The Waterfront, Mpulungu Zambia

The most famous and spectacular is Kalambo falls, but there are others. There is a road to Kalambo from Mbala, but for those who want, you can go there by boat and a walk. If you don’t want to hire a boat you can go by water taxi to Chisanza (K30), making sure you specify that you are going to Kalambo.

You will be dropped off at one of several suitable starting points where a path leads you up the rift valley side (not vertical here). The walk or rough scramble takes about two hours, so you can come back the same day. Or take a tent and sleep at the falls on the lake shore. Most prefer to take a guide which can be found in Mpulungu or at the drop off point.

Most of the coastline of Lake Tanganyika is cliff or rock or stone beach. But sandy beaches do exist, and several nice sandy beaches can be found close to Mpulungu.

Access is by boat. Many of the beaches are the sites of fishing villages or lodges, but there are some spots where a tourist can go and be relatively undisturbed. One bugbear in a sandy beach are the reeds. These come and go on an unpredictable basis. What is clear open sand one year is covered by reeds 5 years later.

Zambia’s only international port. Not really a tourist spot unless you are leaving the country by boat.

However when the Liemba comes the gates are opened, and you can take the chance to explore Liemba, or buy pineapple and coconuts etc. from the Quayside.

MV Liemba is the oldest functional passenger ship in the world. Made in Germany and transported in pieces to Kigoma in 1907, where it was reassembled. In World War 1 it mounted guns and controlled the whole lake. The British sent gunships overland through Congo and after several gun battles Liemba was scuttled in Kigoma harbour. After the war it was refloated and has continued as a passenger and cargo boat serving the long Tanzanian coastline ever since.

Built in 1895 this is the oldest church in Zambia. It was abandoned in 1906 when sleeping sickness wiped out the entire Mpulungu population

IZI Falls is in the South West corner of the lake, and comes down from the plateau in two stages. It requires a tough bush walk through pretty fierce tropical woodland to reach, from Mbete Fishing village. Only recommended for the physically fit.

Namukale Falls into the lake where the Lunzua river enters the village of Kapata. It can be reached by boat or by a two hour walk from Mpulungu. A guide would be needed. Namukale is not a high falls but it is pretty and has a sandy beach underneath where you can swim in the spill pool of the waterfall.

Ngwenya is the local fish landing beach and market. This is entirely locally run, through the chief, and is independent of government and council. It is also the site of the most important of the local traditions during which a new chief proves his right to rule.

50 – 80 Km up the lake from Nsumbu is the tourist area of Nsumbu, where there is first class angling, a game park and a number of very good lodges. Nsumbu used to be served by a good plane service and a poor road. Today the road is still poor and the plane service nonexistent. With the opening, during the last year, of an inexpensive, regular ferry service, Mpulungu has become a viable gateway to reach Nsumbu.

At the top of the plateau immediately before you reach the slopes of the rift valley is the farming town of Mbala. There are a number of interesting things to do in this town.

There is a good museum founded by one of the first missionaries to arrive in Mbala. This has a very good collection of native masks and musical instruments, amongst other exhibits

There is a road leading to Kalambo Falls for those who wish to drive instead of walk. Just outside of Mbala is Mount Nsunzu, the highest point in Zambia, which offers good views from the top.

In June there is an annual ceremony where all the local chiefs gather and agree (or disagree) on customary matters and traditional dancing etc. is much in evidence.No doubt the Mbala site will have more.