Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Manda Hill Shopping Centre during the day in an official taxi. If you're unsure, official
taxis should carry a price list for journeys around the city; always agree on the fare before
setting out.
BLUE LAGOON NATIONAL PARK
On the north side of the Kafue Flats, small
Blue Lagoon
(admission US$5, plus US$15 per vehicle)
was one of
many national parks abandoned in the 1980s, then overlooked through the 1990s. It was owned by the Critchleys,
a conservationist farming couple. For years it was then used by the Zambian military; animals were handy for tar-
get practice, then ended up in the soldiers' canteen. Today, the park is open to visitors but you need your own
vehicle, there are no real facilities (ad hoc camping is the only sleeping option) and the wildlife is understandably
skittish - so close to the capital, it's sometimes referred to as 'Lusaka's larder'. There's talk of future rehabilita-
tion attempts. One unusual sight is the huge river pythons which are attracted by the large numbers of
lechwe
and
birds (these include pelicans, storks, and black and white squadrons).
To get here, take the Mumbwa-Mongu road from Lusaka, and turn left at the sign for Nampundwe Konkola
Coppermine, about 28km from Lusaka. Along this road you'll see a sign on the left: 'Blue Lagoon National Park'.
Drive a further 7km to find the entrance gate, and then it's into the park until you reach the old farmhouse. A
4WD with high clearance is highly recommended to reach and get around the park (around two hours in total
from Lusaka).
