Things to see and do Lusaka

Like Nairobi, the Zambian capital now has its own "national park," a little Thoiry in fact, for those who would not have the chance to see the animals in the bush. Created in 2008, it was only opened to the public in June 2015. It covers about 67 km² in a vast industrial complex, which does not give it a very pleasant environment. Nevertheless, this protected and fenced area has been the subject of reintroduction of many herbivores: eland, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, warthog, etc., and even a white rhino donated by South Africa named Thabo. There are plans to reintroduce other species. The park can be visited by car - a 4x4 or at least a car with a fairly high ground clearance is preferable, given the many rocks that protrude from the track. There is even a picnic area and it is very popular with locals on weekends.

Wildlife Discovery Center. In August 2022, this center was inaugurated, consisting of three huts that serve as an exhibition hall on biodiversity and the preservation of Zambian species. The Exploratorium will teach you about the country's different landscapes and ecosystems and the various initiatives to preserve them. It features a 360-degree mural.

Elephant Sanctuary. You can observe the orphaned elephant calf sanctuary that has been moved from Liyali Lodge to Lusaka NP also in 2022 via a platform and watch them being fed between 11:45 and 13:00.

In a lush park with a children's playground, swimming pool, miniature golf course and restaurant, an impressive collection of snakes, crocodiles, turtles and chameleons can be seen through the windows of beautiful vivariums. The star of the show is the Nile crocodile, the most common in Africa and also the largest. You can buy crocodile skin items from the breeding farm located there. It is located about ten kilometers from the city, in the direction of the airport, the route is signposted.

The areas of Makeni and Lilayi are located along Kafue road, leaving the city. While Makeni, closer to Lusaka, is a fairly active area and has a large mall (Makeni Mall), Lilayi is a predominantly agricultural area, relatively remote from the city.

One of the most popular area in Lusaka, Leopards Hill Road ("the leopards hill road") is the gateway to the campaign (the "bush") surrounding the city. Many houses and shops are built along this road, which still offers a superb natural setting, which has become rare in town. There are some restaurants, guest houses and handicraft shops.

One of the most original and typical artisanal neighbourhoods in Lusaka. It manufactures and sells everything: menuiserie, metalwork, spare parts for cars, furniture in all kinds, fruits and vegetables… If it is not recommended to walk for too long, it is possible to cross this area by road, by continuing on Alick Nkhata Avenue since the French Alliance or Arcades. You can then reach Kabulonga by Kudu Road.

Kabulonga and Woodlands, a beautiful area inhabited and flowery, are the main residential areas for expatriates and high Zambian social class. There are some supermarkets, restaurants and hotels.

Olympia Park and Roma are located behind the shopping centre of Manda Hill and opposite the Arcades shopping centre. There are some restaurants, backpackers and guest houses.

Rhodes Park and Fairview combine the entire area from the roundabout of Independence avenue (where the French embassy is located) to the west of Addis Ababa Drive. From these very central districts, you can reach all parts of Lusaka in 10 minutes by car. There are many restaurants and backpackers. Opposite Rhodes Park, on the other side of the Great East Road, lies the Northmead district, renowned for its bustling nightlife and charming market.

The historic centre of Lusaka, called by the premises «town» («the city»), consists of some main streets, grouped west of Cairo Road. Cairo Road is historically the city's main shopping artery where coffee, shops, banks and travel agencies are concentrated. It was around this street that British settlers built the first buildings in the city. If it is quite interesting to walk around, to immerse itself in local life, it is essential to follow some basic security rules: do not take bags or valuables with you and take care of pickpockets; Don't stop talking with street vendors who challenge you and always close all doors of your vehicles, whether you are inside or not.

If you're not there, you can spend a pleasant day in this 700 ha private reserve. By car, on foot or on horseback, you will be able to observe many bird species and antelopes, but also giraffes, zebras and many other animals, except predators. Safaris on foot or by car, $ 10; on horseback, $ 30.

One of the favourite places for families to go out in Lusaka, who like to come for a picnic and relax. Like yet another zoo, there is also a botanical garden and feline feeding (call for schedules). Nothing wild, the interview is questionable, as for the felines we would prefer to see them in freedom.

The relaxed atmosphere of this space features some of the works of Zambian master Henri Tayali (1943-1987) as well as paintings and sculptures by contemporary national and international artists. Tayali developed a social and political consciousness in his work that reflected African nationalism and a deep concern for African urban populations uprooted from their traditions. Permanent and temporary exhibitions. During openings, one can meet the artists whose works are offered for sale.

One of the capital's most famous attractions, but still a "shopping" village for tourists. Built in the 1930s and 1940s by the colonial government to house black workers, the village had more than 300 huts at the time. Most of them were demolished in the 1970s and only 40 remain today, preserved as cultural heritage and home to artists and craftsmen. After a period of decline, the village has been rehabilitated with the help of German cooperation. One can see carvers working there, who offer all kinds of wooden objects at various prices (haggling is required). Painted and carved wood, especially masks from all over the African sub-region, basketry, batiks, musical instruments, wax clothes, chitenges (traditional fabrics), bowls, trinkets, etc. In addition, the village schedules traditional dance performances (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and there is a restaurant on site. Some artisans have been present in the village for decades. We like both the artisan city feel and the choice of souvenirs to take away here. You will find a summary of the handicrafts of each region, very useful to make your final choice. A wise visit before going back home to find lots of gifts to bring back in your suitcase. Take the time to negotiate the prices and don't exhaust yourself by staying too long because you will be very busy.

Apart from a few leaflets, the information is rather limited and it is rather useless to go directly to the tourist office. The website, on the other hand, contains a lot of interesting information and is worth a visit. The website is a mine of information about hotels, tours and activities in Zambia, especially safaris. You will find in particular details of the lakes, waterfalls and rivers of the country to visit, but also of the 9 main animist ceremonies in the country, their location and their dates.

This modest museum was opened in the 1980s. It is located in Downtown, in the middle of an unsafe area (take a cab there). The first floor, dedicated to modern and contemporary art, presents paintings, sculptures and ceramics by artists who have marked the national creation since independence in 1964 until today.
On the first floor, the ethnographic section is the most interesting. It provides explanations on the different aspects of Zambian culture by ethnic group for a more detailed analysis at the regional level: music and dance, crafts, witchcraft and initiation ceremonies, everything is detailed and broken down by tribe. A small archaeological section tells the story of "the Broken Hill Man", one of the ancestors of humanity whose skull was discovered in Kabwe, 140 km north of Lusaka, a Homo rhodesiensis, which would be a human subspecies, common ancestor ofHomo neanderthalensis and Homo erectus.
Finally, a gallery dedicated to history and politics traces the major events of the country since Independence and the lives of the country's leaders. This is the most interesting part of the museum, well supplied with detailed didactic and explanatory panels. Unfortunately, the museum is poorly maintained and its contents are rarely updated. If the visit remains instructive, it does not have the scale of the main museum of a capital, it is a pity. One appreciates in addition its small store of craft industry.