Mufulira to Mansa Route nearing completion - The Chembe(Levy Mwanawasa) Bridge (replaces a pontoon) over the Luapula River has been completed- 2008. With the Pedicle Road set to be paved through the DRC (DRC has given the go ahead to Zambia to pave Jan 8 '09), this will cut considerable time and distance between Luapula and Copperbelt provinces. Safety is no longer an issue along this road. Current 2nd hand information- normal crossing procedures apply. A toll gate will be used to collect fees to cover the costs of the paved road. Valid passport, yellow fever and vehicle registration papers and then they will allow you same day transit. But with DRC officials, expect to pay a small "per diem" *** Any additional clarification concerning documentation requirements for this transit route would be appreciated. Regular visa or transit visa, carnet or TIP/CIP or not, 3rd party insurance available at the border post or Yellow Card needed or no insurance, International Drivers Permit or SADC licence or any Driver's licence, and fees.
Note- Travellers with visas for Uganda, Rwanda, or Burundi can be refused entry upon arrival in the DRC. Travellers are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination. Travellers have been temporarily detained or asked by immigration and security officers for “special fees” at other ports of entry to the DRC when carrying satellite phones, GPS receivers, or military clothing. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.
Report from Jacques & Linda van Heerden 12/08
We were pleasantly suprised at how easy the pedicle was. The Zambian sides were warm and friendly and the DRC guys were a little in awe of us - don't think they see very many Mzungus going thru there with a ton of camping stuff on the vehicle! Anyhow, the DRC guys were obviously keen to assist us to empty our wallets of small change so it cost Kw5000 for this guy to fill in the book on behalf of you and another kw5000 for the next guy and so on. Same on both sides and it came to roughly kw30000 on each side if you count the $5 we paid for not having a yellow fever card. Not sure what internationals pay. The DRC guys were very respectful of our work permits.
All in all a good experience and, I must admit, we were pretty nervous.
A few things:
1. The road is very potholed dirt but we still did the 60km in an hour and a half but guys with trailers will take at least 3 hours.
2. DRC drive on the opposite side of the road and you are only warned about this by a sign that says "keep right" as you cross a bridge which is a little amibiguous as it could apply to the bridge crossing.
3. Yellow fever card essential.
4. Border closes 6pm and we were late but the guys on the other side waited for us to get in.
5. This seems to be an "in transit" crossing where no visas are required.
6. Vehicles must be in ship shape as the cops on the Kitwe side are wicked.
7. We hear via via that the border guys were recently given a serious ass whupping for being discurteous and obstructive which I think is another reason the going was so easy.
8. Carry lots of kwacha small change or at least USD small change.
Bangweulu
Shoebill Island www.kasanka.com/frameset.htm offers accommodation in safari tents under thatch roofs and reed cottages. Each has 2 beds, an ensuite shower and flush toilet. Although Shoebill Island is primarily intended for international visitors, there is a campsite nearby. The main season is from May to August when Shoebills can usually be seen on canoe trips.
Samfya
Hillside Lodge OPENED 2009 12 ensuite rooms
The Zambia Postal Services (Zampost) has resumed its water transport operations between Samfya and Chilubi Island on Lake Bangweulu. 2/08
Camps, rest houses and lodges in a variety of towns www.imwanza.com/camps.htm
Ntumbaschusi, Lumangwe, Kabweluma, Mubululuma waterfalls - camping spots within metres of natural pools near the falls.
Nsobe Safari Camp
Mpika
**New Tushla Safari Lodge camping $5, simple accommodation off the Great North Rd on the SW side of Mpika
Mpika Motel camping (not recommended-Fanie)
Crested Crane Hotel adequate accomodation Tel: 370694 2 kms off the GNR about 8 kms SE of Mpika Boma. Access is by the gravel Chibansa Road which goes to Mpika Airstrip.
Mpika Agricultural College(formerly)- basic inexpensive chalets sc
TAZARA Railway tazara@zamnet.zm (Mpika)
Multinondo Wilderness
www.mutinondozambia.com/main_frame.htm
2MWL@bushmail.net
The train station is Kalonje at the turn off
Ndole Bay Lodge camping Sumba NP on Lake Tanganyika ndolebay@coppernet.zm Activities at the Lodge include scuba diving, with PADI instruction beginner divers
Nsumba NP www.visitzambia.co.zm/lk/content/pdf/855#search=%22Kaputa%20Management%22 2009 will see the planned release of 300 relocated South African elephants into the park.
Kalwa Farm Rest Camp NE of Serenje camping
Isanga Bay Lodge camping Lake Tanganyika near Kalambo Falls www.isangabay.com
Tanganyika Lodge closed/4sale 8kms west from Mpulungu and Kalambo Falls on the lake on a beautiful stretch of rocky lakeshore. It has three twin chalets, two en-suite family chalets and camping facilities. Fresh fish is available every day and they offer both catering and non catering rates. Boats can be arranged for fishing and trips to Kalambo Falls
CHIBILULA HILLS Campsite- near Mpulunga? gmungomba@yahoo.com
Mishembe Lake Tanganika secluded Island tented accommodation on an island SC www.thorntreesafaris.com/accomodation.htm This is a small private secluded beach at the base of Kalambo Falls owned by Luke Powell. The only way to access the bay is by boat which makes the place even more peaceful and remote. The beach is made up of fine white sand which leads into the clearest blue water where tropical fish can be seen. At present only tented accommodation is available with either catering or self catering. Luke offers guided walks up to the Falls, boat trips up the river mouth and fishing. With only the famous Red Colobus monkeys as companions you can totally relax under the stary night feeling miles away from reality !! You can book by either phone or fax Kasama on 04 221615
Nkupi Lodge campsite and rondavels sc Mpulungu on the edge of town, The most popular place for backpackers and campers. They offer boats for hire for fishing, snorkelling and swimming in the Lake
Kasakalawe Lodge CLOSED Campsite 3km from Mpulungu on Lake Tanganika's lakeshore 4 en suite Chalets (sleeping 10 people @ a time) Campsite, Backpackers welcome and offers fishing, boat trips, trips and hikes to Kalamba Falls, snorkling (365 different species of Chilchids - tropical fish, indineous to Lake Tanganika) locals have moved into the chalets
MV Liemba sails once a week from Mpulunga. Scheduled arrival from Kigoma is on Fridays. Departures to Kigoma on Tuesdays.
Mbala New Grasshopper Inn camping
Crossing Borders at the Mbala/Sumbawanga track
You will have need proof of payment of the Zambia Road Tax to leave the country. Currently, even with proof of payment of the Road Tax on entry into Zambia, it appears they didn’t get the memo. Customs is requiring payment of the Road Tax again on departure- at Mpulungu first.
Customs clearance is, at this time, at the Mpulungu office. They will need to take care of your carnet or T.I.P.
To exchange cash in Zambia , go to the bank in Mpulungu. To exchange cash in Tanzania , go to the bank in Sumbawanga, in which(the bank- and these are few and far between on the West side of Tanz) you can also acquire 3rd party insurance. I am not sure where you can buy 3rd party insurance on entry into Zambia from Tanzania(Mpulungu?). Solution to this problem may be to get a Yellow Card in advance. COMESA hdqtrs is in Lusaka and they sell the Yellow Card at many insurance company offices throughout Zambia, and commonly in towns near major border crossings- ask border authorities.
If you are attempting to cross borders on a Sunday, this does present a raft of problems obviously.
There are two telephone numbers on the door of the immigration office in Mbala. Here you get immigration clearance ONLY (and he insists that it occurs on the same day as the customs clearance). You may then proceed to the gate AND WAIT FOR THE IMMIGRATION OFFICER FROM MBALA TO COME AND UNLOCK THE GATE. {One of the locals at the gate showed me a bypass and said that we may proceed “everyone else does”, and the tracks were well used. The immigration officer followed us to the Tanzania border post and complained that we had left Zambia “illegally”.}
Tanzanian border offices have been upgraded and consist of very new grand buildings.
This border crossing handles very little traffic. It may take hours sometimes to round up border staff at either the Tanzania or Zambia sides if they are not in their offices when you get there.
*An alternative solution to driving to Mpulungu is to clear immigration and customs at the Kasama Railway Station. Just tell authorities you are not going to Mpulungu and make sure all the paperwork is done, including for the vehicle; which seems to be a major hangup in Mbala. Then you can bypass the Zambia border gate as 'everyone else does.' This probably not the intent on how this border crossing was supposed to be done, but it is probably the quickest.
Here is the story to be told about Nyaminyami, the river God. He has a body like a snake and a head like a fish and no one knows how big he is, for he never showed himself in full display. But he is very big! The people of Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe were protected by Nyaminyami, their ancestral spirit (Mudzimu), who fed them from his own meat in times of hunger.
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