Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport serves Livingstone, Zambia's main gateway to Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, approximately 5 km from the city centre.
The falls, shared between Zambia and Zimbabwe, offer spectacular perspectives from the Zambian side and activities such as bungee jumping on the Victoria Falls Bridge.
How to get to Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to LVI
Parking near Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport
The official parking is located directly in front of the terminal.
Parking cost is generally accessible.
How to get to Livingstone from LVI
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Victoria Falls: Airport Transfers
Kasane to Victoria Falls Town Transfer or Vice Versa
Victoria Falls Airport Transfer
Livingstone Airport transfers
Car rental at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport
The desks of the main car rental operators are located near the arrivals.
Bring your driver's license, passport, and credit card: an International Driving Permit is almost always an additional requirement.
Hotels near Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport
Near the airport
About 1 km from the terminal, 3-5 minutes by car; the falls or the centre of Livingstone are then another 10-20 minutes away.
Best for: Short layovers or dawn flights, when you want to stay a few minutes from the terminal without paying falls-resort rates.
- A few minutes from check-in, handy for a morning flight without having to get up at dawn
- Lower prices than the resorts on the falls, with your own kitchen for those who want to save on meals
- A residential area with no restaurants or shops within walking distance
- For the falls or the life of the centre you still need a taxi
Mosi-oa-Tunya and the falls
15-25 minutes and about 15 km from the airport; the Royal Livingstone and the Avani are 5-15 minutes on foot from the falls, the Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya is a bit further inside the park, about 4 km from the falls themselves.
Best for: Those who want the falls a few steps from the room and accept a longer trip from the airport and resort rates.
- Direct access to the falls on the Zambian side included in the stay, with no separate day ticket
- Wild animals roaming free in the hotel gardens, inside the national park
- Rates higher than the Livingstone average
- For the city centre and evening life outside the resort you need a 15-20 minute taxi
Recommended hotels
- Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara 5 minutes on foot from the falls, with free and unlimited access included in the stay; wild animals roaming free in the gardens on the Zambezi river. View availability
- Avani Victoria Falls Resort About 500 metres on foot from the falls, on Mosi-oa-Tunya Road; 212 rooms, a boma for evening dinners and free access to the falls for the whole stay. View availability
- Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort The first Radisson resort in Zambia, inside the national park about 4 km from the falls; 200 rooms and villas with Zambezi views, EDGE environmental certification. View availability
Centre of Livingstone
About 5 km and 10 minutes from the airport; from the centre to the falls it's then another 15 km, 20-25 minutes by taxi, closer along the Mosi-oa-Tunya Road.
Best for: Those who want lower prices, the museum and backpacker life in the real centre of the city, moving to the falls by taxi or shuttle.
- The Livingstone Museum, banks, a supermarket and restaurants within walking distance
- Lower prices than the resorts inside the national park
- The falls remain 20-25 minutes away by taxi, to add to the room price
- Outside the historic centre the area is mostly residential
Recommended hotels
- Protea Hotel by Marriott Livingstone On Mosi-oa-Tunya Road, halfway between the centre of Livingstone and the falls; handy for those who want to stay close to both without paying riverside resort rates. View availability
- Jollyboys Backpackers and Camp In the centre of Livingstone, behind the museum and a 5-minute walk from the Spar supermarket; free transport to the falls included every day. View availability
- Fawlty Towers Accommodation & Activities On Mosi-oa-Tunya Road at the edge of the centre, opposite the city's largest supermarket; tropical garden, pool and an in-house pizzeria among the most loved by backpackers. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is appropriately sized for the strong tourist traffic toward Victoria Falls.
Before international flights, it is prudent to arrive with 2.5–3 hours of buffer time.
Map of Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is it better to see Victoria Falls from the Zambian or the Zimbabwean side?
The Zambian side offers closer views and adrenaline activities like bungee jumping from Victoria Falls Bridge; the Zimbabwean side (Victoria Falls town) instead offers the broader panoramic view. Many visitors cross the border to see both.
Q. Is it better to pay the taxi in kwacha or in dollars?
In Zambian kwacha: paying in USD can result in a less favorable exchange rate applied by the driver.
Q. Are there ATMs in Livingstone?
Yes, some banks in the city center have ATMs, useful to use before heading to more remote lodges or safari camps in the Victoria Falls area, where card payment is not always guaranteed.
Q. Do I need a visa for Zambia?
Most nationalities need a visa, obtainable on arrival at the airport: always check the current requirements before departure.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
