Mpika City
City in Muchinga province, Zambia
On Zambia’s Great North Road, Mpika is the staging town for North Luangwa, Mutinondo Wilderness, and the Shiwa Ng'andu estate. Expect rail history, local markets, and outfitting for walking safaris.
Mpika at a Glance#
Costs: $30-60 per day - plan on USD 30-60 per day for lodges, meals and transport when heading to safari areas.
Safety: Relatively safe, remote risks exist - generally safe but remote; malaria is present and basic emergency services can be far away.
Best Time: May-October (dry season) - may-October dry season is best for wildlife viewing and overland travel.
Why Visit Mpika?#
Serving as a practical gateway to Zambia’s wild eastern provinces, Mpika connects road and rail (including the TAZARA line) traffic bound for North Luangwa National Park and nearby wilderness areas like Mutinondo. Local markets and small-town lodges give a taste of provincial life before heading into remote wildlife country, and river valleys offer quiet hiking and birding. For overland travelers the town is both a logistical hub and a place to sample regional cuisine and crafts.
Best Things to Do in Mpika#
Mpika Bucket List#
Mpika Market - Bustling early-morning market selling produce, crafts and everyday supplies to local residents.
Shiwa Ng’andu (Shiwa House) - Historic manor and estate offering guided tours of gardens and colonial-era rooms.
Town riverfront - Riverside area with local fishermen, small boats and quiet shaded seating.
Mutinondo Wilderness - Granite gorges and clear pools offering secluded hiking, swimming and birdwatching trails.
Local craft stalls - Small vendors selling hand-crafted baskets, woodwork and traditional Zambian goods.
Community guided walks - Short community-led nature walks revealing local plants, birds and rural life.
North Luangwa National Park access - Use Mpika as a gateway for safaris and walking tours into North Luangwa.
Shiwa Ng’andu (Shiwa House) - Visit the historic English-style estate and gardens created by Sir Stewart Gore-Browne.
Best Time to Visit Mpika#
Mpika sits in Zambia’s miombo-woodland zone with a wet summer and cool, dry winter. Visit May-August for the clearest game-viewing conditions and firmer roads.
November - April
20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F)
Long, green wet season brings dense vegetation, muddy tracks and abundant insect life; wildlife sightings are harder but birding excels.
May - August
5 to 22 °C (41 to 72 °F)
Clear, cool days and cold nights create ideal daily safari conditions - roads firm up and wildlife concentrates around waterholes.
September - October
18 to 32 °C (64 to 90 °F)
Short hot buildup before the rains; temperatures climb, dust rises and wildlife movements are less predictable, though fewer travelers mean quieter camps.
Mpika's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in October) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 9°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1063 mm/year), wettest in December with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Heavy rain (249 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Heavy rain (230 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (167 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 9°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall.
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November
November is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (251 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Mpika#
How to Get Around Mpika#
- Walking -
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Where to Stay in Mpika#
Near town centre / near arterial roads - $8-25/night
Mpika has modest lodges, guesthouses, and basic hotels catering to overland travelers. Facilities are simple; useful as a stopover en route to national parks.
Close to highways / centre - $30-55/night
A few mid-range hotels offer private bathrooms, decent meals, and secure parking. Options are limited but adequate for rest before safari or transit.
No local luxury - regional lodges recommended - $100+/night
Mpika lacks luxury resorts. For upscale safari lodges and full-service hotels, plan to stay at larger national park lodges or Lusaka for premium amenities.
Where to Eat in Mpika#
Mpika eateries offer nshima with stews, grilled goat or chicken, and freshwater fish; simple plates are served in town cafés and market stalls.
Markets and roadside cooks sell fried snacks, roasted maize and seasonal vegetables; lodges nearby add slightly more varied menus for travelers.
Shopping in Mpika#
Shopping in Mpika is limited to local shops and a central market selling food, basic household goods and regional produce. There are no large shopping centres; outdoor markets are the best place to buy local supplies. For outdoor gear or specialist items, bring what you need from larger Zambian towns or Lusaka.
Nightlife in Mpika#
Evening life in Mpika is low-key: small bars attached to hotels and simple local eateries are where people gather after dark. There’s no developed nightlife scene, though some lodges and guesthouses host informal music or social evenings for guests. For more varied evening entertainment, larger towns on major routes offer greater choice.
