Kabwe

When prospectors arrived at Kabwe in 1902, they named it Broken Hill after a similar mine in Australia. The town grew rapidly around the mine which was the major lead-zinc producer in southern Africa until its closure in 1994 - an event which had a devastating effect on the town’s economy. After Zambia’s independence, the town changed its name to Kabwe (meaning ‘ore’) and today it’s the capital of Zambia’s Central Province with more than 200 000 residents.

Kabwe Mine is located on the town’s southern edge where the mine dump, named Black Mountain by the locals, is a prominent feature. Nearly a century of mining has led to lead contamination of the soil and water, and today Kabwe is known as one of the most polluted cities in the world. There’s a major undertaking to clean up the pollution while simultaneously London-based Berkeley Minerals extracts the remaining minerals from Black Mountain and rehabilitates the mine.

In 1921 a fossilized skull, together with some bones was found in the mine. It was determined to be from the Middle Stone Age, and was named the Broken Hill or Kabwe Skull. These days the skull is kept in London’s Natural History Museum while a monument commemorating the skull’s discovery is located in the grounds of the Civic Centre, in Freedom Way.

The Big Tree is a Cape fig tree in Kabwe which has a 50 m canopy; it served as a meeting place in the early years of the town’s existence.

Well-known author, Wilbur Smith, was born in Kabwe in 1933, and grew up on a nearby ranch. Many of his novels are informed by his experiences growing up in the African savannah.

Although Kabwe is not a tourist destination, avid fisherman will enjoy Mulungushi Dam, 50 km southeast of Kabwe. Further east, Lunsemfwa Falls and Wonder Gorge are more remote, but highly recommended for their solitude and beauty. Here, the Mkushi River joins the Lunsemfwa River in a gorge some 300 metres deep. This confluence is best observed from Bell Point, a national monument named after Miss Grace Bell who was one of the first Europeans to visit this spot - don’t waste your time looking for a bell-shaped rock!

If you’re planning to explore Wonder Gorge and Bell Point, you’ll need an off-road vehicle. There’s an unofficial campsite here but it has no facilities (or water) so you’ll need to be completely self-sufficient.

It’s possible to scramble down the steep sides of the gorge to the river below, but there’s no clear path and once you’ve cooled off you’ll be faced with a steep climb back to the top. If you plan to do this, allocate the whole day, it’s a difficult and potentially dangerous excursion!

ACCOMMODATION:
Kabwe provides accommodation for business travellers in guesthouses and hotels. Luangwa Safari Lodge, a small, German-owned establishment with clean rooms and a swimming pool in a small garden, is a great place to stay in Kabwe.

FOOD:
Restaurants and fast food take-aways scattered all over town.

GAS REFILL:
For gas refill services, try the Puma Corner Filling Station along Independence Avenue.

HEALTHCARE:
There is a hospital, clinic and pharmacy. Also try at Shoprite - one can also purchase over the counter medicines.

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/).

FUEL:
A number of fuel station are situated along Independence Avenue like Puma fuel stop, Kobil, Engen and Total fuel station.

MECHANICAL SERVICES:
For vehicles spares, there is Autoworld along Independence Ave; try Tel: +260(0)215 221 574.

MONEY:
There are banks and ATMs around town like the ZANACO, Barclays, Stanbic and FNB among others.

SHOPS & SERVICES:
You can stock up on supplies at the Shoprite Supermarket, fill up with fuel or draw cash. The more adventurous and self-sufficient traveler with an off-road vehicle can camp at Bell Point, although this may be difficult to reach in the rainy season. Fig Tree Cafe, just south of Kabwe, is a popular stop for a bite to eat; it also has a small curio shop.

TOW-IN SERVICES:
You can try these: Japhi Auto Works; Cell: +260(0)96 563 1252 offers towing services in Kabwe.
Tow-in services: +260(0)97 763 1252 / +260(0)96 563 1252 (Based in Kapiri Mposhi).

TYRE REPAIRS:
Try: Auto Excellence Fitment Center along Independence Avenue; Tel: +260(0)95 538 5591 open from 8am till 10pm. For tyre repairs services there is a Dunlop Tyres - SOS Great North Road Tyres; Tel: +260(0)96 979 6130 open during normal working hours.

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