains affiliate links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase. 

An adult and baby white rhino sniff the ground.
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!

Victoria Falls in the background, green grass in the foreground.
Photo of Victoria Falls surrounded by trees and rocks
Ryan crouches by the riverbank and takes a photo
Victoria Falls in the background, with lots of mist, and green covered cliffs in the foreground
Vanessa and a safari guide stand on the rocks by the river
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

Four rhinos sniff the ground in Zambia
A warthog stands alone in the long grass
The front gates of the park
The safari guide slows down and points to something in the distance while driving the safari jeep
A black and white bird with a large curved red beak stands at the top of a tree stump
Two elephants graze by trees and grass
​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 

Ryan poses with his camera while sitting in a bar by the water edge.
Sunset on the Zambezi River with a pink sky and calm waters
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

A grave stands in a scruffy graveyard with small shrubs, trees, and a dirt road.
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 

Ryan and Vanessa take a selfie in the corridor of their hotel with green plants in the background.
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 

Vanessa smiles while picking up food on a table set with different Indian dishes
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. 
​
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.


If you enjoyed this post, you'll also like:

Taking a Walking Safari With Rhinoceros 
Crossing the Zimbabwe-Zambia Border On Foot
The Best Micro-Adventures In Victoria Falls

Comments are closed.
    Recent Posts
    Posts by Location
    Turnipseed Travel Category Canada
    Turnipseed Travel Category USA
    Turnipseed Travel Category Europe
    Turnipseed Travel Category Africa
    Turnipseed Travel Category Australia
    Turnipseed Travel Category Asia

    Post Categories

    All
    $200 Challenge
    200m Challenge
    Accommodation
    Africa
    Amsterdam
    Anti Adventurist
    Asia
    Australia
    Belgium
    Business Travel
    Camping
    Canada
    Central Counties
    Cozy Travel
    Destinations
    Europe
    Experiences & Activities
    Female Travel
    Food And Drink
    Gear And Packing
    Golf
    Greece
    Guest Posts & Interviews
    Health
    Inspiration
    Making Travel Memories
    Montreal
    Most Popular Posts
    National Parks
    Norfolk County
    Ontario
    Ottawa
    Paris
    Partners
    Pet Travel
    Photo Essay
    Preparation
    Press Trip Portfolio
    Reviews Accommodation
    Reviews Gear Packing
    Round The World
    Saving
    Toronto
    Transportation
    Travel Cooking
    Travel Memories Series
    UK & Ireland
    United States

    Posts by Date

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

Disclaimers, Privacy, and Cookie Policy

Top 100 Travel Influencer
As named by the Obama White House in 2014.​
White House Study Abroad Logo 2014
Turnipseed Travel Logo 2019
DMCA.com Protection Status
© COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Partner With Us
  • New Visitors
  • Social Media