This is the second largest city in Zambia (after Lusaka) and has a population of more than half a million people. Located in Zambia’s Copperbelt province, it’s a large industrial town surrounded by several copper mines. You’ll find it on the T3 Highway, the main highway running between Lusaka and the Copperbelt province. The town was established in 1936 and is named after the small stream which runs through it, Ichitwe. Its fortunes are linked to the nearby Nkana Copper Mine, the deepest mine in the Copperbelt. With the steep rise of copper prices in the 1950s, the town expanded quickly, and became a city in 1966. It is home to the Copperbelt University, one of the biggest universities in Zambia.

A large commercial and industrial town, there’s little for a traveller to see or do besides stocking up on fuel and supplies. The growth in population during the boom in copper prices increased the need for produce, and the town is surrounded by agricultural farms irrigated from the Kafue River, with such fresh produce sold in the shops and markets in town.

In 1962, while still under British colonial rule, two first-class cricket matches were played at EK Park cricket ground. Independence followed shortly thereafter in 1964 and those two matches remain the only first-class matches ever played in Zambia. Today it’s home to the Nkana Cricket Club. The 18-hole Nkana Golf Course was completely renovated by Mopani Copper Mines, the owners of Nkana Copper Mine.

About 25 km west of Kitwe, you’ll find the Chembe Bird Sanctuary, a small area of woodlands surrounding a lake. This venue is famous for the variety of birdlife found here (more than 300 species). In order to develop its tourist potential the area was fenced and the park restocked with game, but the Sanctuary is still prone to poaching and facilities are limited to limited to a picnic site for day visitors and small rowing boats for hire. It might be possible to get permission from the rangers to camp here but facilities are very basic. Activities include birding, fishing and walking. There is a picnic site for day visitors, and small rowing boats for hire. The Sanctuary is run by DNPW (Department of National Parks and Wildlife) so entry and permit fees are payable.

AIRPORT:
Kitwe makes use of the nearby airport in Ndola.

CAMPING:
Don’t expect a peaceful campsite in town!

EMERGENCIES:
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:
Various fuel stop Mount Meru Filling Station along Chingola Road, Engen filling station and Total filling station among others.

GAS REFILL:
Gas refill done at Suban Gas Station along Accra Road, Mount Meru Filling Station along Chingola Road, or at Lake Petroleum Filling Station along the main T3 highway in Kitwe.

HEALTHCARE:
There are so many hospitals scattered around the city like the Wusakile Mine Hospital - try: +260(0)212 249 105; Hillview hospital and Sinozam Hospital. there is also a private hospital, the Progress medical Centre – try: +260(0)212 224 060.

Day clinics also includes Ndeke clinic and Company Clinic. Pharmacies around the city includes Cloverleaf Pharmacy along Freedom Ave, Esvee Medicare Limited along Oxford street or visit the Shoprite pharmacy along Matoka Avenue.

MECHANICAL SERVICES:
For car repairs and spares there is the Nis-Dat Motors Spares Ltd along Freetown Road open during normal working hours - try: +260(0)95 592 0820. There is also Autoworld off Freetown road and Toyota Zambia which provide both vehicle spares and tyre repairs services.

MARKETS:
The traditional Chisokone Market, near the city centre, sells almost anything you may require, including authentic Zambian curios at the Chisokone Curio Market.

MONEY:
Banks in Kitwe includes Barclays Bank of Zambia, Stanbic Bank, FNB, Investrust Bank, ZANACO and Standard Chartered Bank with ATM around town as well.

SHOPS & SERVICES:
Kitwe is a modern, commercial and industrial city, with all the services that a traveller may need.

There are shopping malls and shopping centres around the city such as Mukuba Mall, Copper Hill mall, Ontario Shopping Mall, Dynasty Shopping Centre and Parklands shopping centre.
The Mukuba Mall is a large, modern shopping mall whose attractions include Pick ‘n Pay, Shoprite Checkers, Game, FNB, Stanbic and the Copper Eagle Spur.

There are restaurants scattered around town serving Greek, Italian, Pub grill cuisine and also various fast food and take aways scattered around town, popular ones like Hungry Lion, Nandos, KFC and Panarottis to mention just a few.

Europcar car rentals is available in Kitwe along Enos Chomba Road.

TOURISM:
There is no tourism office in Kitwe, contact Kitwe city Council office.

TOW-INS:
Other tow-in services to try: +260(0)21 222 1428 / +260(0)97 940 8868 (Based in Ndola).

TYRE REPAIRS SERVICES:
Tyre repairs services and fitment is provided at Tyre King along Dr Aggrey Ave open 08h00-17h00 Mon-Sat but Closed on Sundays. Autoworld can also offer tyre repairs.

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