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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- Zambia
- Best months
- May–Oct (drier, less rain)
- Avoid
- Nov–Apr (heavy rains, road closures)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- ZMW
- Money
- Currency is the Zambian kwacha (ZMW), about 22–27 per US$ in 2026 (check). Cards work in Lusaka, Livingstone and most lodges; rural areas are cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ZMW 300–500 excl. bed · Mid ZMW 500–800 excl. bed · High ZMW 800+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Airtel and MTN sell SIMs with passport registration in towns; Zamtel is state-owned.
- Emergency
- Police 999 · Ambulance 991 · Fire 993
- Plugs
- Types C, D, G · 230 V · 50 Hz · UK-style G is most common; bring a power bank for cuts.
- Tipping
- Safari guide: US$10–20 per guest per day.; Camp staff box: US$10 per guest per day.; Restaurant: 10%.; Driver: US$5–10.
- Water
- Bottled or filtered water only; lodges provide it.
- Toilets
- Flush toilets at lodges and hotels; rare on the road.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at Kanshansi Clubhouse | ZMW 30–50 |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | ZMW 5–8 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SWX · Solwezi Airport
- —
Typical fares
- Lusaka → Solwezi bus
- about $10, 10 h (check schedule)
- Car hire day
- ≈ $30 (check rates)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car hire (City Drive, Rocker, Axe) and local minibuses; roads are dirt and can be slow after rains.
See and do
Known for
- Kifubwa National Monument
- Mutanda Falls
- Kanshansi Clubhouse
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| West Lunga National Park | 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 | ≈5 h total |
Sleep
- Floriana Lodge Trust
- Pool, hot tub, restaurant; ~ $34 per night
- Royal Solwezi Hotel
- Top‑line hotel with spa, pool, wifi; ~ $101 per night
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Ndikukhumbandi-ku-khum-ba |
| Thank you | Zikomozi-ko-mo |
| How much is it? | Zikhalidwe ziti?zi-kha-li-dwe zi-ti |
| Where is the toilet? | M'tanda wa thupi uli?m-tan-da wa thu-pi u-li |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Greet with a handshake and a question about wellbeing; avoid: Skipping greetings
- Respect: Give and receive with both hands or the right hand supported by the left; avoid: Left-hand giving
- Dress: Cover knees in villages; avoid: Swimwear away from the lodge
- Photos: Ask first; avoid: Photographing officials or bridges
Scams and watch-outs
- 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.
Generally safe in town, but be cautious on poorly lit roads at night and during market crowds.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Solwezi yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kifubwa National Monument
- Mutanda Falls
- Kanshansi Clubhouse
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Zambia Tourism Board: www.zambiatourism.org/
- Wikivoyage: Solwezi, revision 5331952 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5331952
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/solwezi). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.