Located in
Zambia :: Luangwa Basin
:: Lundazi
Category:
Places :: Town
Originally a British Administrative Centre in colonial times, Lundazi is a small town in northeast Zambia, close to the quiet Mtyocha border crossing into Malawi. The town, situated on top of the plateau, is the business centre for the surrounding agricultural district, with the community selling fresh produce like maize, tobacco and nuts at the markets.
After WW2, tourism to the then Northern Rhodesia increased so much that District Commander, Errol Button, decided to build a ‘resthouse’ between Nyika Plateau and the Luangwa Valley for visiting government officials. It was built in the form of a Norman Castle with turrets and spiral staircases, and overlooked the nearby lake formed by Lundazi River. It proved so popular that he soon had to add more rooms. Today it’s a small, basic hotel, as well as a national monument (we have been unable to confirm contact details of the hotel).
The region is rich in semi-precious stones and there’s some small scale mining particularly by Chinese nationals. Indentured Indian labourers settled in the region during colonial times and today Asian traders own many of the more formal shops in town. There are also a few mosques in town and the sound of the morning and evening call to prayers signals the start and end of the day in Lundazi.
This busy trading centre has many ‘matolas’ (bicycle taxis), these are an important part of Zambia’s transport system. They transport anything from people to vegetables, wood and livestock. Sometimes you’ll see them wobbling down the road carrying a lounge suite or a stack of wood so be on the lookout for them. You may want to try a transfer to the local market in true Zambian style yourself!
Address : | Lundazi, Luangwa, Zambia | ||
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Cellphone Reception : | Good | Main Cellular Network : | Airtel & Zamtel |
Facilities : | Shops, General Dealer |
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Petrol Type : | Unleaded |
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BORDERS:
About 15 km east of Lundazi you’ll find the Lusuntha Border Post to Malawi.
ELECTRICITY:
The town’s electricity comes from nearby Malawi and it’s prone to power outages especially in the rainy season.
EMERGENCY SERVICES:
For Tow-in services: try +27(0)97 473 7848 / +260(0)96 676 1647 (Based in Lusaka).
Hospital in town is the Lundazi District Hospital.
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).
FLOODING & ROAD CLOSURES:
A tar road connects Lundazi to Chipata, but if you’re heading from Lundazi in a westernly direction, towards Lukusuzi NP, Luambe NP, and North or South Luangwa NP, you’ll be travelling on gravel roads which are prone to flooding and road closures during excessive rain. Check with the locals before departure if you’re unsure about road conditions.
SHOPS & SERVICES:
If you’re visiting the wildlife parks in Luangwa Valley, or are en route to Malawi, Lundazi is a convenient place to restock and refuel, although accommodation is limited to guesthouses. While there are no modern supermarkets, there are many small shops and traditional markets where you can buy fresh produce.
Locals often refer to the town as Box One Kanele, Box One being the postal address during colonial times, and Kanele the local pronunciation of Colonel.