Major city · Zambia
Solwezi
Skip Solwezi unless you have a flight or business there; otherwise allocate 0–1 day and head to Copperbelt or Livingstone.
Solwezi is a provincial seat with limited tourist attractions – mainly the Kifubwa National Monument and Mutanda Falls. It serves as a gateway to the Kansanshi mine area and offers basic accommodation, but most visitors pass through on the way to better‑known sites in Northwestern Zambia.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZMW
- Best months
- May–Oct (drier, less rain)
- avoid Nov–Apr (heavy rains, road closures)
- Airport
- SWX
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Zambia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Zambian government sources; if you will cross to Zimbabwe, ask about the KAZA UniVisa and whether it is available to you.
- Zambia ↗Do not photograph government buildings, police, the military, airports or bridges.
- Zambia ↗Many bush camps open only in the dry season; check opening dates before you fix flights.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Solwezi999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Solwezi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the Zambian kwacha (ZMW), about 22–27 per US$ in 2026 (check).Zambia-wide
- SIM or eSIMAirtel and MTN sell SIMs with passport registration in towns; Zamtel is state-owned.Zambia-wide
- Tap waterBottled or filtered water only; lodges provide it.Zambia-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10%.Zambia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Zambia-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe in town, but be cautious on poorly lit roads at night and during market crowds.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFlush toilets at lodges and hotels; rare on the road.Zambia-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police · 991 ambulance · 993 fire
- Sundays & holidaysGovernment offices close on public holidays; bush camps close in the rains.Zambia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSWX Solwezi Airport.
- Getting aroundCar hire (City Drive, Rocker, Axe) and local minibuses; roads are dirt and can be slow after rains.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedFloriana Lodge Trust, a night, per personZMW 34
- Mid-range bedRoyal Solwezi Hotel, a night, per personZMW 115
- High-end bedRoyal Solwezi Hotel, a night, per personZMW 130
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ZMW 350 · Mid ZMW 550 · High ZMW 900
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SWX Solwezi Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jul (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Solwezi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car hire (City Drive, Rocker, Axe) and local minibuses; roads are dirt and can be slow after rains.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
West Lunga National Park
skipDoor to door: ≈5 h total
Dirt road from Solwezi, about 275 km (171 mi); 4–5 h drive if road passableDirt road from Solwezi, about 171 mi (275 km); 4–5 h drive if road passable
Very remote, limited facilities; better as a fly‑in from Livingstone.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Floriana Lodge Trust
Pool, hot tub, restaurant; ~ $34 per night
Royal Solwezi Hotel
Top‑line hotel with spa, pool, wifi; ~ $101 per night
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ZMW 300–500 excl. bed
- Mid
- ZMW 500–800 excl. bed
- High
- ZMW 800+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Floriana Lodge Trust1 × 1 night × ZMW 34 | ZMW 34 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ZMW 350 | ZMW 350 |
| Bus Lusaka → Solwezi (round‑trip)1 × ZMW 10 · check | ZMW 10 |
| Car hire (day)1 × ZMW 30 · check | ZMW 30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ZMW 42 |
| Trip total≈ ZMW 466 per person per day, bed included | ZMW 466 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at Kanshansi Clubhouse | ZMW 30–50 |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | ZMW 5–8 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Attractions are few and basic – plan only one or two sights.
- Roads may be impassable in heavy rain; allow extra travel time.
- Bus from Lusaka takes about 10 h and costs $10; check schedule.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Ambulance
- 991
- Fire
- 993
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SolweziSolwezi
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ku adiresi iyi, chondeTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Ambulance991
- Fire993
Embassy
US consulate in Lusaka; nearest Zambian embassy for other nationals.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lusaka → Solwezi bus: about $10, 10 h (check schedule)
- Car hire day: ≈ $30 (check rates)
Say or show
- Ndikukhumba — Excuse me / Sorry (ndi-ku-khum-ba)
- Zikomo — Thank you (zi-ko-mo)
- Zikhalidwe ziti? — How much is it? (zi-kha-li-dwe zi-ti)
- M'tanda wa thupi uli? — Where is the toilet? (m-tan-da wa thu-pi u-li)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Solwezi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (drier, less rain) · avoid Nov–Apr (heavy rains, road closures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a car‑hire guide for road conditions.
- Create a market‑visit page for Kyawama and City markets.
Sources
Ask about Solwezi
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