| Lusaka | ||
 | ||
| State | Zambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Central Zambia | |
| Altitude | 1,279 m a.s.l. | |
| Surface | 418 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 1.747.152 (estimate year 2010) | |
| Prefix tel | 260 211 | |
| Time zone | UTC 2 | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Lusaka is the capital of Zambia.
To know
Lusaka is a small capital, with a modern area and another typically African, where dusty markets stand side by side with skyscrapers that are not always attractive. Even if it is Zambia is a fascinating country, Lusaka is not, and perhaps never will be, a leading tourist destination.
The city has few attractions but on the other hand boasts an authentic African atmosphere. Probably the only tourists staying in Lusaka are those heading to the nearby Lower Zambezi National Park or waiting for a visa for neighboring countries or for additional permits for other parks and nature reserves in the area. country.
Geographical notes
Lusaka is located in the central-southern part of the Zambia, on a plateau at 1279 m a.s.l.
When to go
Due to its high altitude, Lusaka enjoys a more temperate climate than that of the lowlands. The ideal period for a visit coincides with the dry season which runs from mid-April to August. In early May, in particular, the vegetation is still luxuriant thanks to the recently stopped rains. In the following period (from early September to mid-November) the landscape becomes more arid and the temperatures increase, albeit slightly. This is considered the best time for a visit to the nearby parks and for wildlife observation. From mid-November to mid-April there is a second rainy season which, despite being less intense, can cause flooding of the roads and tracks inside the parks, jeopardizing the visit.
Background
At the beginning of the 20th century, Lusaka was nothing more than a village that took its name from a local tribal chief. In 1905 it was reached by the railway that departed from Livingstone and soon after it began to be populated by British and other colonists.
In 1935 it was chosen as the capital of Northern Rhodesia to replace Livingstone thanks to its more central position, at the intersection of two important road tracks, the Great North Road and the Great East Road.
After the creation in 1953 of the confederation of northern and southern Rhodesia, a movement for independence arose in the city, granted in 1964. Lusaka continued to be the capital of the new state which took the official name of the Republic of Zambia.
Since the proclamation of independence the city has expanded a lot but not at the frenetic pace of other African capitals. As of 2010 it had 2,238,569 inhabitants in its metropolitan area. In 1966 the University of Zambia (UNZA) was inaugurated whose main campus is located on the Great East Road, about 7 km from the center.
In addition to being a diplomatic center, Lusaka concentrates the major industries of the country. Its commercial importance has also grown thanks to the expansion of the railway network and above all to the inauguration in 1976 of the line for the port of Dar es Salaam which has led to a considerable increase in freight traffic, both for imports and exports.
How to orient yourself
Lusaka: full screen map.The main artery of the center is Cairo Road, which is overlooked by clubs of all kinds and several skyscrapers housing administrative offices and banks. East of Cairo Road is the diplomatic quarter where most of the embassies are located.
How to get
By plane
- 1 Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (IATA: MON) (14 km from the center along the "Great East Road"). There are no direct flights from European airports except the one from Istanbul of the Turkish Airlines but you can use the flights operated by Ethiopian Airlines from Milan-Malpensa e Rome-Fiumicino with intermediate stop ad Addis Ababa. As of 2019, the following airlines were operating at the Lusaka airport:
- Air Botswana[link previously not working] - From Gaborone.
- Air Namibia - From Windhoek–Hosea Kutako.
- Airlink - From Johannesburg–OR Tambo.
- Air Tanzania - From Dar es Salaam.
- Emirates - From Dubai- International, Harare.
- Kenya Airways - From Nairobi–Jomo Kenyatta.
- Malawian Airlines - From Blantyre, Lilongwe.
- Proflight Zambia - From Chipata, Durban, Harare, Jeki, Kasama, Kasanka, Lilongwe, Livingstone, Mfuwe, Ndola, Solwezi.
- RwandAir - From Johannesburg–OR Tambo, Kigali.
- African Airways - From Johannesburg–OR Tambo.
- Angola Airlines - From Luanda.
- Taxi is the most commonly used way to reach the center. If you want to pay less you will have to dodge those waiting at the Terminal exit and walk through the parking lot to the petrol station where there are other taxis that generally ask for a lot less.
How to get around
The means of transport most used by residents are minibuses, present everywhere, very fast and always full. A single ride costs USD 50 cents. Their use is difficult for passing tourists who do not know the city as there are no indications of the route followed, much less the terminus. Their runs thin out somewhat after dark.
Taxis are light blue or light gray and most of the time the cars are Toyota, Corollas model. They are not equipped with taximeters and the fare must be negotiated before boarding. One trick to bring the price down is to pretend to refuse by claiming to take a minibus. Drivers are happy to be hired for a whole day.
The center of Lusaka is not big so walking can be an option but not after sunset also because the streets are very poorly lit, the sidewalks, if they can be called that, are reduced to a pitiful state, full of holes that not seen and cluttered with parked cars.
What see
- Anglican Cathedral, Church Road (Corner with Independence Avenue).
- Henry Tayali Gallery.
- Munda Wanga Environmental Park.
- The National Museum, Independence Ave (next to the new Government Complex).
K10,000. 
9 AM-4.30 7 days a week.
K10,000. 
9 AM-4.30 7 days a week.Events and parties
What to do
Shopping
- Soweto Market.
- Send Hill.
- Arcades.
- Kabwata Cultural Village, Burma Road.
- Dutch Reformed Church Market.
- Levy 1, Church Rd.
- Lusaka City Market.
Banks with ATMs
- Stanbic bank. Has Visa and Mastercard ATMs all over Lusaka.
- Ecobank, Cairo road.
- Standard Chartered bank. Has Visa and Mastercard ATMs.
How to have fun
Shows
- 1 National Heroes Stadium.
Night clubs
- The Cha Bar, 161 Mulobwa Close, Fairview.
Where to eat
Average prices
- Dil.
- Muskaan.
- Shamiana, Birdcage Walk (Millennium Village behind the Intercontinental hotel). evenings.
High prices
- Savanna. The Intercontinental Hotel restaurant.
- The Marlin Restaurant, Los Angeles Boulevard, Longacres, ☎ 260 211 252 206.
- Taj Pamodzi.
- Portico's.
Where stay
Moderate prices
- The Abundant Life.
- [link not working]Bird Nest Backpackers, 4 long acres (United Nations Av, opposite ZICTA), ☎ 260 975241320. US $ 5/15/40.
- Flintstones Backpackers, Plot 9965 Makata close (off Makish road Fairview), ☎ 260 211-221060. US $ 5/12/35.
- [link previously not working]Kalulu Backpackers hostel, 20 Broads road, ☎ 260 211-231486. US $ 5/12/40.
- Liberty Boarding Hostel, 5559a Kaleya Road Kalundu, ☎ 260 211-292823. US $ 12.
- Wanderers Backpackers, 848 Lagos Road rhodes park (Addis Ababa road). Tent Accommodation US $ 5, Sleeping accommodation US $ 10 per person..
Average prices
- The Ndeke Hotel.
- North End Lodge, Great North road. Starting at US $ 12. Check in: 10:00, check-out: 09:00.
- Golden Days Executive Lodge, 12238 Mosi or Tunya Road. Starting at US $ 14. Check in: 12:00, check-out: 11:00. Double room with outside bathroom.
- Long Rest Lodge, Karambwe Great North Road (near Karambwe Police Station). Starting at US $ 19. Check in: 12:00, check-out: 10:00. Double room with own bathroom.
- Purview Lodges Ltd, Plot 1404 Street Ambrose Road.. Starting at US $ 19. Check in: 11:00, check-out: 10:00. Single / double rooms with own bathrooms.
High prices
- The Intercontinental Hotel.
- The Southern Sun (former. Holiday Inn, formerly the Ridgeway Hotel).
- Protea Lusaka Hotel.
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
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- 2 Lower Zambezi National Park (175 km east of Lusaka) - The park is located on the northern bank of the Zambezi River. Until 1983, when the area was declared a national park, it was the private game reserve of the president of Zambia. This has helped to preserve the park from the ravages of poaching and mass tourism so that today it is one of the few still unspoiled natural areas of the continent of Africa. It forms a whole with the Mana Pools National Park on the opposite side of the river, in the territory of Zimbabwe. Both parks are surrounded by high mountains. The park is inaccessible by land, unless you have advanced 4x4 driving skills even if you are traveling during the dry season. Most tourists reach the park with a flight from the Proflight Zambia from Lusaka but it is far more exciting to go up the Zambezi River by boat. Most of the park's large mammals are concentrated in the floodplain. Among these, elephants, lions, leopards and many species of antelope predominate while the waters of the Zambezi and its tributaries are populated by crocodiles and hippos. On the other hand, there is no black rhino left since the area opened to the public.
- Kafue National Park - The largest national park in the Zambia. It has an area of approximately 22,400 km² and is home to more than 55 different animal species. It is accessed from Lusaka via the Great West Road which runs through the north central section of the park.
