Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia, a green plateau city of about three million people at 1,280 m. It is a practical base for markets, wildlife nurseries and onward travel to national parks.
Local currency: Zambian kwacha (ZMW).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Lusaka.
- Mid-range
- K1,900-3,800 ($100-200) per day
- Luxury
- K5,700+ ($300+) per day
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- K230-570 ($12-30)
- Budget
- K570-1,100 ($30-58)
- Midrange
- K1,500-3,800 ($80-200)
- Luxury
- K2,850-5,000 ($150-265)
Food
- Street
- K20-60 ($1-3)
- Local
- K60-150 ($3-8)
- Midrange
- K180-400 ($9-21)
- Fine
- K300-600 ($16-32)
Transport
- Minibus
- K5-15 ($0.25-0.80)
- Taxi
- K50-150 ($2.60-8) cross-town
- Airport
- K300-500 ($16-26)
- Daytrip
- K1,000-2,000 ($53-105) private car and driver
Activities
- Museum
- K50 ($2.60)
- Park
- K80-200 ($4-10)
- Tour
- K1,000-2,500 ($53-130)
- Excursion
- K1,500-3,000 ($80-158)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Lusaka costs end-to-end.
Weekend traveller
K2,800 ($150) for two days at budget level
Week traveller
K7,500-15,000 ($400-800) for seven days excluding flights
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Eat nshima at market stalls.
Use minibuses for short city trips.
Choose hostel dorms.
Buy a local SIM at the airport.
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Walk Cairo Road
Freedom Statue
Kabwata Cultural Village
Henry Tayali gallery