OVERVIEW

The Great North Road comes down from Tanzania via Kapiri Mposhi, and is about 1 100km from the Tanzanian border. The Great East Road from Chipata to Lusaka is 570km. The road from Livingstone in the south meets up with the "Kafue Road" and is 470km long. From the Chirundu border with Zimbabwe, the route is well paved and 136km long.


THE HISTORY OF ZAMBIA

The Great Rift Valley, which cleaves the earth from the Lower Zambezi River in Southern Zambia to the headwaters of the River Jordan in Egypt, is now known to be one of the cradles of the human race, and Zambia’s present population lives on lands that have been inhabited by our forebears for almost uncountable aeons.

Archaeologists have established that in the northern African Rift Valley, the civilizing process got underway at least 3 million years ago, and crude stone implements, similar to some of that age found in Kenya, have also been found beside the Zambezi river.

Early stone age sites have been unearthed in many parts of Zambia, the most significant being at the Kalambo Falls in the North and at Victoria Falls in the south. At the former there is evidence that primitive humans began using fire systematically some 60 000 years ago. At the latter, a complex has been fully exposed showing the development of skills from the most distant past (this ‘dig’ is enclosed at the Field Museum at the Victoria Falls).

The skull of Broken Hill Man, dated to 70 000 years ago, gives an indication of what humans of that period looked like.

It was during the next phase - the middle Stone Age - with its refinement in the manufacture of tools, differentiation between populations, and burial of the dead, that modern man probably emerged in Zambia, at least 25 000 years ago.


THE CLIMATE

The most appealing factor to many who have made Lusaka their home is the superb climate. Warm sunny summers, interspersed with cooling thunderstorms and mild winters with loads of sunshine.

It can get very hot between October and March if there’s no rain. The average rainfall, between November and April, is about 950mm. Summer temperatures range from 20 degrees to 32 degrees C. Winter temperatures from 10 degrees to about 26 degrees. Humidity is usually below 40%.


NEARBY PRIVATE GAME RESERVES AND COUNTRY LODGES

To avoid Lusaka completely, try Lilayi Lodge only 20km out on the Kafue Road on a pristine game ranch. Lilayi also offers Polo and game drives on the Ranch. They also have extensive Conference facilities.

Or out on the Leopards Hill Rd, Northeast of Lusaka, you'll find the Kyindu Private Game Reserve with a luxury Lodge The Lion House, (a large male lion lives at the lodge too!) and Elandsong Bushcamp, a more rustic camp deep in the heart of this private reserve.

Or Protea Safari Lodge about 35 minutes out on the Great North Road. Set on  well-stocked private game ranch, they have luxury chalets and  an excellent Restaurant. Well known for superb Sunday lunches.  The ranches stock most of the antelope found in the country and have game drives and walking trails through the bush.

There are two other country lodges within an hour’s drive of the city: 
Lechwe Lodge, which also offers game drives, night drives and fishing on the Kafue River.  
Fringilla Farm is about 50km out on the Great North Road offering pleasant accommodation, camping, riding. Excellent Sunday lunches served from the braai in the gardens.

About 45 minutes north is the extensive Chaminuka Private Game Reserve with a luxury lodge and a wide variety of game including lion, elephant and giraffe, in untouched wilderness. The well appointed lodge also has an extensive collection of African art.


SPORTING FACILITIES

There are several sports clubs in Lusaka which offer facilities for golf, tennis, swimming and squash. For golfers, there’s the Lusaka Golf Club, Chilanga Golf Club and Chainama Hills Golf Club. The Lusaka Club offers bowls, tennis and squash. Polo is a popular sport, especially among expatriates, and the polo field at the showgrounds usually has matches on the weekends. Hash House Harriers organise walks and runs on Saturdays at 15h00. Several swimming pools are available. The large Lusaka City Council swimming pool just off Lubu Road is open every day except Mondays from 10h00 to 18h00. One can also use the pools at the Inercontinental and Pamodzi hotels at modest prices.


CONVENTION CENTRES

Mulungushi Hall: The main hall can accommodate up to 2 000. Four other committee rooms can take from 40 to 200 people. There is a simultaneous translation service and proceedings can be transmitted on closed-circuit television.

The Inter-Continental Hotel, Pamodzi, Holiday Inn, Lilayi Lodge, Chaminuka Private Game Reserve , Ndeke Hotel and Hillview Hotel also have full conference and banqueting facilities.


PLACES TO VISIT

Adventure City is a water theme park located two kilometers off Leopards Hill Rd near the American International School. The Park offers three different attractions and these are the Botanical World, featuring desert, tropical and indigenous plants, picnic spots, braai areas and green lawns for fun and games. Water World consists of curved swimming pools for all ages, one of which has a water volleyball court, and Jungle Monkey.

Lusaka National Museum on Independence Avenue is undoubtedly one of the most attractive public buildings in the city. This cultural history museum tells the story of Zambia in four main sections; ethnography, witchcraft, history and contemporary art. The ground floor presents the works of artists from Zambia's independence (1964) to date: contemporary paintings, sculpture and ceramics. With no national art gallery, this provides the visitors with a rare opportunity to sample Zambian Art. The upper floor houses historical and cultural artifacts. Particularly fascinating is the witchcraft exhibit which will give the visitor the opportunity to learn about a part of Zambian life that is rarely discussed, but is deeply imbedded in every sphere of daily life. Facilities: The museum has a small library, a small conference room and a snack shop. Opening hours: 9am-4. 30pm daily; closed public holidays. Guided tours possible. Parking available.

Le Soleil are large grounds just on the border of the suburb of Roma - only 15 minutes from town. Health and Beauty Spa, Massages, Sauna, Jacuzzi, Hair Salon, Excellent restaurant, Sunday Boma braai with Zambian dishes, Conference Centre, Wooded grounds for walks and picnics, Cultural Village, curios, gift shops and book shop.

Nembo Scenic Park is located 11 kilometers from the city centre at Ngwerere. This scenic park is designed to scale over 47 000 square meter area depicting a model of the map of Zambia featuring the waterfalls and lakes of in the country. It's ideal for individuals, school children and environmental groups. Open from 10:00 to 17:00 on weekend and public holidays by special arrangement.

Bente Lorens Ceramic Studio in Longacres has a fine collection of bowls, plates and ornaments which are also for sale. The Henry Tayali Visual Arts Centre at the showgrounds has a fine selection of works by Zambian artists. Single-exhibitor and group shows are held every month. Open daily from 10h00.

Kalimba Reptile Park has an impressive collection of snakes, all found in the surrounding area, crocodiles, tortoises and some of the most unusual chameleons found in Africa. The park is set in a lush garden with a kids playground, putt putt course and a verandah where refreshments are served. Head out of town on the Great East Road towards the airport and turn left at the last Caltex garage before the airport turnoff. Follow the signs for about 11km. The park, which is part of a fish farm, also sells fresh frozen fish and crocodile tails, as well as a range of crocodile bags, purses, belts, etc.
Mundawanga Park has been renovated and is back operating.