Mpika is located on the junction between the Great North Road (T2) and the Old Great North Road (M1), roughly halfway between Lusaka and Nakonde, on the Tanzanian border. This is a busy town which is conveniently located to serve as an overnight stop; though, perhaps not the most welcoming one you’ll ever encounter.

Northeast of Mpika lie the Lwitikila Falls (aka Chinsonkolo Falls, after the nearby village) on the Lwitikila River. This is a lovely place to relax and swim but on weekends it can get very busy as the local community congregates for a day of relaxing. Hiking some ten kilometres upstream will bring you to Danger Hill, a tall rock which offers lovely views from the top.

About 100 km north of Mpika, you’ll find Kapishya Hot Springs, a natural hot spring surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, a great place to relax after a long day. This is a very popular stop used by most overlanders travelling on the Great North Road. The lodge restaurant offers great meals and the campsite has good facilities. The spring waters are sulphur-free and a comfortable temperature, the bottom of the pool is pure white sand. An easy hike away are some nice rapids and recently-discovered rock paintings, ask at the lodge for directions. Note, the rapids (named Chusa Falls) are located within the grounds of Chusa Falls Hydro-Electric Power Station so you’ll be accompanied by a ZESCO guide when visiting. If you’ve been on the road for a while, the springs are a wonderful place to relax for a few days.

Soak in the beauty, relax with a book, have twice-daily (or more!) natural mineral baths, and recharge your batteries before tackling the rest of your journey. Early birds can enjoy a lovely sunrise at the spring, with the dappled effect of the sunlight on the water making for great photographic opportunities. Or enjoy a relaxing bath while gazing at the stars. The lodge has a comfortable pub & restaurant with excellent meals, and welcomes campers (reservations must be made for meals). If you’re visiting on the weekend, you may share the springs and campground with a fair number of day visitors, so try and time your stay to weekdays.

Kapishya is situated on Shiwa Ng’andu Estate, home to a grand manor house built in 1921 by Sir Steward Gore-Browne (grandfather of Mark Harvey who owns Kapishya Hot Springs). The estate is also a wildlife reserve, offering birding and game drives as well as guided walks, horse safaris, fishing and accommodation in the historical manor house and farm house. The house can be viewed between 9am and 11am daily, excluding Sundays. Fees are US$20 per person, payable at the farm office.

Even further north, en route to Isoka, is Chipoma Falls, a series of rapids stretching over a distance of approximately 500 m.

ACCOMMODATION:
Clean accommodation and camping can be found at Bayama’s Lodge. This venue is also home to Mpika Tourist Information and can assist with maps of the area and reservations for your journey ahead. However, most people prefer to camp further out of town, the chalets and campsite at Kapishya Hot Springs are beautifully positioned in the forest, near the springs.

ACTIVITIES:
Mpika is a dusty little town somewhere in nowhere with virtually no tourist attractions; offering no entertainment, neither sport activities.
Within close range is no hiking, bicycling, fishing, swimming, nature parks, shopping malls etc,
The locals are entertained by a visit to the daily market, taverns and bars.
The closed activities are in the National Parks, about 2hrs away.

Access to North- and South Luangwa National Parks is normally possible from the T2 highway, north and south of Mpika, but may not be accessible during periods of high rainfall. If you plan to travel this way, please confirm with the Mpika Tourist Information office (at Bayama’s Lodge) or Mpika Hot Springs, whether the road is open or not. Alternatively, your access will be via Petauke to Mfuwe for South Luangwa, or Matumbo and thereafter Lundazi for North Luangwa.

EMERGENCY SERVICES:
Police and hospital in town.

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 REPAIRS:
There is a good workshop at the Catholic church, which you can try if it still exists - on the compound of the bishop.
Bayama's Lodge can assist with mechanical services and advise.

SHOPS & SERVICES:
Mpika is a large town with several fuel stops, ATMs, bakeries and general dealers. The Puma Fuel Stop offers tyre repairs. The traditional markets sell fresh vegetables, while GM Trading and Jupter Rite Supermarkets are well-stocked and sell many South African goods. If you’re heading north from Mpika, you’ll find fresh produce and meat at the Shiwa Ng'andu Farm Shop on the T2 highway, at the turn-off to the farm of the same name.

TOW-INS:
Contact Bayama's Lodge for assistance.

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