Chipata Town

“The gate way to Malawi and the South Luangwa National Park”, that’s what Chipata is. The town is just 15 km from Malawi.

With a population of about 320,000, it happens to be the capital of the Eastern province. Situated in a valley, it is surrounded by fertile land suitable for agriculture. Cotton, maize, tobacco and groundnuts are cultivated on a commercial scale.

The meaning of the name Chipata

The name Chipata means “gateway.” The name is appropriate since the town is surrounded on almost its sides by hills.

As you approach Chipata from Lusaka, you are greeted by a welcome arch with the warriors spear and shield on top – the Ngoni way!

The Nc’wala Traditional ceremony of the Ngoni and the Kulamba Traditional ceremony of the Chewa, are celebrated here.

Getting to Chipata

The town is about 512 Km from Lusaka. If you want to go by air, you can use Proflight which takes approximately 1 hour from Lusaka. Also, a number of buses go there from Lusaka and they take about 7-8 hours. From here, you can connect northwards to Mfuwe in the Luangwa national park and Lundazi.

Background

The town, formerly Fort Jameson, was the capital of North Eastern Rhodesia until 1911, when Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), was created.

Sight seeing

Getting around town is fairly easy. Cabs are plenty in town and can even take you as far as neighboring Malawi on a shopping spree or sight seeing.

The home of bicycles

The town has for along time been associated with bicycles. This could be due to the defunct Luangwa Industries which used to assemble bicycles. Many people use the bicycles as a source of income – bicycles taxis.

Next time you come and if you are on a low budget, just run to the bicycle taxi rank, the “taxi” will take you to your destination!

Accommodation

The town is full of places where you can spend a night, (or several nights). Along the Lundazi highway is the Katuta lodge. Offering single and double rooms with bathrooms. The menu includes both local and western foods.

About 2 km off the main road, along the Lundazi road, is Mama Rulas. It offers guest rooms including some which are en suite.

Just off the main Lusaka road towards Mfuwe is the Chipata Motel. It’s a low budget motel offering the basics in accommodation. Mostly used by the locals.

Behind Shoprite there is a camping site for camping lovers.

In a nutshell, other guest houses and lodges are as follows…

Pine View Guest House
Plot 1530, off Lumumba road, 400 mts from shoprite.
Call: 021 3 221633/097 232735/0979 383231/0966 753371/0955 787615

Jemita Guest House
Nasser/DK, Holly wood area
Contact: jemitaguest@.co.uk
Tel: 021 2 223 166
Cell: 0977 767480

FERN Guest House & Training Centre
Contact: fernguesthouse@yahoo.com, www.ferninstitute.com
Call: 0977967235/0978 803146
Katopola Rd off Airport Rd, Motel Area

Wise Donkey Guest House
Plot 2515, off katopola rd, old Jim
Call: 0974 168696/0964 138844

Chipembele Lodge & Campsite
Cell: 260 974 035 699
Along airport road, 400m from the Great East junction, motel area

Franklyn Gardens
Contact: 0978649643
Lumumba Road

Tiwale Lodge
Contact: 0977 767476/0978 436162

Shopping, Banking and Leisure

The place has got a large Indian population. And this is evident by the presence of several mosques around town. Most of the Indians are shop owners in an area commonly called the “Indian shops”. This is an area where the local people congregate for their shopping.

You can purchase anything. Due to the town's closeness to Malawi, you can take advantage and go shopping there. Most people make use of taxis (cabs) to drive to Malawi.

At Kapata Market people sell different types of commodities including second hand clothes (Salaula). There is also the “Saturday Market” along Umodzi highway as you are proceeding towards Malawi. Not withstanding its name, the Saturday Market is open every day of the week. Yet another market is known as “Down Shops”. This is a place where most Indians do their business. A lot of merchandise is found here.

People go out drinking or have a nice time. Pool and darts are major games played in drinking places.

Supermarkets such as shoprite and the Great East Shopping Mall are available. Various items are sold in this mall, starting from hardware, house hold goods and clothing. Barclays bank and Post offices are also found here.