Livingstone City Is Zambia’s Tourist Capital!

Livingstone City in Zambia is the tourist destination which has aptly earned the name of Zambia’s tourist capital. The town is located in the Southern Province of Zambia, sharing boarders with Zambia’s sister country, Zimbabwe.

Livingstone Town The town is 487 kilometers from Lusaka and about 10 kilometers from Victoria Falls. The population of Livingstone is approximately 140,000.

Livingstone City was named after a great Scottish Explorer Dr. David Livingstone, who was the first European to set foot and produce accurate descriptions and maps of this part of Africa on 16th November 1855.

Despite of being the home land for the Tonga speaking people, the language spoken in Livingstone town is Lozi from Western province of the Lozi speaking people. From 1911, Livingstone town was at one time in Zambia’s history a business and political capital city, until 1935 when it was shifted to the heart of the fastest developing town, Lusaka.

Despite of being revoked of the right of Zambia’s capital city, Livingstone town has maintained its undisputed birthright of being Zambia’s tourist capital city.

The city displays the attraction of what a tourist capital destination city should have. Its beauty is categorized as, the natural heritage sites and the cultural heritage sites.

The distance between major tourists attraction sites are generally short, approximately 10 kilometers to 15 kilometers. The road network is not up to standard. Sometimes tourists find it difficult to reach same attraction sites due to impassable roads. Despite of the poor road network, local taxi drivers find it advantageous, since the situation creates a chance to hike taxi fares. Local and international tourists are left with no option but to dance to the tune.

Livingstone town’s heritage sites are beautiful as they offer historical memories that have stood the test of time. Among these cultural heritage sites, is the first shopping centers built in 1910. The buildings portray the old architectural ingenuity that has been passed on to the current generation. The office for the prince of England, Prince George, built in 1914, is presently used as the local court.

The Livingstone Museum, which is the oldest museum in Zambia, has exhibited interesting discoveries. Among these discoveries are the local traditional fire guns used for witchcraft, traditional aero plane, local mappings depicting the entire Livingstone, a collection of David Livingstone's memorabilia and many more.

To the young ones with the burning desire to know about Zambia’s past, Livingstone in Zambia offers learning opportunities for both locals and visitors. The young ones can also learn Livingstone’s history by visiting Mukuni Park Curio Market.

However, Livingstone’s largest natural heritage site is the mighty Victoria Falls.

This large body of water has made it possible for Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO), to construct a mega power station which provides power to the local industries.

The power has been used for technology and innovation. ZESCO plays a key role in the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of safe, reliable, quality and competitively priced electricity for sustainable development of Zambia and beyond, thereby creating wealth and improving the quality of life for all.

Where to Sleep

Being Zambia’s tourist capital, Livingstone is replete with of Hotels, Guest Houses and Lodges. However, if you want to be in the town center of the city and see what Livingstone can offer, check in at New Fairmount Hotel and Casino.