Major city · Zambia
Kitwe
Spend 1–2 days in Kitwe: see the bird sanctuary and market, then head to Ndola or Lusaka; no need to stay longer.
Kitwe is Zambia's second‑largest mining town in the Copperbelt. It has a modest selection of wildlife sites, markets and shopping malls, all within short drives. One full day covers the main attractions; a second day allows a relaxed pace or a day‑trip to nearby Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZMW
- Best months
- May–October (dry season, cooler evenings)
- avoid November–April (rainy, malaria risk)
- Airport
- KIW
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Kitwe999 ▾
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 Kitwe, 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
- SafetyKitwe is generally safe for day visitors; stay in well‑lit areas after dark and keep valuables secure.
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.
- AirportKIW Southdowns Airport (No commercial flights; serves private and charter traffic.).
- Getting aroundWalking covers central malls; taxis or boda‑boda for short trips; hire a car for trips to Chembe (≈28 km (17 mi)) or Chimfunshi (≈110 km (68 mi)).Walking covers central malls; taxis or boda‑boda for short trips; hire a car for trips to Chembe (≈17 mi (28 km)) or Chimfunshi (≈68 mi (110 km)).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer (bottle)K15–K25
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (10 km (6.2 mi))Taxi (6.2 mi (10 km))K80–K120
- Budget bedBudget hostel/guesthouse, a night, per personZMW 250
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomZMW 1,200
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomZMW 2,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ZMW 150 · Mid ZMW 300 · High ZMW 600
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
- KIW Southdowns Airport (No commercial flights; serves private and charter traffic.)
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
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jun (11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kitwe: 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)
10 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 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
Walking covers central malls; taxis or boda‑boda for short trips; hire a car for trips to Chembe (≈28 km) or Chimfunshi (≈110 km).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chembe Bird Sanctuary
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Drive west on M18, about 28 km (17 mi); 30‑min travelDrive west on M18, about 17 mi (28 km); 30‑min travel
Best in dry season; bring mosquito repellent.
Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage
goDoor to door: ≈2.5 h total
Drive north via T5, about 110 km (68 mi); 2 h travelDrive north via T5, about 68 mi (110 km); 2 h travel
Guided visits at feeding times; check opening hours.
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.
Lothian House Lodge
Budget rooms from K285, free Wi‑Fi, near Mukuba Mall.
Bemwila Guesthouse
Budget rooms from K250, own bathroom.
Niza Lodge
Rooms K200–K250, off Chisupa Avenue.
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
- K150–K250 excl. bed
- Mid
- K300–K500 excl. bed
- High
- K600–K900 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel1 × 1 night × ZMW 1,200 | ZMW 1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ZMW 300 | ZMW 600 |
| Taxi to Chembe Bird Sanctuary (round‑trip)2 × ZMW 120 · check | ZMW 240 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × ZMW 250 · check | ZMW 500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ZMW 254 |
| Trip total≈ ZMW 1,397 per person per day, bed included | ZMW 2,794 |
2026 estimate, ZMW; flights, visas and long‑distance transfers excluded.
Prices of common things
| Meal at local restaurant | K30–K70 |
| Bottled water (1 L) | K5–K10 |
| Taxi (10 km) | K80–K120 |
| Beer (bottle) | K15–K25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Malaria risk in the wet season – use repellent and prophylaxis.
- Roads can be pothole‑ridden outside the main double‑carriageway.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Ambulance
- 991
- Fire
- 993
- Mobile emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
KitweKitwe
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ku adilesi iyi, chondeTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Ambulance991
- Fire993
Embassy
US Embassy in Lusaka; nearest consular services in Ndola (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kitwe → Chembe Bird Sanctuary (taxi): about K120 round‑trip, 30 min each way (check)
- Kitwe → Ndola (taxi, 58 km): ≈K250 one‑way, 1 h (check)
Say or show
- Moni — Hello / Excuse me (moh-nee)
- Zikomo — Thank you (zee-ko-mo)
- Zikadi? — How much? (zee-ka-dee)
- Munda waku? — Where is the market? (moon-dah wah-koo)
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 Kitwe. 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–October (dry season, cooler evenings) · avoid November–April (rainy, malaria risk) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add Ndola airport‑to‑Kitwe transfer (taxi or private hire, ≈K200).
- Include a day‑trip package to Chimfunshi (guide + transport).
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Kitwe
- officialZambia Tourism Board
- secondaryWikivoyage: Kitwe, revision 5244248 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Kitwe
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