Essentials
- City
- Livingstone, Southern Province, Zambia
- Population
- Approximately 140,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 15-25 Mbps on 4G/LTE; Fiber available in select hubs up to 50 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Zambian Kwacha (ZMW). 1 USD ≈ 26.50 ZMW, 1 EUR ≈ 28.70 ZMW
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; use bottled or filtered water (approx. 15 ZMW per 1.5L)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C, D, and G sockets (UK style most common). Load shedding is frequent.
- SIM Card
- Airtel or MTN; 10GB data package costs roughly 250 ZMW ($9 USD)
- Banking for Expats
- ABSA, Standard Chartered, and FNB Zambia; Visa is widely accepted at tourist hubs
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses, lodges, and serviced cottages via Airbnb or local agents
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; larger hotels and supermarkets accept cards, but local markets and taxis require cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options range from $40 - $120 per night; try 'Livingstone Backpackers' private rooms
- Budget Accommodation
- Fawlty Towers Livingstone (approx. $15 for dorms, $45 for private rooms)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Mosi-oa-Tunya Road area (near city center) or River Club area for luxury
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Highlands or Fallsway areas (quieter, better infrastructure and reliable power options)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Hub Livingstone (shared desks approx. 200 ZMW per day; verify seasonal availability)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Café Zambezi (Mosi-oa-Tunya Rd); good Wi-Fi, power outlets, and famous Caribbean-Zambian fusion
- Networking Events
- Livingstone Tourism Association (LTA) monthly meetups at various lodges
- Social Events for Expats
- Livingstone Expats & Friends Facebook Group; Friday night drinks at The Elephant Café
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Ulendo (Local ride-hailing app, reliable for city transfers)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local rentals available at Jollyboys Backpackers (approx. 150 ZMW per day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- No ocean access; 'The Beach' at Waterfront Lodge provides a sandy riverbank experience on the Zambezi
- Top Regional Airline
- Proflight Zambia (operates routes to Lusaka and Lower Zambezi)
- Top International Airline
- Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines (direct flights to Nairobi/Addis)
- Highway Access
- T1 Road connects Livingstone to Lusaka; Kazungula Bridge connects to Botswana
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Livingstone Railway Station (Zambia Railways services to Lusaka)
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal pass system; shared blue minibuses cost approx. 10-20 ZMW per trip
- Regional Travel
- Intercity Bus Terminus for luxury coaches like Shalom or Mazhandu Family Bus (approx. 350 ZMW to Lusaka)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Livingstone Central Hospital (Public) or Victoria Falls Children's Trust Clinic (Private/Specialized)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The River Club (Luxury wellness retreats and yoga overlooking the Zambezi)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Body Tech Gym at Falls Park Shopping Mall (approx. 500 ZMW monthly membership)
- Laundry Services
- Most lodges provide services; Sparkle Dry Cleaners on 216 Cultural Village Rd
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Tigmoo Eats (Limited availability, most residents order directly via WhatsApp)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Nshima with Tilapia (bream) fish and 'Chibwantu' (traditional drink)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Kubwa Garden (offers plant-based curry options and fresh salads)
- Best Dessert Spots
- DaVinci's at the Falls Park Mall (Italian gelato and pastries)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Livingstone Maramba Market (fresh produce at local prices)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Tigmoo Zambia (Electronics and groceries)
- Grocery Delivery
- Shoprite Livingstone (Available via third-party concierge or Tigmoo)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Mosi-oa-Tunya Road; popular spot is 'The Royal Livingstone Lounge' for sundowners
- Local Brewery
- Zambian Breweries (Mosi Lager is the local staple available everywhere)
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Shop Livingstone (Located near town center, features South African imports)
- Street Food Stalls
- Maramba Market stalls serving grilled 'Michopo' (goat meat)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Ocean Basket (Seafood) and Golden Leaf (High-quality Indian cuisine)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya) - Entrance fee $20 USD for internationals
- Museums & Art Venues
- Livingstone Museum (Oldest museum in Zambia; $5 USD entry)
- Historical Sites
- Old Drift Cemetery (Site of the first European settlement)
- Religious Sites
- St. Therese Catholic Cathedral
- Annual Events
- Livingstone Cultural & Arts Festival (usually April/May)
- Cultural Districts
- Wayi Wayi Art Studio and Gallery (Local artisan hub)
- Theater Venues
- Capitol Theatre (Historical building, limited active performances)
- Local Markets
- Mukuni Park Curio Market (Crafts and carvings)
- Music Scene
- Zambezi Sunset Cruises often feature live traditional kalindula music
- Street Art
- Hand-painted murals at the Livingstone Cultural Village
- Cooking Classes
- In-home traditional cooking experiences can be arranged via 'Local Cowboy Tours'
- Art Galleries
- Victoria Falls Art Gallery (Within the Avani Resort complex)
- Historic Buildings
- The North-Western Hotel (Built in 1909)
- Local Heritage
- The Lozi People's 'Kuomboka' tradition influence in the region
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Guided game drives for rhino tracking)
- National Parks Nearby
- Chobe National Park, Botswana (Day trips available, 1.5 hours away)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Zambezi River pathway near the Royal Livingstone Hotel
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Knife Edge Bridge (For the best view of the Falls)
- Birdwatching Locations
- The banks of the Upper Zambezi (African Skimmer and Rock Pratincole)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Jollyboys Camp bonfire pit (Common evening social gathering)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Express Livingstone on Mosi-oa-Tunya Rd
- Tech Repair Services
- Computer Solutions (Located in the town center for laptop/phone repairs)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Livingstone Day Youth Centre (Occasional community games)
- Language Classes
- Private tutors for Bemba or Tonga via the Livingstone Museum reach-out programs
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Livingstone Public Library (Basic facilities, quiet for reading)
- Community Centers
- Linda Community School & Center (Volunteer opportunities)
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; mostly small local Playstation booths in the suburbs
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Falls Casino (Near the Avani Resort)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $32,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $42,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $80,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $650 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $52,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% standard rate (special rates for tourism sector)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Source-based tax system
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (on income over 9,200 ZMW per month)
- VAT
- 16%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Limited rules; generally managed via Transfer Pricing regulations
- Property Tax
- Ground rent and rates payable to Livingstone City Council
- Property Transaction Tax
- Property Transfer Tax (PTT) at 5% of the value
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa yet; however, individuals working for foreign companies and staying <90 days are rarely caught in the local tax net.