MpikaMpika 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
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
Long, green wet season brings dense vegetation, muddy tracks and abundant insect life; wildlife sightings are harder but birding excels.
Cool Dry Season
Clear, cool days and cold nights create ideal daily safari conditions - roads firm up and wildlife concentrates around waterholes.
Hot Season
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 15° - 24° | 19° | 249 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.2 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.6h |
| February | Good | 15° - 24° | 19° | 230 mm | overcast | 86% | 1.9 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.4h |
| March | Good | 15° - 24° | 20° | 167 mm | overcast | 87% | 2.1 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.1h |
| April | Excellent | 14° - 24° | 19° | 37 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 2.6 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 11.7h |
| May | Ideal | 12° - 24° | 18° | 5 mm | mostly sunny | 79% | 2.8 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.5h |
| June | Ideal | 10° - 23° | 16° | 0 mm | mostly sunny | 73% | 3.1 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.3h |
| July | Ideal | 9° - 23° | 16° | 0 mm | mostly sunny | 67% | 3.5 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.4h |
| August | Ideal | 11° - 25° | 18° | 0 mm | clear | 57% | 3.8 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.6h |
| September | Ideal | 14° - 28° | 21° | 3 mm | clear | 48% | 3.8 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 11.9h |
| October | Ideal | 15° - 29° | 22° | 16 mm | some cloud | 47% | 3.0 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 12.2h |
| November | Very Good | 15° - 27° | 21° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 60% | 2.4 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 12.5h |
| December | Good | 15° - 24° | 20° | 251 mm | overcast | 81% | 2.1 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.7h |
How to Get to Mpika
How to Get Around Mpika
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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.