© Lonely Planet 86

The Copperbelt

Not on the radar for most visitors, the is the industrial heartland of and the main population centre outside of . The region is rarely visited by tourists but unique attractions, such as the largest chimpanzee sanctuary in the world, make it well worth the trip. It’s also the only place in the country (outside of Lusaka) where you can see the urban side of Zambia, and in particular makes that a very pleasant experience. Solwezi, a long way off the beaten track – even for the Copperbelt – is quickly becoming the hotspot for copper mining in the region and there’s a real buzz about this once-languid town.

The world copper market slumped during the 1970s, so vast opencast mines cut back production, thereby creating high unemployment in the area. The cost of copper and cobalt went through the roof in the early 21st century; however, the global economic crisis of 2008/09 has seen demand, and therefore prices, plummet once again. THE COPPERBELT

HIGHLIGHTS

„ Hanging out with the cousins at Chimfunshi (p95), the largest chimpanzee sanctuary in the world „ Enjoying the peaceful surrounds and learn- ing the fascinating story of Dag Hammarskjöld (p90) at his memorial, a World Heritage Site „ Strolling the well-kept streets of Ndola (p87), a refreshing change to Zambia’s other urban spaces

12-the-copper-belt-zam1.indd 86 26/11/09 13:18:21 1 2 :

THE COPPERBELT 8 1 : 3

1

87 9 0 / 1 1 / 6 226/11/09 13:18:21 8am-1pm & h at the north- (Buteko Ave; per min (Buteko Ave; 617450; Buteko Ave; adult/ 617450; Buteko Ave; Cafe

9am-4.30pm) % (

h Internet

097 7860647; Arusha St; % pop 500,000 8am-8pm Mon-Sat, 8am-6pm Sun) Wireless Wireless 8am-8pm Mon-Sat, 8am-6pm Sun) ( / THE COPPERBELT •• Kapiri •• Mposhi COPPERBELT THE Doubles h

0212 Ndola’s football stadium is being Ndola’s football stadium is being 2-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-noon Sat) The ever-reliable Voyagers and other travel arrangements. can organise car rental child ZK15,000/10,000; Copperbelt Museum redeveloped in time for the 2010 World 2010 World in time for the redeveloped Cup in South Africa. Information Mixed Voyagers Sights in town, drop into the While you’re about the trains from Kapiri Mposhi to Dar Mposhi Kapiri the trains from about es Salaam. NDOLA % the Copperbelt capitalNdola, the of little is a peaceful, prosperous Province, the pace, from relief city that provides cousin, its larger of chaos pollution and it is clean, well kept Lusaka. In comparison facilities with little and has some excellent evidence the annoyance and no real of of lots are its industrial base. there In addition minimal and on the streets shady trees of pleasanttraffic making it very congestion, to wander around. eastern end of the main road. It showcases end of eastern bill- are the local industry and downstairs boards with displays on Zambia’s mining the processing of and history, gemstones section The upstairs begins rather copper. local toys and with an exhibit of strangely made mainly from wire. vehicles models of Beyond bit: artefacts this is the interesting ZK200; service Upstairs next and slow internet access. to the Copperbelt Museum. Serves cold drinks too (no alcohol). (Main Rd; s/tw/d ZK50,000/

7 8

d d n i . Eros Lodge 1 m Only the doubles have a private a private Only the doubles have a z - t l e b - r The road from Lusaka to Ndola is in excellent condition. It should take about four to five hours hours condition. It should take to Ndola is in excellent road from Lusaka about four to five The e p 0215 p DRIVING IN THE COPPERBELT in best regions good and it’s one of the generally very are roads around the Copperbelt The the notable exceptions). It’s understandable given the country for driving (with, of course, a few importance of the copper industry. road between Ndola and with a stop for lunch. The is perhaps the best in the country: to drive some shockingly are potholed good condition. In Kitwe itself, there a dual carriageway in very in the northroads, especially in the cross streets of town. From Kitwe through to Chingola is OK, road is full of human Chingola–Solwezi The but watch out for the heavy traffic including trucks. road itself is in fair condition, but watch for potholes: The not many vehicles. traffic, but there’s road is 180km, roughly a 2½- to three-hour drive. This occurrence. a fairly frequent they are If you get stuck at Kapiri Mposhi, there Mposhi, there stuck at Kapiri If you get If you’re coming from , there’s there’s coming from Tanzania, If you’re Buses and minibuses from Lusaka (see o c - 70,000/90,000). This dismal town, about 200km north of north of town, about 200km This dismal the Tazara Lusaka, at the southern end of is (Tanzania) railway from in the roads to Lusaka,and at the fork the If and the Northern Province. Copperbelt petrol plenty of are there driving, you’re shop is a one-stop stations:providing Continental toilets (ZK500), has Oil, which and a useful (ZK7000) items little bakery yourself and It’s a good place to refuel store. to kill time there looking If you’re the car. town to around cafes internet plenty of are your emails. check along the main some local resthouses are as such street, KAPIRI MPOSHI % lonelyplanet.com bathroom, and it’s well worth spending the bathroom, and it’s well 5 is probably one – No to get extra kwacha lodgings, dreary the best. Overall it’s pretty at least the althougha cheapie; OK for out the back, off the main road rooms are and set around a quiet grassed area. of out you can get before a passport check the station, then from outside the station a mad rush for buses to Lusakathere’s and thrive and pickpockets Thieves elsewhere. great in the crowds and confusion, so take your belongings. of care and a quicker and are regularly p82) leave option than the local convenient more train from the capital. that the train Note station Lusaka–Kitwe for the daily service (Lusaka; ZK17,000, twice weekly), which from New Mposhi, is 2km stops at Kapiri Mposhi station,official the name of Kapiri details to p199 for station. Refer the Tazara e h t - 2 112-the-copper-belt-zam1.indd 87