This large town is found on the Old Great North Road (M1), roughly halfway between Mpika (on the T2, the New Great North Road) and Mbala, near the Tanzanian border. Kasama is the capital of Zambia’s Northern Province, it’s a major stop on the TAZARA Railway Line and it has more than 80 000 residents.

Five kilometers east of Kasama you’ll find Mwela Rock Paintings, a national monument and a Unesco World Heritage Site. There are over 1 000 paintings, most sporting geometric designs from the late Stone Age era; they’re spread over an area of about 100 km2 making this one of the densest concentrations of rock art in Africa. The paintings are considered to be about 18 000 years old. At the time of writing, the entrance fee to this site was US$15 per person. Some visitors have reported disappointment with what’s on offer here.

Thirty kilometers west of town lie the Chishimba Falls, also a national natural monument which the local Bemba people believe to be sacred. It’s said that the spirit of Chishimba lives in the cave below the falls and that one must be on one’s best behaviour here. No swearing, insulting, arrogance, fighting or words of hatred and vengeance - you’ve been warned!

These falls are actually a succession of three waterfalls, the Mutumena Falls, the Kaela Rapids and lastly Chishimba Falls (in order from north to south). This is a lovely area for walking and exploring, there are pathways and viewpoints; and, you can enter the cave by walking in behind the falls. In times of high water levels, there’s a rainforest on the falls’ western banks.

About 40 km further north, you’ll find the Chilambwe Falls. These are much smaller but attractively encircled by an indigenous forest - a nice place for a quiet picnic! Getting here requires a short walk and the crossing of a dilapidated pedestrian bridge - be careful.

Located closer to town, the Chilubula Mission station was founded in 1899 by Father Joseph Dupont - he was nicknamed ‘Moto Moto’ (‘fire, fire’ in the Bemba people’s language) because he was seldom seen without a pipe and could be reliably expected to ask people for a match (also ‘moto moto) to light it. The church here was erected between 1899 and 1909 and gave shelter to people fleeing the conflict between the Germans and British during WW1. There’s also a clinic and a school here.

80 Kilometers south of Kasama is the Von Lettow-Vorbeck Monument, where German Forces surrendered to the British at the end of WW1 on 14 November 1918. Not knowing that the war had officially ended on the 11th of November, the German Forces marched from German East Africa (Tanzania) southwards and into Northern Rhodesia (Zambia). Under the leadership of General Lettow-Vorbeck, they ran into the British Forces under the command of British District Commissioner Hector Croad, where they heard the news.

ACCOMMODATION:
There are several good guest houses including Thorn Tree Lodge which offers secure parking and rooms overlooking a small, lush garden. Their family chalet offers magnificent views over the valley.

COMMUNICATIONS:
You may find an internet café or two.

FUEL:
The town have a Puma fuel stop, Engen garage and Caltex fuel stop.

EMERGENCY SERVICES:
Tow-in services: Try: +27(0)97 473 7848 / +260(0)96 676 1647 (Based in Lusaka).

NOTE: Visitors to Zambia are advised to have their own personal travel insurance. Local police, hospitals, clinics etc. cannot be relied upon.
Please note that any emergency numbers indicated on our data will be for the local police, hospital, clinic etc. and most of the times, don't work. Many tourism sites show the numbers like 999 for police, they often don’t work.

If you have a medical problem when in Zambia, Specialty Emergency Services has a Call Centre (24 hours). Phone them on 737. This company has offices in Livingstone, Lusaka and Kitwe. But they will fly anywhere to assist if visitors have the right insurance. If you want to check your insurance, contact SES on [email protected]. (http://ses-zambia.com/).

MECHANICAL REPAIR:
Very basic, nothing official known of.

ROADS INFO:
The D18 road between Kasama and Isoka is tarred and in good condition.

SHOPS & SERVICES:
There’s a Shoprite supermarket in town, a Zambeef butchery, as well as a few small shops and bakeries. You’ll also find banks and ATMS, fuel stops and a general hospital. There are also pharmacies in town.

“The main shopping area of this town, other than the Shoprite, consists of a bar, grocery store, restaurant, meat shop and other local hardware stores. Information provided by www.luangwablondes.com” - Janine Reyneke, 2008/11/25

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