Choma Museum
A crafts museum in southern Zambia documenting Tonga material culture and basketry.
Updated 2 September 2026
The Choma Museum and Crafts Centre sits on the main road through southern Zambia and documents the Tonga people of the region: their basketry, pottery, stools and iron work, along with material on the displacement caused when Lake Kariba filled in the late 1950s and flooded the Gwembe valley where many of them lived. A crafts outlet attached to it buys directly from village producers, and the baskets are the thing most people leave with.
What you'll find
- The Tonga collection - basketry, pottery, stools and iron work from the region.
- The Gwembe material - the record of displacement when Kariba flooded the valley.
- The crafts outlet - baskets and carvings bought directly from village producers.
- The road position - a stop on the main Lusaka to Livingstone route.
When to go
Open year round on weekday and Saturday hours. The road past it is busy at all seasons. An hour or two covers the collection.
Before you go
The museum is small and an hour covers it. Displays are dated in places. It works best as a break on a long drive rather than a destination.
Nearby
Lochinvar is north, and Livingstone is southwest.
What to pack for Choma Museum
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
