Welcome to Lusaka, the capital and largest city of Zambia and one of the fastest-developing cities in southern Africa. It lies on the central plateau at about 1,279 metres above sea level. People have lived in this area since at least the 6th century. The modern city began in 1905 as a water stop on a railway line, named after a local Lenje chief called Lusaaka. In 1929 it was chosen as the new colonial capital in place of Livingstone, and in 1964 it became the capital of newly independent Zambia. Let's explore.
Lusaka National Museum
Welcome to the Lusaka National Museum, which tells the history and culture of Zambia. Plans for a museum began in the 1980s, when China worked with Zambia on a project to celebrate Zambian independence, but by the time it opened in October 1996 its focus had shifted to cultural history. On the ground floor, archaeology and history take you from the Stone Age to modern Zambia, with pottery, tools and ornaments. Upstairs, a contemporary art gallery shows sculptures and paintings.
Embassy Park Presidential Burial Site
Photo: Icem4k · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsOn Independence Avenue, opposite the Cabinet Office, lies Embassy Park, the official state burial ground for Zambia's presidents. Former heads of state, among them Kenneth Kaunda, are laid to rest here in mausoleums. Each mausoleum is designed with symbolic elements reflecting that leader's legacy, values or contribution to Zambia's history. The site became a National Monument in 2009 and is a place of national reflection, so please visit quietly.
Cairo Road
Photo: OpenStreetMap contributors OpenStreetMap contributors · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsWelcome to Cairo Road, the main street of Lusaka and the heart of the city's business and shopping. It is a wide dual carriageway, 1.8 kilometres long, with an avenue of trees down the middle. The name tells a story. It was a link in Cecil Rhodes' dream of a road running from the Cape to Cairo through British colonies in Africa. The railway line that gave birth to Lusaka runs just one block to the east.
Lusaka National Park
On the south-eastern edge of the city lies Lusaka National Park, Zambia's smallest national park at 6,715 hectares. It was established in 2011 on land that used to be a forest reserve, and it is completely fenced. Because it is so close to the city, it is easy to visit on a short day trip. There are no lodges inside the park, only a campsite, as the city's hotels are within easy reach.
Lomakuume
