Zambia Travel Guide
Zambia Travel Guide
>
Livingstone & Vic. Falls
>
>
>
>
>
>
Getting around
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Zambia Travel Guide

Getting around



By taxi


Livingstone town is small enough to walk around, as is the Falls area. However if you are travelling between the two, or going to the airport, or in a hurry, then use one of the plentiful – if battered – light-blue taxis that congregate near Shoprite Checkers at the main taxi stand or on Mosi-oa-Tunya Road near the main bureaux de change. All taxis are supposed to carry a fare chart, though you may be lucky to see one. A taxi between town and either the Falls or the airport will cost around US$4–5/Kw20,000–25,000 per person depending upon the number of passengers. From the airport to town is about US$5/Kw25,000, from the airport to the Falls/border is about US$8/Kw40,000 or more, and out to the riverside lodges will cost from around US$12/Kw60,000. Taxi drivers are not allowed into the game park. Competition amongst taxi drivers can be fierce, so be sure to negotiate for the best deal and agree on the price in advance. The city council has recently, and controversially, approved minibus licences in the hope of reducing the taxi population and providing more affordable transport for local people.

Tour operators


While you can negotiate to hire a taxi for the day to take you around town, to the Falls and into the game park, you'll have a more informative trip with the licensed and more knowledgeable tour operators.

By bus


A minibus to the Falls from the market in the centre of Livingstone will cost around US$0.70/Kw3,500 one way. Expect to be crammed like sardines!

By car


Most lodges and hotels in and around Livingstone have secure parking, as do many restaurants. If you're parking on the street in town, you're likely to come across any number of volunteers to look after your car or to wash it for you. There's nothing organised about this; but if you're prepared to trust someone then – in spite of considerable protestations to the contrary – a tip of about US$0.20–0.40/Kw1,000–2,000 should be about right, depending on the length of time you're away. There are several 24-hour petrol stations on the main Mosi-oa-Tunya Road; the only one with unleaded fuel is the newly built Vuma complex just past Tunya Lodge to the south of town.

Car hire


If you don't have a vehicle and wish to explore the area at your own pace, you can hire a car with or without a driver. Alternatively, you can hire a 4WD with full kit if you wish to do self-drive safaris.

AJ Car Hire & Tours
PO Box 60192, Liso House (rm 306), Mosi-oa-Tunya Rd; tel/fax: 03 322090. Vehicles for self-drive or chauffeured hire include 5-seater Toyota saloons (US$40/day plus 50¢/km), an 8-seater Toyota Hiace minivan (US$55/day plus 50¢/km) and a 26-seater Mitsubishi bus (US$100/day plus US$1/km). Prices are subject to taxes and possible extra charges. Transfers, tours and activity bookings are also available

Batoka Sky Transport
PO Box 60971, Maramba Aerodrome, off Sichango Rd; tel: 03 320058; fax: 03 324071; email: info@batokasky.co.zm. 14-seater luxury Mercedes Benz minibus and Toyota Land Cruiser safari vehicles at US$150 per day or 0.75¢ per kilometre (whichever is highest)

Foley Hire Ltd
Tel/fax: 03 320887. From day-rental Land Rovers to fully kitted-out, expedition-ready, multi-day hires, take your pick. The choice ranges from basic 110 Defenders to fully equipped 110 and 130 Defenders, with the Discovery on order. A basic 110 Defender, without extras, costs around US$100 per day, inclusive of insurance and with unlimited mileage. An equipped vehicle is nearer US$200 per day. One-way drop-offs are sometimes possible, at a cost

Monomotapa
PO Box 60645, Falls Trading (turn off MOT Rd on to Nakatindi Rd and it's one block up on the left-hand corner); tel: 03 320771 or 097-806459; fax: 320678; email: solankis@zamnet.zm. A wide range of vehicles for hire from 4-seater Lexus to 60-seater Mitsubishi coach) at competitive rates

Voyagers/Imperial
PO Box 60732; tel: 03 321122 (ask for Voyagers Desk); fax: 03 320277, 323503, email: imperial@zamnet.zm, voyrent@coppernet.zm. Reservations through main office at Sun International's Falls Activity Centre, though there's a small office at the airport. Vehicles from self-drive Toyota Corollas to chauffeur-driven Toyota Hilux 4WDs, with rates at US$35–70 per day, excluding 17.5% VAT, mileage and the myriad of insurances available (up to US$25 extra per day). All-inclusive rates (minimum three days with up to 150km per day) US$65–120, excluding VAT. Chauffeur-driven vehicles from Sun Activity Centre to Livingstone town or Victoria Falls town cost US$10 per vehicle plus $5 per person for two hours, then US $5 per hour up to four hours

By bicycle or moped


Bikes can be hired individually, or with a guide, from Cliff Sitwal (the 'Zambezi Cowboy') at the shop next to Mo-Money on MOT Road. Prices for a half day are around US$10–20 per person for a tour with a guide, depending on distance, with a range of options that include riverside rides, market and village tours and bird watching. Bikes or mopeds may also be hired from Voyagers (see Car hire, above). Bikes are US$7 per half day, US$12 full day; mopeds US$20 half day, US $30 full day (credit card and motorbike licence required). You should check that your travel insurance covers you for two-wheeled transport; some don't.


^ Top of page