Blogs from Chipata, Zambia, Africa

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Africa » Zambia » Chipata February 25th 2017

The first harvest of the year is celebrated by the Ngorni people in Eastern Zambia with the festival of Nc'wala. During the colonial period, Nc'wala was prohibited as it was seen as too warlike, but was soon revived after Zambia's independence. The Ngorni people, who descend from the ancient Zulu culture, gather at Mtenguleni village. A sacramental meal is offered to the chief, god and ancestors. There is poetry, drumming, theatre and war dances. The chief tastes the fruits whilst women sing his, gods and the ancestors praises. The chief blesses the fruit and then drinks the blood of a black bull that is speared. The chief then makes his way over a 60 miles back to his palace in a slow motorcade (in the past it would be a walk over a couple of days). ... read more

Africa » Zambia » Chipata September 14th 2015

IX 14 Montag Nach Chitapa in Sambia Es waren heute nur 280 km, weil ich einen 100 km Umweg einfach nicht fuhr. Malawi gefällt mir immer noch am besten bisher - das kommt aber auch daher, weil die Bevölkerung so arm ist, dass sie praktisch kein geld haben, um die Gegend zu verschmutzen, die Frauen tragen alle bunte Kangas, unten als Rock, oben als Tragetuch. Heute waren Dörfer, die sich aufs Flechten verlegt haben: Matten, die entweder verkauft wurden oder auch als Zäune um das Gehöft gelegt wurden. Das sieht dann gleich “ordentlich” aus. Aber natürlich ist das mein deutscher Geschmack. Ansonsten werden Körbe und auch Möbel geflochten, wobei dann die Vermarktung schwierig ist, weil ja das ganze Dorf solche Sachen herstellt. In einem anderen Dorf fördert der Staat den Gemüseanbau, Tomaten, Kohl usw. Dann die ... read more
Auf dem Weg zur Schule
Dorf Malawi
DSC02611

Africa » Zambia » Chipata August 12th 2014

Geo: -13.6324, 32.6455As we did at the beginning of our trip to Wildlife Camp, we used Morphy Budget Travel and Safaris to get back to Llongwe. Morphy makes the arrangement to have someone pick us up at Wildlife Camp and drive us to the border between Zambia and Malawi. The driver will help us get our luggage across to the driver waiting on the other side.As we did at the beginning of our trip to Wildlife Camp, we used Mophy Budget Travel and Safaris to get back to Llongwe. Mophy makes the arrangement to have someone pick us up at Wildlife Camp and drive us to the border between Zambia and Malawi. The driver will help us get our luggage across to the driver waiting on the other side. http://www.budgetsafaritours.com/safari-tour-options/luangwa-safari-transfers-chipata-lilongwe.htmlCheeky Monkeys, A New Hostel in Chipata ... read more
Cheeky Monkey Backpackers in  Chipata
Cheeky Monkey Backpackers in  Chipata
Cheeky Monkey Backpackers in  Chipata

Africa » Zambia » Chipata July 15th 2014

Geo: -13.6324, 32.6455The ride to the border was painless and customs was no problem. The driver on the Zambian side was there to receive us, Djwembele as best we can spell it. Got to Chipata and did some shopping at the Shoprite there, got some MTN bundles and he did a little shopping as well. Finally about 5:00 p.m. we were off. This was later than we had hoped but the road is complete until you get to the airport turnoff in Mfuwe! We made very good time, the road is wide enough as you leave Chipata that bicycles and people have room to walk on the side without worrying that someone will run you down!The last part from the airport turnoff was the scariest because the road is still narrow, lots of potholes and plenty ... read more
on the road to Wildlife Camp
bags ready to go to Wildlife Camp
on the road to Wildlife Camp

Africa » Zambia » Chipata August 25th 2013

Geo: -13.6324, 32.6455Had set the alarm so we were up at 5:30 doing the final pack. Went over to the kitchen to make coffee to clear our heads. Got everything loaded and went over to dining room for breakfast. There was no electricity and the cook was doing everything by candlelight! We had omelettes that were delicious and headed back to the room. The driver was there waiting for us and we got loaded and were on our way by about 7:20.The landscape got more dramatic as we approached the border. It is in a mountainous area and then levels out again. Going through customs on the Malawi side was easy and the same for customs in Zambia. Moment of confusion about which visa we wanted but got that settled and Morphy was there to pick ... read more
From Lilongwe Malawi to South Luangwa Zambia
From Lilongwe Malawi to South Luangwa Zambia
From Lilongwe Malawi to South Luangwa Zambia

Africa » Zambia » Chipata August 20th 2012

We were up early and relieved to see that Chris’ symptoms had subsided. The nurses thought it was just from falling off the horse, by hitting his back he must have hit his kidneys in the process. Today was quite a long journey on the truck heading to the Zambian border where we would head towards Chipata. Chris took some more strong painkillers which helped him sleep for most of the trip and relieved the pain from his back. We reached the border where Chris and I got a double entry visas as our flights once the overland trip are over are booked out of Livingstone. We got a receipt for the double entry payment just to make sure there wouldn’t be any issues later. After the border crossing we headed towards Chipata. Chris and I ... read more

Africa » Zambia » Chipata October 5th 2010

Leaving Lake Malawi we headed west towards the Zambian border. More roadside scenery for us to enjoy. We are amazed at all the footpaths that lead every which way, and all the people on those footpaths going on about their daily routine. The main method of transportation for all but a few is on foot. There are even well-worn footpaths that parallel the highway. We observe that there are also very few obese people. Could there be a correlation here?  In fact, even though we are traveling by truck, and not walking everywhere, we are both losing weight, and are glad to have brought belts with extra notches. Overlanding is not for the physically unfit. We are lugging all our gear from place to place, putting up a heavy tent, carrying all the camp gear to ... read more

Africa » Zambia » Chipata March 17th 2010

21 Feb to 28 Feb This post is a little late. I have completely lost track of the days and it is apparently now actually a Wednesday - although I am not too sure about that. Here on the tourist trail in Malawi and Zambia things like weekends don't seem to matter much. I might even be beginnng to miss the call of the muezzin and the regular shut downs on Fridays, but perhaps that is going too far. As we have moved through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia the camp sites have become ever more flash. The one we are in at the moment is very swish. Expensive yes, but swish and quite nice to have a bit of swish it is. It is Africa of course and, even here, the massive generator kicked in ... read more
This was why
House and Garden
Lake Malawi from Kande Beach

Africa » Zambia » Chipata August 22nd 2009

Day 20 - Chipata (Zambia) - 18/8/09 Today, we were crossing the boarder into our 4th country, Zambia. Before this we stopped in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, for a few supplies for the journey. Me, Cat, Duncan, Kane, Emma, Erin and Brodie all went for breakfast in a local hotel. It was only 1000 and Duncan and Me were all ready hitting the Carlsberg! A sign perhaps? The staff really messed up the order with parts of everybody’s orders coming out at different times. Having brought our souvenirs and supplies from the supermarket, we all bundled back into the truck for the drive out of Malawi and into Zambia. The border was a ramshackle affair; the building we got stamped out of Malawi was ok looking but the building were we went to get stamped ... read more
Players Warning Down
Zambian Countryside
Truck Life

Africa » Zambia » Chipata February 25th 2009

Day 290 (25/1/09) Typically early start but surprisingly everyone was ready and on the truck 15 minutes early! DRIVE DAY- 300km After a quick stop over in Lusaka, we arrived at Eureka camp a suitable spot for Australia Day! Day 291- AUSTRALIA DAY After a hearty breaky of fried eggs and tomato, the boys dug out Barbara who Franko had bogged then evening before. With Barbara now free we headed back into Lusaka with all prized possession to send back to Australia. Shortly after arriving at the post office we discovered post offices in Africa don't supply anything bar their postal service, so Jez and Lis set off to beg for boxes whilst Andy and I stayed back to weigh ALL our stuff. Jez and Lis returned half and hour later with boxes in hand, the ... read more
Zambia
Roadside wildlife
Roadside lunch break




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