Real Encounters. Real Stories. Real Zambia.
Livingstone, Differently: Activities You Won’t Find Everywhere
At Ntanda, we believe travel should be more than ticking off sights—it should be about connection. That’s why our Livingstone activities go beyond the ordinary, offering intimate, hands-on encounters that reveal the true spirit of Zambia. From meeting local conservation heroes to sharing stories with communities and discovering hidden gems you won’t find in every Victoria Falls brochure, each experience is designed to be meaningful, memorable, and uniquely yours.
please enquire to book these in conjunction with your full Ntanda safari.
Zambezi Working Donkey Project Visit
Walk into the life-changing world of the Zambezi Working Donkey Project, a dedicated local initiative uplifting hardworking donkeys and the communities they support. This immersive visit offers deep insight into the challenges these animals face—and the heartfelt care they receive. Guests are welcome to bring treats like carrots, apples, or cabbage (and maybe a snack for the team behind the project). It’s a poignant, rewarding encounter that leaves a lasting impression.
Step behind the scenes at Wayi Wayi, a family-run art studio and gallery with a powerful community heartbeat. Here, historic Mbusa cultural traditions come alive through crafts, art classes, apprenticeship opportunities, and youth-focused visual art programming—especially championing women and emerging talents. This visit opens a vibrant window into Zambia’s creative heritage, culture, and communal spirit.
Why You Should Visit the Fourth Annual Wildlife Art Exhibition at the
National Art Gallery — 21 May-7 August 2026
• This year’s exhibition (AWAE4) features a record 83 top quality works by Zambian and Zambia-based artists.
• It is a reflection of the high quality of the works that eight pieces have already been purchased by visitors to the exhibition.
• Zambia’s National Art Gallery, situated off Sichango Road (turn left at the giraffes!), is ne of Livingstone’s top, if less well-known, gems.
• It is open from 09 to 17 daily (including public holidays) and admission is FREE.
• There is still a host the exhibits available for purchase, with prices suiting a range of pockets.
• Original art makes a great gift for a loved one; or, for our international visitors, a perfect souvenir of Zambia; or simply a treat — and an investment — for yourself
SEKULU GAME RESERVE
An early morning transfer from Livingstone to the reserve for a morning game drive, as animals tend to retreat into the bushes once temperatures rise. Late afternoon drop off at your hotel/lodge in Livingstone.
After returning from the game drive, we will stop at the lodge, where clients can enjoy drinks and snacks while watching the rhinos. In addition, they can have a rhino experience, walking closer to the rhinos and assisting the anti-poaching rangers by helping with supplementary feeding for the rhinos. This is all included in the price for the game drive.
The animals on the reserve include: puku, nyala, bushbuck, Lichtenstein hartebeest, zebra, blue wildebeest, buffalo, eland, sable, roan, oryx, kudu, warthog, bushpig, oribi, and Southern white rhinos (currently 31, with guaranteed rhino sightings).
We also have a wide variety of nocturnal animals, or species that are more commonly sighted at night, but there is an chance of seeing them during the day, including galagos (bush babies), jackals, leopard, aardvarks, and more
Visit the Falls at full moon for this awesome experience. The best time is when water levels are higher and the Rainbows come out.
A moonbow, also known as a lunar rainbow, is a rare optical phenomenon created when moonlight is refracted and reflected by water droplets in the air. Unlike regular rainbows, moonbows appear much fainter and often look white to the human eye, though cameras can capture their colors.
DATES 2026 - Lunar rainbows
🌕 Worm Moon — Full Moon— Monday, March 22, 2027
🌕 Pink Moon — Full Moon— Wednesday, April 21, 2027
🌕 Flower Moon — Full Moon— Thursday, May 20, 2027
🌕 Strawberry Moon — Full Moon— Saturday, June 19, 2027
🌕 Buck Moon — Full Moon— Sunday, July 18, 2027
🌕 Sturgeon Moon — Full Moon— Tuesday, August 17, 2027
A David Livingstone Heritage Tour
A dedicated day retracing his legacy: the Livingstone Museum, a guided town heritage walk, and a boat journey to Livingstone Island with lunch or tea, the exact spot where he first viewed the falls in 1855.
or
Combine a tour of the Livingstone Museum and a guided town heritage walk with a game drive and picnic lunch or sundowners on the river bank.
🌑 New Moon dates are the ones to highlight for stargazing, while 🌕 Full Moon dates are excellent for moonlit bush experiences and evening activities.
Coming soon - learn about the sky above us at night and the magical stories that intertwine with the galaxy.
Quote from 27August26 -
We came, we watched, we witnessed the Moon disappear into Earth’s shadow. 🌕🌑✨ What an incredible lunar eclipse night!
A night of stars, wonder, and a breathtaking lunar eclipse. 🌌🌕 Thank you for joining us under the night sky!
The Moon turned red, and the night became unforgettable
2027 Zambia Moon Calendar
🌑 New Moon— Thursday, January 7, 2027
🌕 Wolf Moon — Full Moon— Friday, January 22, 2027
🌑 New Moon— Saturday, February 6, 2027
🌕 Snow Moon — Full Moon— Sunday, February 21, 2027
🌑 New Moon— Monday, March 8, 2027
🌕 Worm Moon — Full Moon— Monday, March 22, 2027
🌑 New Moon— Wednesday, April 7, 2027
🌕 Pink Moon — Full Moon— Wednesday, April 21, 2027
🌑 New Moon— Thursday, May 6, 2027
🌕 Flower Moon — Full Moon— Thursday, May 20, 2027
🌑 New Moon— Friday, June 4, 2027
🌕 Strawberry Moon — Full Moon— Saturday, June 19, 2027
🌑 New Moon— Sunday, July 4, 2027
🌕 Buck Moon — Full Moon— Sunday, July 18, 2027
🌑 New Moon— Monday, August 2, 2027
🌕 Sturgeon Moon — Full Moon— Tuesday, August 17, 2027
🌑 New Moon— Tuesday, August 31, 2027
🌕 Harvest Moon — Full Moon— Thursday, September 16, 2027
🌑 New Moon— Thursday, September 30, 2027
🌕 Hunter's Moon — Full Moon— Friday, October 15, 2027
🌑 New Moon— Friday, October 29, 2027
🌕 Beaver Moon — Full Moon— Sunday, November 14, 2027
🌑 New Moon— Sunday, November 28, 2027
🌕 Cold Moon — Full Moon— Monday, December 13, 2027
🌑 New Moon— Monday, December 27, 2027
The unusual bit is August 2027, which has two New Moons — August 2 and August 31.
A Signature Safari Serve with a Local Story - Game Drive in the Mosi-oa-Tunya Park
White rhinos and Gin
On our morning and afternoon game drives, we will be serving a signature gin cocktail made with Alveārium Gin from the Zambian Meadery and finished with local Sindambi flower, or hibiscus, for a distinctly Zambian touch. Derived from the Latin word Alveārium, meaning beehive, this exceptional spirit is triple-distilled from pure mead, crafted from African honey, and carries the essence of wild beehives from indigenous forests. Described by its makers as the world’s most sustainable gin, it is a beautiful expression of local flavour, heritage, and innovation — perfectly enjoyed in the wild surroundings of safari.
Honey is sourced from the untouched Miombo Woodlands of Zambia, where local farmers harvest from wild hives nestled deep within the forest, ensuring its purity and distinctive character. In these pristine landscapes, free from large-scale agriculture, bees flourish, collecting nectar and pollen from their natural surroundings.
By using honey from these carbon-rich indigenous forests, Alvearium Gin supports essential ecosystems. Each bottle helps preserve 25m² of forest for a year. This regenerative practice protects these forests from agricultural conversion and deforestation linked to charcoal production, while also promoting the reforestation of lands previously affected by these destructive activities.
THE LOOKOUT BAOBAB TREE
Looking for a breathtaking view and a memorable outdoor experience in Livingstone?
Make time to visit the Look Out Tree and discover one of the area’s hidden gems. From its elevated vantage point, you’ll be treated to stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, making it the perfect spot for nature lovers, photographers and adventure seekers alike.
Whether you’re exploring Livingstone for the first time or rediscovering your hometown, the Look Out Tree offers a peaceful escape and a chance to connect with nature. Bring your camera, enjoy the fresh air and create unforgettable memories with friends and family.
Sishemo Beads - Make your own bracelet or keyring
Sishemo is a female-led social enterprise based in Nakatindi, a community on the outskirts of Livingstone. The shop and workshop provide economic empowerment opportunities to our seven female artisans who collectively support over 40 family members and dependents. All Sishemo artisans are now the breadwinners of their extended households and are using their income to support the education, health and well-being of their families and community.
Sishemo takes discarded glass bottles from the tourism industry and households around Livingstone. These bottles are then crushed to a fine powder and fired in the on-site kiln. The resulting handcrafted, gorgeous glass beads make one-of-a-kind necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other bead products sold from the Sishemo Studio in Nakatindi.
As a social enterprise, Sishemo is committed to supporting the lives and livelihoods of its artisans. In fact, each artisan is a co-owner of the enterprise, giving them a secure, sustainable and long-term source of income.
The Sishemo Studio in Nakatindi stocks the entire Sishemo range and offers an interactive and exciting shopping experience. However, a visit to the studio is not just a shopping experience but a chance to have a studio tour and understand how the glass bottles become beautiful and unique jewellery pieces.
WILDLIFE AND CULTURAL TOUR
Rhino, River and cultural combo
Pickup time: 13:30
Duration: 7 hours
Rate - USD 140 per person
Minimum: 4 guests / Maximum: 24 guests
Overview
This signature CATS experience combines the best of Livingstone’s wildlife, river and community. The afternoon begins inside Mosi oa Tunya National Park with a safari drive and white rhino encounter. The drive ends at the Zambezi River for a two hour river safari boat cruise. After the cruise, guests transfer into South Dambwa to experience the warmth, rhythm and culture of the community. The evening opens with a lively performance by the Dambwa Warriors children’s dance troupe, followed by a cultural drive through Dambwa and the human wildlife conflict zone, with visits to local
herbalists, market stalls and curios. Guests are then treated to a traditional Zambian ‘matebeto’ dinner with storytelling before finishing with a short night drive in the community area in search of elephant, hippo and buffalo.
Schedule
13:30 Pickup from accommodation
14:00 game drive and Rhino encounter
15:30 River safari and two hour boat cruise
17:30 Sundowners accompanied by the Dambwa Warriors dance performance
18:30 Cultural community tour through Dambwa and Human wildlife coexistence zone
19:15 Traditional matebeto dinner with storytelling
20:15 Night drive and spotlighting
21:00 Drop off
Guests love is a visit to the Livingstone Museum, where you can view David Livingstone’s original letters, carefully preserved and on display. It’s a rare and fascinating window into the explorer’s remarkable journeys and the history he left behind.
Livingstone itself, once the capital of Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), carries his legacy in more than just its name. The museum, the town’s architecture, and the many stories woven into its fabric all reflect this heritage. Colonial-era buildings still line its streets, blending historical elegance with the vibrancy of modern Zambian life.
What makes Livingstone truly special is that it’s a real, working town. Visitors have the chance to step beyond typical tourist experiences and connect with everyday life. Wander through lively markets, meet artisans, and shop for colourful chitenge fabrics, handmade crafts, and fresh produce.
A quick stop at the Forest of Faces is a must-do while in this area to see some fantastic, bigger-than-life carvings.
It’s a place where history, culture, and community come together.
RAILWAY MUSEUM
Step back in time at the Railway Museum, where Zambia’s rail heritage comes to life. Once the nation’s vital lifeline, the railway connected people, places, and stories—and here, its legacy is beautifully preserved.
As you explore, you’ll encounter an impressive collection of locomotives and coaches, each carrying the echoes of journeys long past. Every piece on display tells a tale—of adventurers, workers, and communities shaped by the railway’s reach.
More than just a collection, the museum is a tribute to the men and women who built and ran the railways, safeguarding their memory while offering visitors a rich blend of historical insight and cultural preservation.
The Gateway Jewish Museum
Opened in 2013, the Gateway Jewish Museum in Livingstone shares the remarkable story of the Jewish community that settled in the region and in other major towns across Zambia.
Through its exhibits, the museum highlights the role this community played in shaping the economic, cultural, and political landscape of Northern Rhodesia—today’s Zambia. It stands as both a place of remembrance and a celebration of the contributions that helped weave Zambia’s rich historical fabric.
The Dambwa Warriors Dance Group and Living with Elephants Tour
In 2021, the Conservation and Tourism Society (CATS) discovered that groups of children in South
Dambwa were spending their nights chasing elephants. While the adults chased elephants out of
fear and misunderstanding, the children soon turned it into a game and even a rite of passage. At
times, more than 70% of those confronting elephants were children, some as young as six years old.
For them, the closer you could get, the greater the status: to touch an elephant was to be “king for a
day”.
CATS realised that telling them to stop was not enough, we needed to connect with them. Through
football, chess, and time spent together, trust was built, and slowly the message of coexistence
began to take hold. Out of this work, the Dambwa Warriors Dance Group was born: a vibrant troupe
of boys and girls who now express their energy and pride through music, dance, and drumming.
The Dambwa Warriors have become a focal point of positive change. They no longer chase elephants
but instead perform for guests on the Living with Elephants Tour and we hope at lodges across
Livingstone. Their songs and dances celebrate culture while raising awareness about human wildlife
coexistence. Managed by the South Dambwa Community Business Unit (CBU), their performances
are part of a wider programme of youth engagement, skills training, and alternative livelihoods.
Proceeds support training, education, and community upliftment, to date, 88 hours of skills training
have been sponsored.
The Living with Elephants Tour
17.00 – 21.00 hrs | Human–Wildlife Cohabitation and Cultural Tour
The Living with Elephants Tour is the first of its kind: a community-based tourism experience in the
heart of Livingstone’s human elephant conflict zone. Taking place in South Dambwa, along the
elephant migratory corridor beside the National Park, the tour re-frames conflict into coexistence.
Guests gain a unique perspective on how people and elephants live side by side, sometimes uneasily
and how communities are building new ways forward.
Programme
17.00 Pick-up
17.30 Sundowners, followed by an energetic performance from the Dambwa Warriors children’s
dance group
18.45 Cultural community tour through South Dambwa: meet herbalists, explore stalls and see the
realities of life in the corridor
19.15 Traditional Matebeto dinner with village elders, storytelling, song, and lore
20.15 Night drive through the conflict zone, with a high probability of viewing elephant, buffalo, or
hippo under spotlight
21.00 Drop-off
