Kabwata Cultural Village
Kabwata Cultural Village
3.5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
113 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
54
Average
28
Poor
10
Terrible
3
Lalise2018
Oslo, Norway20 contributions
Jan 2020
You will find ordinary mass produced souvenirs as well as some very nice and rare pieces! Its a shame the sellers are way too pushy. I believe they would have selled alot if they let visitors browse the huts in peace and quiet and decide for them selves what to buy. NO is an important word in the village.
Tip: Start in the huts way back in the village- thats where the low prices are to be found.
Have either a time limit or a money limit- maybe both! If possible bring a local resident to help you bargain and not being ripped of- unless you dont mind spending a few extra Kwatcha ☺️
Tip: Start in the huts way back in the village- thats where the low prices are to be found.
Have either a time limit or a money limit- maybe both! If possible bring a local resident to help you bargain and not being ripped of- unless you dont mind spending a few extra Kwatcha ☺️
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie M
3 contributions
Jun 2022
I assumed the Cultural Market would show artisans at work, but it was a tourist trap. I did buy some nice pieces, good quality can be found among the usual tat if you are given the chance to look.
I would have liked to stay longer to browse, however the vendors are pushy to the point of overwhelming and I had to leave.
It's a great place to find souvenirs just be prepared to negotiate prices and deal with many people touting for business.
The Sunday Market at Arcade Mall is a much more pleasant experience.
I would have liked to stay longer to browse, however the vendors are pushy to the point of overwhelming and I had to leave.
It's a great place to find souvenirs just be prepared to negotiate prices and deal with many people touting for business.
The Sunday Market at Arcade Mall is a much more pleasant experience.
Written July 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gh0st50
Lusaka, Zambia205 contributions
Sept 2022 • Business
Real African Feeling and set up,the cultural feel of been in the mother land.Very welcoming warm hearted people to give you the great experience,a variety of items to pick from sculpture's, paintings and wood work.There is alot of items to choose from sizes, designs and art work. It's a must to visit to experience the African feel
Written September 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MirenSa
Bournemouth, UK31 contributions
Aug 2011 • Friends
Kabwata cultural village is a part of Lusaka which was occupied by low skilled Zambian black workers who lived in horrible little "houses" built for them by the British during the colonial era. Allegedly the houses were built in to resemble the original houses in rural Zambia so that the migrant workers wouldn't feel "too nostalgic" for their home-place. The area was later changed into a sort of an open-air market where you can come and see the original houses and "the African village" in the heart of Lusaka, but also buy some local arts and crafts. The selection is wide and the atmosphere nice, but expect some pushy salespeople (like on every market in Africa if you're white). If you want to get something a bit cheaper, don't linger just around the first houses, closer to the main entrance, but wander off to the more distant houses. Haggling is a must, but if you're really only into shopping, Kabulonga market (every last Saturday of the month) offers maybe even more, and for a better price. Otherwise, it is an interesting and important part of Lusaka history and is definitely worth the visit.
Written May 10, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norman S
10 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
Perfect place to buy art and craft. I believe this place would benefit more if the tourists are left alone to look and make decision with time what they want to buy. The usual interruption and suggestion can put off interested buyers.
All in all, a best place to have a test of Zambian art and craft.
All in all, a best place to have a test of Zambian art and craft.
Written June 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yardley_marconi
Ndola9 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
The Cultural Village made me feel African in that everywhere I turn, as we "modernise" our structures and try to compete with international standards for what is deemed 'good looking; places, I felt a sense of originality looking at all the curios and artifacts in this place.
The artistry and authenticity of the designs and carvings made me appreciate people's talent and investment in what they do.
I took some time to ask about the challenges and discovered that local 'tourists' do not appreciate their own as much as foreign ones do.
This raise the question, how original are we.
Am sure you too, do not appreciate where you come from as much..Just food for thought.
I guess I would have loved a restaurant serving local food but modern enough to appeal to the travelling lot.
By and large, its a great place to take photos and buy a stone carved Chess Set.
See it, love it, enjoy it and review it,
The artistry and authenticity of the designs and carvings made me appreciate people's talent and investment in what they do.
I took some time to ask about the challenges and discovered that local 'tourists' do not appreciate their own as much as foreign ones do.
This raise the question, how original are we.
Am sure you too, do not appreciate where you come from as much..Just food for thought.
I guess I would have loved a restaurant serving local food but modern enough to appeal to the travelling lot.
By and large, its a great place to take photos and buy a stone carved Chess Set.
See it, love it, enjoy it and review it,
Written February 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DP301
London, UK63 contributions
Aug 2012 • Business
This craft market is definitely worth going to at the end of your trip. It is quite a large craft market and you can pick up quite a large amount of souvenirs for very reasonable prices, even though it caters to tourists. Even if you're not looking to buy anything - it is interesting enough in itself to simply have a walk around.
Written August 27, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
grenny gray
Lusaka, Zambia42 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
THE KABWATA CULTURAL VILLAGE
If you have respect for African culture then kabwata cultural village is a must see.
______________
This is a place situated in Lusaka Zambia, where you can find affordable hand-carved and curios. The kabwata cultural village is found on Burma Road, West Jacaranda Road Lusaka.
____________
This is definitely the best shopping stop place for tourists, this open air market comprises baskets, masks, drums, fabrics, stalls, selling carvings and more.
________________
Prices are cheap because you can buy directly from the workers who live here.
Note : There's cultural performances that are held on weekends, probably this is one thing which is taking me back to this place.
______________
I personally had a great experience visiting this place I had tagged along a friend of mine from the US he is a musician. We got ourselves a lot of goodies I remember and we were so excited. My friend managed to get a drum and I got a weaved small bag and a lot more under budget.
_____________
So the question am going to leave with you my friends is
What's stopping you?
If you have respect for African culture then kabwata cultural village is a must see.
______________
This is a place situated in Lusaka Zambia, where you can find affordable hand-carved and curios. The kabwata cultural village is found on Burma Road, West Jacaranda Road Lusaka.
____________
This is definitely the best shopping stop place for tourists, this open air market comprises baskets, masks, drums, fabrics, stalls, selling carvings and more.
________________
Prices are cheap because you can buy directly from the workers who live here.
Note : There's cultural performances that are held on weekends, probably this is one thing which is taking me back to this place.
______________
I personally had a great experience visiting this place I had tagged along a friend of mine from the US he is a musician. We got ourselves a lot of goodies I remember and we were so excited. My friend managed to get a drum and I got a weaved small bag and a lot more under budget.
_____________
So the question am going to leave with you my friends is
What's stopping you?
Written November 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan Chang
London, UK35 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
An interesting pocket in Lusaka where vendors display and sell their wares.
As in with this part of the world, the vendors approach you to show you and try to make a sale, however we did not experience any form of hostile selling tactics and were rather friendly and keen to haggle.
They have some really interesting items, from wood carvings to art work. We picked up a fair number of things from here.
As in with this part of the world, the vendors approach you to show you and try to make a sale, however we did not experience any form of hostile selling tactics and were rather friendly and keen to haggle.
They have some really interesting items, from wood carvings to art work. We picked up a fair number of things from here.
Written November 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen C
21 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Stopped in on a Thursday morning before heading to Lusaka airport. Was pleased with the selection - some things like wood elephants, giraffes, bowls, clothing, etc. are everywhere - but also found a few unique items. USD accepted as well as other currencies. Artisans were generally polite but also very persistent. Rule of thumb is half of the asking price, but it is possible to negotiate lower if you have the time/patience. If I had brought another suitcase, I would have bought more.
Written August 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello. Is this open during weekends, particularly Sunday? Thank you!
Written August 26, 2017
I forgot to mention that Arcades crafters are only there on Sunday.
Written August 27, 2017
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