Zambia offers some of Africa's most pristine wilderness experiences, from the thundering Victoria Falls to the wildlife-rich South Luangwa National Park. Known for pioneering the walking safari, Zambia combines exceptional game viewing with authentic cultural encounters and warm hospitality.
- Public
- Minibuses are the main public transport in Lusaka and Livingstone but are crowded, unreliable, and not recommended for tourists. City buses $0.50-1 per trip.
- Taxi
- Metered taxis and Yango ride-hailing app available in Lusaka and Livingstone. More reliable with Yango ($3-8 typical city ride). Negotiate price before entering informal taxis.
- Rental
- Car hire available at Lusaka and Livingstone airports from $40-70/day sedan, $80-150/day 4x4. International licence required. Essential for self-drive safaris to national parks.
- Walking
- Livingstone town centre is walkable for the tourist strip (Mosi-oa-Tunya Road) but unsafe after dark. Lusaka requires taxis between neighbourhoods.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Taxi: $25-35 to city center
- Shuttle
- Hotel shuttle: $15-25 pre-booked
- Bus
- Rideshare (Yango): $20-30
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Minibuses operate in cities ($0.50-1 per trip) but can be crowded and unreliable. Not recommended for tourists. Major routes connect neighborhoods to city centers.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Taxis available in cities. Base fare around $3-5, then $1-2 per km. Always negotiate or agree on price before departure. Licensed taxis safer than informal ones.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Intercity buses connect major cities. Companies include Mazhandu Family Bus ($15-25 Lusaka-Livingstone), CR Holdings, and Juldan Motors. Journey times: Lusaka-Livingstone 6-7 hours, Lusaka-Chipata 10 hours. Book in advance for comfort class.
Flights
Proflight operates domestic routes between Lusaka, Livingstone, Mfuwe, Lower Zambezi. Typical fares $150-250 one-way. Essential for reaching remote safari destinations quickly.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport
From centre: 25 km from Lusaka city center
Options: Taxi: $25-35 to city center; Hotel shuttle: $15-25 pre-booked; Rideshare (Yango): $20-30; Car rental available at airport
Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport
From centre: 6 km from Livingstone town
Options: Taxi: $15-20 to town; Hotel shuttle: $10-15 pre-booked; Rideshare: $12-18; Walking possible but not recommended
Mfuwe International Airport
From centre: Inside South Luangwa area
Options: Lodge transfers: $30-80 per vehicle (pre-arranged); Charter flights to/from Lusaka; No public transport - pre-book with accommodation
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Yango
Most reliable ride-hailing app in Zambia. Available in Lusaka and Livingstone with upfront pricing. Download and register before arrival.
Ulendo Ride
Zambian-developed ride-hailing app operating in Lusaka. Good alternative to Yango with competitive pricing and local driver network.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Yango app before arriving in Lusaka — it's far more reliable and fairly priced than negotiating street taxis
Book intercity buses on Mazhandu Family Bus in advance for the 6-7 hour Lusaka-Livingstone route ($15-25)
Domestic flights (Proflight) save significant time — Lusaka to Mfuwe (South Luangwa) is 1 hour by air vs 8-10 hours by road
Hire a 4x4 vehicle if self-driving to national parks — roads inside parks are often unpaved and require ground clearance
Never drive outside cities at night — pedestrians, animals, and poor lighting create serious accident risk
Lusaka's rush hour (7-9AM and 4-7PM) adds 30-60 minutes to any journey — plan accordingly
From Livingstone to Victoria Falls National Park entrance it's a short walk or $5 taxi ride
The TAZARA railway from Kapiri Mposhi to Tanzania is an adventure but very slow and unreliable — not recommended for time-sensitive travel