Good news! Transportation in Livingstone, Zambia and Victoria Falls is easy. Taxi’s are the way to go. Here are all the essentials you need to know.
How Much Does a Taxi Cost?
All the taxi rides I took in Livingstone were un-metered. Rates were negotiated and agreed on before departing. Don’t be foolish and ride in a taxi without discussing price first!
Fares from Chanters Lodge (my home away from home) to Victoria Falls were $10 one-way. Fares to the Livingstone Museum in the Central Business District were $5.
Can you get cheaper taxi fares?
Maybe.
On the morning I left for the falls I spilt a taxi with an Australian couple who were also on their way to see “The Smoke That Thunders”. So I saved 5 bucks! Except…when I arrived at the falls I realized that I had forgotten my passport – a necessity to travel into Zimbabwe.
Not wanting to spend another $20 to return to the lodge and back, I negotiated with the taxi driver a fare of $15. You’d probably have more luck negotiating back to your hotel when there are multiple taxi’s vying for your business than the sole taxi called to your hotel. My taxi driver was initially reluctant at driving me for less than the standard $20. It wasn’t until I said I’d go find another driver that he relented.
Taxi’s accept U.S. Dollars. Bring exact change. If you have any tips on negotiating taxi fares, share them by commenting!
Is a Taxi Safe?
Use the same common sense in any other country as you would in Livingstone. I did have one slightly uncomfortable moment, but the story ended happily every after…
When I re-entered Zambia after Zimbabwe it was after the Victoria Falls Park closed. Where there were maybe 15 taxi’s waiting there in the morning – now there were none. I was a bit nervous since all the other tourists were gone and there was not a taxi to be seen.
On my walk back from Zimbabwe I chatted with two guys who worked at the Bungee Jumping Outfitter. When they realized I needed a taxi they found one for me, with 2 other random street vendors. I politely explained to the taxi driver that I would prefer to ride alone (stepping into a cab alone with strangers in a foreign country was too risky for my tastes).
Surprisingly, the taxi driver told his other passengers to get out so I could get in. The two Bungee Jump guys hopped inside along with me and away we went. When we arrived downtown my fellow passengers hopped out and we proceeded to Chanters Lodge.
When I told the taxi driver I wanted to ride alone, I didn’t intend for him to kick the other guys out. It was a nice gesture, though I’m sure my fare was more expensive than who he was going to take.
I don’t travel alone, and don’t recommend it for a lot of reasons, but in this case I had no choice. I’d suggest renting a cell phone and using that for contacting a taxi driver you trust – or agree on a pick-up time. I didn’t do either.
Also note that all registered taxis are a striking Robin’s Egg Blue and the taxi drivers were some of the most friendly and cautious drivers I’ve ever seen.
In short: my experience with taxi’s was about as safe and even more hospitable than any other city I’ve been too. But always use common sense.
How do I Call a Taxi?
Your hotel can call a taxi for you. Once at your destination, you can choose a time in the future for pick-up or grab a cab nearby. Taxi’s are generally near to the major tourist venues (as long as they are still open!). Some tour operators (such as the helicopter tour I went on), provided transportation as part of the package price.
And if you’re staying at Chanter’s Lodge, all the taxi drivers know it, so you’ll get home quickly and easily.
This adventure to Victoria Falls was sponsored by Chanters Lodge, Livingstone. Click the photo to book your Victoria Falls accommodation.
Don’t forget, the adventures continue on Facebook. My fan page is here.
I’ll see you out there…! Maybe twice if I forget my passport.
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