Chaledzela: A Guide to Chirundu

The border town lies 15 kilometres south of Chaledzela and serves as a gateway to the Lower Zambezi. This helps you understand the relative locations of the destination, the border town to the south, and the wider nature destination. If you are considering excursions in the region in addition to your stay in Chaledzela, this distinction can help with planning.

Chirundu and the route to the Lower Zambezi

From Chirundu, the Chiawa Road heads east across the Kafue Bridge into the Chiawa Game Management Area and continues from there to the Lower Zambezi National Park. The distance of 15 kilometres places Chirundu south of Chaledzela; the road route, by contrast, describes the direction from the border town to the national park. This gives you two distinct points of reference: the location of Chaledzela in relation to Chirundu, and the route onward from Chirundu. If you include the national park in your travel plans, you can consider these location and route details separately.

Nature experiences in the wider area

In the Lower Zambezi National Park, experienced guides lead game drives in open vehicles. On the broad, calm channels of the Zambezi, you can observe the wilderness up close by canoe. These two experiences offer different perspectives: a guided exploration in an open vehicle and wildlife viewing from a canoe on the channels. When choosing, you can consider which of these ways of exploring you prefer.

Lusaka as a broader context

Within the broader destination of Lusaka, the Lower Zambezi National Park is located in Lusaka Province and covers 4,092 km². The area figure refers to the national park; the route via Chirundu places it within the wider regional journey. Another natural area within the broader destination of Lusaka is Lusaka National Park, which opened to the public in June 2015. On 8 August 2022, the Wildlife Discovery Centre opened there. It was established in collaboration with Game Rangers International and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, and became the new home for the elephants previously cared for at the Lilayi Elephant Nursery.

The two dates relating to Lusaka National Park refer to different events: the park opened to the public in 2015, and the Wildlife Discovery Centre opened in 2022. The centre is connected to the story of the elephants previously cared for at the Lilayi Elephant Nursery. This distinguishes the opening of the park from the later opening of the centre.

Cultural reference in the destination of Lusaka

Chakwela Makumbi is a traditional ceremony of the Soli-speaking community under Chieftainess Mukamambo Nkomesha, and takes place in Chongwe District. This provides a cultural point of reference alongside the nature destinations in the broader destination of Lusaka. For orientation, its location in Chongwe District is as specific as the geographical details about Chirundu and the Lower Zambezi, though these are different regional points of reference.

Choosing accommodation and planning your regional trip

The information about Chirundu and the Chiawa Road helps you place the Lower Zambezi within the wider travel area. You can then consider whether a guided game drive in the national park, observing wildlife from a canoe, or a cultural experience in the broader destination of Lusaka fits your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Chalimbana, Mulamba, Chiawa, Kafue, Majuaneti, Lusaka, Chipanama, Chilanga

Go to the broader travel overview: Lusaka.