We spent a few days exploring Livingstone, Zambia’s tourism capital, located just 10 kilometres north of Victoria Falls on the northern bank of the Zambezi River, which forms the natural border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Founded in 1905, the town was named in honour of the Scottish missionary and explorer Dr David Livingstone, the first recorded European to witness the magnificent falls.
Livingstone’s establishment coincided with the completion of the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge, a key milestone in Cecil John Rhodes’ vision of a railway linking Cape Town to Cairo. In 1911, the town became the capital of Northern Rhodesia, a status it retained until 1935, when the administrative centre moved to Lusaka to be closer to the rapidly expanding Copperbelt mining region.
Today, Livingstone has preserved much of its Edwardian and colonial-era character, with many historic buildings still lining its streets. One of its cultural highlights is the Livingstone Museum (🎟️ USD 5), Zambia’s oldest and largest museum. Its extensive collections cover archaeology, ethnography, natural history, and the life and expeditions of Dr David Livingstone, making it one of the country’s most rewarding museums.
Parking location – Livingstone: 17.8550957S 25.8545838E (🚻,🅿️,🚿,🏊,💦,🔌,🍽️)