Kuomboka Ceremony

Witness the spectacular ceremonial procession of the Lozi king

What you'll do

Literally meaning "to get out of water" in the Lozi language, the Kuomboka is the traditional ceremony held annually to mark the movement of the king to higher ground at the beginning of the rains. It’s a time of great celebration, and the ceremony is conducted to the pounding of drums, while the paddlers, resplendent in animal skins, dance and sing. For a chance to catch sight of the king’s barge, complete with a life-sized replica of an elephant (the king's symbol), book your safari for March/April. The ceremony is, however, dependent on the floods and dates cannot be guaranteed.