Forgot a gift? Souvenir Kiosk T1 in old Terminal 1 saves you
In Terminal 1’s older wing, Souvenir Kiosk T1 is the last‑minute stop for anyone who never made it into Lusaka but still needs something Zambian in hand before boarding. It sits airside in T1, so you’re fine once you clear security and don’t have to backtrack to landside shops. Think small footprint: one compact kiosk, not a full store, with stock packed into every shelf.
Expect airport pricing. Travellers comparing with Kabwata Cultural Village report similar wooden carvings and fabric items running noticeably higher here, often by several US dollars per piece. You’ll see the usual suspects: keyrings under about US$5, small carved animals, fridge magnets, basic chitenge‑print items, and a few generic Africa‑branded pieces. Card payment is usually available, but carry some kwacha or small USD notes in case the POS terminal is down.
Regulars who pass through LUN a few times a year say they buy most gifts in town, then use this kiosk only when they realise they missed someone on the list. In that case, a small carved animal or magnet is the least painful hit; larger bowls or masks are where the markup stings most compared with city shops and malls. Don’t expect deep bargaining here like at markets in Lusaka.
Watch your time: Terminal 1 is compact, but boardings for regional flights can start 40 minutes before departure and queues at the single register move slowly when a tour group arrives. If you’re going to use Souvenir Kiosk T1, walk over right after you clear security instead of waiting for the final boarding call.