Experiences in Lusaka

Lower Zambezi National Park – Hippoland

Occupying 120 kms along the banks of Zambezi River opposite the gorgeous Mana Pools National Park across the border in Zimbabwe, this national park is a world heritage site renowned for fantastic game viewing. At just an hour and half drive from the...Occupying 120 kms along the banks of Zambezi River opposite the gorgeous Mana Pools National Park across the border in Zimbabwe, this national park is a world heritage site renowned for fantastic game viewing. At just an hour and half drive from the hotel, it’s a day trip that wildlife lovers shouldn’t miss out on. Our Concierge Desk arranges for an open jeep drive and packed lunch for a day of game drives, walking safaris, canoeing and fishing. Bloats of hippos – Zambia holds the largest population of these heavyweight, herbivorous mammals in the world – are found lounging in the river along with crocodiles, while elephants and big cats prowl the land. Despite their size, hippos are excellent swimmers, and have eyes, nose and ears on top of their head, which means they can breathe while fully submerged!

Masks Of Zambia

The tradition of Zambia that has infleunced European and Western art

Masks Of Zambia

The art of mask-making is one of Africa’s most revered, diverse and fascinating traditions, one that has deeply influenced 20th century artistic movements like cubism, fauvism and expressionism. Taj Pamodzi celebrates this unique heritage with a striking ‘Mask Wall’ near the lobby of the hotel. Guests are drawn to the exotic art, crafted from materials like wood, feathers and natural sisal fibre. Each mask has a genealogy and is a study in the tribal cultures of the country, from the cikunga, a symbol of leadership worn by the chieftains of the Chowke tribe to the complex nyau yolemba – large basketwork structures representing animals– worn by the Chewas. Our Concierge Desk is only too happy to guide you through the amazing stories and traditions behind the masks. Kids and adults alike are regaled with tales of the makishi masquerade, a unique pantomime performance at the end of the mukanda initiation ceremony for young boys in the western provinces of Zambia, where each mask represents a virtue or personality.

Market-Hopping

Lusaka’s colorful, dusty and vibrant markets offer a peek into the city’s soul, as well as a crash course on high-voltage bargaining. Our Concierge Desk arranges for guided tours to markets that can otherwise seem too chaotic and unorganized to negot...Lusaka’s colorful, dusty and vibrant markets offer a peek into the city’s soul, as well as a crash course on high-voltage bargaining. Our Concierge Desk arranges for guided tours to markets that can otherwise seem too chaotic and unorganized to negotiate. The Pakati Sunday Market is highly recommended if you want to feel the laid-back vibe of cosmopolitan Lusaka. Organized in the car park at the Arcades Shopping Centre from 9 am to 6 pm on every Sunday, Pakati is renowned for Zambian woodcarvings, handmade jewellery, paintings and masks. To pick up souvenirs of colourful patchwork chitenge textiles (worn as sarongs or scarves), your best bet is the Comesa Market. On Saturday afternoons, the Kabwata Cultural Village puts up traditional dances by local troupes between 1 to 4 pm. It’s otherwise a small and uncluttered market to buy small knick knacks, copper items and pottery work.