Africa > 🇿🇲 Zambia
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Zambia can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Zambia; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Zambia?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Zambia?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Zambia
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Lusaka | LUN | |
| Mfuwe | MFU | |
| Ndola | NLA |
Getting Around Without a Car 🚌🛫
Zambia’s towns link together reasonably well by bus and domestic flights, especially to hubs like Livingstone, Lusaka, and Mfuwe.
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Buses work well for major town-to-town hops.
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Domestic flights are common for safari destinations, although they’re not cheap.
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Taxis and transfers cover short distances but become expensive if used every day.
Travelling without a car works if you stay in well-organised lodges or you’re happy to join guided game drives and excursions.
Why a Rental Car Can Be Worth It 🚙🔥
If you enjoy independent travel, renting a car transforms your trip. Zambia’s scenery unfolds slowly and beautifully along the roads, and driving gives you control over timings, stopovers, and photography.
Benefits of renting a car
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Flexibility for national parks, waterfalls, viewpoints, and road-trip routes.
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Better value if you’re travelling as a group.
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Freedom to explore remote areas like Kafue, Liuwa Plain, or the escarpments near Lake Kariba.
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Great road surfaces on the biggest arteries — the T1, T2, and T3 highways have improved steadily.
Considerations
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Some parks require high-clearance 4×4 vehicles.
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Long distances mean plenty of fuel planning ⛽.
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Night driving should be avoided — animals, pedestrians, and unlit roads create hazards.
Public Transport vs Self-Drive for Safaris 🦓🦒
While buses reach major towns, they don’t reach safari lodges or deep park interiors. Even places like South Luangwa become difficult without arranged transfers.
If your trip centres on wildlife, a 4×4 rental or lodge-organised vehicle is the only practical option.
Road Conditions in Zambia 🛣️
Zambia’s main highways are surprisingly good, but rural roads vary.
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Tarred highways: smooth and fast.
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Park access roads: dusty, corrugated, and rough during the dry season.
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Rainy season (Nov–Apr): some roads become muddy or impassable.
A 4×4 dramatically expands the areas you can enjoy.
Do Trains Help? 🚆
Zambia has long-distance railways — the TAZARA Railway (to Tanzania) and the Zambia Railways line (through Lusaka, Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi, Livingstone).
They’re scenic but slow, infrequent, and unreliable. Nice for a novelty journey — not useful for getting around the country day-to-day.
Summary — Should You Rent a Car in Zambia❓
Yes — if you want freedom, wildlife, and a real sense of Zambia’s landscapes.
A rental car (ideally a 4×4) gives you control, flexibility, and access to the country’s most dramatic scenery.
No — if you prefer guided travel or city-based trips.
Public transport works between towns, and safari lodges handle transfers and game drives.
For most adventurous travellers, though, Zambia is a strong “yes” for renting a car 👍🚙🌄
