Livingstone, located in Zambia's Southern Province, holds the title of capital in several respects. The famous Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River have made this small town, situated on the border with Zimbabwe, a major tourist hub. Once the capital of the Republic of Zambia, Livingstone boasts a rich history, particularly shaped by the British colonial era. Today, it is the thrilling activities surrounding one of the world's largest and most impressive waterfalls that shine brighter than its colonial past.
Livingstone Island is steeped in stories - both historical and mythical. Long before it bore the name of a European explorer, the island was locally known as Namakaba or Mbuzi Island. These names reflect the area’s traditional connection to subsistence grazing, fishing routes, and its spiritual importance to communities along the Zambezi.
Victoria Falls from Zambia side
The Discovery by David Livingstone
On 16 November 1855, Scottish missionary and explorer Dr. David Livingstone was paddled by members of the local Kololo tribe, under the leadership of Chief Sekeletu, to a small island on the edge of a thundering waterfall. From there, he caught his first glimpse of what the local people called Mosi-oa-Tunya - The Smoke That Thunders. While David Livingstone was not the first European to enter Zambia, he was the first to travel to the Victoria Falls.
In the local Kololo language, it was called Mosi-oa-Tunya - meaning "the smoke that thunders". David Livingstone was transported by the local people to an island on the edge of the Victoria Falls, and it was from there that he first saw the Victoria Falls. This island is what is now known as Livingstone Island.
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Before you even see the falls, you hear and feel them. Your face is hit with a breeze of humidity and mist. Livingstone Island offers a unique perspective of the falls, where it looks as if you are about to go over the edge.
Livingstone's Legacy
Livingstone, named after the Scottish explorer and missionary Dr. David Livingstone, holds a significant place in the history of science and exploration in Africa. He ventured across Africa on foot, traversing from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, and later, finding the source of the Nile.
About 247km north of Victoria Falls is the town of Chitambo, near Mozambique. Bangeweulu, where he died, saying that the explorer’s heart belonged in Africa. Zanzibar to be sent back to England. identify his body when it was returned to England after his death.
Livingstone’s explorations contributed significantly to the knowledge of central and southern Africa. His writings about this magnificent waterfall made more people want to go and see what he had named The Victoria Falls (after his queen). More and more people came to visit, while other stayed and settled. Together with the building of the Victoria Falls Bridge, the towns of Victoria Falls and Livingstone were born.
Livingstone as the Capital of Northern Rhodesia
In the 1890s Cecil Rhodes's British South Africa Company established British rule north of the Zambezi and launched a wave of mineral prospecting and exploration activity, in addition ventured into other natural resources such as timber, ivory and animal skins in a territory called North-Western Rhodesia.
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The main crossing point of the Zambezi was above the falls at the Old Drift, first by dugout canoe, later by an iron boat propelled by eight Lozi paddlers, or a barge towed across with a steel cable. As the Old Drift crossing became more frequently used, a British colonial settlement sprang up there and around 1897 it became the first municipality in the country; it is sometimes referred to as 'Old Livingstone'. Its proximity to mosquito breeding areas caused deaths from malaria, prompting the Europeans to move to the higher ground known as Constitution Hill or Sandbelt Post Office after 1900.
The city was founded in 1905. The British South Africa Company moved the capital of the territory there in 1907. In 1911 the company merged the territory with North-Eastern Rhodesia as Northern Rhodesia. Livingstone prospered from its position as a gateway for trade between the north and south sides of the Zambezi, as well as from farming in the Southern Province and commercial timber production from forests to the north-west. A number of colonial buildings were erected which still stand.
Of all the towns in Northern Rhodesia, colonial Livingstone took on the most British character. Surrounded by a large number of African settlements, it had a strongly marked segregation which while not being officially enshrined as an apartheid policy, had similar practical effects. The north and western areas of the town and the town centre were reserved for the colonial government and white-owned businesses and associated residential areas, while African townships such as Maramba (named after the small Maramba River flowing nearby) were in the east and south and were inhabited by workers, servants, craftsman, tradesman, as well as a large numbers of non-working black families suffering under welfare dependency.
Although the capital was moved to Lusaka in 1935 to be closer to the economic heartland of the Copperbelt, industries based on timber, hides, tobacco, cotton (including textiles) and other agricultural products grew. A hydroelectric plant was built taking water from the Eastern Cataract of the Falls.
Contemporary Livingstone
Since the beginning of the 21st century, Livingstone has experienced a resurgence in tourism and has firmly become the destination of choice when visiting the Victoria Falls. Lying 10 km (6 mi) to the north of the Zambezi River, it is a tourist attraction due to its proximity to the Victoria Falls and its road and rail connections to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, the resort town on the opposite side of the falls. A historic British colonial city, its present population was enumerated at 177,393 inhabitants at the 2022 census.
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Today, Livingstone is known as Zambia's Adventure Capital. White-water rafting on the Zambezi's rapids, safari adventures in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, and swimming in the Devil's Pool are just some of the highlights. The Livingstone adventure region offers much more than romantic rainbows over roaring waterfalls.
The 66 square kilometre Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, established in 1972, runs from the Victoria Falls, and up 12 kilometres along the Zambezi River. It is the smallest national park in Zambia, but certainly is important. Giraffe, as well as zebra, antelope, warthog and various plant and other animal species.
On the Victoria Falls side of the park, there is dense rainforest which is kept that way by the spray of the Falls. Ebony trees, date and ivory palm are present in this side of the park. Downstream and along the Zambezi River's banks, one can find riverine forest and palm trees.
The Zambian side of the Victoria Falls does have some unique activities when comparing the two sides, the most popular one being the seasonal Livingstone Island Tour and Devil's Swim. The Microlight flights over the Victoria Falls are offered only in the Zambian side. Visitors to Livingstone can of-course enjoy the bridge activities such as bungee jumping, bridge slide and swing.
Activities and Attractions
What’s more thrilling than admiring one of the world’s greatest waterfalls from a safe distance? Getting as close as possible to this natural spectacle and feeling the raw power of the elements up close! Whether white-water rafting on the Zambezi or bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge, your heart will race.
Prefer a more relaxed pace while still enjoying the pristine riverscape actively? Ride along the riverbanks on horseback, hop on a quad bike, or glide through the waters in a kayak. Explore Livingstone Island, the viewpoint where David Livingstone first discovered the Victoria Falls. Here, you can also swim in the natural pool known as Devil’s Pool - if you dare. Located right at the edge of the falls, this pool is one of the world’s most daring swimming spots.
With a stay in Livingstone, you’re right in the heart of Zambia’s safari paradise. The Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park along the Zambezi River provides pure adventure flair. Classic game drives in open safari vehicles bring you closer to the animals of the African wilderness than ever before. Walking safaris with trained guides also awaken your spirit of discovery.
Witness the natural wonders of the Livingstone region from a bird’s-eye view! A scenic flight over the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls will create memories for a lifetime. Just sit back, marvel, and enjoy.
There are also a few art galleries and studios in Livingstone town. You will also find a music store, a popular seafood restaurant, fast food restaurants, curio shops, and some supermarkets. There are a few market places within the town centre where you will find almost anything from blankets and clothes to curios and make-up. Maramba Market is a fresh food market that also has clothes and shoes as well as household goods.
Craft stores and curio markets offer a variety of products from sculptures and paintings to wall hangings and handmade jewellery (bracelets, earrings, and necklaces) with a cultural meaning.
THINGS TO DO IN VICTORIA FALLS ZIMBABWE/ZAMBIA/DEVIL'S POOL/LIVINGSTONE ISLAND
Livingstone Practical Information
Information on how to get to Livingstone town by air, road and rail. You will also get information about the different ways to get around Livingstone town. Do you need a taxi or a transfer vehicle? Is it alright to walk? How far will you need to go? Will my activity operator pick you up from my hotel? If you need us to answer any of these questions, contact us and ask away.
The city is served by the operating sections of the Cape to Cairo Railway, which connect it to Lusaka in the north-east and Bulawayo in the south-east. The railway to Lusaka is also named the Zambia Railway. The M10 road connects westwards to Kazungula (where the Kazungula Bridge, formerly the Kazungula Ferry, connects with the border into Botswana) and to Sesheke (where it crosses the Zambezi as the Katima Mulilo Bridge and reaches the Katima Mulilo Border with Namibia). This road from Livingstone to the Katima Mulilo Bridge is part of the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Road.
The weather in Livingstone like in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is humid subtropical, with dry winters and humid and wet summers. Is the winter really cold? How hot does it get? When does it rain? When is a good time for rafting? When do the animals really come out?
Being a relatively small town, Livingstone is generally a safe place to be. Visitors should, however, look out for the petty crimes like pick-pocketing. It certainly is not safe to be walking around in the town's peripheral after dark, as there could be wild animals about.
- Do not exchange your foreign currency on the black market - you can get false notes.
- Women travelling alone are at higher risk of receiving verbal hassle, especially if wearing skimpy clothing. It is advisable to avoid dingy areas, and not to walk around alone.
Malaria is still prevalent in Zambia, especially in the low lying areas. It is advisable to consult your doctor before arriving to Zambia. Malaria is still prevalent in Zambia, especially in the low lying areas. Weeks before and two weeks after your trip is recommended. Contact your doctor for advise and medication.
To protect yourself from mosquitos, you can use these precautions:
- Use mosquito repellent
- Wear protective clothing - long sleeved shirts, long pants, etc. to make sure your skin is not exposed
Water in the hotels and lodges is generally safe to drink. You can also find bottled water available in the shops or supermarkets. Do not swim in areas that are not designated. River water is fine but other still water bodies can contain diseases and must be avoided.
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