Lusaka

Visit Zambia’s capital for its markets, museums and landmarks, or use it as a starting point for travel across the country.

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Lusaka is Zambia’s capital and largest city, on the country’s central plateau. Cairo Road runs through the central business district, near Central Market and New City Market. The Lusaka National Museum, Freedom Statue and Oliver Tambo Heritage House are among the city’s sights. Lusaka grew from a railway water stop founded in 1905 and became Zambia’s capital in 1964, when the country became independent.

You can visit the botanical gardens at Munda Wanga Environmental Park or see the Moore Pottery Factory. Livingstone, Zambia’s tourism capital, is about 472 km from Lusaka. The dry winter runs from April to August; June and July nights can be cold. Minibuses are the main way to get around, alongside larger buses and shared taxis on fixed routes. City-centre buses and minibuses use four terminals, and Lusaka has no official public transport route map. Malaria is among the main health priorities for Lusaka district, so check preventive health advice before travelling.

Lusaka in five

Use the four Town bus terminalsMinibuses and buses serving the CBD use Kulima Tower, City Market, Millennium and Lumumba terminals. Lusaka has no official public transport route map.
The airport has no rail connectionKenneth Kaunda International Airport is not served by rail. Zambia Railways’ main line serves Lusaka, but there is no urban commuter train.
Trucks bypass Cairo RoadHeavy trucks are not allowed on Cairo Road. Trucks travelling north or south are advised to use Lumumba Road.
Change at Kapiri Mposhi for TAZARATo travel to Dar es Salaam by TAZARA railway, change trains at Kapiri Mposhi, north of Lusaka.
Expect cool winter nightsCold conditions are mostly limited to nights in June and July. October is the hottest month, with daily average highs of around 32 °C.

Things to do in Lusaka

See all attractions in Lusaka

Sight · LusakaLusaka City Market

Grassy field with trees under a cloudy blue sky

Zoo · LusakaMunda Wanga Environmental Park

Park · LusakaLusaka National Park

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Need to know

Currency: Not specified in the checked facts
Entry: Check visa and entry requirements for your passport Read more
Emergency: Not specified in the checked facts
Tipping: Not specified in the checked facts
Time: Not specified in the checked facts

Weather by month

Rainy days

Good
Mixed

JanuaryRain24 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Warm monsoon season
FebruaryRain20 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Warm monsoon season
MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Warm monsoon season
AprilPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Dry winter
MayClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low13°Dry winter
JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°Cold nights
JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh24°Low11°Cold nights
AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh28°Low14°Dry winter
SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh31°Low17°Hot season
OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh33°Low20°Hot season
NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Warm monsoon season
DecemberRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low19°Warm monsoon season

Average daily high and low in Lusaka, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Lusaka

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 24°
Humidity: 18%
Wind: 13 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Lusaka

10:37 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+2

Today35°21°0%Monday: Clear. High 35°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue34°22°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 34°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed34°23°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 34°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu34°23°8%Thursday: Clear. High 34°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 8%.
Fri34°23°8%Friday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 8%.
Sat34°21°43%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 34°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 43%.
Sun34°20°53%Sunday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 53%.

Updated 07:25 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 20.22 ZMW

Amount

Converted to

ZMW · Zambian Kwacha

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Livingstoneabout 472 kmZambia’s tourism capital is about 472 km from Lusaka.
Kitweabout 362 kmKitwe is on the Copperbelt, about 362 km from Lusaka.
Kabwedistance not specifiedZambia Railways’ main line runs north from Lusaka to Kabwe.

Before you go to Lusaka

eSIM for ZambiaCompare plans before you flyRead the guide

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Money and costsPlan cards and travel spendingRead the guide

Where to stayFind a base in LusakaRead the guide

Rules for Lusaka, checked

Check visa and entry requirements for your passport with the Zambia Department of Immigration before you travel.Source
Check preventive health advice for Lusaka before departure; malaria is among the district’s main health priorities.
City-centre buses and minibuses use four terminals: Kulima Tower, City Market, Millennium and Lumumba. Lusaka has no official public transport route map.

Plan around Lusaka

Getting around Lusaka

Minibuses, buses and shared taxis run on fixed routes

Read the guide Visas and entry

Check entry requirements for your trip

Read the guide Where to stay

Choose a base for your Lusaka visit

Read the guide Money and costs

Plan how to manage money while travelling

Read the guide

Lusaka FAQ

How many days do you need in Lusaka?

The checked facts do not specify how many days to allow. Sights include the Lusaka National Museum, Freedom Statue, Moore Pottery Factory and Munda Wanga Environmental Park.

Is Lusaka worth visiting?

Lusaka’s sights include the Lusaka National Museum, Central Market, New City Market and Moore Pottery Factory.

How do you get around Lusaka?

Minibuses are the main way to get around, with larger buses and shared taxis also running on fixed routes. There is no official route map; city-centre services use the Kulima Tower, City Market, Millennium and Lumumba terminals.

Does Lusaka have a train to the airport?

No. Kenneth Kaunda International Airport is not served by rail. Zambia Railways’ main line serves Lusaka, but the city has no urban commuter train.

Can you take a train from Lusaka to Dar es Salaam?

To travel to Dar es Salaam by TAZARA, change trains at Kapiri Mposhi, north of Lusaka.

What is the best time to visit Lusaka?

Lusaka’s dry winter runs from April to August, the warm monsoon season from November to March, and the hot season in September and October. June and July nights can be cold; October is the hottest month, with daily average highs of around 32 °C.