Lusaka, in Lusaka Province, is the capital of Zambia.

Get in

Lusaka International Airport (LUN) receives flights from Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lilongwe, and London.

Since it is the commercial center and governmental seat of Zambia, all the arterial roads lead to Lusaka.

Get around

Minibuses are ubiquitous, cheap, and fast. For under a dollar, you can get almost anywhere in the city. The problem, is that bus routes are not posted, and a novice is likely to get lost. Do not be afraid to ask a conductor where he's headed.

For the uninitiated, then, a taxi might be a better option, at least initially. There are no meters in Zambia's taxis, so prices are somewhat negotiable. Be sure to set a price before getting in the cab. (A tip for newbies: Ask at a hotel lobby how much your trip should cost. If the cab driver states a higher price, mention that you're happy to ride a mini-bus. Watch the price drop. )

Take down a taxi driver's mobile number, most will be happy to do an all day deal, wait for you while you explore, pick you up early or late and take you to and from the airport.

See

• Soweto Market the front is a modern covered market. Behind it lies a massive market selling everthing from beans to used clothes. In it you can find traditional medicines, bicycle repair men and engine spare parts. (Ensure you hold onto your handbag and any othe items)

• The Anglican Cathedral (on the corner of Church Road and Independence Avenue) is an elegant concrete building with tall stained glass windows. Properly titled the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, it opened for worship on 14th September, 1962.

• Henry Tayali Gallery in the city Showgrounds; holds exhibitions of local art. Unique and professional pieces are available and the staff will be happy to pack your work for safe travel.

• Munda Wanga Zoo recently rescued from dilapidation you can look at learn about Zambian wildlife and meet Phoenix the the orphan elephant who has been raised by the staff. There are also impeccable botanical gardens with food and drink available.

• Lilayi Lodge a wildlife ranch. Take a game drive and see animals as close to the wild as they can be in the city. Lilayi lodge has an excellent restaurant and hosts sunday buffets which can be eaten while lounging in around the pool.

Do

• Explore the city with its diverse suburbs and informal settlements. Take a map and explore the city's markets, its second class shopping area and many other nooks. The only precautions recommended would be to leave your valuables at your hotel and take only the cash needed for the day as would apply in any major city.

• Parray's Game Ranch is located 21 km from the town centre. Available are game drives, swimming and a playground. There you can see Zebra, Kudu and other herbivores

• Chaminuka Lodge Located near to the airport, amazing lodge, and facilities.

Buy

• Manda Hill. Lusaka's first official mall, opened in 2000, and the reception was huge. GAME Stores, the South African version of Walmart, is the anchor, and the mall also features some high-end boutiques, a bookshop, a Subway restaurant (but without turkey!?), some memorabilia shops, and some clothing stores.

• Arcades. The capital's second mall, featuring a relatively cheap Spar supermarket, where you can find your Western food goods. There are also cinemas (Ster-Kinokor) with air-con and a lot of space when watching a movie (although you'll have to prepare to be flocked by expat-teenagers yelling throughout the movie). A ticket is around K10,000. Right next to the cinema there is a bowling alley with a pretty good standard, and they also do disco-bowling in the late evening.

• Kabwata Cultural Village, Burma Road. Shopping with a more "African" feel, with dozens of curio-makers and salesmen. You will quickly learn that "looking is free," but the goods are not. Be prepared to spend a while, and don't be afraid to dicker.

• Dutch Reformed Church Market. Held on the last Saturday of each month and has been going for several years. There you can buy an assortment of curios, books and Art. A special feature is the large number of goods available from other countries such as Congo and Zimbabwe. You can have a light Indian or Chinese meal while children have their faces painted. Look for stand selling products made from recycled glass bottles and handicrafts made by people with disablities.

Eat

• The Dil offers the best Indian food in Africa for under $10. It's somewhat out of town, but well worth the drive.
• The Intercontinental Hotel does the best brunch in Zambia, for about $10.
• Fra-gigi's serves authentic Italian food for about $6. Look for the Mona Lisa portrait on the wall.
• The Lusaka Club provides quality steaks and Chinese food in a "country club atmosphere" for around $10.
• Spur's, the restaurant for the Holiday Inn, provides serviceable Western-styled meals for $5-$10.
• Debonair's Pizza delivers for about $5.
• Gerritz
• Chit Chat Cafe
• LA Fast Foods
• La Mimosa, Arcades. Sandwiches and possibly Lusaka's best milkshake at 10 pin (K10,000).

Drink

Lusaka boasts many Western-styled bars (e.g., Brown's and McGinty's, mainly used by tourists, and ex-pats). However, Zambians love to drink; there are, therefore, a number of bars frequented by locals, as well. Unfortunately, these change often.

• Arcades Mall hosts 5 restaurants/bars. Times Square and Rhapsody's are open till late while Ocean Basket, Michelanglo and Arabian Nights serve food and have great ambiance
• Xenon nightclub in Northmead, often many young people here
• Chez Ntemba* has several branches, plays Rumba and African rythms until the last person leaves
• Majestic Casino has an excellent bar, casino comlpete with blackjack and roulette tables and slot machines
• Cattleman's Grill at Chrismar hotel hosts live local bands and has a dance floor and restaurant
• Johnny's Chinese is centrally located
• Sam's Sports Bar is located on Cairo Road in the town centre
• The Polo Grill has outdoor seating overlooking the Lusaka Polo Club also has a small casino
• Northmead Shopping Centre has an array of clubs and bars including some open 24 hours a day

Sleep

Accommodation in Lusaka runs the gamut.

Budget

• If you're traveling on the cheap, try ChaChaCha Backpackers. Wade, the owner, provides space to pitch a tent ($3), dorm beds ($5), or private rooms ($8-10). There is a good restaurant on-site, and Wade is happy to organize excursions -- safari, cultural, camping, etc. -- too.

Mid-range

There are a number of mid-range accommodation options, as well.

• The Abundant Life is an impeccably clean hostel run by a local church. No alcohol allowed on the premises. Staff is extremely friendly. They offer en suite rooms and genuine suites, too, for about $20. Keep in mind Abundant Life is also a church, and they offer worship services on-site. Don't be surprised (or afraid) if you wake to the sound of the congregation speaking in tongues!
• Around 10 minutes from Lusaka center there's Makeni Guesthouse which is quite a relaxed guesthouse run by Jane. The rooms are basic but clean. It's got a nice relaxed feel to it and wierdly for this part of the world, has no public bar which is a welcome break if you want somewhere quieter.
• For more of a hotel feel, try The Ndeke Hotel for about $45/night. The rooms have double beds and satellite TV, and the hotel features a nice pool, a good bar, and a clean restaurant.

Splurge

Expect to spend anywhere from $100-$300 night for rooms in these hotels.

• The Intercontinental Hotel is probably the nicest in Lusaka.
• The Pamodzi is a close second.
• The Holiday Inn is casual and comfortable, but expensive ($100 USD per night).

Get out

Of course, there are game parks (like South Luangwa National Park) scattered throughout Zambia, and many Lusakans visit them on the weekends. Heading to Livingstone for a few days is also a popular choice.

• Siavonga is on Lake kariba about two and half hours away from Lusaka

• Protea Lodge Just outside Lusaka this provides both a great place to stay, game drives, a swimming pool and even Lions!