What are the best things to do in Lusaka?
Top picks in Lusaka include Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Henry Tayali Gallery, Munda Wanga Environmental Park, Lusaka National Museum. See the full list and itinerary on this Lusaka travel guide.
Photo: Matthew Grollnek · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Lusaka
Travel guide for Lusaka, Zambia — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Lusaka is a stop in Zambia, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Henry Tayali Gallery, Munda Wanga Environmental Park instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 35–110 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: The dry season for the most comfortable travel. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
The dry season for the most comfortable travel
Weather
Largely warm year-round with distinct wet and dry seasons
Experiences
Things to do in Lusaka
1
Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross
2
Henry Tayali Gallery
3
Munda Wanga Environmental Park
4
Lusaka National Museum
5
Freedom Statue
6
Kalimba Reptile Park
Budget travel
Free things to do in Lusaka
Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross
Munda Wanga Environmental Park
Freedom Statue
Kalimba Reptile Park
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Lusaka itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross
- Visit Henry Tayali Gallery
- Visit Munda Wanga Environmental Park
- Eat at Arirang Korean Restaurant
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Lusaka National Museum
- Visit Freedom Statue
- Visit Kalimba Reptile Park
- Eat at Marlin Restaurant
Budget
Lusaka trip cost
Budget
USD 15–35
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 35–110
per person / day
Luxury
USD 125–210+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Lusaka, Zambia. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Lusaka
Estimated total (USD)
$1,935
≈ $968 per person · $276 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $70/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Lusaka mid-range ground costs (budget 15–35 · mid 35–110 · luxury 125–210+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Arirang Korean Restaurant
A place to get Korean BBQ and other Korean classics, go for their beef dishes especially as you get the good quality Zambian beef in Korean
Marlin Restaurant
The Lusaka Club, Los Angeles Boulevard, Longacres. Long a staple of the Lusaka dining scene Marlin is notorious for its pepper steak. Other
Melsim Lodge Ethiopian Restaurant
Run by an Ethiopian lady the lodge's restaurant offers some pretty authentic Ethiopian cuisine - better to eat in the bar under the thatch r
Mint Cafe
Small coffee shop in Arcades Shopping Mall. Serving milkshakes, a variety of coffees including lattes, cappuccinos and a great assortment of
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Magodi Lodge
Single or double room with own bathroom.
Hilton Garden Inn Lusaka Society Business Park
It must be one of Lusaka's tallest (and most aesthetic looking) skyscrapers. It has all the amenities of a Hilton Garden property (pool, gym
Fallsway Suites
Out by the airport and has a pool and nice ambience; kinda pricey though.
Radisson Blu Hotel
Pool, spa, breakfast. Very swank and modern, out by Arcades Mall.
The Pamodzi Hotel
Probably the nicest in Lusaka, having undergone a US$7 million renovation. Helpful staff. However, the food is generally disappointing.
Shopping
- Soweto Market
- Manda Hill
- Arcades
- Levy 1
- Pick N Pay Supermarkets
- Shoprite
Nightlife
- The Cha Bar
Museums & culture
- Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross
- Henry Tayali Gallery
- Lusaka National Museum
In pictures
Lusaka gallery
Photos: Matthew Grollnek, Mondoka Zambia, Duke Makangila, LittleT889 — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Lusaka travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Lusaka?
The dry season for the most comfortable travel.
How many days do I need in Lusaka?
Plan at least 2 days in Lusaka for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Lusaka?
Popular stays in Lusaka include Magodi Lodge, Hilton Garden Inn Lusaka Society Business Park, Fallsway Suites. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Lusaka cost?
On the ground in Lusaka (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 15–35 per person per day, mid-range about 35–110, and luxury about 125–210+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Lusaka, Zambia. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
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