Traditional Zambian Cuisine You Must Try

Zambia's culinary landscape is a vibrant tapestry of flavors, textures, and traditions that reflect the nation's rich cultural heritage of Africa. From hearty staples to unique delicacies, here's a curated list of traditional Zambian dishes you must try. In this blog, we have made a collection of Zambia's most popular traditional foods you should try during your visit.

Zambia's culinary landscape is a vibrant tapestry of flavors, textures, and traditions that reflect the nation's rich cultural heritage of Africa. From hearty staples to unique delicacies, here's a curated list of traditional Zambian dishes you must try. In this blog, we have made a collection of Zambia's most popular traditional foods you should try during your visit.

Top 10 Zambian Foods

1) Nshima, staple food

Nshima is the staple food of Zambia and a common dish for many Zambians. Made from finely ground maize flour called mealie meal, cooked by mixing the corn meal with hot water to make a very thick porridge. It is served with a rich and delicious stew known as ndiwo, usually meat or fish, and one or two vegetables.

2) Ifisashi with peanut sauce

‍A traditional Zambian dish made by mixing pounded peanuts, tomatoes, onions, and vegetables such as spinach, collard greens, pumpkin leaves, or cassava leaves. The mixture is cooked in the peanut sauce until it achieves a desired consistency. Prepared during traditional ceremonies and family gatherings.

3) Chikanda with fresh vegetables

Known as "African polony," chikanda is a vegetarian delicacy made from wild orchid tubers, ground peanuts, and spices. Its meat-like texture makes it a popular snack or side dish.

4) Ifinkubala

‍These protein-rich caterpillars are a delicacy in Zambia. Typically, they are soaked in hot water, then fried with onions and tomatoes, and served with nshima.

5) Kapenta

Small, dried sardine-like fish that are fried with onions and tomatoes. Kapenta is a common relish accompanying nshima, especially in regions near Lake Tanganyika.​

6) Tute ne Mbalala

‍A popular snack consisting of roasted cassava paired with groundnuts (peanuts). It's commonly found in local markets and bus stops across Zambia.​

7) Delele

‍A dish made from okra, known for its slimy texture. It's cooked with tomatoes and sometimes flavored with baking soda to enhance its unique consistency.

8) Vitumbuwa

Deep-fried dough balls made from flour, sugar, and yeast. These fritters are a favorite tea-time snack and are often sold by street vendors.

9) Traditional Vegetables

‍Zambian cuisine boasts a variety of vegetables, including pumpkin leaves, cassava leaves, and Chinese cabbage. These are often cooked with groundnuts or tomatoes to create flavorful relishes.

10) Golabjamoun with sweet potatoes

A delightful dessert made from sweet potatoes boiled in sour milk, offering a unique blend of sweet and tangy flavors.

Love to try Zambian traditional dishes? Sign up for local recipes and share your wishes, and we will add the best culinary experiences to your safari holiday.

TRADITIONAL ZAMBIAN MEALS

LUSAKA AND LIVINGSTONE DINING IN LOCAL HOMES

Experience the real taste of Zambia.  Hosts live in Lusaka and Livingstone in areas which are only a few minutes from town, but rarely visited by tourists. Having a local meal gives you a view into the everyday life of locals and enables these women to expand their incomes while doing what they all love: Cooking!

As a guest, you will eat home-cooked traditional Zambian foods that you rarely find in restaurants.Our hosts come from the various tribes of Zambia—Tonga, Bemba, Lunda, Ngoni, and more—and each one loves to cook meals that represent their cultural heritage. Every meal is different based on what is in season and fresh that day, and also what the host feels her guests will enjoy. We promise you an unforgettable meal and a new neighbor that you can call your friend.

Locations: Homes in different neighborhoods within a 5-8 minute drive from the center of town.

Food/drink: A full traditional Zambian meal (nshmia with various sides.)

Vegetarian options are available and are strictly non-alcoholic, including water and a traditional drink.

LUSAKA GUIDED MARKET ZAMBIAN FOOD TOUR

New Soweto Market is a vibrant city market in downtown Lusaka. We offer a guided market tour, focused on food, followed by a traditional Zambian lunch at the first restaurant established in the market. You will learn about the diversity of Zambian foods, which are trucked in from all corners of Zambia and neighboring countries. You'll be surprised to learn how many foods are only prepared and eaten at homes, and never found on restaurant menus. You'll also see how seasonal foods are preserved for sale throughout the year. Trained local youths are your guides, promoting new income streams for youth in Zambia's tourism sector.

TIPUNZILE meaning: Let us learn

COMMUNITY NIGHT TOUR IN LIVINGSTONE | 17.00 – 21.00hrs

Human Wildlife Conflict/Cohabitation and cultural tour (HWC) USD60 (min 4 Pax)

The first of its kind, this tour is a local initiative aimed at developing community-based tourism in the heart of the Human and wildlife conflict zone. The tour takes place in the encroached elephant migratory route, known as the corridor, and aims to create a Cohabitation zone, instead of a conflict zone. The communities living in conflict with Elephants need to be involved in tourism initiatives and see a benefit from tourism and place a value on wildlife as a resource, rather than a curse.

This tour highlights not only the unique challenges faced by people and the wildlife that live and share the corridor, but also highlights other cultural aspects of Zambian community life, like local music, dance, and traditional medicine.

By visiting the frontline of the conflict zone, guests will find themselves in the South Dambwa community that lives along the National Park boundary, which is the primary point of HWC. The community will treat you to a fantastic display of dance and song from the local children. These are the same children who have given up chasing and harassing Elephants for fun and now participate in a tourism-related activity instead. The dance is followed by a drive through the narrow streets of the Dambwa community where guests can visit local stalls, sample locally brewed beers and wines or visit with the local medicine woman for herbalist remedies or recipes and onto a traditional Zambian ‘’Matebeto’’ dinner (Matebeto is a selection of traditional dishes form the region) over dinner, village elders entertain with storytelling, song, and lore. The night tour finishes with a night drive through the primary conflict zone with a high probability to view Elephant, Buffalo, or Hippo as they now openly move around the encroached corridor hungrily eyeing up gardens, crops, and sadly human litter and waste.

17.00: Pick up

17:30: Sundowners – Enjoy a beautiful sundowner (Bar included,) then the “Dambwa Warriors” children’s dance troop entertain with dance and song

18.45: Cultural Community tour – Interactive drive through the local community and HWC zone. Visit with local herbalist/bars/stalls/curios

19.15: Dinner – Enjoy a traditional Zambian Matebeto dinner accompanied by storytelling and lore

20.15: Night Drive – Pass through the HWC zone with a spotlight looking for elephants, Hippos, and Buffalo.

21.00: Drop off

Proceeds go to the Community-based Tourism business unit for the continued development of local tourism and upliftment programs towards the goal of human-wildlife Cohabitation instead of Conflict..

The Royal Livingstone Express Train

The Royal Livingstone Express Train Dinner service has officially resumed, offering an unforgettable blend of luxury, fine dining, and breathtaking scenery. Guests embark on a nostalgic journey through the heart of Zambia, enjoying a gourmet five-course dinner onboard a beautifully restored steam train. As the train winds through the African bush, guests can savour stunning sunset views over the Zambezi River and spot wildlife along the way. This unique experience combines old-world charm with modern culinary excellence and operates on Wednesday and Saturday evenings, providing the perfect setting for romantic dinners, special occasions, or a memorable highlight of any Victoria Falls visit..

Bobo Camp Picnic Experience

‍Perched above the stunning Batoka Gorge, a gorge picnic experience at Bobo Camp offers a one-of-a-kind experience at the exclusive Bobo Camp. Guests arrive by helicopter at a secluded picnic spot overlooking the Zambezi River, where a gourmet picnic featuring local delicacies awaits. Relax on plush cushions while enjoying a delicious five-course menu surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Ideal for special occasions or corporate events, the experience ends with a scenic flight offering panoramic views of Victoria Falls — a spectacular finale to an unforgettable afternoon immersed in Zambia’s natural beauty.

Magical Full Moon Dinner Cruise

Celebrate the magic of Victoria Falls with an exclusive Full Moon Dinner Cruise. As the sun sets and the full moon rises, step aboard the African Queen for a starlit journey along the Zambezi. Sip a welcome drink at Royal Landing, serenaded by live classical music, before indulging in a three-course dinner under the African sky. With no other boats in sight, soak up the serenity and shimmering lunar rainbow — a rare natural wonder.

From traditional home-cooked meals to luxury dining by the Zambezi, experience the vibrant flavors of Zambia like never before. Join guided food tours, dine with locals, savor gourmet delicacies, and immerse yourself in the country’s rich culinary heritage.

From traditional home-cooked meals to luxury dining by the Zambezi, experience the vibrant flavors of Zambia like never before. Join guided food tours, dine with locals, savor gourmet delicacies, and immerse yourself in the country’s rich culinary heritage. Book Your Ultimate Zambian Food Experience Today!