Updating Maz

A few weeks ago someone from one of the guidebooks got in touch having seen this blog to ask me to provide an update on Mazabuka. Below is what I put together and reflecting on what was written on the town around four years ago it was interesting to see how Mazabuka has changed and developed. Hopefully much of this will appear in print.

Mazabuka is a large, bustling, tree-lined town, 349km from Livingstone and 124km from Lusaka ([GPS] 15º51.489'S; 027º45.747'E), which is at the centre of a very prosperous commercial-farming community. The huge Zambia Sugar company (locally referred to as the Nakambala Sugar Estates) dominates the town and the area, and you’ll see fields of mono-culture sugarcane lining the main road either side of the town.

Local facilities and amenities: Along with Choma it is the most developed of the towns between Livingstone and Lusaka. Mazabuka has a major branch of the Shoprite supermarket in the centre of the town and the Kontola Hypermarket on the roundabout leading north from the town towards Livingstone. Within the town centre you will find a range of shops selling local amenities, branches for all the major banks (Barclays, FNB, Stanbic and Standard Chartered) with ATMs, a pharmacy, two doctor’s clinics and two reasonably fast and reliable internet cafes (Hustlers and Makwembo). Also in the centre of town and as you leave to travel towards Livingstone there are a number of 24hr fuel stations.

Where to eat: The number of places to eat in Mazabuka has increased considerably in the last few years coinciding with the growth of the town. There are a number of fast food outlets serving snacks and larger meals including Big Bite, Good Time Investment, Moonzis and Mr Ds Pies. The two supermarkets also have their own fast food outlets and bakeries. In the town centre Pumuna’s restaurant offers a broader range and more substantive meals, and there is a branch of the pizza chain Debonairs.

Outside of the town there are two places to eat. On the left hand side as you leave the town centre and head towards Livingstone you will find Bethlehem Bakery. The bakery is run by the St Bakhita Catholic Church and makes fresh and tasty bread, rolls, pizza slices, focaccia, burgers, pies, chips, biscuits and drinks. It is a charitable association so any profit is used to support the most vulnerable communities in the area. There is also a small Arts centre next to the bakery. On the Lusaka side of the town around 8km from Mazabuka you will find the Pama pub which serves take-away meals and pub food all day. At the same site is a butchery which sells fresh, good quality meat from the Pama farm. A slightly more expensive and more upmarket alternative is the Nakambala restaurant located within the heart of the Zambia Sugar estate. It serves more Western style meals and can be found by asking for directions to the main Zambia Sugar gate.

Where to stay: Due to the economic growth of the town there is a wide range of simple guesthouses in Mazabuka though there is little to choose between many of them. The larger and better quality options are listed below.

Golden Pillow (8 rooms) Livingstone Road; [tel] +260 3 321026; goldenpillowlodge@yahoo.co.uk; All of the rooms are en-suite and include AC, DSTV, fridge and tea/coffee making facilities. There is a bar, restaurant and lounge with TV. The lodge is located at the top of the hill, behind a small bus stop on the left hand side as you travel to Lusaka. $–$$ Kw 150,000 – 220,000

Linga Longa (7 rooms) Chachacha Rd; [tel] 021 32 30784; [mob] 0977 875808; linga.longa@yahoo.com; A welcoming lodge with the rooms offering a mix of en-suite, AC, DSTV and fridge depending on the price. It provides secure parking and has a spacious, shaded garden to relax in. It is located close to Namusa Lodge and can be spotted by the bright green walls that enclose the lodge. $–$$ Kw 100,000 – 200,000

Namusa Lodge (7 rooms) Chachacha Rd; [mob] 0977 835392 / 0966 136353; jsumbwa@yahoo.com; Six of the seven rooms are en-suite and include DSTV, AC and fridge. There is a bar and restaurant, and the lodge is adding more rooms and internet facilities. To get there, pass Shoprite on your left, go over a cross-road and take the first right turn into Chachacha Rd and you will find Namusa is on the left. $–$$ Kw 100,000 – 150,000

Tukale Lodge (12 rooms) Nyati Rd; [tel] +26 021 3230014; [mob] +26 0977 0977 779078; [email] tukalebookings@gmail.com; A friendly lodge that provides en-suite double and single rooms, all with DSTV, AC, fridge and tea/coffee making facilities. The lodge has a restaurant, bar, garden, secure parking and wireless internet. The lodge is at the top of the hill as you leave Mazabuka to drive to Lusaka, turn left on the road that faces the golf club and radio station and then after 50metres you will find the lodge on the right. If busy there is a second Tukale Lodge nearby with 18 rooms offering the same facilities. $–$$ Kw 200,000 – 250,000

Royal Laricio (15 rooms) [mob] 0977 825205; [email] claramuyund@yahoo.co.uk; Another friendly lodge where all rooms are en-suite with DSTV, fridge and tea/coffee making facilities. It includes a bar, restaurant, relaxing garden and conference facilities. To reach the lodge it is signposted on the right, half way up the hill as you leave town for Lusaka. $–$$ Kw 200,000 – 250,000