Itinerary Livingstone, South Luangwa & Lusaka

July is a superb month to visit Zambia: dry season, excellent wildlife viewing, pleasant temperatures, and minimal rain. The Victoria Falls are still impressive, and safari conditions are outstanding.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	$2000
🏨 Accommodations	$1700
🧳 Gear	$300
🗺️ On-site	$900
Total	$4900

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🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇿🇲 Livingstone - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏞️ Victoria Falls / Mosi-oa-Tunya ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • One of the world's largest waterfalls, spectacular mist and rainbows — consider raincoat, best views from Knife-Edge Bridge

• [ ] 🌍 Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Game Drive) ⭐⭐ (~4h)

  • Small but wildlife-rich park with rhino, giraffes, elephants — morning or late afternoon drives for best sightings

• [ ] 🛶 Zambezi River Sunset Cruise ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Relax on the river, spot hippos and crocs, incredible sunset — drinks/snacks included

• [ ] 🧗 Bridge Swing/Bungee at Victoria Falls Bridge ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Iconic adventure at the border bridge—book ahead, not for faint-hearted!

• [ ] 🚲 Cycle Tour of Livingstone Town ⭐ (~2h)

  • Guided tours to historical sites, markets, and local neighborhoods

• [ ] 🏛️ Livingstone Museum ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Fascinating look at Zambian history, David Livingstone’s legacy, insightful exhibitions

• [ ] 🦒 Mukuni Village Tour ⭐ (~2h)

  • Tour a local village for cultural immersion and crafts shopping

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Royal Livingstone Hotel Lounge Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Classy riverside cocktails, evening hippo spotting, sunset views

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍽️ Cafe Zambezi ⭐⭐⭐

  • Local & Afro-Caribbean fusion, try crocodile ribs or bushmeat — mains ~$15

• [ ] 🍴 The Golden Leaf ⭐⭐

  • Indian/Zambian cuisine, highly-rated curries — mains ~$12

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🦋 The Victoria Falls Field Museum (~1h)

  • Good overview of geology and falls formation; skip if short on time

• [ ] 🛶 White Water Rafting (full day / half day) (~4-7h)

  • Adrenaline-packed on-class V rapids — top adventure activity at extra cost

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🇿🇲 South Luangwa National Park Area - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🗺️ Morning Game Drive ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Premier safari destination, renowned for leopards, lions, elephants—best at sunrise

• [ ] 🗺️ Evening/Night Game Drive ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Unique nocturnal wildlife: genets, civets, hyenas, owls—highlights include lion & leopard hunts

• [ ] 🦓 Walking Safari ⭐⭐ (~2-3h)

  • South Luangwa pioneered walking safaris; see wildlife tracks and birds on foot with expert guides

• [ ] 🏞️ Mfuwe Lagoon ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Famous for wildlife concentration, especially during dry season—excellent for photographers

• [ ] 🦁 Lion Camp Visit ⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Stunningly remote area, strong pride territories

• [ ] 🌳 Kawaza Village ⭐ (~2h)

  • Traditional village visit, interact with locals, support community tourism

• [ ] 🐦 Birdwatching Safari ⭐ (~2h)

  • Over 400 species, colorful rollers and bee-eaters abound in dry season

• [ ] 🧘 Pool Relaxation at Safari Lodge ⭐ (~1-2h)

  • Unwind at the lodge pool overlooking grazing animals

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🔭 Star Gazing at the Lodge ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Superb Milky Way visibility, minimal light pollution

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍖 Bush Dinner at Safari Lodge ⭐⭐⭐

  • Alfresco buffet under the stars, local and international dishes — included in lodge rate

• [ ] 🍛 Mfuwe Lodge Restaurant ⭐⭐

  • Pan-African mains, produce from the valley — mains ~$18

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🦛 Luangwa River Canoeing (~2-3h)
  • Unique river perspective, safe in guided groups, seasonal

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🇿🇲 Lusaka - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Lusaka National Museum ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Insight into Zambia’s social/political history and art

• [ ] 🦒 Munda Wanga Environmental Park ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Wildlife sanctuary, botanical gardens; ideal for relaxing or last wildlife viewing

• [ ] 🎨 Chaminuka Art Gallery ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Private estate, excellent Zambian sculpture and paintings

• [ ] 🛍️ Kabwata Cultural Village ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Best spot for quality handicrafts, batiks, woodwork

• [ ] 🏙️ Cairo Road & Downtown Stroll ⭐ (~1h)

  • Bustling local markets and street food; lively city atmosphere

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Latitude 15˚ Lounge Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Trendy rooftop bar with local cocktails, chill vibe

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍽️ 26 Revolutions (Latitude 15˚) ⭐⭐⭐

  • Innovative Zambian/continental cuisine—mains $18–$25

• [ ] 🍗 Eden’s Table ⭐⭐

  • Contemporary Zambian grill, organic produce—mains ~$14

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🦓 Lilayi Elephant Nursery (~2h)
  • For elephant rescue visits, book ahead

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇿🇲 Livingstone

• [ ] 🎬 The Queen of Katwe (2016) — ⭐ 7.4 — Ugandan chess prodigy’s inspiring journey, filmed in East Africa — Disney+
• [ ] 🎬 The Last Lions (2011) — ⭐ 8.3 — Stunning lion documentary in Botswana/Zambia — Amazon Prime

🇿🇲 South Luangwa

• [ ] 🎬 Africa’s Hunters (2017) — ⭐ 8.4 — South Luangwa-based wildlife docuseries — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 The Great Rift: Africa’s Wild Heart (2009) — ⭐ 8.5 — Features Zambia’s wilderness — BBC iPlayer

🇿🇲 Lusaka

• [ ] 📺 Zuba (2018–) — ⭐ 8.0 — Zambia’s first telenovela — YouTube
• [ ] 🎬 I Am Not a Witch (2017) — ⭐ 6.9 — Satirical, award-winning film set in rural Zambia — Netflix

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🍜 Local specialties

🇿🇲 Livingstone

• [ ] Nshima (maize porridge)
• [ ] Ifisashi (peanut spinach stew)
• [ ] Zambezi bream (local fish)

🇿🇲 South Luangwa

• [ ] Game meat (kudu, impala, crocodile, bushmeat platters)
• [ ] Chibwabwa (pumpkin leaves)
• [ ] Kapenta (small fried fish)

🇿🇲 Lusaka

• [ ] Village chicken stew
• [ ] Vitumbuwa (fried dough balls / street snack)
• [ ] Caterpillars (street or traditional snack)

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇿🇲 Livingstone

1. 🌤️ Victoria Falls / Mosi-oa-Tunya
2. 🌙 Royal Livingstone Hotel Lounge Bar
3. 🛍️ Mukuni Village
4. 🏨 Avani Victoria Falls Resort
5. 🍽️ Cafe Zambezi

🇿🇲 South Luangwa

1. 🌤️ Mfuwe Lagoon
2. 🌙 Bush Dinner (Safari Lodge)
3. 🛍️ Kawaza Village
4. 🏨 Mfuwe Lodge / Kafunta River Lodge
5. 🍽️ Mfuwe Lodge Restaurant

🇿🇲 Lusaka

1. 🌤️ Lusaka National Museum
2. 🌙 Latitude 15˚ Lounge Bar
3. 🛍️ Kabwata Cultural Village
4. 🏨 Latitude 15˚ Hotel
5. 🍽️ 26 Revolutions

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Livingstone (usually via Johannesburg/Doha)
• [ ] 🛩️ Livingstone → Mfuwe (via Lusaka, domestic airline)
• [ ] 🛩️ Mfuwe → Lusaka (domestic airline)
• [ ] ✈️ Lusaka → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Livingstone	2	Avani Victoria Falls Resort	$500
South Luangwa	3	Mfuwe Lodge or similar safari	$900
Lusaka	2	Latitude 15˚ Hotel	$300
Total	7		$1700