Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
musical instruments and an array of smoking paraphernalia. Particularly noteworthy is an
exhibition detailing how young Bemba women were traditionally initiated into adulthood.
It includes a life-size, walk-in example of an initiation hut, and small articles on the wall
explain the initiation process.
The only drawback is that it's quite dark so exhibits are not displayed at their best and
some are without sufficient explanation. Better set out is the new gallery opposite the gift
shop/reception. It covers everything from the lives of hunter-gatherers to the early eco-
nomic activities of the Bantu, and Zambia during the slave trade. There's also a display on
rock art, including a map pointing out the country's key sights.
The gift shop sells baskets, sculptures and masks. To get here, follow the road north out
of town for about 500m and turn left just before the prison. The museum is about 3km
from the main road.
Sleeping & Eating
Makungo Guest House $
(Old Great North Road; r ZMW60)
Rooms here are clean and good value and are centred
on a courtyard that also doubles as a minibus garage. The guesthouse is about 100m off
the main road; take the turning opposite the fuel station.
GUESTHOUSE
Lake Chila Lodge $
( 0977 795241; lakechilalodge@yahoo.com; Lake Chila; r ZMW150)
The most atmo-
spheric place to stay in Mbala, this welcoming lodge is located on the shores of Lake
Chila, about 2km from town. Rooms are set in spacious chalets with satellite TV and hot
showers. The lodge has a lively little bar-restaurant (mains ZMW20-40), which makes for
a good rest stop on a road trip.
LODGE
Getting There & Away
Minibuses owned by the Makungo Guest House run a couple of times a day to Kasama
(ZMW35, two hours) and Mpulungu (ZMW15, 50 minutes), leaving from the main street.
Long-distance buses serve Lusaka (ZMW140, twelve hours), Mpika (ZMW90, four to
five hours) and Kasama (ZMW35, two hours) and most depart around lunchtime.
