Livingstone, Zambia is a tourism centre for Victoria Falls, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and the Zambezi River.
Livingstone is a town named after David Livingstone, the first European to set eyes on the Victoria Falls and the surrounding area. It sits on a sandy plateau in the Southern Province of Zambia. Livingstone was established in 1907 and was actually Zambia’s capital in pre-colonial times.
Livingstone town seems like a place almost stuck in time lined with colonial British architecture in the main road, but also with modern as well as African designs.
A few of the hotels and lodges in and around Livingstone also reflect the old European influence both architecturally and in the interior design. One such example is the Royal Livingstone Hotel.
Although it is situated 10km away from the actual Victoria Falls, Livingstone receives guests from all over the world, who want to enjoy the world wonder, as well as the many exciting activities that both side of the Falls have to offer.
The weather in Livingstone like in Victoria Falls is humid subtropical, with dry winters and humid and wet summers. The best time for a holiday in Livingstone depends on such things as the kind of activities you want to take part in, whether or not you want to see some good wildlife, the kind of weather you are comfortable in and the likes.
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? Ensure you’re aware of how the seasons change and pick the best time for your visit.
Safety Tips To Hold on To
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. Here are a few safety tips for travelling around Livingstone:
1. It is good practice to keep your bags and purses closed, and your valuables close to you instead of in your trouser pockets, for example.
2. If you are travelling by car, keep your doors locked and do not leave bags where thieves can see them.
3. Avoid walking along the streets at night – get a taxi instead.
4. Watch out for fraudsters and people trying to sell you goods or services at exorbitant prices.
5. Do not exchange your foreign currency on the black market ,you can get false notes. Use the registered foreign exchange bureaus such as the ones in the banks and supermarkets.
6. Avoid walking around with a lot of cash.
7. 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. If you are approached, be polite but firm. Again, if you need to travel at night, get a taxi!
You need to visit Livingstone or you’re new there? Remember these tips and be sure to thank me later.