Livingstone Museum, Livingstone, Zambia

Livingstone Museum, Livingstone, Zambia: History & Culture

Discover Livingstone Museum, Livingstone, Zambia

The Livingstone Museum is Zambia’s oldest and largest museum, set on Mosi-o-Tunya Road in the town of Livingstone. It is about 10 km from Victoria Falls, which makes it an easy cultural stop to pair with the Falls. Plan on roughly two hours inside, plus time for the archaeological site next door.

Quick facts for visitors

• Address: Plot 567, Mosi-o-tunya Road, Livingstone, Zambia
• Opening hours: daily, 09:00 to 16:30. Closed on 25 December and 1 January.
• Phone: +260 (0)213 324429
• Email: [email protected]
• Time needed: about 2 hours
• Accessibility: wheelchair accessible, according to the museum’s website

A short history of the museum

The museum was established in 1934 as the David Livingstone Memorial Museum. A Spanish colonial-style building opened in 1951. After independence, in 1966, it was renamed The Livingstone Museum.

The museum has published the “Zambian Museum Papers” series since 1967. Its buildings were renovated in 2003 with European Union funding, and a statue of David Livingstone was erected in 2005.

The museum is especially known for David Livingstone’s letters and memorabilia, including items donated by the Livingstone family.

What to see inside

Sources describe the galleries slightly differently, so check the current layout when you arrive. Wikipedia lists five galleries, and the museum’s own website lists six public spaces.

The galleries

• Archaeology: from the Stone Age to the Iron Age.
• Ethnography and Art: handicrafts and musical instruments.
• History: Bantu origins, colonial rule, independence and endemic wildlife.
• Art: sculpture and paintings by Zambian artists.
• Livingstone: family memorabilia, plus a library.

Public spaces listed by the museum

• Archaeology
• Ethnography
• Natural History
• David Livingstone
• History
• Temporary Exhibitions

Wikipedia singles out the “witchcraft exhibit” as “especially interesting, if somewhat hair-raising”. I found no schedule for the temporary exhibitions, and the museum’s website lists no events.

The open archaeological site

Next to the museum is an open archaeological site covering about 250,000 years of history, according to Wikipedia. It sits alongside the Archaeology gallery, which runs from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. Together they give a long view of the region’s past before you head to the river.

Tickets and guides

These are the fees published on the museum’s website. They may be outdated, so confirm them with the museum before you go.

• Residents: K10 for adults, K5 for children
• Non-residents: US$5 for adults, US$3 for children

The museum’s website says free guides are available, subject to availability. Visitor comments say the guides are knowledgeable and walk people through the exhibits well, and that the exhibits are thorough and informative.

Facilities on site

According to the museum’s website, the grounds have a craft shop, a restaurant, a library and conference facilities. We have not verified whether the restaurant is currently operating, so ask the museum if a meal is part of your plan.

Getting there

The museum is in Livingstone town, on Mosi-o-Tunya Road. Wikipedia gives these road distances:

• Victoria Falls: about 10 km
• From Zimbabwe: about 11 km, across the Victoria Falls Bridge
• From Botswana: about 60 km, via the Kazungula ferry
• From Lusaka: about 470 km

Check road conditions locally before you set out. The museum’s coordinates are about -17.8481, 25.8553.

Combine it with other Livingstone highlights

The museum suits a half-day cultural visit alongside the area’s better-known sights. Pair it with Victoria Falls, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and Devil’s Pool. Before or after the galleries, you can explore the adjacent archaeological site and browse the craft shop.

For places to stay, see our Livingstone town page.

Planning checklist

• Arrive well before 16:30 to leave time for the galleries and the archaeological site.
• Allow about two hours for the museum itself.
• Confirm entry fees and guide availability with the museum before you go.
• Check which galleries and temporary exhibitions are open on the day of your visit.
• Remember that it is closed on 25 December and 1 January.

Photo: Icem4k, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.