Kawambwa

This is a small town of approximately 20 000 people located in Zambia’s Luapula Province. During colonial times the British favoured it as an administrative centre due to its cooler climate - the result of its location atop Zambia’s northern plateau. The town overlooks the Luapula Valley and is still used as an administrative centre for the district. In 2018 Sunbird Bio-Energy started an ethanol project in Kawambwa, planting cassava to use as biofuel.

The area surrounding Kawambwa is rich in rivers and waterfalls, of which the Lumangwe Falls (50 km northeast, on Lusenga Plains National Park’s eastern border) and the Ntumbachushi Falls (16 km to the west) are the most impressive. For more information on Lumangwe Falls, turn to page XXX.

Ntumbachushi is usually two waterfalls separated by a rock buttress but during high water levels the water covers this and it becomes one set of falls. The pool at the foot of the falls is deep, with strong currents and eddies, so it’s quite dangerous to swim in. There are well-developed walkways leading to the two falls and up onto the escarpment, where a series of falls and pools stretch for about two kilometres through beautiful vegetation.

Some 25 kilometres east of town, you’ll find the Kawambwa Tea Plantation; this estate is owned by ZAFFICO (Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation) and is the largest tea plantation in the country.

Approximately 50 km southwest of Kawambwa, near Mwansabombwe village (also known as Kazembe), you’ll find the Terra Nova Children’s Home; an establishment which welcomes campers, providing hot showers and a flush toilet. There are basic rooms here too, subject to availability. The home is well located for exploring the area’s attractions: travellers can visit the orphanage, explore the nearby village, buy fresh fish and vegetables from the local market, and enjoy a cold beer or cider (both Zambian and South African brands) at Aunt Josie’s Bar. You can also ask one of the Terra Nova children to guide you to Pembe Lagoon, where you can hire a mokoro from a villager and float peacefully along the lake, fishing or birding.

Kazembe also happens to be the best place to observe the Mutumboko, the Lunda people’s most important ceremony. It takes place on the last Friday and Saturday of July every year and is as impressive as the Kuamboka Ceremony of Barotseland’s Lozi people; it’ll give you a deep insight into the Lunda people’s culture.

Early on Friday morning, people arrive in droves from all over the kingdom and enter the palace to offer tributes of beer to the king (Mwata). Just before noon, a convoy of vehicles takes Mwata to the Ketele battlefields some 20 km away, followed by trucks full of people and countless pedestrians. Once there, they thank the spirits for their victory in the war. After returning to the palace for some rest and refreshment, the crowds gather in front of the palace gates at around 15h30. Traditional dances honour the Mwata’s power and thereafter there’s an initiation of the newly-selected underchiefs. The day ends with the consumption of much traditional beer - travellers are best off staying in Terra Nova’s peaceful campsite for the evening.

The following day, the Mwata exits the palace on foot and, accompanied by the crowd, walks to the river where a fertility ceremony takes place. The Mwata appears again in the afternoon at the palace, carried on a hammock chair and dressed in a ceremonial white, red and blue Mutomboko dance robe (possibly made from a Portuguese flag). The procession is accompanied by traditional music and dancers, majorettes and three metre tall figurines - carried by supporters. The crowd continues in the direction of Terra Nova before turning into the Mutomboko Ceremony Arena. Long speeches are made by high level officials and then the Mwata together with his family and chiefs begin the royal dance which symbolises his power - the highlight of the ceremony. The ceremony draws to a close around sunset when the Mwata lifts up some soil with his sword and throws it into the air. Further festivities and consumption of beer continues in Kazembe village. Again, travellers will want to escape these wild celebrations by relaxing at Terra Nova.

BAKERY:
There is a bakery called Queen's Bakery. (2019).

BUTCHERY:
There is meat for sale near the Chamuchi General Dealers - but it is not for the faint hearted! (2019).
In the village center one finds several butcheries, all offering different meats of good quality in freezers or fridges. Nov vacuum packing available. (2019).

EMERGENCY SERVICES:
Hospital is Kawambwa District Hospital no working number. Reportedly this hospital does not offer much, its services are non-existent. (Mar-19).

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/). (2019).

GAS REFILL.
There is non presently. (2019).

MARKETS:
You will find some unofficial food marketers selling foods near Chamuchi General Dealers. (2019).
At the outer southern end of the village there’s a market where you’ll find lots of fresh vegetables, clothing etc. (2019).

MECHANICAL REPAIR:
There is a mechanical bush repair. It's not really a garage, but a guy who repairs everything with nearly nothing. But he does it very well. He can for example weld and repair a broken wheel axle etc. (2019).

PHARMACY:
There is currently no pharmacy here. (2019).

TOW-IN SERVICE:
There is no tow-in service currently. (2019).

There are national tow-in services based in Lusaka: +27(0)97 473 7848 / +260(0)96 676 1647. (2019).

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