Plan a trip to Livingstone in winter (June, July, August). The quiet season — cooler weather, festive lighting, and the lowest visitor volumes of the year. Neighborhoods, restaurants and local tips.
Livingstone — current status
Open. (Status checked 2026-08-30.)
Livingstone — TL;DR
Victoria Falls Backpackers Zambia (formerly Livingstone Backpackers) offers accommodation within 10 km of the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, with facilities including a restaurant, bar, shared kitchen, and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi and an outdoor swimming pool.
Livingstone at a glance
What are the best things to do in Livingstone? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Livingstone trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Livingstone? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Livingstone — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby…
When is the best time to visit Livingstone? May to August (dry season) offers the clearest views of Victoria Falls with lower water levels revealing the full gorge, while February to May shows the Falls at maximum, most powerful flow.
Where should I stay in Livingstone for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Livingstone? Livingstone town centre, close to the main street and Spar supermarket, houses most hostels, with Victoria Falls itself a short 10-20 minute trip away.
Livingstone overview
May to August (dry season) offers the clearest views of Victoria Falls with lower water levels revealing the full gorge, while February to May shows the Falls at maximum, most powerful flow.
Livingstone town centre, close to the main street and Spar supermarket, houses most hostels, with Victoria Falls itself a short 10-20 minute trip away.
Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
English (official); Lozi and Nyanja are widely spoken.
CAT (UTC+2)
Livingstone's hostel scene continues to centre entirely on its 10-minute proximity to Victoria Falls, with Jollyboys' movie nights and Victoria Falls Backpackers' family-run bar-restaurant combo anchoring a compact town where BBQ areas, pool tables and massage spas are now standard hostel amenities.
Where to eat, drink & do in Livingstone
Livingstone neighborhoods
Livingstone town centre Home to Jollyboys Backpackers, close to the main street, with a big Spar supermarket a 5-minute walk away.
Victoria Falls approach road Home to Victoria Falls Backpackers Zambia, located within 10 km of the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, very close to supermarkets and other bars and restaurants.
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge area Home to the Buffalo Bar, combining excellent food with views near the Falls itself.
Practical info for Livingstone
Getting around in Livingstone? Livingstone town centre, close to the main street and Spar supermarket, houses most hostels, with Victoria Falls itself a short 10-20 minute trip away.
When to go in Livingstone? May to August (dry season) offers the clearest views of Victoria Falls with lower water levels revealing the full gorge, while February to May shows the Falls at maximum, most powerful flow.
What's changing now in Livingstone? Livingstone's hostel scene continues to centre entirely on its 10-minute proximity to Victoria Falls, with Jollyboys' movie nights and Victoria Falls Backpackers' family-run bar-restaurant combo anchoring a compact town where BBQ areas, poo
Seek out Jollyboys movie nights in Livingstone? Regular movie nights at the hostel's TV corner, a relaxed alternative to Livingstone's adventure-tourism focus.
Base yourself in Livingstone town centre in Livingstone? Home to Jollyboys Backpackers, close to the main street, with a big Spar supermarket a 5-minute walk away. Known for main hostel and shopping hub.
Frequently asked questions about Livingstone
What are the best things to do in Livingstone? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Livingstone trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Livingstone tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Livingstone? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Livingstone — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Livingstone? May to August (dry season) offers the clearest views of Victoria Falls with lower water levels revealing the full gorge, while February to May shows the Falls at maximum, most powerful flow.
Where should I stay in Livingstone for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Livingstone? Livingstone town centre, close to the main street and Spar supermarket, houses most hostels, with Victoria Falls itself a short 10-20 minute trip away.