Lusaka is Zambia's capital and its centre of commerce and government, sitting on the southern part of the central plateau at an elevation of about 1,279 metres. It is one of the fastest-developing cities in southern Africa, and it connects to the country's four main highways heading north, south, east and west. English is the official language of the city administration, while Bemba, Tonga and Chichewa are the commonly spoken street languages.
For a visitor, the practical geography is fairly simple. The city centre and the business district sit along Cairo Road, the main commercial spine. The Great East Road runs northeast out of the centre towards the airport and a cluster of malls and hotels, while other accommodation is scattered in residential suburbs and along the road towards the airport. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, and what kind of accommodation you will find at each budget level.
Best areas to stay in Lusaka
1. Great East Road and the Arcades area
This is the stretch northeast of the centre along the Great East Road, around the Arcades Mall and East Park Mall. It is the most convenient base for a first visit: you are on the main road out towards the airport, and the malls here house some of the city's better restaurants, so you are not dependent on your accommodation for meals.
You will find the widest spread of accommodation here, from backpacker places within a short walk of East Park Mall to large modern hotels by the Arcades. It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants restaurants, shops and transport links close at hand. Note that staying by the Arcades means you are out of the downtown area rather than in it.
2. Cairo Road and the downtown business district
The downtown area along Cairo Road is the commercial heart of the city, where the government and business activity is concentrated. It suits travellers who need to be in the centre for work or meetings, and who want to be within walking distance of the main commercial street.
Accommodation here is mostly of the large, full-service kind, including one of the city's tallest buildings, with the amenities that come with that type of property. It is a practical base rather than a quiet one, and it puts you in the middle of the city's daytime bustle.
3. Jesmondine and the northeastern suburbs
Jesmondine is a residential area northeast of the centre, off the Great East Road corridor. It is quieter than the downtown and the mall strips, and it suits travellers who prefer a suburban base while still being on the same side of the city as the airport road.
Accommodation here includes backpacker-style places with dorm beds and private rooms, so it can work for budget travellers who want a calmer setting than the centre. You will rely on the main road for getting to the sights and the malls.
4. Kalundu
Kalundu lies northeast of the city centre, off the Great East Road and within a short walk of East Park Mall. It is a residential area that gives you the convenience of the Great East Road corridor without being on top of it.
This area suits budget and mid-range travellers who want to be near the malls and the main road. Accommodation here includes hostel-style places with dorm beds and private rooms, some with pools and breakfast. Being off the Great East Road means the malls and the airport route are close by.
5. Fairview
Fairview is a residential area off Makishi Road, west of the centre. It is a quieter, more local base, and it suits travellers who are happy to be a short drive from the downtown and the main commercial streets rather than in the middle of them.
Accommodation here includes backpacker-style places offering camping, dorm beds and private rooms, which makes it an option for budget travellers. You will need to use road transport to reach the centre and the Great East Road side of the city.
6. The airport road area
The area out towards the airport, off Alick Nkhata Road, is well away from the city centre. It suits travellers with an early flight, a late arrival, or a preference for a quieter setting away from the downtown traffic.
Accommodation here is of the larger, full-service kind, with pools and the amenities that come with that type of property, and it tends to be among the more expensive options in the city. The trade-off is distance: you are not within walking distance of the centre or the main restaurant strips.
7. Great North Road area
The Great North Road runs north out of the city, and accommodation along it sits near the Novare Great North mall. This suits travellers who want a straightforward, functional base with a mall nearby, and who are coming or going along the northern route.
You will find simple, reasonably priced rooms here, typically a single or double room with its own bathroom. It is not a central base for the main sights, so expect to travel by road to reach the downtown and the Great East Road corridor.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: dorm beds in backpacker hostels, private rooms in the same places, and camping with your own tent. These are found in the residential areas off the main roads, including Fairview, Jesmondine and Kalundu.
- Mid-range: the "executive lodge" type of place, aimed at Zambian business travellers and civil servants, usually comprising a bedroom, breakfast, a bar and off-street parking, and generally modern and clean. There are also simple rooms with private bathrooms along the Great North Road, and church-run hostel-style accommodation with en suite rooms and suites.
- Splurge: large full-service hotels with pools, gyms, restaurants and wifi, found downtown along Cairo Road, by the Arcades on the Great East Road, and out towards the airport.
Best area for a first visit
The Great East Road and Arcades area is the best base for a first visit. It puts you on the main road out towards the airport, and the malls here contain some of the city's better restaurants, so you have meals and shops within walking distance of your accommodation. It also offers the widest range of places to stay, from backpacker rooms to large modern hotels, which makes it easy to match the area to your budget.
Frequently asked questions
Which side of Lusaka should I stay on if I have an early flight?
The area out towards the airport, off Alick Nkhata Road, is the obvious choice, since it is well away from the centre and close to the airport. Accommodation there is of the larger, full-service kind and tends to be among the pricier options.
Where can I stay cheaply in Lusaka?
Budget accommodation is concentrated in the residential areas rather than the centre, including Fairview, Jesmondine and Kalundu. You will find dorm beds, private rooms and camping, with the mall strips and the Great East Road within reach from Kalundu and Jesmondine.
What is the difference between an executive lodge and a hotel in Lusaka?
Executive lodges are aimed at Zambian businessmen and civil servants on their travels, and usually comprise a bedroom, breakfast, a bar and off-street parking. They are generally modern and clean and cost less than half the price of the top-end hotels.
Is it better to stay downtown or out by the malls?
Downtown along Cairo Road puts you in the commercial and government heart of the city, which suits travellers there for work. The Great East Road and Arcades area puts you near the airport road and a cluster of restaurants and shops, which suits most leisure visitors.
Compare live prices for the areas that suit you using the booking tools on this page.