Where to stay in Livingstone — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Livingstone is the small southern Zambian town that doubles as the adventure capital of Southern Africa, sitting just 10 km from the mighty Victoria Falls — known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, "the smoke that thunders." The widest curtain of falling water on Earth and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the falls are at their most immersive from the Zambian side, where you can walk the Knife-Edge Bridge and get soaked to the bone. Livingstone is also home to the legendary Devil's Pool, a natural infinity pool perched right on the lip of the 100-metre drop, open only in low-water season. Beyond the falls, this is a town built for thrill-seekers: Grade V white-water rafting on the Zambezi, a 111-metre bungee off the Victoria Falls Bridge, sunset cruises past hippos and elephants, and game drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. If you want raw nature, real adrenaline, and authentic African culture in one place, Livingstone delivers.
Why stay in Livingstone
The widest waterfall on Earth
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Victoria Falls is best experienced wet from the Zambian side. Walk the Knife-Edge Bridge through the spray, catch double rainbows, and watch the mist plume rise hundreds of metres.
Swim at the edge of Devil's Pool
A natural rock pool right on the lip of the falls, reached via a Livingstone Island tour. Open only in low-water season (roughly Jul–Jan), it's a once-in-a-lifetime swim you won't find anywhere else.
Adrenaline capital
Bungee 111 m off the Victoria Falls Bridge, raft Grade V rapids below the falls, zip-line across the gorge, or take the Flight of Angels helicopter ride over the entire cataract.
Wildlife on the Zambezi
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park has white rhino, giraffe, zebra and elephant, while a sunset cruise on the upper Zambezi puts you within metres of hippos and crocodiles.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Livingstone
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
Town CentreMosi-oa-Tunya Road is lined with restaurants, cafes, the Mukuni curio market and budget guesthouses. Walkable, lively after dark, and close to the museums.
Coming soonUpper Zambezi RiversideLuxury lodges and villas on the river above the falls, with sunset views and hippos and elephants drifting past. Quiet and romantic — ideal for honeymoons.
Coming soonFalls / Mosi-oa-TunyaStay minutes from the falls entrance and the national park, from five-star hotels like the Royal Livingstone to backpacker camps. The closest base to the water.
Coming soonHighlandsA calmer residential area with scattered lodges and guesthouses. Good for travellers who want privacy and space while staying an easy hop from town.
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Livingstone
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
We're rolling out Livingstone stay reviews — meanwhile search Livingstone hotels across all 3 sites now
Local dishes to try in Livingstone
- 1🍚
Nshima
Zambia's stiff maize-meal staple, similar to polenta. You pinch off a piece and dip it into a relish of meat, fish or vegetables. Order it at least once — it's the heart of every Zambian meal.
📍 Staple - 2🐟
Grilled Mosi-oa-Tunya catfish
Zambezi catfish grilled over the coals is a Livingstone signature — firm, smoky and best eaten with nshima and local greens.
📍 River fish - 3🐠
Kapenta
Small sardine-like fish fried with oil, tomatoes and onions, served as a relish alongside nshima. Salty, savoury and properly local.
📍 Tiny fish - 4🥬
Ifisashi
Leafy greens like pumpkin leaves or amaranth simmered in a creamy ground-peanut sauce. Rich, hearty and a great vegetarian option.
📍 Vegetarian - 5🍢
Michopo
Beef or goat roasted outdoors over the grill, served with chilli, onions, tomatoes and potatoes — Zambia's roadside barbecue at its best.
📍 Grilled meat - 6🌽
Maramba Market eats
A local market for roasted maize, hearty stews and street snacks. Food tours often stop here for a true taste of how Livingstone eats.
📍 Street food
- 1💧
Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya)
The widest sheet of falling water on Earth, over 1.7 km across and around 100 m high. From the Zambian side you walk the Knife-Edge Bridge straight into the spray. At peak flow (Feb–May) the mist is visible for kilometres.
📍 UNESCO site - 2🏊
Devil's Pool
A natural infinity pool on the very edge of the falls, reached on a Livingstone Island tour. Open only in low-water season (roughly Jul–Jan), around USD 165 per person — the most iconic photo in Livingstone.
📍 Most extreme - 3🌉
Victoria Falls Bridge & Bungee
The historic steel bridge linking Zambia and Zimbabwe stands 128 m above the river. Bungee 111 m, ride the zip-line or gorge swing — or just walk across for free for gorge views.
📍 Adrenaline - 4🛶
Zambezi White-Water Rafting
The rapids below the falls rank among the best — and wildest — in the world, classified up to Grade V. Open in low-water season (roughly Aug–Jan) for those who want to take on the full Zambezi.
📍 Grade V - 5🌅
Zambezi Sunset Cruise
An evening cruise on the upper Zambezi with drinks, golden light and frequent sightings of hippos, crocodiles and elephants on the banks. The classic Livingstone sundowner.
📍 Relaxed - 6🐘
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
A compact park on the Zambezi above the falls where game drives turn up white rhino, giraffe, zebra, elephant and warthog. A half-day taste of safari without travelling far.
📍 Safari - 7🏛️
Livingstone Museum
Zambia's oldest and largest museum (since 1934), with collections on archaeology, culture and natural history, plus a famous trove of letters and memorabilia from explorer David Livingstone.
📍 History - 8🐆
Mukuni Big 5 & Curio Market
Walk alongside cheetahs and lions at Mukuni Big 5, then browse hand-carved woodwork at the Mukuni Park Curio Market in the heart of town, open daily 8am–6pm.
📍 Culture
Things to do in Livingstone
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Livingstone — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Livingstone hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.6LuxuryThe Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara
Top luxury, 10-min walk to the Falls
★ 9.1Upper-midRadisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort
New riverside resort, #1-rated in town
★ 9.1Valueโรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในLivingstone
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
Riverside safari lodge with spa
Avani Victoria Falls Resort
Closest to Falls, free entry, wildlife on-site
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🚆 Getting around Livingstone
Harry Mwanga Nkumbula Airport (LVI)
Livingstone's international airport sits just 5–7 km from town — a 10–15 minute drive to the centre. It connects to Lusaka, Johannesburg and other regional hubs.
Taxis & transfers
An airport taxi into town runs around USD 10–15. There are no meters, so agree the fare before you get in. Many lodges offer transfers, sometimes included in the room rate.
Walking the town
The compact centre around Mosi-oa-Tunya Road is easy on foot — restaurants, markets and the museums are all close together and best explored by walking.
Tours & rides to the falls
Most people reach the falls, activities and the park via tours or lodge vehicles. It's about 10 km from town to the falls, with taxis and shuttles the simplest option.
Cash, currency & paying
The currency is the Zambian kwacha (ZMW). Many tour operators and hotels also take USD, though rates can be poor. Bring small dollar notes (1/5/10/20) and change some into kwacha.
Where to go next near Livingstone
Frequently asked — where to stay in Livingstone
When is the best time to visit Livingstone?+
The dry season from June to October is best — cool, comfortable and clear. For Devil's Pool or rafting you need low water (roughly Jul–Jan), but to see the falls at full thundering force come after the rains (Feb–May), when the spray can be so heavy it partly hides the falls themselves.
Should I visit the Zambian (Livingstone) or Zimbabwean (Victoria Falls) side?+
Both are great for different reasons. The Zambian side gets you closest to the water, with Devil's Pool and the full range of adventure activities. The Zimbabwean side offers a wider panoramic view of the falls. Many visitors cross the bridge to see both — the KAZA visa covers both countries.
How much is entry to the falls on the Zambian side?+
Entry to Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the Zambian side is around USD 20 per person for international visitors, payable in dollars or kwacha. Special activities like Devil's Pool, bungee and rafting are charged separately.
Ready to book your Livingstone stay?
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