Livingstone: Mukuni Village tour with local guide & pickup

Summary

Meet the Leya people of Mukuni Village on a guided visit from Livingstone

You’ll walk through Mukuni Village near Livingstone with a local guide who knows everyone by name. Taste traditional food (and maybe beer), see Chief Mukuni’s Palace up close, and get honest glimpses of daily life among the Leya people — moments you’ll remember long after you leave Zambia.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re going to try the beer, right?” That’s what our guide, Joseph, asked as we bumped along the road out of Livingstone. I laughed — honestly wasn’t sure if he was joking or not. The air smelled like wood smoke and something sweet, maybe maize porridge? Anyway, we pulled up at Mukuni Village and kids waved at us before darting behind a fence. It felt like we were guests, not just tourists passing through.

Joseph grew up nearby and seemed to know everyone — he’d stop every few steps to greet someone in Leya (I tried repeating one phrase and got it totally wrong; Joseph just grinned). We wandered between mud-brick houses and shady trees, past women weaving baskets and men fixing a fence together. He pointed out Chief Mukuni’s Palace — I didn’t expect it to look so lived-in, with chickens scratching around outside and laundry flapping in the breeze. There was this moment when an older woman offered us some nshima; I hesitated but took a bite. Warm, plain, but comforting somehow. The traditional beer was… well, let’s just say it’s an acquired taste.

I liked that nothing felt staged — people were just living their lives. Someone played music on a radio somewhere; you could hear laughter drifting over from another yard. The whole tour only took about three hours but I left feeling like I’d actually learned something real about the Leya people, not just facts for a quiz show or whatever. On the drive back to Livingstone I kept thinking about that quiet moment under the tree with Joseph explaining how families pass down stories here — it stuck with me more than anything else.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mukuni Village Cultural Visit

• The clients are transported by road from the hotel/lodge to Mukuni Village
• Experience the village of the Toka Leya people
• Transported back to the hotel/lodge

Top questions

How long does the Mukuni Village tour from Livingstone take?

The tour lasts about 3 hours including transport from your hotel or lodge.

Is hotel pickup included for the Mukuni Village cultural tour?

Yes, pickup from your hotel or lodge in Livingstone is included in the tour.

Can I try traditional food or beer during the visit?

You can pre-arrange to taste traditional food and beer as part of your experience.

Who leads the tour at Mukuni Village?

A local guide from Livingstone will accompany you throughout the visit.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes, all ages are welcome and specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel in Livingstone by air-conditioned vehicle, all entry fees and taxes for visiting Mukuni Village, plus the option to try traditional food and beer if you arrange ahead of time before heading back to your hotel or lodge.