Southern Province is Zambia’s top tourism destination and jewel of Zambia’s tourism sector, offering exceptional investment opportunities in hospitality, eco-tourism, wildlife conservation, adventure tourism, cultural heritage, and agro-tourism.
Strategically positioned and endowed with breathtaking natural wonders, abundant wildlife and a rich cultural tapestry, Southern Province stands as an investor’s paradise waiting to be explored. It hosts Zambia’s Tourist Capital (Livingstone) which is home to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and iconic UNESCO World Heritage site –the Mighty Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) shared with Zimbabwe. Complementing the falls, the province boasts a network of pristine rivers and lakes, such as the Zambezi and Kafue Rivers along with Lake Kariba, the world’s largest man-made reservoir. Its numerous water bodies, including the Zambezi and Kafue rivers, provide opportunities for sport tourism and fishing. Additionally, the Province is home to the Lochinvar, Blue lagoon and Mosi-oa-Tunya national parks as well as Kafue National Park – Africa’s second (2nd) and the world’s fifth (5th) largest national park with a variety of animal and bird species.
Southern Province is also a cultural treasure, hosting some of the country’s most vibrant traditional ceremonies and cultural festivals, which draw both local and international visitors. These events feature a diverse display of traditional dances and handicrafts, serving as both entertainment and a means of cultural education and preservation.
Southern Province is not just a destination—it is an experience waiting to be enhanced through strategic investments. Now is the time to seize the opportunity and be part of the growth story of Southern Province—Zambia’s undisputed tourism powerhouse!
KEY STATISTICS & INFORMATION
- Tourist Arrivals: Southern Province significantly contributes to Zambia’s 1.4 million annual tourist arrivals with over 2.6 million arrivals from 2019 -2024 and 762,098 arrivals in 2024.
- Water bodies: Zambezi and Kafue Rivers and Lake Kariba Dam (largest man-made reservoir in the world)
- National Parks: Lochnivar, Mosi-O-Tunya, Blue Lagoon and Kafue (Africa’s 2nd largest and the World’s 5th largest National park)
- Islands: Nchete
COMPETITIVE AND COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES
- People renowned for their warmth and hospitality
- Home to the Tourist capital Livingstone and the majestic Victoria Falls (World’s Seventh Natural Wonder)
- Rich and vibrant cultural heritage, reflected in cuisine, dance and traditional ceremonies
- A peaceful and politically stable destination
- Abundant and diverse wildlife in its natural habitat
- Home to Kafue, Mosi-o-Tunya and Lochnivar national parks
- Accessible by road, rail and air
TOURISM AND CULTURE AREAS OF INVESTMENT POTENTIAL
Adventure and Nature-Based Tourism
Southern Province boasts unmatched natural attractions perfect for adventure and nature -based Tourism. The Province offers a wealth of investment opportunities, including: –
Victoria Falls Activities: Expansion of adventure tourism (bungee jumping, white water rafting, helicopter tours, curated heritage experiences and water front resorts).
Zambezi River Experiences: Investment in sport tourism, luxury boat cruises, canoeing, and sport fishing.
Kafue, Lochnivar, Blue laogoon and Mosi-oa-Tunya, National Parks: Safari Tourism (Development of game drives and walking safaris)
Wildlife Tourism
Southern Province is a sanctuary for some of Africa’s most revered wildlife species, including the iconic Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo as well as diverse animal and bird species. The province offers lucrative opportunities for eco-lodges, sustainable tourism ventures, game ranching, and conservation initiatives. The potential for safari excursions, picnics, bush camps and photographic tourism makes this region an attractive investment destination. Wildlife and conservation investment opportunities exist in:
Kafue National Park (Itezhi-Tezhi)
Lochinvar National Park (Monze)
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Livingstone)
Nchete Wildlife Sanctuary (Sinazongwe)
Agro and Eco-Tourism
Agro and Eco-Tourism
Southern Province offers investors opportunities to support green initiatives and conservation efforts.
Farm Stays & Agri-Tourism: Investment in tourism experiences on commercial farms.
Sustainable Tourism Projects: Green tourism initiatives such as community-managed conservancies
Rich Cultural Heritage & Festivals
Southern Province is a cultural melting pot, renowned for its vibrant traditional ceremonies and festivals that attract tourists from across the globe. Notable events include the Lwiindi Gonde Ceremony in Monze, a significant Tonga thanksgiving ceremony characterized by songs and dances, and the Shimunenga Ceremony celebrated by the Ila people of Namwala district, which honors ancestral spirits and features cattle parades, dances, and songs. These festivals offer visitors a rich cultural experience and craftsmanship, while promoting cultural exchange and indigenous skills. Investors can tap into the exciting opportunities of heritage tourism by establishing cultural villages, museums, craft markets, and immersive cultural experiences. Specific projects available for investment and joint ventures include: –
Maramba Cultural Village (Livingstone): Upgrading of facilities and establishment of mini creative industries hub to host cultural events and festivals.
Cultural Villages: Investment in showcasing traditional Tonga and Lozi heritage, music, and crafts
Railway Museum National Monument (Livingstone): Construction of an international convention center.
Administrator’s House National Monument (Kalomo): Development of a game ranch, lodge, and museum.
Fort Monze (Monze): Establishment of visitor management facilities.
Museums & Historical Sites: Development of heritage centers around Livingstone and surrounding areas.
Hospitality and Accommodation
Southern Province has incredible potential for different accommodation tiers. The demand spans from high-end luxury to eco-tourism and budget-friendly hotels and lodges, catering to both local and international visitors. Investors can explore investment opportunities
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Livingstone) and Lochinvar National Park (Monze) and Nchete Island: investment in various high-value hotels and lodges
Livingstone Lodge: Upgrade to a three-star hotel with modern conference facilities
Livingstone Golf Course: Hotel development alongside golf course rehabilitation.
Zambia Institute for Tourism and Hospitality Studies (ZITHS): Development of a tourism and culinary school alongside a hotel.
Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Tourism
Despite Southern Province’s strong tourism appeal and economic potential, its MICE industry remains largely untapped. The region is missing modern conference facilities, as most existing venues are small and primarily cater to leisure tourism rather than business events. This shortfall offers investors a lucrative opportunity, by developing state-of-the-art conference centers and capitalizing on events such as international conferences, music festivals, and sports tourism, investors can tap into a growing market and drive business tourism in the area. Specific ventures investors can tap into include:
Railway Museum National Monument: Construction of an international convention centre.
Livingstone Lodge: Addition of conference facilities.
Livingstone Football Stadium: Stadium construction with complementary top-tier accommodation and a shopping mall.
Tourism Growth & Infrastructure Development
With Zambia attracting over 1.4 million tourists annually and Southern Province playing a significant role in driving the country’s tourism growth, the Province can benefit from well-developed infrastructure, including: –
Construction of Airports: Choma and Siavonga
Cinemas and Night Clubs: Livingstone and Choma
Amusement Parks: Livingstone, Choma, Mazabuka
Shopping Malls: Choma and Mazabuka and Monze