Cheap flights to Livingstone

Quick summary

Why track Livingstone with SniperAir

You do not need to compare prices every day

Livingstone is the Zambian town of the Victoria Falls, in Southern Province, a few kilometres from the Zambezi: 10 km according to Wikipedia (EN) and 8 km according to Wikipedia (DE). It has about 178,000 inhabitants at the 2022 census, per Wikipedia (EN, DE). Wikivoyage (EN) presents it as Zambia's tourist capital and recalls that it was the capital of Northern Rhodesia until 1935, which Wikipedia (EN, DE) confirm. It is named after David Livingstone, the Scottish missionary who saw the falls in 1855, and is also known as Maramba. Unlike the small Zimbabwean town of Victoria Falls, which stretches along the edge of the falls, Livingstone is a real town, with a colonial-era centre, museums, a big market and a national park next door. Because the town has its own airport (LVI), tracking this destination with SniperAir often beats checking by hand, especially as Wikivoyage (EN) notes that flights to Livingstone are often cheaper than to the Zimbabwean bank.

Airport and getting into town

An international airport 5 km from the centre, linked with Johannesburg, Cape Town and Nairobi

Distances from Wikipedia (EN): about 5 km from the airport to the town centre and about 15 km to the falls by road; the other sources do not give these figures. Journey times depend on traffic and are not given. We do not publish fares.

The falls are about ten kilometres from the centre: Wikivoyage (EN) advises against walking there, because of reported crime and elephants, and recommends a taxi. From Lusaka, Wikivoyage (EN) cites buses taking 6 to 9 hours and a weekly train; the Botswana border at Kazungula is about 60 km away according to Wikivoyage (DE). If you come from Zimbabwe, you can cross the border on foot over the Victoria Falls Bridge and then take a taxi.

Landmarks

Mosi-oa-Tunya, the Zambezi and the bridge: the falls from the Zambian side

In Livingstone everything revolves around Mosi-oa-Tunya, "the smoke that thunders", and the river. The six places below come with photos; the rest are described in text only. The photographs show the river, the falls and the bridge; in several cases they were taken from the Zambian bank.

The falls from Mosi-oa-Tunya park

The bridge and the rainbow

Sunset on the river

The Zambezi upstream

Hippos and wildlife

The falls from above

Other places named by Wikivoyage (EN): Livingstone Island, from where you can stand at the edge of the drop in low water, and the Devil's Pool, a natural pool at the lip of the falls, on the Zambian side according to Wikipedia (EN); the island opens in July and the pool a few weeks later, per Wikivoyage (EN), once the water level drops. The Knife-Edge Bridge, a narrow footbridge facing the Main Falls, and the Boiling Pot, the whirlpool basin at the foot of the bridge, which can be reached by a footpath on the Zambian side. At full moon the park opens in the evening to see the lunar rainbow, according to Wikivoyage (EN).

Museums and culture

The country's oldest museum, Zambian culture and the railway

The Livingstone Museum

Wikipedia (DE) calls it the oldest and largest museum in Zambia, founded in 1930, with a large archaeological collection. Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN) also name ethnography, history and memorabilia of David Livingstone, plus a section on Zambian independence told from a Zambian angle.

The Maramba Cultural Museum

Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN) mention this museum devoted to traditional Zambian culture and art, with dancing, singing and costumes. It is a valuable complement to the falls for understanding the region's peoples.

Railway and historic buildings

The railway museum recalls Zambia's railway heritage, including the Mulobezi line. Wikipedia (DE) also names buildings from before 1924, such as St Andrew's Church, the Old European Library and Mukuni Park. We do not publish prices.

Food and drink

Nshima, river fish and world cuisine

Nshima and Zambian dishes

The Zambian staple is nshima, a maize porridge served with a relish, vegetables or meat; kapenta, small dried or fried fish, often goes with it. Wikivoyage (EN) names a locally run place in Kutaway Street offering the most "Zambian" dining experience in town.

International cuisine

Because the town is so touristy, Wikivoyage (EN) says Western-style meals, from pizza to burgers, and Oriental dishes are easy to find, often in the lodges and hotels. Many restaurants cluster around Mosi-oa-Tunya Road.

Cafes and market

Wikivoyage (EN) mentions the City Market beside the taxi depot, supermarkets and two main craft markets, one near the centre and one near the park entrance. Cafes serve pastries and light meals all day.

Getting around

Blue taxis, minibuses and a border on foot

In town

Livingstone is small enough to walk around the centre, according to Wikivoyage (EN). Official taxis are blue with a red number plate; you can pay for a single seat or book the whole ride, says the same source.

To the falls and the border

The falls are about ten kilometres from the centre: take a taxi rather than walk. Shared minibuses connect the town to the Zimbabwe border, with a depot near the town market. Wikivoyage (EN) says the border is crossed on foot, after which you pick up a taxi on the other side.

Formalities and the border

Entry conditions for Zambia and Zimbabwe depend on your nationality and country of departure: check the official sites for the visas required by each of the two countries, including for a simple same-day crossing. A joint visa for the two countries was offered on a trial basis, according to Wikivoyage (DE); check whether it still exists. Bring a valid passport and, depending on where you are coming from, a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Budget and precautions

Budget, health and safety

Price level

Livingstone is a tourist destination: accommodation, adventure activities and flights over the falls weigh on the budget, but simple meals, markets and taxis stay affordable. The currency is the Zambian kwacha (ZMW), and tourist businesses accept the US dollar. We do not publish amounts because we could not cross-check them on two current sources.

By air

SniperAir tracks prices to LVI and compares them with the route's history, but it does not sell or book tickets. Also follow Victoria Falls (VFA) on the Zimbabwean side, as well as Johannesburg or Nairobi, common gateways.

Health

Ask a doctor or a travel clinic before you go. Malaria occurs across much of Zambia, with a risk that varies by season and region; also protect yourself from mosquitoes, sun and heat.

Safety

Official advice varies by country of departure: check your own government's before booking. Wikivoyage (EN) rates Livingstone as fairly safe but advises against walking downtown at night, where lighting is poor, and against walking to the falls. Beware of money changers offering better rates, and choose reputable operators for rafting or flying activities.

When to go

A semi-arid climate, with falls that change character

Wikipedia (EN) describes a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh), with a hot, rainy wet season and a mild dry season marked by large day-to-night temperature differences. We do not give exact temperatures because we could not cross-check them; look at the forecast before you leave.

By length of stay

What to do in Livingstone by length of stay

In pictures

Livingstone in pictures

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about flights to Livingstone