| ZAMBIA June 20 to24/ July 26 to 30 LIVINGSTONE more June 20 Today we commence the next 'different' stage of our safari; travelling north through Zambia into Tanzania. Livingstone is always full of tourists and today was no exception. One has to be careful of the locals who try to change your kwacha into dollars or rand, the currency for Zimbabwe. If you've run out of dollars go to a credited foreign exchange dealer before hitting the Zimbabwe/Zambia border. If you are just entering Zambia then there are plenty of ATMs to obtain kwacha. Accommodation and Dining: After an easy passage through the border we travelled the 200 or so kilometres to Livingstone (on a sealed road) and booked in to the Ngolide Lodge. Just as we were turning in to the lodge we notice people waving and pointing to us; when we pulled up we discovered that a couple of teenagers had jumped up on the back of our Hilux and reefed off the two (chained on) gas bottles! Fortunately, with some help from the locals, they were located, along with some other stolen motor vehicle parts! The lodge is situated only two-kilometres along the main road from the Shesheke Road turn-off and eight kilometres from the mighty Victoria Falls. The rooms are clean and comfortable with an en-suite, television, tea making facilities. We paid K368,000 which included a continental breakfast. There is also secure parking at the side and rear of the premises. We dined in the lodges' Indian Tandoori Restaurant which was reasonably priced, beautifully presented and the food sensational. On our return (July 31) to Livingstone we didn't overnight (couldn't wait to see our Zimbawean family at Victoria Falls) but had lunch at the Ocean Basket: as usual we had a great meal. MAZABUKA more June 21 and July 30 The road to Mazabuka, the 'sugar capital' and known as the 'Sweetest Town in Zambia',from Livingstone has been resealed, but the first 10-kilometres from Livingstone was still being worked on. Watch out for police road traps; they just LOVE to get money out of foreigners who supposedly speed!! Mazabuka is a nice place with several supermarkets and takeaways. Mr Bhagoos Senior runs a hardware store and supermarket which is well worth a visit to see the absolutely amazing array of goods. It looks like the Bhagoos family has lots of interests in the area. Accommodation and dining: We stayed at the Golden Pillow Lodge which is situated just on the northern outskirts of town, but within easy walking distance to the CBD. Our room and en suite was spacious and clean and cost K220,000 a night including breakfast. The dinner menu is very limited so next time we stay there we'll get a takeaway pizza from town. We were told by townspeople that the Golden Pillow is the safest accommodation in the town and is excellent value for money. THE FOREST INN June 22 and 29 The Forest Inn is situated on the Great North Road some 750-kilometres from Livingstone. It's a long drive from Mazabuka, especially having to negotiate through Lusaka, but we it's a nice tranquil spot to stay. On the way we stopped at the Fig Tree Cafe (10-kilometres south of Kabwe) for lunch. This cafe serves delicious and inexpensive meals and should not be missed. We've stayed at the inn several times over the years and we noticed this time that the chalets need a bit of TLC! During the first night our bathroom flooded, but fortunately the water only went in to the room a short way. The rooms are quite basic but comfortable. We paid K220,000 a night which included a continental breakfast. The lunch and dinner menus are quite adequate. MPIKA June 23 Arriving in Mpika we found that all the accommodation in the town and outskirts was booked out due to several conventions taking place. Driving out of town we saw a sign to the Malasha Inn, drove in and was met by our old friend Sampson from the Mpika ag centre, and was now in charge of the inn. He found a room for us for which we were truly grateful as we'd driven a looong way and it was another long drive to the next place. However, it's not a place we could ever ever recommend, but at least we had a bed for the night! We paid K140,000 for the night and looked on it as a donation to Sampson! KINGS HIGHWAY June 24/ July 26 Kings Highway rest camp is situated on the Great North Road just 65-kilometres from the Tanzanian border and is part of the Foundation for Cross Cultural Education. The chalets are in picturesque and tranquil surrounds; the communal ablutions' block is spotlessly clean and there is a large thatched-roof eating area which has power (the rooms are lit by kerosene lamps). You can purchase organically grown fresh vegetables and unwind before (and after) attempting to stay calm at the Zambia/Tanzania border posts! We paid K100,000 a night and can thoroughly recommend a visit. KAPISHYA HOT SPRINGS LODGE July 27 and 28 When you are planning your Zambian holiday a stay at Kapishya Hot Springs Lodge is an absolute MUST. Situated on the estate of Shiwa Ngandu (Africa House), 32-kilometres (gravel road) in from a turn off on the Great North Road just 86-kilometres north of Mpika. Run by the very hospitable Mark Harvey and his wife Mel, it is a quiet relaxing resort with thatched roof chalets and a magnificent natural hot spring. We stayed there a few years ago and couldn't resits making a return visit. Just passing through Shiwa Ngandu estate (catching a glimpse of the magnificent old beautifully-restored manor) with its old English style cottages and farm life is breathtaking enough, and then to arrive at the lodge perched on the banks of the Mansha River is something never to be forgotten. We chose the option of dinner, bed and breakfast at a cost ofUS$200 a night (must be paid in cash, no credit card facilities). The chalets are spacious, with en suites, and the meals are superb. TIPS: ATMs: Most major towns have this facility. Internet: Limited internet; only found i-cafes in Livingstone and there would be some in Lusaka. Police and road blocks: Sometimes police target foreign vehicles so be prepared to 'satisfy their demands through your wallet' or you could find yourself held up for hours with them holding all your papers and passport. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher in your vehicle along with triangles and reflector tape on the front (red) and rear (white) on your vehicle.Roads: The highway from Mpika to the Tanzania border is really horrendous with huge craters. Drive slowly and carefully! |
