Overview
LIVINGSTONE CULTURE & HISTORY
Discover the Story Behind the Destination
Livingstone is more than the gateway to Victoria Falls
It is a destination where ancient traditions, local communities, railway history, colonial-era architecture, museums, markets and the mighty Zambezi come together to tell a story that spans generations.
At Smiles Travel & Tours, we invite you to look beyond the Falls and discover the people, places and events that have shaped Livingstone and the surrounding region.
From Old Drift and Mukuni Village to the historic Victoria Falls Bridge, from colourful local markets to the locomotives of the Railway Museum, every experience reveals another chapter of Livingstone’s story.
OLD DRIFT
Where the Story of Livingstone Begins
Long before modern Livingstone developed into a major tourism centre, the area around the Zambezi was already an important meeting point for local communities, travellers and traders.
Old Drift, located along the Zambezi, became an early settlement and crossing point associated with the Victoria Falls region. The settlement’s history is closely connected with the movement of people across the river and the development of early tourism and trade.
The eventual establishment of Livingstone further from the river marked an important change in the area’s development.
Today, exploring the story of Old Drift provides a fascinating perspective on how the Livingstone we know today emerged from an earlier riverside settlement.
Discover:
Zambezi history • Early settlement • River crossings • Exploration • Trade • The origins of Livingstone
MUKUNI VILLAGE
Experience Living Culture
Livingstone’s story is not only about explorers, railways and historic buildings.
It is also about the communities whose traditions and way of life continue to define the region.
Mukuni Village offers visitors an opportunity to experience the living culture of the Leya people and learn about local traditions, customs, crafts and community life.
A visit can provide a meaningful opportunity to meet local people, listen to stories, discover traditional crafts and gain a deeper appreciation of the cultural heritage of the Victoria Falls region.
For Smiles Travel & Tours, cultural tourism is about connection, respect and understanding.
Discover:
Traditional village life • Leya culture • Local crafts • Community interaction • Storytelling • Traditional customs
LIVINGSTONE’S LOCAL MARKETS
The Heart of Everyday Life
One of the best ways to experience a destination is to spend time where local people live, trade and interact.
Livingstone’s markets provide a colourful introduction to everyday life in Zambia, with locally produced crafts, wood carvings, artwork, clothing, food and souvenirs.
At places such as Mukuni Park Curio Market, visitors can meet local artisans and discover handmade products that reflect Zambia’s creativity and cultural traditions. Livingstone’s tourism authorities also identify its markets and craft producers as important parts of the town’s cultural experience.
Take your time, meet the people behind the products and discover something uniquely Zambian to take home.
Discover:
Local markets • Handicrafts • Wood carving • Art • Local food • Souvenirs • Artisan stories
RAILWAY & COLONIAL HERITAGE
The Making of Modern Livingstone
The arrival of the railway transformed Livingstone.
Established in 1905, Livingstone developed rapidly as an important centre connected to the railway and the wider region. In 1911, it became the capital of Northern Rhodesia, and historic buildings from this period can still be seen around the town.
The railway played an important role in opening the Victoria Falls region to increased travel, trade and tourism.
Livingstone Railway Museum
Step back into the age of steam at the Livingstone Railway Museum.
The museum brings together historic locomotives, vintage coaches, railway memorabilia and photographs that help tell the story of Zambia’s railway heritage.
For railway enthusiasts and history lovers alike, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the technology, people and journeys that helped shape Livingstone.
Discover:
Steam locomotives • Vintage coaches • Railway memorabilia • Historic photographs • Early tourism • Railway heritage
VICTORIA FALLS BRIDGE
Where Engineering Meets the Zambezi
Spanning the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Victoria Falls Bridge is one of the defining landmarks of the Livingstone area.
The bridge was constructed in 1905 and officially opened on 12 September 1905. Built as part of the expansion of the railway network, it became an important link between the territories on either side of the Zambezi and helped accelerate travel and tourism around Victoria Falls
Today, the bridge offers more than spectacular views.
Its steel structure, engineering history and position high above the Zambezi make it an extraordinary place to appreciate the intersection of engineering, exploration, railway history and tourism.
Visitors can learn about the bridge’s construction and history while experiencing the dramatic landscape of the Zambezi Gorge.
Discover:
Historic engineering • Railway history • Zambezi River • Zambia–Zimbabwe connection • Victoria Falls heritage
LIVINGSTONE MUSEUM
Journey Through Zambia’s Past
To understand Zambia’s story, a visit to the Livingstone Museum is essential.
Established in 1934, it is Zambia’s oldest and largest museum. Its collections cover archaeology, ethnography, history, natural history and the legacy of David Livingstone.
The museum provides visitors with a broader understanding of Zambia’s heritage—from early human history and archaeological discoveries to traditional cultures, colonial history and independence.
Its David Livingstone collection adds another dimension to understanding the explorer’s connection with the region and the historical narratives surrounding Victoria Falls.
Discover:
Archaeology • Ethnography • Zambian history • Natural history • Traditional cultures • David Livingstone collection
OLD LIVINGSTONE
Walk Through History
Livingstone’s historic centre offers another way to experience the past.
As one of the country’s important early urban settlements, the town retains examples of Edwardian and colonial-era architecture, reflecting the period when Livingstone served as the capital of Northern Rhodesia
A guided town experience can bring these buildings and streets to life, connecting architecture with the stories of the people, businesses and institutions that helped establish modern Livingstone.
Discover:
Historic buildings • Edwardian architecture • Old town streets • Colonial-era history • Livingstone’s development
ONE DESTINATION
MANY STORIES.
Livingstone’s story cannot be told through Victoria Falls alone.
It begins with the Zambezi and the communities who have lived alongside it.
It continues through Old Drift, the development of the town, the arrival of the railway and the construction of the Victoria Falls Bridge.
It lives on today in Mukuni Village, local markets, traditional crafts, museums and the communities that make Livingstone what it is.
At Smiles Travel & Tours, we believe that discovering a destination means discovering its story.
Come beyond the Falls.
√ Meet the people.
√ Discover the culture.
√ Walk through history.
√ Experience Livingstone.
DISCOVER LIVINGSTONE WITH SMILES TRAVEL & TOURS
Whether you are interested in culture, history, architecture, railway heritage, local communities or simply want to experience another side of Livingstone, our team can help you create a journey that goes beyond the ordinary.
Your journey is more than a trip.
It’s a story waiting to be discovered.
EXPLORE LIVINGSTONE
PLAN YOUR CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
CONTACT SMILES TRAVEL & TOURS
SMILES TRAVEL AND TOURS
Your Journey, Our Smile.
Creating Smiles Through Travel.
.
PAYMENT DETAILS
Secure payment links are available on request. Contact us to receive your payment link and complete your booking.
