Livingstone
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At a glance
- Country
- Zambia
- Region
- Southern Province
- Population
- 180,000
- Best time to go
- February to May, August to October
- Main airport
- Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International (LVI)
- Coordinates
- 17.84°S, 25.85°E
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Overview
Livingstone is Zambia's adventure capital, a former colonial capital of broad streets and tin-roofed buildings a few kilometres from Victoria Falls. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders, the falls are one of the great natural sights of Africa.
The town makes an easy, friendly base for days spent on and around the Zambezi, from sunset cruises to white-water rafting in the gorges below the falls.
Things to see
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 Victoria Falls
Walk the paths opposite the falls and cross the Knife-Edge Bridge through the spray.
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Photo: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0 Devil's Pool
At low water, swim in a natural rock pool right on the lip of the falls from Livingstone Island.
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 Victoria Falls Bridge
The 1905 steel arch over the gorge links Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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Photo: Krzysztof Błażyca, CC BY 3.0 Livingstone Museum
Zambia's oldest museum, with David Livingstone's letters and good displays on local history.
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
A small park by the river where you can see white rhino on guided walks.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Photo: Brian McMorrow, CC BY-SA 2.5 Sunset cruise on the Zambezi
Drift upstream of the falls watching hippos and elephants as the sun goes down.
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Photo: Martijn.Munneke from Netherlands, CC BY 2.0 White-water rafting
Some of the world's best big-water rapids run through the gorges below the falls.
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Photo: Gorgo, Public domain Day trip to Chobe
Cross into Botswana for a boat and game drive among huge elephant herds.
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Photo: Adam Annfield, CC BY 2.0 Flight over the falls
A helicopter or microlight gives the full scale of the falls and gorges.
Find tours
Where to stay
Town centre
Budget-friendly guesthouses and backpacker lodges close to restaurants.
Hotels in Town centreZambezi riverfront
Lodges upstream of the falls with river views and wildlife on the doorstep.
Hotels in Zambezi riverfrontNear the falls
Hotels a short walk from the falls entrance, convenient for early visits.
Hotels in Near the falls
Getting around
Taxis are easy to find, and most lodges arrange transfers and activities. The falls are about 10 kilometres from town.
The airport is around 15 minutes from town by taxi; crossing to Zimbabwe on foot is possible via the Victoria Falls Bridge.
When to go
The falls are at their fullest from about February to May, with spectacular but drenching spray. August to October offers clearer views, rafting and Devil's Pool. The hot rainy season starts in November.
Plan your trip to Livingstone
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.