Travel Costs in Zambia
All figures are approximate estimates in USD for comparison.
- Budget / day
- $45
- Mid-range / day
- $120
- Luxury / day
- $400
- Budget meal
- $4
- Coffee
- $2.5
- Local transport
- $0.5
- Budget hotel
- $20
- Mid-range hotel
- $80
Overview
Zambia is a moderately expensive destination by African standards, largely because safari and wildlife experiences — particularly around South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, and Victoria Falls — carry premium price tags that can push costs high quickly. Budget travelers sticking to cities like Lusaka and using local transport can get by cheaply, but the country's main tourist draws are not budget-friendly. Accommodation and activity costs around national parks and Victoria Falls are the primary cost drivers.
Notes
To save money, use shared minibuses between cities instead of private transfers, and consider visiting national parks during the green/low season (November to April) when lodge rates can drop by 30–50% compared to peak dry season prices.