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Lusaka, Copperbelt, Kitwe and Livingstone
Lusaka
One of the fastest growing cities in Central Africa, the bustling and cosmopolitan
capital of Lusaka draws visitors from far and near. Lively and energetic, the
city embodies the spirit of the 'Real Africa', a colorful blend of old and new
where tree-lined streets from the country's colonial past are juxtaposed against
high-rise buildings and informal settlements.
This sprawling city has grown tremendously since its humble beginnings as a
small agricultural village. A railway siding was built here in 1905, and Lusaka
began a slow yet steady expansion which gained pace after it became the new
capital of the British colony of Northern Rhodesia in 1935. With the copper
boom of the post-independence era Lusaka's population almost trebled, and today
it is a city of some 2.5 million inhabitants. Following years of neglect, the
infrastructure of this vibrant commercial, administrative and financial centre
is undergoing a makeover. Roads are being repaired, high density areas cleared
and parks transformed, while throughout the city new buildings are going up
as old ones are renovated and repaired.
The city centre and main shopping area encompasses the wide double carriageway
of Cairo Road and several blocks to the west. Along the airport road, Lusaka's
first shopping mall, Manda Hill, has a fine range of boutiques and specialty
stores, while Arcades, boasts a supermarket, air-conditioned cinemas and entertainment
venues. Other malls include the Downtown Shopping Mall on the Kafue Road and
Crossroads on Leopard's Hill Road. Many Lusaka traders have stalls that stock
everything from fruit and vegetables to second-hand clothing and engine spares.
For an authentically Zambian shopping experience, visit Kamwala market or Soweto
market located a few roads west of Cairo Road.
The Munda Wanga Environmental Park off Kafue Road features Zambia's first purpose-built
wildlife sanctuary, housing various animals alongside the botanical gardens
which have been restored to their former glory. The water theme park and recreation
centre of Adventure City situated a few kilometers out of town off the Leopard's
Hill Road has waterslides, rock pools and a large jungle gym. Outdoor family
fun can also be enjoyed at Downtown Shopping Centre's Lunar Park, Manda Hill
Fun Park, and Dream Valley in Ibex Hill.
Indigenous snakes, crocodiles, tortoises and chameleons are to be found in
the lush surroundings of Kalimba Reptile Park and Family Centre. Other top day
trips include boating and panicking at the Kafue River Cliff, or a game drive,
hike or horseback trail through a nearby game farm such as Lilayi Game Ranch
or the excellent Chaminuka Private Game Reserve.
Accommodation - There is no shortage of accommodation in Lusaka - be
it budget or luxury - from five-star hotels and international hotel chains to
guest houses and B&Bs. Country lodges and private game reserves in the surrounding
areas offer everything from polo and golf to game drives, while many of the
top hotels and game lodges also have full conference, banqueting and spa facilities.
For travelers on a budget, there is a pleasant backpackers' lodge in the middle
of Lusaka as well as a couple of good campsites to choose from, one of which
is located on a game farm south of the city. There are also a number of reasonably
priced houses and apartments.
Restaurants & Night Life - Lusaka boasts of a variety of different
types of cuisine. There are Indian, Chinese, Continental and Mediterranean eateries,
steakhouses and fast food chains and restaurants serving local delicacies or
even the latest fusion cuisine. Visitors should sample one of Zambia's national
specialties freshwater fish such as Nile perch and lake salmon or bream from
the Kafue, Luapula and Zambezi rivers, it is delicious. For entertainment, visitors
might take in some local theatre, go to see a movie, or listen to a live band.
The influence of both western and local African music is evident in Lusaka's
nightclubs, where the sounds of kwela and rumba are heard in equal measure to
rock 'n roll and techno. Pubs and bars are also popular meeting spots and range
from local hangouts to more upmarket venues in the better hotels.
Arts, Crafts & Heritage - Zambia's craftsmen have combined artistic
license with tradition to produce a fine range of crafts. Intricate basket weaving
from Barotseland, fine ebony sculptures from the Southern province, ceremonial
masks, drums, copper, brass and malachite objects d'art as well as traditional
musical instruments like thumb pianos and xylophones etc Exhibitions of local
art and handicrafts take place at the Henry Tayali Arts Gallery, Mpala Gallery
and the Zintu Community Museum. Original artworks and souvenirs may also be
found at Arcades Mall Pakati Market, Kabwata Cultural Village, the Dutch Reformed
Church Market held in Kabulonga on the last Saturday of every month and Hope
House in Luanshya Road. The attractive Lusaka National Museum on the Independence
Avenue explores Zambia's cultural history, with the spotlight on contemporary
art, ethnography and witchcraft. Also worth a visit is the gracefully-proportioned
Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
Travel & Tours - Situated at the junction of the main highways to
the north, south, east and west, as well as being easily reached by air, rail
and bus, Lusaka acts as a gateway to the rest of Zambia. Lusaka International
Airport one of the four major international airports connects Zambia to the
rest of the world, with direct travel to a number of international destinations
and domestic flights around the country. There are a number of car-rental and
travel firms, where vehicles maybe hired and personalized tour and safari packages
arranged. Transport in and around Lusaka consists of taxis or pale blue and
white minibuses - the latter being quite inexpensive but probably not the most
comfortable mode of travel. Most taxis are not metered, so be sure to negotiate
a price in advance or use Dial-a-Cab. Several companies offer long-range luxury
coach travel to all main towns as well as various other southern African destinations.
Other Services - Lusaka's thriving commercial sector is seeing the development
of a variety of new retail outlets as well as an ever-expanding range of services.
Impressive shopping centres such as Manda Hill, Arcades, Crossroads, Downtown
offer an extensive selection of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.
Retail outlets include jewellery, fashion, sport, electronics and departmental
stores in addition to supermarkets and specialist service providers. Along with
the upgrading of tourism and business infrastructure, hotels and lodges are
becoming more luxurious and offering value-added conveniences, such as spa and
beauty facilities, from massage treatments to fitness centres.
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Copperbelt
Boasting the world's highest-grade copper and cobalt deposits, the Copperbelt
is where most of the country's mines are situated. The busy capital of the Copperbelt
complex, Ndola is a thriving commercial hub as well as being the centre of a
variety of industries and manufacturing concerns. The oil pipeline from Dar-es-Salaam
in Tanzania ends its 1,700 Kilometre journey at the refinery here. Tourist attractions
comprise of the Slave Tree where Swahili traders once congregated to buy and
sell slaves and the Dag Hammerskjöld Memorial Site. The Copperbelt Museum
has a number of items dating back to the Stone Age as well as mineral samples,
exhibits from both ancient and modern copper industries and local arts and crafts.
Attractions include the beautiful Nsobe Game Camp, the 100 metre deep Lake Kashiba,
one of the two sunken lakes in the region.
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Kitwe
Kitwe is Zambia's third largest population centre and one of the major
player in the copper mining industry and it is also home to the Copperbelt University.
Kitwe has an array of modern shops, hotels and entertainment venues and good
sporting facilities and hospitals. Additionally, Kitwe has attractive locations
such as the Mindolo Dam situated some 7 Kilometres to the southwest and the
scenic Makwera Falls and lake are to be found a short distance off the Kitwe-Ndola
dual carriageway. The Chembe Sanctuary is approximately 30 Kilometres from Kitwe
set in thick woodlands surrounding a small lake and campsites.
Chingola home to the biggest open-cast mine in Africa is known as the Copperbelt's
prettiest town. The near-by Nchanga Golf Course is reputed to be one of the
most picturesque in Africa. A visit to the famous Chimfushi Wildlife Orphanage
west of Chingola is a must. Chifunshi is the largest chimpanzee sanctuary and
rehabilitation centre in the world founded in 1983 by David and Sheila Siddle.
It is a home to over 100 orphaned chimpanzees, many of which where confiscated
from poachers or rescued from dilapidated zoos and circuses and also cares for
a host of other sick or unwanted animals.
Accommodation - ranges from basic to ultra-luxurious. Ndola has two
hotels, comfortable lodges and a variety of budget accommodation. Kitwe has
two good hotels and boutique-style luxury lodgings to a number of guest houses
and B&Bs. Chembe Bird Sanctuary is a pleasant alternative campsite. The
new prestigious 40 room hotel near Nchanga's championship golf course is one
of the three comfortable hotels in Chingola.
Restaurant & Night Life - Adventurous diners should try the local
dishes, such as 'nsima' (maize) served with a variety of traditional relish
or with beef and chicken stews and not forgetting the mouth watering fresh fish.
Western-type of foods of most varieties is readily available where restaurants
serve anything from modern French cuisine to pastas and pizzas not forgetting
the popular foods such as fried chicken and burgers. Entertainment includes
a number of nightclubs where DJs play an eccentric mix of Zambian and International
music, a visit to the casino, catch a live band at a local pub or a comedy show
at a hotel.
Travel & Tours - The Copperbelt is easily reached from Lusaka along
the Great North Road. Ndola being the Capital of the region is well connected
by air and home to one of Zambia's four major international airports offering
local and international flights. Buses run from the Copperbelt to Lusaka as
well as across the Tanzanian border. An efficient road and railway transportation
network connects Ndola to the area's mines and industry and other important
centres. A dual carriageway links Ndola to Kitwe, while tarred highways connect
to Mufulira and Lusaka.
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Livingstone
Livingstone - is the former capital city of Zambia, was named after
the famous Scottish missionary, Dr David Livingstone who explored much of the
area. Home for the famous Victoria Falls located 10km from Livingstone and 480km
south of Lusaka also known as 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' - 'Smoke that Thunders' is one
of the world's seven natural wonders. Apart from the many activities on offer,
the town has much to interest the visitor, including three museums which are
worth visiting:
a) Livingstone Museum is the country's National Museum, tracing the entire
history of man in Zambia with a good collection of memorabilia relating to
Dr David Livingstone with personal letters, notebooks, maps and items of clothing
on display.
b) The Railway Museum features the restored Zambezi Saw Mills loco-shed buildings
and traces the history of the railway in Zambia.
c) The Victoria Falls Museum stands on an archaeological site where stone
tools on display prove that our human ancestors were living at the site 2.5
millions years ago.
Mukuni village is an authentic Zambian village where residents give demonstrations
of ancient skills and crafts. A few kilometers upstream of the falls is the
Mosi-oa-Tunya Zoological Park which runs along a strip of riverrine forest.
The Park is best known for its giraffe but it also contains elephant, white
rhino, buffalo, zebra, stable, eland, wildebeest, Kafue lechwe, impala, warthog,
baboon and vervet monkey.
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