Cities and Towns

Welcome to Chipata

Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:09:00 GMT

"Kum’mawa" is a Nyanja word, meaning, "to the east"

Some 550km North east of Lusaka, 15km from the boarder with Malawi and about one and a half hours drive from Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, lies this small but important town, Chipata, surrounded on almost all it’s sides by hills, hence the name Chipata, meaning "gateway".

Not only should it be true to be a gateway because of the hills, but also due to the fact that this town acts as a gateway to South Luangwa National Park one of Zambia’s tourist attraction centres and also it’s boarder location with Malawi.

This bustling town used to be an important trading post called Fortjameson in the early part of the 19th century when Zambia used to be called Northern Rhodesia.

When you are approaching this town from Lusaka, a Welcome arch signaling the beginning of this bustling town will not miss your sight.

If you have studied abit of history, you will tell by the sight of the warrior’s weapons (spear and shield) on top of the welcome arch that the dominants of this town are the Ngoni. It is indeed in Ngoniland under their parliament Chief Mpezeni.

If need be that a vehicle coming from Lusaka refuels before reaching the interior of this town, they need not worry because turning to the right after this welcome arch is a fuel station. At this point refueling, tyre mending, vehicle spare parts are all available. If you are thirsty there is a small Supermaket attached to this filling station.

If you have come to this town with criminal intentions, then you had better be careful because just about 1 and a half kilometres to the left from this filling station is the main police station.

Turning left from the police station will take you to the main township Kapata Market. At this market people sell different types of commodities including second hand clothes locally known as "salaula."

Back to town at the main police station and moving towards Malawi to the right is Barclays Bank and to the left is the main Post office. Two more filling stations will probably catch your sight as you move forward. You need not worry about purchases in Chipata because of the availability of supermarkets like Shoprite. You can purchase almost anything in these Supermarkets, local or foreign products.

Most locally produced commodities especially vegetables colourful fruits and some spices are commonly sold at some local markets.

A local market called "Saturday Market" situated in town just along Umozi highway as you are proceeding towards Malawi. Although this market is called Saturday Market, it is in operation every day of the week. The bicycles you may see on this picture above are a major source of transport to the local suppliers of commodities to this market.

If you have heard a gossip about the availability of a large Indian community in Chipata, then I would say turn that gossip into proven truth because you will tell by the availability of many a Mosque in this town.

This mosque above is located in a business area down to the west of the main police station. This place is commonly known as "Down shops" where most Indians do their businesses. A lot of merchandise can be found here.

Accommodation should not worry anybody in Chipata. There are a few Guest houses and motels with sustainable infrastructure where you can stay at. Infact behind Shoprite is a camping site for camping lovers.

Activities are normal in this town. During the residents’ leisure time a lot of recreational activities are done. People go out drinking or having a nice time. Pool and darts have become major games played mainly in drinking places. Even young boys and girls are involved in educative activities such as AIDS and other health awareness programmes.

Generally the people of this town just like many other Zambians are friendly and welcoming. "muli bwanji" is a nyanja word most commonly spoken here meaning, "how are you?" and "bwino" means, "fine."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mr. Benson Ackford Isaac Lungu was born on the 6th of June 1981 at Mtowe Primary school in Chipata. He started Primary school at Kasenga Basic School in Chipata in 1988 and qualified for senior secondary school at Chizongwe where he acquired his school Certificate in 1999.

He is single and currently working for Clark Cotton Zambia Ltd as a Computer Clerk at the head office.

Short story writing and self research have been his major free time activities apart from Playing some music. His major wish has always been to do something of his own hands for others to see!

Acknowledgements

A million thanks to the following people who have helped me produce the first part of Eastern Province feature: Mr Abel Lungu (CCZ) Mr Lemmy Amatende and Mr. Hantanda Oliver. The list can be endless but thanks to all blessings will come from the Lord. Continue assisting me. Zambia is Ours.

Northern Province

Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:08:00 GMT

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Eastern Province

Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:08:00 GMT

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Copperbelt Province

Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:07:00 GMT

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Luapula Province

Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:07:00 GMT

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Central Province

Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:05:00 GMT

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Manda Hill Lusaka

Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:01:00 GMT

Taj Pamodzi Hotel Lusaka

Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:00:00 GMT

Set amidst tropical gardens in the heart of Lusaka's business and government district, this luxurious hotel provides spacious comfort and modern amenities. Conveniently located just 22 km from the airport and 5 km from the city centre, you won’t find a more comprehensive range of services available in Zambia.

Address:

Taj Pamodzi Hotel
Church Road,
P.O. Box 35450,
Lusaka 10101, Zambia.
Tel: (260 -1) 254455
Fax: (260 -1) 250995,254005
Email : pamodzi.lusaka@tajhotels.com

Facilities:

Enjoy the elegance of any of our 193 centrally air-conditioned rooms including suites. Five meeting rooms, including a Board Room, comfortably seating 45 to 350 persons theatre style or 25 to 350 persons for cocktails and receptions.

Hotel InterContinental Lusaka

Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:54:00 GMT

Recently renovated landmark hotel sitting pretty in the heart of Lusaka®s commercial district. The highest levels of information technology wait in the guest rooms for business travellers who will find improved, extra-large workspaces and new safety systems.[more]

In-house restaurants offer a wide choice of world cuisine including traditional local dishes and Spanish, Greek, Moroccan and Lebanese. The concierge can arrange safaris with local guides.

Amenities at Hotel InterContinental Lusaka

24 Hour Front Desk
24 Hour Room Service
Air Conditioned
All rooms non smoking
Babysitting/Child Services
Bar/Lounge
Barber/Beauty Shop
Bath Tub
Bathroom Telephone
Business Center
Casino
Cellular Telephone Rental
Coffee Maker in Room
Concierge
Concierge Desk
Connecting Rooms
Copy Service
Courtesy Car
Cribs Available
Currency Exchange
Executive Level
Exercise Gym
Express Checkout
FAX
Fitness Center or Spa
Florist
Free Airport Shuttle
Free Newspaper
Gift Shop
Golf
Hairdryers Available
Handicapped Rooms/ Facilities
In Room Movies
Laundry/ Valet Services
Lounge
Meeting/ Banquet Facilities
Mini Bar
Modem Lines in Room
Multilingual
Outdoor Pool
Outdoor Tennis
Parking
Pool
Porters
Radio
Refrigerator
Restaurant
Rollaway Beds
Room Service
Safe
Safe Deposit Box
Sauna
Secretarial Service
TV Remote Control
Television with Cable
Tennis
Turndown Service
VIP Rooms/ Services
Valet Parking
Wake-up Service

Contact Information

Hotel InterContinental Lusaka
P. O Box 32201,
Haile Selassie Avenue,
Lusaka, Zambia

Lusaka Province

Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:53:00 GMT

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Southern Province

Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:50:00 GMT

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Why Visit Livingstone?

Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:50:00 GMT

Lorenzo Giani of Sun International writes in on the top 10 reasons to visit Livingstone.

90% of the Victoria Falls are in Zambia.
The Falls are higher on the Zambian side (70m on the Zimbabwe side "Devils Cataract" reaching up to 110m at the Main Falls which is on the Zambian side. (In fact this is the location of the second highest bungi jump in the world)
David Livingstone crept on his hands and knees, to the edge of the Falls and exclaimed "Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by Angels in their flight." Where did he do this? From Livingstone Island - the Zambian Island!
On the Zambian side you can walk over the knife edge bridge a small foot bridge, 30m from the falls were at high water it is possible to view a complete rainbow circle. There is no equivalent on the other side.
Zimbabwe has some good viewing spots but when the river is in flood you are not closer than on the Zambian side. The noise, the spray the thunder this is truly unique. (Why not sleep under the spray of the falls only at Livingstone Island?)
On the Zambian side you can walk to the bottom of the gorge close to the Falls into the boiling point where the Zambian Rafting starts. This is directly below the Falls! And if you are into rafting you start above Rapid Number 1. In Zimbabwe you can only start at Rapid Number 3.
Viewing the Falls from the air; Livingstone Airport is 5 minutes flying from the Falls whereas Victoria Falls airport is 12 minutes from the falls.
The Zambian side offers Lunch on Livingstone island, with the water of the falls rushing over either sides of the island, you can have a Champagne lunch on the edge of the Falls. There is no equivalent in Zimbabwe.
The Zambian Falls has its own curio market and refreshments shop within the entrance to the Royal Livingstone/Zambezi Sun. Whereas on the Zimbabwe side there are only street vendors outside the entrance.
Low water; Zambia has it's advantages, there are pools you can swim in right at the edge of the Falls on the Zambian side, On the Zimbabwe side as it is always high water there is no safe place to swim with either crocodiles or the current to contend with.

Western Province

Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:47:00 GMT

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North Western Province

Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:45:00 GMT

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