Central Province

                                                         Kundalila Falls. March 2019.

Northern Province

Northern province, as its name announces, is located in the northern part of Zambia. It borders Luapula (which I wrote about here: http://eyesajar.blogspot.com/2018/05/luapula.html) and Muchinga provinces, and together they form what is commonly referred to as the Northern [Tourism] Circuit.  

Kalambo falls is a sheer drop of 221 meters and the second highest in Africa. It is shared between Zambia and Tanzania. I visited Kalambo in 2018, just over 10 years since my first visit, and was pleasantly surprised to find railing along the falls area as well as lodging facilities within the park.   March 2018.  

Kalambo Falls

Kalambo Falls. March 2018.

Early birds. Lake Tanganyika. March 2018.

Lake Tanganyika is the deepest fresh water body in Africa and the second deepest in the world. March 2018.

Residents buying fish as fishermen arrive on the shore. Lake Tanganyika has over 300 fish species and fishing is the main economic mainstay for many households. The lake also supports a commercial fishing industry.

                                                         
Mwela rock art paintings were done by Bushmen 6000 - 10,000 years ago. This particular set (this and the next two pictures) depicts puberty, fertility and initiation rites. April 2017.

                                                     Mwela Rocks. April 2017.

There are 1,750 rock art paintings (more still being discovered) in 7 outposts in Kasama. Some are naturalistic and others schematic. April 2017.

Luombe River. January 2018.

Mutumuna Falls

Mutumuna Falls

Chishimba Falls. April 2017 

Kaela Rapids. January 2018.

Chishimba Falls. January 2018.

Chishimba Falls. April 2017.

                                                      Chambeshi River. April 2017.

                                                       Lake Tanganyika. March 2018. 

                                Hello from the other boat. Lake Tanganyika. March 2018.

Birthday dinner: Nkupi caught in Lake Tanganyika. March 2018.

                                                                         

                                                         

                                                                 Old prison

Niamkolo is the oldest stone church in Zambia. It was built in 1893 - 1895 by the London Missionary Society. April 2018.

Niamkolo 

Luapula

Luapula is one of three provinces that make up northern Zambia. Sometimes collectively referred to as the Northern [Tourism] Circuit, Luapula, Muchinga and Northern provinces have a concentration of tourist attractions. Luapula has, among other attractions, lakes, white sand beaches, a number of waterfalls, a hotspring, national parks and wetlands that are rich in wildlife and birdlife (indigenous and migrants) including the Black Lechwe (can be seen in their thousands at a time) and the rare Shoebill Stork. It also has a wealth of history and culture, including traditional ceremonies, prominent among them the Umutomboko held annually at Mwansabombwe. 

Sunset on Lake Bangweulu, Samfya. Bangweulu, which means 'the place where the water meets the sky', lives up to its name as the lake does seem to blend into the sky at the horizon. Apart from the lake, Bangweulu is also made up of swamps, floodplains, lagoons and islands (Chilubi, Cishi, Mbabala and Mucinshi). It is so expansive that a boat ride leaves you with no sight of anything but water and sky.

Fishing is one of the main (seasonal) activities on Lake Bangweulu and an economic mainstay for many households. Some of the best known species are the bream, yellow belly, catfish and tiger fish. Both tourists and locals frequent the lake and beach for a variety of activities. Samfya.

Boat ride on Lake Bangweulu, heading from the beach to the harbour. Samfya has lovely white sand beaches and a number of waterfront lodges. It is advisable to carry sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

The Post Boat, also known locally as ichombo, is an old and popular form of transport on Lake Bangweulu. Samfya harbour.

Ntumbacushi is on the Ngona river in Kawambwa about 250 km from Samfya. Ntumbacushi means 'smoke mountain' and at a distance, the mist looks like smoke pouring out of a mountain top. You can go as close as you like but must contend with the wind and slippery ground. You can camp here, hike, braai or bring a picnic basket on a day trip. Like other national heritage sites, it has an entry fee.

Another viewing point of Ntumbacushi falls across the bridge. You must be prepared to get drenched (falls, river and rain depending on the season you visit) as you get this close-up view. We were so cold after this and had to stand by the local shop's braai but there was barely any fire. Next time I will be sure to pack a change of clothes.

                                             Samfya harbour before returning to the beach

Further up on this route, about 310 km from Samfya and 60 km from Kawambwa 'CBD', is the Lumangwe falls at the border of Kawambwa and Mporokoso. It looks like a smaller version of the Victoria falls but has, in my opinion, a more striking presence probably because of how close you can get and the suddenness of the sight in what seems like the middle of nowehere.

Lumangwe is within 5 km of Kabwelume falls (one entry fee for both) and sits in a lush mini rain forest. There are budget lodging facilities and you can also camp here. The road is currently bad but the destination is definitely worth the drive. You can see the video here http://eyesajar.blogspot.com/2016/07/water-spectacularzambia.html

Lower viewing point where you see the falls plunge and mist rise. Lumangwe is on the Kalungwishi river which forms the eastern boundary of the Lusenga Plain National Park, another attraction.

                                                            Sunset at Lumangwe

                                                              Lumangwe falls

                                                  Footprints in the sand. Samfya beach.


*I will keep updating this post as I see more of Luapula.                                                                   You can see more pictures and videos from around Zambia here http://eyesajar.blogspot.com/2016/07/water-spectacularzambia.html #SpectacularZambia