🇿🇲 Flights to Lusaka
Cheap Flights to Lusaka from the UK
Find the best deals on flights to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN). Dream Fare specialises in Zambia routes with the best prices for Lusaka — the gateway to Victoria Falls, South Luangwa National Park and some of Africa’s finest safari experiences.
Airlines to Lusaka
All Airlines Flying London to Lusaka
Lusaka is served via connections through East and Southern African hubs. We compare every routing to find your best price for Zambia.
Baggage Allowances — London to Lusaka
| Airline | Cabin Bag | Hold Baggage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Airlines | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Best two-piece allowance on the route |
| Kenya Airways | 1 bag up to 12kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
| Emirates | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Flex fares may vary — confirm at booking |
| Qatar Airways | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Excellent for families with extra luggage |
| Turkish Airlines | 1 bag up to 8kg | 2 x 23kg | Generous two-piece standard economy |
| South African Airways | 1 bag up to 7kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
When to Visit
Best Time to Visit Lusaka & Zambia
Zambia has a tropical climate with a distinct wet and dry season. Lusaka sits at 1,279 metres altitude on the central plateau giving it a pleasant climate year-round. Zambia is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
Dry Season
May — October
The best time to visit Zambia. Dry, sunny and warm (15°C to 27°C). Excellent wildlife viewing as animals concentrate around remaining water sources at South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi. Victoria Falls flow is high early in this season.
Peak Safari Season
Aug — October
The finest game viewing of the year as vegetation thins and wildlife congregates at waterholes. Hot and dry (22°C to 35°C). The classic safari period with the best wildlife sightings in South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks.
Wet Season
Nov — April
The rainy season brings daily afternoon downpours and lush green landscapes. Victoria Falls reaches its most spectacular flow (February to May). Bird migrants arrive. Many camps close. Lowest fares of the year.
Victoria Falls Peak
Feb — May
Victoria Falls is at its most dramatic and powerful during this period — the spray can be seen for miles and the famous rainbow effects are at their finest. Some viewpoints may be obscured by mist at peak flow in April.
About Lusaka
Lusaka — Gateway to Victoria Falls & Zambia’s Safaris
Lusaka is Zambia’s capital and largest city — a relaxed, green city on the central plateau and the gateway to some of Africa’s most authentic and uncrowded safari experiences. From Lusaka, visitors can reach Victoria Falls (one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World), South Luangwa National Park (widely regarded as having Africa’s finest walking safaris) and the Lower Zambezi — all without the crowds found in more famous East African destinations.
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Victoria Falls (UNESCO)
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World — Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya, the Smoke that Thunders) is the largest sheet of falling water on earth, a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Zambian side at Livingstone offers extraordinary views, the legendary Devil’s Pool (swimming at the very edge of the falls), white-water rafting on the Zambezi and bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls Bridge.
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South Luangwa National Park
Widely regarded as having the finest walking safaris in Africa — South Luangwa is where the walking safari concept was pioneered by legendary guide Norman Carr in the 1950s. The park has extraordinary leopard density (among the highest in Africa), large elephant and buffalo herds, and the unique Luangwa giraffe found nowhere else. A genuinely authentic and uncrowded safari experience.
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Lower Zambezi National Park
One of Africa’s most beautiful river safari destinations — the Lower Zambezi sits opposite Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools across the magnificent Zambezi River. Canoe safaris among hippos and crocodiles, exceptional elephant viewing along the riverbanks, tiger fishing and a genuinely wild, uncrowded atmosphere make this one of Southern Africa’s finest and most underrated safari areas.
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Lusaka City
Lusaka has grown rapidly into a modern African capital while retaining a relaxed, green character. The Lusaka National Museum, the bustling Soweto Market (one of the largest in Southern Africa), the Munda Wanga Environmental Park and the Kabwata Cultural Village (showcasing traditional Zambian crafts) are all worth exploring before or after a safari trip.
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Zambian Cuisine
Nshima (thick maize porridge — the Zambian staple eaten with every meal), Ifisashi (vegetables in groundnut sauce), Kapenta (small dried fish from Lake Kariba and Lake Tanganyika), Village chicken (free-range chicken stewed with vegetables), fresh Zambezi bream and the popular Mosi lager (named after Victoria Falls) are all essential Zambian food experiences.
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Authentic, Uncrowded Safaris
Zambia offers some of Africa’s most authentic and least crowded safari experiences — walking safaris, canoe safaris and night drives (pioneered in Zambia and still less common elsewhere) put visitors much closer to nature than the vehicle-based game drives typical of more famous destinations. Zambian guides are widely regarded as among the best-trained in Africa.
Top Places to Visit Around Lusaka
Victoria Falls & Livingstone
5 hours by road from Lusaka or a short domestic flight to Livingstone — Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Zambian side offers spectacular close-up views, the legendary Devil’s Pool (swimming at the very edge of the 108-metre drop, seasonal), white-water rafting through Grade 5 rapids and bungee jumping from the historic Victoria Falls Bridge.
South Luangwa National Park
A short flight from Lusaka — South Luangwa is the spiritual home of the African walking safari, pioneered here by legendary guide Norman Carr. Exceptional leopard density (among the highest concentrations in Africa), large elephant and buffalo herds, and night drives showing nocturnal predators make South Luangwa one of Africa’s most rewarding and authentic safari destinations.
Lower Zambezi National Park
A short flight or scenic drive from Lusaka — the Lower Zambezi offers a unique combination of canoe safaris among hippos and crocodiles, exceptional elephant viewing along the riverbanks, walking safaris and outstanding tiger fishing. Far less visited than comparable parks elsewhere, the Lower Zambezi delivers a genuinely wild and uncrowded Southern African safari experience.
Lusaka National Museum
Within Lusaka itself — the National Museum tells the story of Zambian history, culture and the independence struggle led by Kenneth Kaunda, after whom Lusaka’s airport is named. Excellent ethnographic displays of Zambia’s 73 ethnic groups, traditional crafts and contemporary Zambian art provide essential cultural context before heading out on safari.
Kafue National Park
Africa’s second-largest national park and one of the largest in the world — a 3 to 4 hour drive from Lusaka. Kafue has extraordinary biodiversity including over 55 species of large mammal, exceptional birdlife (over 500 species) and the spectacular Busanga Plains, a vast wetland ecosystem with large predator populations. One of Africa’s most underexplored wilderness areas.
Soweto Market
One of the largest markets in Southern Africa — Lusaka’s Soweto Market is a sprawling, vibrant trading hub selling everything from fresh produce and traditional Zambian textiles to crafts and household goods. An excellent introduction to everyday Zambian life and a fascinating cultural immersion within the capital itself.
Travel Tips
Lusaka Travel Guide
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Visa for Zambia
UK citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka. A single-entry tourist visa costs approximately $50 USD; a multiple-entry visa (useful for crossing to Victoria Falls Zimbabwe side) costs $80 USD. A KAZA Univisa covering both Zambia and Zimbabwe is also available for $50 USD. Dream Fare will advise on current requirements.
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Currency & Money
Zambia uses the Zambian Kwacha (ZMW). USD is widely accepted for safari payments, park fees and at lodges. Cards are accepted at major hotels in Lusaka and Livingstone. ATMs are available in Lusaka city centre. The exchange rate is approximately 33 ZMW to 1 GBP. Bring sufficient cash for remote safari areas.
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Getting Around Zambia
Domestic flights connect Lusaka to Livingstone (Victoria Falls), South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi — essential given the long distances and limited road infrastructure to remote safari areas. Proflight Zambia operates the main domestic network. Self-drive is possible but most visitors use organised safari transfers or domestic flights for efficiency.
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SIM Cards & Data
MTN Zambia, Airtel Zambia and Zamtel are the main networks. SIM cards are available at Kenneth Kaunda Airport on arrival. 4G coverage is good in Lusaka and Livingstone but very limited in remote national parks. Most safari lodges have satellite Wi-Fi. Download offline maps before heading to South Luangwa or Kafue.
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Weather in Lusaka
Lusaka sits at 1,279 metres altitude giving it a pleasantly mild climate year-round. The dry season (May to October) is warm and sunny (15°C to 27°C) with cool nights, especially June to August. The wet season (November to April) brings daily afternoon downpours. Lusaka is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
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Safety in Lusaka
Lusaka is generally safe for visitors by African standards. Standard urban precautions apply — avoid displaying valuables, use trusted taxis after dark and exercise normal caution in busy market areas like Soweto. Zambia has a long-standing reputation for political stability and is one of the safer countries to visit in Southern Africa.
Flights to Lusaka FAQ
How do I fly from London to Lusaka?
Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is the most popular and convenient routing to Lusaka. Kenya Airways via Nairobi is another good option for combining East and Southern African safaris. Emirates via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha and South African Airways via Johannesburg also serve Lusaka well. Dream Fare will find the best routing for your travel dates.
How do I get from Lusaka to Victoria Falls?
Victoria Falls is best reached by a short domestic flight from Lusaka to Livingstone (approximately 1 hour) or by road (approximately 5 to 6 hours). Most visitors combine a few days in Lusaka and the national parks with a Victoria Falls extension via Livingstone, which also has its own international airport with some direct regional connections.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Zambia?
UK citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda Airport in Lusaka. A single-entry visa costs approximately $50 USD. A KAZA Univisa covering both Zambia and Zimbabwe (useful for visiting Victoria Falls from both sides) costs $50 USD and allows multiple entries between the two countries. Dream Fare will advise on current requirements.
Is Zambia good for a first African safari?
Zambia offers an exceptional and authentic safari experience, particularly known for pioneering walking safaris and night drives. While slightly less developed for tourism infrastructure than Kenya or Tanzania, this means significantly fewer crowds and a more genuine wilderness experience. South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks are world-class destinations for both first-time and experienced safari travellers.
What is the best time to see Victoria Falls?
Victoria Falls is most powerful and spectacular from February to May, when the Zambezi River is at its highest following the rainy season, though spray can sometimes obscure views at peak flow in April. The driest months (August to December) offer the clearest views, exposed rock formations and the unique Devil’s Pool swimming experience, though water volume is lower.
How much do return flights from London to Lusaka cost?
Return flights from London to Lusaka start from approximately £549 with Dream Fare. Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is typically the most competitive option. Contact us on 020 8264 0018 for the latest fares and Zambia safari travel advice.
* Prices are indicative from fares and subject to availability and change. Call 020 8264 0018 for current pricing.