When is the best time to fly to Lusaka?
The best time to book flights to Lusaka is during the dry season which falls between May and September. Animals tend to congregate around waterholes and rivers at this time of year, making it ideal for those travelling on flights to Lusaka for safari holidays. If you fancy mixing up your afternoon of safari with other activities, save time to explore one of the many charming markets Lusaka has to offer. Travel to Kabwata Cultural village market on Burma Road to discover an array of traditional wares and tribal crafts, but also a taste of Zambia’s oldest culture. If you happen to be in town on the last Saturday of the month, pop along to the more gently-paced Dutch Reformed Church Market where vendors sell books, art and all sorts of intriguing curios.
The weather between May and September is a lot cooler too, with temperatures ranging from 24 C to 30 C. Another benefit of visiting at this time of year is avoiding the drenching humidity of the wet season. If the weather doesn’t bother you, travelling between the months of November to February will offer cheap flights to Lusaka, but be sure to pack your rain mac!
Lusaka overview
Three hundred miles to the northeast of Victoria Falls lies the fast-developing city of Lusaka. Named after an early 20th century Nyanja chief, Lusaka is both Zambia’s capital, as well as its largest city. Its location at the edge of the bush makes it a start-off point for safari tourism, but holds its own with a traditional culture of markets and bartering.
Soweto Market is the biggest and perhaps most famous of the lot, and hosts everything from grocery stalls to bicycle repairmen. It is an exciting and bustling commercial centre designed for locals, but be careful not to get distracted by the goings-on and become a target of pickpockets.
If you are using Lusaka as a base, Chaminuka Nature Reserve is an hour’s drive to the northeast, and hosts over 70 different species, including lion, elephant, giraffe and zebra. It is also an official Important Bird Area due to the 300 different species of feathered lodgers contained within the park’s limits. Accommodation is the height of luxury, and the food is some of the best around.