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Lusaka

The safari republic's capital — fast-growing, friendly, and the gateway to Victoria Falls and South Luangwa's walking safaris.

Metro population
3,000,000
Country
Zambia
Region
Africa
Overview

Why visit Lusaka

Lusaka is the capital of the country that invented the walking safari — a fast-growing, easygoing city of 3 million in a landlocked nation blessed with wildlife and the mightiest waterfall on earth.

The city itself is markets and momentum: the sprawling Soweto and Luburma markets, the Kabwata cultural village's craft stalls, and the restaurants and nightlife of the Kabulonga and Rhodes Park districts. It's friendly, functional, and improving fast.

Speed's 2025 Africa tour streamed from Lusaka. The bucket-list items are hours away: Victoria Falls at Livingstone ('the smoke that thunders') and South Luangwa National Park, where the walking safari was pioneered.

Things to do

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Fun facts

Things you didn't know about Lusaka

  1. 01

    The Walking Safari

    South Luangwa pioneered the guided walking safari — now world-famous.

  2. 02

    Victoria Falls

    'Mosi-oa-Tunya' — the smoke that thunders — is Zambia's side of the world's largest waterfall.

  3. 03

    Nshima Country

    The maize-meal staple is the national plate — eaten with relish and hands.

  4. 04

    A Garden City

    Lusaka was designed as a garden city in 1935 — it has sprawled wildly since.

  5. 05

    Kabwata

    The cultural village concentrates the country's crafts for easy buying.

  6. 06

    Landlocked Giant

    Zambia is landlocked — but its river parks (Lower Zambezi) are world-class.

  7. 07

    The Mighty Kwacha

    The currency's name means 'dawn' in Nyanja.

  8. 08

    Soweto Market

    The giant market is one of southern Africa's biggest — an experience in itself.

  9. 09

    Flying Doctor Country

    Remote parks made Zambia a pioneer of fly-in safaris.

  10. 10

    Independent And Peaceful

    Zambia has had peaceful democratic transfers — rare and noted in the region.

Random Lusaka fact

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FAQ

Quick answers about Lusaka

Where is Lusaka located?

Lusaka is in Zambia, in Africa.

What is the population of Lusaka?

The greater Lusaka area is home to about 3,000,000 people.

What is Lusaka famous for?

Lusaka is famous for the gateway to Victoria Falls and South Luangwa safaris — a growing capital of markets and maize meal.

Did IShowSpeed stream from Lusaka?

Yes — IShowSpeed streamed from Lusaka on his 2025 Africa tour. See his full world tour map.

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