Experience an unforgettable Zambian Food Tour and dive into the rich and diverse flavors of traditional foods in Zambia. Join us as we explore bustling markets, Livingstone steam train, savor delicious popular foods eaten like Tute Ne Mbalala and samosas, and enjoy traditional communal meals with Nshima and Ifisashi. Indulge in gourmet dining with a modern twist on local dishes, and enjoy meals al fresco in Zambia's stunning natural landscapes. Whether you're a food lover or an adventurous traveler, this culinary tour promises excitement. Discover the heart of Zambia—book your Zambian food tour today.

Traditional Zambian Foods

Embark on a culinary adventure in Zambia and discover a rich tapestry of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Zambia's staple food is maize (corn). Made from finely ground maize flour, known as mealie meal, this mealie meal dish is prepared by mixing the cornmeal with hot water to create a thick porridge. Among the most popular foods, start with a common dish Nshima , a versatile corn meal that is the cornerstone of many Zambian meals. Enjoy it thin and sweet for breakfast or thick and savory for lunch or dinner, paired with a variety of delicious accompaniments like mashed potatoes.

In Zambian villages, many zambians, some residents have doubts about consuming fresh vegetables. This scepticism may arise from the fact that staple vegetables like sweet potatoes, pumpkin, squash, and rapeseed require cooking. Chikanda, commonly referred to as 'African polony', is a vegetarian dish made from wild orchid tubers, peanuts, chili, and baking soda. Game meat is usually smoked and dried before it is sold. One way to enjoy fish in Zambia is to eat it dry. Zambia has many water bodies, making fish one of the most popular foods in the country. Dry fish is found in most markets countrywide. Cooked to a meatloaf-like consistency, it's served hot or cold.Savor the simplicity and flavor of Ifisashi, a traditional Zambian dish of green vegetables cooked with peanut sauce, sometimes enhanced with meat. Delight in Kapenta, where dried perch is seared with onions, tomatoes, garlic, pumpkin leaves and green vegetables, garnished with fresh lemon and ground nuts—a delightful blend of tastes and textures. Michopo is roasted meat cooked outdoors on the grill, typically beef or goat meat served with chilli, onions, tomatoes, and potatoes. For the adventurous, try curried antelope, featuring tender cubed rump steaks cooked with garlic, plantains, and raisins for a unique and memorable dining experience.

Raw vegetables are not typically served as a side dish. Explore Zambia's vibrant street food scene, perfect for travelers eager to taste local flavors on the go. Golabjamoun Zambia is famous for its delectable traditional desserts crafted from sweet potato simmered in sourmilk. Vitumbuwa ‍ Fritters are fried dough balls of flour, sugar, yeast and water. Sample Tute Ne Mbalala (Cassava with Groundnuts), a smoky, nutty treat combining the starchy texture of cassava with the richness of groundnuts. Indulge in samosas, a beloved fried delicacy filled with minced meat and spiced vegetables. Enjoy Vitumbuwa, also known as Puff-Puff, deep-fried wheat flour dough balls often enjoyed with tea or coffee. Chikanda, also known as African polony due to its meaty texture, is a vegetarian dish made from wild orchid tubers. Don’t miss Chikanda, or African Polony, made from dried orchid tubers mixed with peanuts and chili, offering a meaty texture perfect as a popular snack or main dish.

Complete your gastronomic journey with Zambia's traditional beers or the carbohydrate-rich Thobwa. Come and taste the diverse and delectable flavors of Zambia for an unforgettable culinary experience. Explore Zambian traditional cuisine and let your taste buds travel through a land of rich and unique flavors. For our Muslim travelers, enjoy a Halal Safari in Zambia, where you can indulge in delicious, Halal-certified dishes amidst the stunning wilderness.

Dining styles for staple foods

• Share the warmth of Zambian hospitality by enjoying large communal meals, where dishes like Nshima and Ifisashi are served in big bowls for everyone to gather around.
• Explore bustling markets and streets, sampling quick bites like Tute Ne Mbalala, samosas, and Vitumbuwa from local vendors.
• Enjoy the natural beauty of Zambia by packing a picnic with local favorites like Kapenta and Chikanda and dining al fresco in scenic locations.
• Immerse yourself in local markets and eateries to relish a diverse array of authentic Zambian cuisine during your journey on the Livingstone steam train.

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 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 Zambian traditional 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 onwhat 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 5-8 minutes drive from the center of town.
Food / drink: A full traditional Zambian meal (nshmia with various sides.)

Vegetarian options are available and is strictly non-alcoholic, it includes water and a traditional drink.

LUSAKA GUIDED MARKET FOOD TOUR

New Soweto Market is the 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 from 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 in 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 live 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 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 Elephant, Hippos, 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.

Book Your Ultimate Zambian Food Experience Today! → Explore Now