Zambia is exploring the rehabilitation of the 162-kilometre Livingstone–Mulobezi railway, a project that could reshape tourism by extending travel beyond the well-established visitor hub of Livingstone and neighbouring Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. While the proposal has generated optimism about opening new rural destinations to domestic and international travellers, the greater challenge lies in ensuring that increased passenger movement translates into meaningful economic opportunities for communities along the route.
At present, the railway remains a proposal under development, and no official passenger launch date, operating timetable or commercial rail service has been announced. Equally important, existing evidence highlights several obstacles that could limit the long-term tourism benefits for Mulobezi, including limited accommodation, digital connectivity gaps, restricted transport options and a relatively small formal tourism economy.
Unless these challenges are addressed alongside railway improvements, travellers may simply pass through the region before returning to Livingstone or Victoria Falls, leaving much of the tourism revenue concentrated in established destinations.
A Railway With the Potential to Expand Rural Tourism
The proposed rehabilitation would restore the historic railway corridor linking Livingstone with Mulobezi, covering approximately 162 kilometres through southern Zambia.
If completed, the railway could improve access to areas that currently receive relatively few visitors while supporting greater regional mobility.
The project has the potential to encourage:
- Rural tourism.
- Heritage rail experiences.
- Domestic travel.
- Nature-based tourism.
- Community enterprises.
However, improved transportation alone is unlikely to deliver lasting tourism growth without complementary investments in visitor services.
Beyond Livingstone and Victoria Falls
Livingstone already serves as Zambia’s primary tourism gateway and is internationally recognised for its proximity to Victoria Falls, one of the world’s most famous natural attractions.
Every year, visitors arrive to experience:
- Victoria Falls.
- Adventure tourism.
- River cruises on the Zambezi.
- Wildlife safaris.
- Cultural attractions.
A rehabilitated railway could encourage travellers to extend their journeys further inland, allowing destinations such as Mulobezi to become part of broader regional itineraries.
This would diversify Zambia’s tourism offering while reducing pressure on heavily visited areas.
The Station-to-Spend Challenge
One of the most significant concerns surrounding the project is what tourism experts describe as the station-to-spend gap.
In simple terms, more passengers arriving at a railway station do not automatically generate local economic growth.
For communities to benefit, visitors must have opportunities to spend money on locally owned services such as:
- Accommodation.
- Restaurants.
- Local transport.
- Tour guides.
- Craft markets.
- Cultural experiences.
Without these businesses, travellers may simply continue their journey elsewhere, limiting the economic impact on Mulobezi itself.
Infrastructure Gaps Could Limit Tourism Growth
Current conditions suggest several practical challenges remain before Mulobezi can fully benefit from increased visitor numbers.
These include:
- Limited formal accommodation.
- Digital connectivity blackspots.
- Restricted road access.
- Small retail sector.
- Limited visitor facilities.
Reliable internet access has become increasingly important for modern travellers, influencing everything from online bookings to digital payments and navigation.
Similarly, quality accommodation and convenient local transport are essential if visitors are encouraged to stay overnight rather than return immediately to Livingstone.
Why Community Planning Matters
Tourism specialists increasingly emphasise that transport infrastructure should be planned alongside destination development.
A coordinated strategy could include:
- Community-owned guesthouses.
- Local food markets near stations.
- Licensed tour guides.
- Shuttle transport services.
- Small business support.
- Visitor information centres.
Such initiatives would help ensure tourism spending remains within local communities while creating employment and encouraging entrepreneurship.
Without these supporting services, improved rail access alone may not significantly increase local incomes.
Opportunities for Sustainable Rural Tourism
Despite the challenges, the proposed railway presents a valuable opportunity to promote sustainable tourism in southern Zambia.
Mulobezi and surrounding communities have the potential to showcase:
- Rural landscapes.
- Cultural heritage.
- Local traditions.
- Nature-based experiences.
- Community tourism initiatives.
As global travellers increasingly seek authentic experiences away from crowded destinations, smaller communities could benefit if tourism is carefully planned and managed.
The railway could become a catalyst for balanced regional development rather than simply a transport corridor.
Working Alongside Zimbabwe’s Tourism Economy
The railway’s success will also depend on its relationship with neighbouring Zimbabwe.
Victoria Falls will remain one of Southern Africa’s strongest tourism magnets, attracting millions of visitors over time.
Rather than competing directly, Mulobezi could complement existing tourism by offering:
- Longer itineraries.
- Rural experiences.
- Cultural encounters.
- Heritage rail travel.
- Community-based tourism.
This approach would encourage visitors to spend additional days in the region while distributing tourism benefits more broadly across southern Africa.
Planning Beyond the Railway
The rehabilitation project highlights an important lesson for tourism development.
Rail infrastructure can improve accessibility, but lasting tourism success depends on creating complete visitor ecosystems that encourage longer stays and local spending.
Governments, tourism authorities and local communities therefore have an opportunity to develop integrated strategies that combine transport investment with hospitality, digital infrastructure, skills training and community enterprise development.
Such planning would maximise the railway’s long-term contribution to Zambia’s tourism economy.
Practical Travel Information
Proposed Railway
Livingstone – Mulobezi Railway
Length
- Approximately 162 kilometres
Current Status
- Rehabilitation proposed.
- No confirmed passenger opening date.
- No published timetable or ticketing system.
Main Tourism Gateway
- Livingstone
Nearby Attractions
- Victoria Falls
- Zambezi River
- Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
- Livingstone Museum
- Rural communities surrounding Mulobezi
Nearest Airports
- Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI), Livingstone
- Victoria Falls Airport (VFA), Zimbabwe
Currency
- Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Key Stats
- Zambia is proposing the rehabilitation of the 162-kilometre Livingstone–Mulobezi railway.
- No official passenger service commencement date, timetable or ticketing system has yet been announced.
- Current challenges include limited accommodation, digital connectivity gaps and relatively small tourism infrastructure in Mulobezi.
- Tourism stakeholders emphasise the importance of integrating local businesses and community services alongside future railway development.
FAQ
Has the Livingstone–Mulobezi railway reopened?
No. The railway rehabilitation has been proposed, but passenger operations have not yet commenced and no official launch date has been announced.
Why is Mulobezi important?
Mulobezi has the potential to become a rural tourism destination connected to Livingstone, offering opportunities for community-based tourism and regional economic development.
What challenges remain?
Limited accommodation, digital connectivity, local transport, visitor services and tourism infrastructure will need to be strengthened if the railway is to generate lasting economic benefits for local communities.
Timeline and Events
- Historic Operations – The Livingstone–Mulobezi railway previously served southern Zambia before declining infrastructure reduced its role.
- Current Proposal – Zambia advances plans to rehabilitate the approximately 162-kilometre railway corridor connecting Livingstone and Mulobezi.
- Planning Phase – Authorities continue evaluating infrastructure improvements, while no official passenger opening date or commercial operating schedule has been announced.
- Future Opportunity – If rehabilitation proceeds alongside coordinated tourism development, the railway could support rural tourism, local businesses and broader regional connectivity.
Conclusion
The proposed rehabilitation of Zambia’s Livingstone–Mulobezi railway represents more than a transport project—it offers an opportunity to reshape tourism beyond the internationally renowned Victoria Falls gateway. By improving access to rural communities, the railway could encourage visitors to discover new destinations and extend their journeys across southern Zambia. However, transport connectivity alone will not guarantee inclusive economic growth. Without complementary investments in accommodation, digital infrastructure, local transport, visitor services and community-owned tourism enterprises, increased passenger numbers may generate only temporary footfall while the majority of tourism spending continues flowing to Livingstone and neighbouring Victoria Falls. If planners successfully combine railway modernisation with community-focused destination development, the corridor has the potential to become a model for sustainable rural tourism that delivers meaningful long-term benefits to local residents while enriching the visitor experience across Southern Africa.
