Lilongwe - Lusaka (615km) (Stage
29)
Arriving at Lusaka in Zambia on 8th June from Lilongwe in Malawi via Chipata, Petauke, Nyimba and Rufunsa
The rally leaves Lilongwe travelling north-west towards the main crossing point between Malawi and Zambia, into Zambia to Chipata on the edge of Kusungu National Park, then turning south-west then follow road parallel to the border on one side and the Luangwa river and National Park on the other. The route goes through Petauke and Nyimba, crossing the river at the point where it swings south to join the Zambezi; the rally continues south-west to Rufunsa, finally arriving at Lusaka. ZambiaThe territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Zambia has 17 waterfalls including the spectacular Victoria Falls (see next stage); it is the land of the legendary African walking safari, the earth's biggest waterfall, the wild Zambezi River, breath-taking lakes and wetlands, a profusion of birds, abundant wildlife, and raw, pulsating wilderness with breathtaking African sunsets. And it is known as one of the safest countries to visit. Activity holidays range from walking safaris to river rafting, bungi jumping into the deep gorge below the Victoria Falls, abseiling, canoeing down the Zambezi, river surfing, excellent fishing. LusakaLusaka is the capital of Zambia, it lies at the junction of the main highways to the north, east, south and west at an altitude of 1300 metres above sea level. The capital covers an area of over 70km sqare and is one of the fastest-growing cities in central Africa. Its population almost trebled in the immediate post-independence era and continues to grow daily; it is a bustling centre for economic, political and cultural activities. The markets are a hive of activity, the thousands of stalls are filled and cleared every day; they include motor spares dealers, restaurants, hairdressers, fishmongers, fruitsellers and rows and rows of "salaula" - discarded clothing from the West sold to Africa by the bale. Nightclubs allow you to dance the night away to the sounds of rhumba, kwela, techno or rock 'n roll. Lusaka marks the end of the fourth phase of the Rally; click here to view the phase winners and table of results. On 11th June the rally leaves Lusaka for Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, taking the road south then south-west. |
