Mpika Travel Guide

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.

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.

In This Guide

Why Visit Mpika?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

63,740

Infrastructure & Convenience

Basic but functional: bus links, small lodges and safari outfitters; expect rustic services.

Popularity

Used mostly by overland travellers and safari-goers as a practical stopover rather than a destination.

Known For

gateway to North Luangwa, overland bus stop on Great North Road, nearby waterfalls and wilderness, safari lodges, market town, railway connections, crossing point for travelers

Mpika is a common launch point for safaris and transfers to North Luangwa National Park and remote wilderness areas.

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.

Top Things to Do in Mpika

All Attractions ›

Muchinga Mountains

Mountain range forming Zambia's eastern watershed region

Mountains

Don't Miss

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.

Hidden Gems

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.

Day Trips

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.

Wet Season

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.

Cool Dry Season

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.

Hot Season

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.

Best Time to Visit Mpika #

Climate

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.

Best Time to Visit

JuneJulyAugust

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

37°

Warmest Month

4°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Heavy rain (249 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

61 Good

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

15° – 24°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

249 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.5

UV Index

Extreme

12.6h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Heavy rain (230 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

61 Good

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

15° – 24°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

230 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.7

UV Index

Extreme

12.4h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (167 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

15° – 24°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

167 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.7

UV Index

Extreme

12.1h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

14° – 24°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

37 mm

Rainfall

2.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.6

UV Index

Extreme

11.7h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Cool

18°C

Temperature

12° – 24°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

5 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.3

UV Index

Extreme

11.5h daylight

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.

96 Ideal

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

10° – 23°

73%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.0

UV Index

Very High

11.3h daylight

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.

96 Ideal

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

9° – 23°

67%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.0

UV Index

Very High

11.4h daylight

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.

96 Ideal

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Mild

18°C

Temperature

11° – 25°

57%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

3.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.3

UV Index

Extreme

11.6h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

14° – 28°

48%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

3 mm

Rainfall

3.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.5

UV Index

Extreme

11.9h daylight

October

October is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall.

90 Ideal

Comfort

22°

Feels Like Mild

22°C

Temperature

15° – 29°

47%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

16 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.8

UV Index

Extreme

12.2h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

15° – 27°

60%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

105 mm

Rainfall

2.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.8

UV Index

Extreme

12.5h daylight

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.

61 Good

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

15° – 24°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

251 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.6

UV Index

Extreme

12.7h daylight

How to Get to Mpika

By Air

By Train & Bus

How to Get Around Mpika #

Mpika’s centre is easy to walk for short distances and many guesthouses are clustered near the main road. For longer travel there are minibuses and coaches on the Great North Road and local taxis for hire; services to national parks and lodges are typically arranged through tour operators. If you’re heading to nearby national parks or remote lodges, pre-book transfers and factor in road-condition variability during the rainy season.

Where to Stay in Mpika #

Budget

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.

Mid-Range

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.

Luxury

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 #

Zambian Comfort Food

Mpika eateries offer nshima with stews, grilled goat or chicken, and freshwater fish; simple plates are served in town cafés and market stalls.

Markets & Roadside Fare

Markets and roadside cooks sell fried snacks, roasted maize and seasonal vegetables; lodges nearby add slightly more varied menus for travelers.

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.

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.

Nearby Cities #