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Sinazongwe Soirée
Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th June, 2005
Following on the success of the Livingstone Lark in 2003, we once again held a reunion in Zambia in 2005. Thank-you to all of you who organised (particularly Heather, of course), helped out, and attended the Soirée. It was an excellent event (even if it was an all-boys weekend), and a good time was had by all. This page will remain archived at this address.
One Special Request
Again, a special request -- because I decided to hold this in Sinazongwe rather than Lusaka, I am having to do most of the arrangements by remote control. It also involves all sorts of logistical issues such as tables, chairs, crockery, cutlery, etc., which may have to be transported from Lusaka to Sinazongwe. In addition to that, hiring of crockery, etc. is not a simple matter of picking up a telephone and arranging it all. Depending on the numbers, I am going to have to hire from various different places. Because of these logistics, I am asking people to let me know as soon as possible whether they will be attending or not. This is also important for availability of accommodation.
Main Event
The main event will take place on Saturday evening at the Guesthouse. This will be the usual braai with the usual menu of boerewors, sosaties, croc tail, pure unadulterated Zambian steak and things like koeksusters and milktart. I have not yet done the final costing but it will cost not more that US$30 which includes drinks as well. I am also trying to get a live band in for the evening, but this could be problematic because of the accommodation issue. More on that later.
Accommodation
I am hoping that we will be able to accommodate all those attending either on the Houseboat or at The Guesthouse and Clubhouse. This is a little bit difficult because it means that, depending on numbers, people are going to have to share. There are two other lodges on islands in the Lake, but because of the logistics and safety issues of moving people on Lake Kariba at night, I have decided that it is not a good idea for anyone to stay at either of these two lodges.
Houseboat: The Houseboat can accommodate up to 30 people although it is much more comfortable with only 22. If you chose to stay on the Houseboat, you should plan to arrive in Sinazongwe by 6:00 pm on Friday, June 3rd. The Houseboat will remain in harbour for that night but will leave early (6:00 am) the next morning to moor off Maaze, which is where the Guesthouse and Clubhouse are. The braai on Saturday evening will be held at the Guesthouse. The Houseboat will be back in harbour around midday on Monday June 6th.
The configuration of the rooms on the Houseboat is as follows:
- Lower deck:
- 4 Twin rooms, en suite and air conditioned,
- 2 Double rooms, en suite and air conditioned,
- 1 Triple room, en suite and air conditioned, and
- 1 Triple room, air conditioned.
- Middle deck:
- 4 Twin rooms, and
- 1 Quad room.
Communal bathrooms are available on both the lower and middle decks.
Cost of accommodation for three nights including meals will be US$200 per person.
Guesthouse: The two Guesthouses comprise the following:
- Marula:
- 1 Double room,
- 3 Twin rooms, and
- 1 Quad room.
- Baobab:
- 1 Double room, and
- 2 Twin rooms.
Thus the two Guesthouses sleep a total of 18 and the cost will be US$135 per person for three nights accommodation including meals.
Clubhouse: The Clubhouse has a number of options available:
- Dormitory: Sleeps eight people. Cost including meals for three nights is US$91 per person.
- Chalets: Sleep two people each. Cost including meals for three nights is US$120 per person.
- Camping: Cost, including meals for three nights, is US$28 per person.
Self-catering at the Clubhouse is possible.
Please can you contact me with your preferred accommodation and if you are willing to share, please let me know.
Activities
There are a number of activities available in the Sinazongwe area.
Bush Walks: Many of the islands in the Lake have been stocked with game and bush walks on these islands are possible at a charge of US$10 per person. This includes the boat ride out to the island.
Fishing: Fishing trips are also on offer. On these trips you are accompanied by an expert fisherman who knows the Lake and the good fishing spots. Fishing tackle and bait is included in the price, as are snacks, soft drinks and beer on the half day trips, and lunch, soft drinks and beer on the full day trips. Rates for these are as follows:
- Copper Bar (don't have the boat name yet): Half-day trips US$50, full-day trips US$95.
- Pontoon ("That Woman"): Half-day trips US$50, full-day trips US$95.
- Speedboat ("Sir Deucer"): Half-day trips US$75, full-day trips US$140.
Fishing trips do need to be booked in advance so that I can ensure that the boats are positioned in Sinazongwe.
Croc Farm Visits: The Guesthouse and the Clubhouse are located on one of the largest Nile crocodile farms in the world -- around 75 000 crocs. A visit to this croc farm is an absolute must. Tours are US$5 per person
Night visits to kapenta rigs are also possible although I do not have the rates as yet. Also available are sunset cruises.
Transfers to and from Sinazongwe/Siansowa
I shall be arranging transfers to and from Sinazongwe and Siansowa from both Lusaka and Livingstone. Unfortunately I cannot quote for these until I have approximate numbers, so please contact me urgently if you are planning on attending the Reunion and need transfers.
Flights
Zambia is not known as one of the destinations where cheap flights are available. I suggest you contact your local travel agent for the best possible deal.
From UK to Lusaka: British Airways. This is a direct flight out of Heathrow. Flight duration: approximately 10 hours. Flights leave London on Wednesdays and Saturdays, arriving the following day. Return flights are day flights, leaving here on Thursdays and Sundays, arriving in London around 17 hours later.
From UK via Amsterdam: KLM. There are flights from London and Manchester to Amsterdam. This flight entails a stopover in Nairobi. If you take the day flight from Amsterdam, it will entail a night in Nairobi. The night flight out of Amsterdam connects with the Lusaka flight although the Lusaka flight is often delayed while it waits for the flight from Bombay to come in. I have flown this route many times and generally the Nairobi/Lusaka sector is pretty empty.
From UK via Johannesburg: If you are flying via Johannesburg I would suggest flying direct to Livingstone from Johannesburg. If you want to travel round the rest of the country, you can then fly out of Lusaka to Johannesburg. Airlines to use to Johannesburg would be British Airways, South African Airways, Air France or KLM. Flight duration between 10 and 12 hours.
From Johannesburg to Livingstone: The airline to use would be Nationwide. They have six return flights a week between Johannesburg and Livingstone. They don't have much information on their Web site (in fact they've got bugger all) but if you want to make bookings on their flights let me know and I'll do them through the local office here.
From Johannesburg into and out of Lusaka: There are flights every day of the week, on South African Airways.
Johannesburg/Ndola: There are also direct flights between Johannesburg and Ndola if you want to return from Ndola.
From Australia: Qantas and South African Airways have regular flights to Johannesburg from Perth.
From the USA: South African Airways fly directly to Johannesburg from Atlanta and New York. To the best of my knowledge, no American airlines fly to South Africa.
Visas
If you are planning to come to Zambia, you probably need a visa. Certainly Brits, Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders now need visas. South Africans and the Irish do not need visas.
More information on visas can be obtained from the Web site of the Zambian High Commission in London or from the Web site of the Zambian embassy in Washington DC.
Please note that if you are coming via South Africa, the South Africans require that you have at least two blank pages in your passport for their visa. If you do not, you will be sent home.
Airport Departure Tax
Please remember that there is a US$20 departure tax from all airports in Zambia. I suggest that if possible you carry this amount with you. All foreigners must pay this in foreign exchange and if you pay in sterling or rand, they will undoubtedly not have the correct change.
Travel Insurance
I recommend that you take a look at the Travel Doctor Web site for information on health and travel insurance.
I would certainly recommend that you have insurance which includes evacuation by air. We insure locally through a company called Specialty Emergency Services (no Web site) who are extremely efficient and linked with many international organisations. What I suggest is that shortly before you arrive (or if you have the information immediately available) you send me details of your insurance policy. I will then pass this on to SES who will get all the guarantees in place in advance. This can save valuable time in the event that you need evacuation as they can call the aircraft in immediately.
To Drive or to Fly?
At the last Reunion in Livingstone, a number of people drove up from South Africa without any hitches. If you are planning to drive, please contact me.
As at today, the road conditions are as follows, using the World Bank classification of roads (good, fair, bad):
- Livingstone - Zimba (approximately 70 km): A few more than the odd pothole, but classified as fair.
- Zimba - Monze: Good, having recently been rebuilt.
- Batoka - Sinazongwe - fair to bad and dirt road at the end. 4WD vehicle not required.
- Monze - Chilanga: Good.
- Chilanga - Lusaka: This is still classified as fair although a few potholes have formed with the heavy rain we have experienced over the last month. However, yesterday they were on the road fixing them.
- Lusaka - Chisamba: Good, but with the odd pothole between 50 and 70 km from Lusaka.
- Chisamba - Kabwe: Good.
- Kabwe - Kapiri: Road is currently being rebuilt so there are some detours. In some places, the new road will have been opened.
- Kapiri - Ndola/Kitwe/Chingola: Good but don't use the Fisenge Bypass -- that road is abysmal.
- Kapiri - Mpika: Good.
- Mpika northwards: Still good although the road is subsiding in some places.
- Mpika - Kasama: Work is being undertaken on this road except it should be finished by September, but even with the work being done, the road is still in good condition.
- Serenje - Mansa: Good.
- Lusaka - Kafue Game Park: There is a bad stretch of approximately 60 km but work is being done on this road. I shall probably be going to Mongu next week, so will be able to give you a first hand account.
- Kafue Hook Bridge - Mongu: Fair to good from what I understand.
- Lusaka - Siavonga turnoff: Fair to good.
- Siavonga turnoff to Siavonga: Good, having just been rebuilt.
- Lusaka - Petauke: Good.
- Petauke - Chipata: About 60 km is bad.
The roads in the towns vary -- some are good, some are horrendous, but generally the highly trafficked roads are good.
There are advantages and disadvantages to driving but I feel it is unfair to advise not to drive because of road conditions. The biggest disadvantage of driving is the police road blocks, but I will give you some tips on how to deal with those -- it's all in your attitude. If you arrive in Lusaka by the Thursday, you can drive down in convoy with me that day. It's a very pleasant drive, takes about five hours, but you will see the Kafue River, the Munali Hills, Nakambala and all the little towns along the way. There are also a few pleasant places to stay en route if you want to break your journey.
Car Hire
Car hire bookings can be done on-line at Avis There are some other local car hire companies -- if you are considering this, please let me know and I'll let you have the information.
Car Hire is available from Voyagers Rentals (e-mail carrental@voyagers.com.zm).
For example, a Toyota Corolla 1.3 without air conditioning would cost US$33 per day and US$0.30 per kilometre for 7-14 days (self drive). They also have a combination rate which allows 150 km free per day with any additional distance being subject to their standard rate charge (US$63 per day for 7-14 days, self drive).
Insurance options are:
- CDW limited cover: $10 per day
- CDW full cover: $17 per day
- TLW limited cover: $5 per day
- TLW full cover: $9 per day
The above rates are exclusive of 17.5% VAT. An international driving licence is required and payment can be made by Visa or MasterCard.
Where Else to go in Zambia
There are hundreds of places to go and things to do and I don't have the time to type up all this information. In other words, tell me what you want to do and I'll give you advice and assist you with bookings, contact details, etc.
Copperbelt: For those who will be visiting the Copperbelt there are a number of guest houses in Ndola, Kitwe and Chingola.
Lusaka/Chisamba: Lusaka is also adequately catered for with a wide range of accommodation available. There is also a very nice up-market lodge in Chisamba as well as a few other guest houses which are more than adequate.
Other places to visit are Luangwa, Kafue Game Park, Shiwa Ng'andu, Siavonga, Lower Zambezi, Lake Tanganyika. I suggest you take a look at the Zambia National Tourist Board Web site or contact me with your ideas and I'll give you my recommendations.
Please also contact me with details on the other places in Zambia that you would like to visit so that I can let you have all the information that you need.
Credit Cards
Can you use plastic out here? Yes, you can use plastic (Visa, Executive, MasterCard, American Express, Diners, Euro), but we still use mostly cash. Most hotels accept credit cards, and you can always change cash at the bureaus or banks. However, some bureaus don't accept euros yet.
Malaria
Malaria is obviously a concern. However, it is possible to avoid it.
- Check with your doctor regarding prophylactics and take them religiously. One word of caution here -- should your doctor prescribe Larium (aka Mefloquine), please ask them about "Larium-induced psychosis". This is a serious issue.
- Mosquito repellent: Very important. There are a number of repellents available, but the best is still straight, plain citronella oil -- even though you smell of oranges, no mosquito comes anywhere near you. Make sure that you apply this at around 5:30 pm again, after you take a shower or bath, and again before you go to bed. Also make sure you apply it to any exposed part of your body.
- Mosquito nets: All hotels have mosquito nets. Use them.
- Vape mats: These are very effective or, if you are camping, then mosquito coils. Also very effective.
- Air conditioning or electric fans (especially ceiling fans) are also very effective.
- It doesn't do any harm to spray your room once a day either.
Using all or even some of these (definitely 1 and 2 above) will give you more than adequate protection. I have immunity to the malaria in the Lusaka area, but am at risk when I travel to other places. (I do not take any prophylactics and neither do I sleep under a mosquito net). The only time I catch malaria is if I am slapgat about putting the repellent on.
Additionally there's a drug called Malarone which seems to have little or no side effects, but is fairly new, so a bit expensive, around £50 for a two-week course.
I am sure I have forgotten a million things, so please contact me if you have any questions.
Updates
Considering how much information is on this page, updates will be noted here so that you don't have to read the whole page every time I add some information to it.
January 8th, 2006:
- Archived the page -- finally!
April 22nd, 2005:
- Copied information from the message board to this dedicated page.
March 23rd, 2005:
- Posted the information on the message board.
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