Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport: where to stay, areas…

The Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport is just 5 km from Livingstone and about 15 km from Victoria Falls, on the Zambian side of the border: a position that makes Livingstone the most convenient airport for visiting the Zambian side of the falls, quite different from the Victoria Falls International Airport, 18 km from the same-named Zimbabwean town on the other bank of the river. Those with only a day or two aim for the resorts inside Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a few minutes on foot from the falls themselves, paying for the location with a longer trip from the airport; those who want lower prices and the real life of the city stay in the centre of Livingstone, among the museum and the backpacker bars, then moving to the falls by taxi or with the free shuttles of some hostels.

Near the airport

Airport area · 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.

Pros

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

Cons

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

Recommended hotels in this area

Lynn Holiday Inn: Guest house about 1 km from the terminal, with a shared kitchen, garden and free parking; handy as a budget base for a single layover before or after the flight.

See more hotels in this area →

Mosi-oa-Tunya and the falls

Neighbourhood · 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.

Pros

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

Cons

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 in this area

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.
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.
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.

See more hotels in this area →

Centre of Livingstone

City centre · 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.

Pros

The Livingstone Museum, banks, a supermarket and restaurants within walking distance
Lower prices than the resorts inside the national park

Cons

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 in this area

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.
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.
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.

See more hotels in this area →