Exploring Livingstone Town
A Town with Soul and Story!
Livingstone is more than just a gateway to Victoria Falls — it's a historic town full of character, culture and genuine African charm.
Once the capital of Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), the town is named after the iconic Scottish explorer Dr. David Livingstone. His legacy lives on not only in the name but in the museums, architecture and stories woven into the town’s fabric. Many colonial-era buildings still line Livingstone’s streets, giving the town a unique blend of historical elegance and African vibrancy. The Livingstone Museum, the oldest and largest in Zambia, offers fascinating insight into local history, anthropology, and the explorer himself.
A Real African Town (not just a tourist hub!)
Livingstone is a real, working Zambian town. This gives visitors the chance to engage with everyday life, not just the curated experiences of a tourist resort. Here, you can stroll through bustling local markets, sample traditional Zambian dishes from street vendors, chat with artisans and shop for colorful chitenge fabrics, handmade crafts, and fresh produce. It’s a place where tourism blends seamlessly with community life.
Convenience & Proximity to the Falls
Though Livingstone offers a laid-back and local experience, it’s incredibly well-connected to all the major attractions. Victoria Falls is just 10 km away from the town. Whether you are headed to the Devils Pool for a swim, or taking a helicopter ride over the gorge, everything is within close reach. Plus, Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport is just a 15-minute drive from town, offering smooth access for all our arrivals.
Culture, Community, and Conservation
Livingstone is also a hub for meaningful travel. Many local initiatives focus on conservation, women’s empowerment, and community upliftment. If you’d like to visit some of these initiatives, we will take you there!
We are here for you!
This isn’t just where we work – it’s our home, our back garden, and a place we know intimately. Whether you're planning a day of adventure or a quiet trip to the Falls - our team is here to support you every step of the way. We’ve built strong relationships in the area and have the local know-how to help you weave together the perfect day – whether that means booking activities or pointing you in the direction of some hidden gems!
VISIT OUR MUSEUMS
Livingstone Museum
Railway & Jewish Museum
Victoria Falls Bridge Museum
SHOP IN OUR MARKETS
Mukuni Curio Park
Maramba Market
Zimbabwe Market
SUPPORT LOCAL
WAYI WAYI Art Studio & Gallery
Livingstone Art Gallery
WAYAWAYA Handbags & Gifts
EAT LOCAL
Zest, Cafe Zambezi, Kubu Cafe, Wonderbake Cafe and Nomads - sit under the mango trees and enjoy the friendly vibe of our local restaurants and cafes!
Witness actual tools, journals and maps used by the explorer David Livingstone, as well as Natural History, Anthropological, African Culture and Zambian biodiversity in a tour of the Livingstone Museum.
“Our Chundukwa guide took us to see the Livingstone Museum - a big must if you are a British Empire nut like me - you'd be amazed!”
SUPPORT LOCAL BY SHOPPING IN OUR MARKETS!
Livingstone has a few excellent markets to visit where travelers can source some beautiful handicrafts, souvenirs, fabrics and treasures, or local foods, second-hand clothing and wares. Our recommended places to visit are the Victoria Falls Curio Market, Mukuni Park Curio Market, Mukuni Village, Dambwa Market and Zimbabwe Market. Your visit supports our local small businesses to earn sustainable livelihoods. Everybody is keen to make a sale and barter/bargaining are commonplace in these markets! The key is to have fun, remain courteous and negotiate a fair deal. If you are paying with forex, it is a good idea to establish the rate of exchange in advance of purchase.
VISIT LOCAL ARTISTS & ARTISANS
Calling all art-lovers. Stop in to meet with some of Livingstone’s most innovative craft-makers! This is just a short selection of many of our wonderful local artists and artisans that we support.
SISHEMO STUDIO
Sishemo is a women-led social enterprise based in Nakatindi, a community on the outskirts of Livingstone. With extremely limited employment opportunities within Nakatindi, particularly for women, Sishemo provides economic empowerment opportunities to 7 female artisans. Sishemo take discarded glass bottles from lodges, hotels and households across Livingstone, crush and fire the glass into handcrafted, unique beads using traditional techniques. These beads are then used to make one-of-a-kind necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other bead products.
WAYAWAYA
WAYAWAYA design and produce exquisite handcut, handcrafted handbags, leather goods, travel accessories and gifting solutions - where Norway meets Zambia in a delightful explosion of quality and colour. With a visitor-friendly studio in Livingstone, WAYAWAYA provide an opportunity for vulnerable women through training programmes and job creation - all purchases have a direct social impact on the ladies working here. Never has a purchase felt so good!
WAYIWAYI ART STUDIO & GALLERY
Visit an artists co-op run by Agness and Lawrence Yombwe, both among the foremost artists of Zambia. Learn some fascinating Zambian culture and traditions in their welcoming gallery and studio with paintings and sculptures - also a home to local artists, where there is something for everyone.