Solwezi

Solwezi is in Zambezi Basin, and is the seat of the Northwestern Province of Zambia, a sprawling expanse of territory.

Understand
Solwezi is not exactly endowed with attractions. Aside from being a provincial seat, it's distinction probably lies in being a service town for the gaping Kansanshi open-pit copper mine north of town. Thus, it's probably safe to say it's not on the tourist road. Northwestern Province terrain is characterized by vast stretches of savanna and evergreen forest, and the climate is rather wet, with an annual rainfall in excess of 1200mm. You can expect thunderstorms, dirt roads, and sort of an outback experience here.

Talk
Some people in the town speak Lamba.

Get in

 * is served by a number of carriers such as Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines with connections to such places as Nairobi and Malawi.

Juldan Motors provides twice daily bus transportation from Lusaka to Solwezi for $10. Expect a 10-hour trip.

Get around
City Drive Rent A Car, Rocker Car Hire, and Axe Car Rental (phone: 0973 169 005) may be able to provide car rental services. There is also a local bus of sorts.

See
There are two points of interest in Solwezi:



Do
There are occasionally tribal ceremonies with dancing and festivities taking place. The main groups prevalent in the area are the Kaonde, Lunda, and Luvale.

Buy




Sleep




Go next
West Lunga National Park is a far piece off from Solwezi, but this is a habitat for duiker, bushpig and even possibly hippopotami, baboons, and Nile crocodiles. Geographically-speaking, it's like a flat plateau of dry evergreen trees, brushy and hard to access. The camping scene from the movie The Gods Must Be Crazy comes to mind. There is a dirt road entry at Jivundu 275 km from Solwezi.