Kalimba Reptile Park Day Trip

Moving back to your home town can take a toll on you especially if you got so used staying away from home. Being back in my home town meant adapting to the many changes that have taken place here. The beauty is that as one that loves travel, I can handle this. The biggest change has been the school I work from.

New scenery, friends, students and old family members is what I found here. I treasure my solo trips because they have helped me get out of my comfort zone and find myself. Lusaka town has changed a lot over the years and it was clearly time to visit places I visited way back but this time in a group.

Nothing does it like a day-trip to a remote place in summer. It’s super hot here and taking a dip would be awesome.

Kalimba Reptile Park is a place one should bucket list and visit when on this end. It is not so much of a hidden gem. Lots of people frequent this place to be away from the busy places. It may be your go-to-place for day trips. If you are not a local, you may have to return to town area for accommodation as this place does not have lodging.

As we arrived, we were greeted by some cows on the premises that were grazing. We paid our 5 dollars entry fee and my niece paid less for being a youngster. I have done crocodile meat and this place has a kitchen where that can be prepared but the style of this trip was barbeque what we brought and we didn’t bring croc meat. I will try this on another day.

Kalimba Reptile Park is great for group excursion or family day out. For all the fishing lovers, this is the perfect place as well. You will also enjoy a display of reptiles.

The park houses snakes like black mamba, boomslang, vine snake, Mozambique spitting cobra, brown house snake etc. It was amazing to see some of these species camouflaged in the grasses which made me question where I was standing just in case.

If at all you did not pack much to eat, it’s fine because this place has a kitchen and am sure they prepare crocodile in all ways possible seeing that they had a croc recipe book on display for sale.

You are gonna have a comfortable place to have your croc burgers, croc spareribs or whatever version of crocodile you choose.

We took a walk around the gardens and noticed other clients coming in at mid day. Some took their kids for a dip, others went on the swings. Others started their barbeques upon arrival, am thinking they were starved.

This place is not that big but there is lots to do around. I could see some mini golf which few people have been doing am sure because it appeared to need a facelift.

There comes that special time when your stomach protests because it wants a fill. I loved that this is a place you can have a picnic and enjoy some warm foods.

Though I didn’t have my signature adventure food, crocodile, I enjoyed the meats we had brought to the park. You will never go wrong with boerewors sausages, I just love them. I had fair shares of barbeque chicken as well. All this with a salad and my favorite being potato salad which just made my afternoon.

We had enough of this food marathon until it was time for a dip. The beauty about this trip is that if the adults (mum and auntie) wanted to be left alone to chit chat, it was the perfect place for people of that generation.

I had my sister to talk to as well. We goofed around and all but we had to make the smallest human being in our group feel part of the squad or at least make her locate her squad at Kalimba Reptile Park.

If we didn’t, she was gonna loudly be singing, “la, la, la, la!”, just so that she does not feel left out but be the one to tell all the stories. Talk about a bossy kid! Anywho, we changed into our bathing suits. The heat was at capacity but we had so much fun with this small human being who found herself her own squad.

I am recommending Kalimba Reptile Park for that relaxing day away from the usual way of life at home or away from the noisy places.

October 28, 2024 6

Unearthing Southern African travel through Myths and Mementos

The most common way to keep memories has been photos. Almost every one of us loves them. There are many ways to keep our memories but some things we decide to keep may last longer than others. I am inspired by collections that others have. This one time, I saw a backpack this traveler had with lots of small flags fastened to it which I believe represented the countries he had been to.

When we travel, we sometimes hold on to that one thing that will remind us of those places we visit. What I noticed is that some memories may be long-lasting and some short. For those thinking, “Why not keep memories where they belong, in the mind.” l do agree with you. But a memento is good for others and not everyone. Others are connected to happiness, sadness, or indeed any other emotion.

Traveling around Southern parts of Africa has allowed me to hold on to some mementos, some of which are long-term and are still there, some that are short-lived and disappeared in thin air, and some that are both long and short-term due to circumstances. Along the way, I also collected some myths that I have kept at the back of my mind and pondered on once in a while.

The Short-term mementos

Henna Skin decor

Not every souvenir needs to be placed in a treasure box. Some people have opted to have reminders of some things on their skin. Count me out on the permanent ink. I always get too chicken to pull that off. But have you seen how beautiful henna skin decor looks on ladies?

Henna skin decor has been a reminder of countries like Tanzania and Kenya. It looks like this act is more prominent in Arab and Indian culture. Interestingly, some have said it symbolizes good health and prosperity in marriage and that the darker it is, the stronger or deeper the love between two individuals. So basically it looks like it is an act done by women in love or soon-to-be married, and that are in good health. The funny part about being a tourist is that we do these things blindly at times without understanding the meaning behind them. Can you imagine how many thought of me as a bride? Lol! I celebrated none of the above things except just being joyous because of visiting the countries.

Cute Hotel Complimentaries

I will not be ashamed of the fact that I have, sometimes, kept some hotel complimentary soaps, shower gels, shampoos, chocolates, etc. I mean, why do they make them look so cute and petite? I guess they are meant for us to use and if I had carried all those things already, there is no way I would have left these cuties for the next guest. It may sound like a not-so-fancy thing to do but it is the cuteness of these products that some of us love and speaking of how long they last is dependent on how big our treasure chests are. I believe these complimentary gifts aren’t meant to last that long so long you showed one or two people out there that you used a shower gel from a hotel you loved. I think that hotel staff don’t care if you got those but they would be bothered if you got their towels and pillows.

The Long-term mementos

Foreign currency collection

When it comes to keeping currency as a souvenir, people prefer to have a collection of currencies of countries they have been to. In as much as I have done that, I have found myself collecting currencies of countries I have not been to. To be fair, this has given me a desire to travel to these places. I have often looked at them and imagined myself using them in their countries. I have found myself having this collection from other travelers. It would be nice to travel to Mozambique, Egypt, Mauritius, India, Canada, the UK, Ethiopia, etc. The beauty of treasuring this long-term souvenir is that it is lightweight and won’t burden you.

Tour compliments

There are lots of things one could keep for souvenirs when they do short tours. Some tours involve one using a tour bus to get familiar with a city. Some tour buses do give you free headsets to listen to the music on board as you enjoy city views. At times, you may be given funny things like this handmade ring made by a tour guide on a spice tour as he guided us through spice plantations and how spices are grown in Tanzania . The tour was informative and we needed to have some sort of reminder of this trip. I love how quickly this ring was made with lemongrass and it was placed on our fingers to remind us of this tour. I was inspired to keep this ring until it dried. The inspiration came from a Swiss tourist I met who picked a nest from a tree in Kenya and he told me that when he went back home he still had the nest. He held it with so much care that we give handling eggs.

This souvenir can be kept for a long time if you choose to.

Escapade bands

We all love achievements. The feeling is intense when it has to do with something daring. I love doing animal interaction tours because this was not with cute animals like zebras. The lions made these tours an escapade. I have never kept any souvenirs of such tours. On other adventures, I have kept a reminder in the form of a band though not a fan of bands. I got this after doing the zipline for the first time. This is not an activity I would engage in every so often because of the adrenaline rush involved.

The short and long-term mementos

Accidental tatoos

A memory can be either good or bad. We love to hold on to good memories. When we travel, not all memories we make are good ones.

I love motorbikes even though I can’t ride them myself. I have used them for public transport. My first experience was in Tanzania and I thought of it as a cool way to move around. I got scary comments from others saying they aren’t that safe but did these people understand how cool it feels when the wind is blowing your hair?

I had to go to the beach, this one time in Kenya for a day out. Shelly Beach it was. I got on a motorbike in a hurry because the rider appeared to be in a rush. With this rush, I did not know I had to check the exhaust pipe before I sat. It was hot and it burnt my leg. The rider should have given me a heads-up because I wore shorts. I got myself an accidental tattoo and this has been a reminder or unwanted souvenir of Shelly Beach.

Sea shells

Don’t you just love sea shells? Having sea shells is always a reminder that I come from a landlocked country and the only time I can have them, is when I travel. Over the years, the biggest mistake has been collecting too many shells and this may not work to my advantage because it may be dead weight. Keeping a shell per country will be okay for now. When I was collecting lots of shells, I was hoping to spray-paint them and place them in a vase to make a house decor.

Crazy-myths’ keepsakes

Okay, so, everyone has that one crazy story some around them choose to believe, and that others think of as stupid. I have always invited you to bucket list The Victoria Falls and The Zambezi River. I have heard myths and wanted to have a keepsake of these myths but they appear too creepy for my liking.

The thing is, these waters are said to house The Nyami Nyami river god. This Nyami Nyami is a long serpent-like creature and when it is about, do not dare as a local to be near because it will suck you down never to be seen again. I am glad that the many times I have been on these waters, Nyami Nyami must have been on vacay.

July 20, 2024 10

And to my WordPress family……

Hey everyone,

It’s hard to believe it’s been three years since I started this little corner of the internet! Back then, I was just starting out, full of ideas and a touch of nervous excitement. Now, as I look at the amazing community of over 200 followers, I’m filled with so much gratitude.

Thank You!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to each and every one of you who has followed along on this journey. Your comments, shares, and likes mean the world to me. They fuel my passion to keep creating and sharing content that I hope you find informative, engaging, or just plain entertaining.

Celebrating Together

To celebrate this milestone, I did this write up just to thank you all for being there. I have learned so much from many blogs I follow and hope to keep learning from you all.

Here’s to Many More!

Here’s to many more years of learning, creating, and connecting with this wonderful community. I’m so excited to see what the future holds for this blog, and I can’t wait to share it all with you.

Thanks again for being a part of this journey!

With gratitude,

Faith

July 13, 2024 19

Experiencing 4 Countries in less than 20 minutes

Experiencing Southern Africa has been such a joy. Each country I decided to see, left me with lasting memories.

I have made more than one trip to some of these countries. Many things took me to Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. And Zambia being my home country, has been a wonderful home.

Just to go down memory lane, I will, should I leave my country for good, always remember the Mighty Victoria Falls. It is a touristic identity of the country and being in Zimbabwe many times, I must say that the same falls will remind me of Zimbabwe as it is also found there.

I will always remember Namibia for its beaches and deserts and Botswana for its wildlife.

If the truth be told, I would love to do a revisit. What was closest to this visit I am desiring, was when I took a trip enjoying my moment on the safaris of the Chobe River, only to find out I experienced all four of these countries in less than 20 minutes!

Before I got to Chobe River for the safari, I passed through Kazungula bridge and it is at this place that Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Zambia borders meet at a quadripoint. I love that this bridge was worked on and looks beautiful and I spent time admiring the Zambezi River from this side of the country.

This Botswana- Zambia border connects two points on the Zambezi river, one with Namibia in the Northwest to one with Zimbabwe in the Southeast. This boundary on the Zambezi River is also known as the “Four Corners of Africa”. The four countries meet on the eastern side of the Caprivi Strip. What is more interesting is that research has it that there are more than 150 tripoints in the world like Egypt, Libya, and Sudan in Africa; Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela in the Americas; Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan in Asia; Austria, Germany, and Switzerland in Europe but there is only one International quadripoint in the world and I am happy to have had seen this point. It is always a great feeling to come across rare places. You will find the four countries Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana meeting at the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers.

I bet there are other points one could enjoy this quadripoint from, but one of these is on the Chobe River. I sat on the boat waiting to come across some wildlife of Botswana. There were lots of animals to see but that is a story for another day. What made my day was learning and experiencing this rare truth that the boat I was on did not just make a stop on ordinary waters but on a spot that made me experience four countries in less than twenty minutes!

Though this point could take about five to six minutes, I decided to wait longer than this by asking the boatman for his permission. I figured this rare place could be appreciated more if there was a poster or something but because this was on water, there was little chance of this.

June 20, 2024 33

December 3, 2023 2

How to rock Zambian food tourist-style

People travel for different reasons. Some do it for the sake of quenching gastronomic desires. This is among my favorite things to do. Some foodies are passionate travelers who don’t limit themselves. They seek out many cuisines.

Foodies embark on a never-ending mission to please their cravings. They have no fear of searching out unusual ingredients and advanced cooking methods. They try foods with old-fashioned recipes passed down through generations. Food holds the ability to exceed language barriers. It also fosters connections between individuals from different backgrounds.

You will get to sample a wide variety of cuisines when you travel to most of the Southern African countries. You will find all sorts of foods in the lively street food vendors and bustling markets. For example, you can savor a savory braai in South Africa. Their take on barbecue. Imagine tender meats marinated in a mixture of spices! They’re cooked well thanks to skillful grilling. This would go well with some delicious side dishes.

Namibia as another example, is a country that has distinct food customs. You may get a taste of its rich traditional foods like potjiekos. This is a slow-cooked stew cooked in a cast-iron pot. Plus, you could have biltong, a sort of dried and cured meat. Most southern African countries offer unique tastes. These will offer experience that will please even the pickiest eater.

Venturing further north to Zambia, don’t miss the chance to try nshima. This is a staple food made from maize meal. This thick and filling dish is often paired with relishes called ndiyo. As a tourist in Zambia, take your food journey to another level. There is no time for that waitress to explain to you what you will be eating. This article will do that for you.

Hygiene is very important. I must add that some restaurants should up their game in this area. Other restaurants are a no-go area because of this. I went to a local food restaurant called Harriet’s. This restaurant is in the tourist capital of the country. It has tourists frequenting it. Blend in with us by being a step ahead. Know those local dishes to enhance your experience of a different culture.

Some of these local restaurants are indoors. Most of these kinds of restaurants also have outdoor settings. This is ideal in most seasons except in the wet and cold seasons. As you have your local meal, you can enjoy street and city views.

What is Zambia’s staple food?

Zambia’s staple food is nshima. This is like potatoes. The difference is that mashed potatoes are on the fluffy side. Some Zambians, especially our male folk may amaze you with their love for nshima. I met these tourists who commented on the same. They felt their Zambian friends they made whilst staying here idolize this nshima. I had to tell them why it is so.

Most men here who have physical jobs need to fill up their stomachs well. Nshima fills up your stomach so that you don’t have to think of other meals for many hours. These men mock foods like pasta to be ‘bird food’ that won’t do wonders for your tummy.

This nshima is not eaten how you would mashed potatoes. I have had mashed potatoes with nothing else. The taste is okay because of spice, margarine, or butter. You cannot have nshima on its own. It tastes flat. Nshima goes with relishes like fish, meats, and veggies.

What accompaniments go with nshima?

When it comes to accompaniments, it is up to what you would want. Real foodies are adventurous so try fighting the picky side of you. You can have nshima with fish which is fresh or what you call dry. ‘Dry’ because of the process it goes through. This is something like smoked chicken. Some love their fish that way. This means you buy the dried fish but still boil it after. The most common fish we have is bream. It is usually fried and some like it in gravy. Some want the gravy prepared on its own.

You could also have nshima with T-bone, beef, or chicken stew. There are two types of chickens. The first is the one you would find in a supermarket or butchery. The other type called village chicken has tougher flesh. These are chickens reared by individuals. They eat anything they find like insects, lizards, or fruits. They aren’t reared in a professional way. What is funny is some people prefer a lizard-eating chicken. They claim it is tastier. This is the one you see below. Meat and chicken stews are common even in other countries. In other countries expect to have them with rice or potatoes. What may not be common is a stew that has a combination of chicken feet, liver, gizzards, and intestines. I can’t say I have had this stew. From observations, people love it! I have had chicken livers not as a stew.

I have mine roasted with spices, green pepper, and onions. I hate imagining the intestines of a chicken boiled. If something grosses me out, I would rather have it roasted. I know that being an adventurous foodie means ditching the act of being picky. But I have my limits. Intestines are intestines. They are the passage for poop. If not washed well, then you ate poop.

We have what you call kapenta which is like tiny sardines in tomato and onion sauce. If you wanna blend in with us, call it kapenta. Get to that local food restaurant and ask for nshima with kapenta and veggies of your choice. When it comes to kapenta, expect a seafood aroma. If you don’t like the smell of seafood, you may not like kapenta.

And the veggies?

There is a large variety of veggies to go with your nshima and meats. Zambians love meat! I have met very few vegetarians here. The vegetables we have are rape, impwa, ifisashi, and cabbage (which tends to have fewer greens and I don’t like that). Okra is on the list. It is slimy but my favorite.

There is a liking for some vegetables cooked in peanut butter sauce. This is what I listed as ifisashi. Without peanut butter, one can use pounded groundnuts. This is powder-like instead of paste-like.

How do I eat this nshima? It’s so sticky.

It’s always funny to watch non-locals eat nshima. The struggle is real! Lol! And yes, you can use a fork and knife. The truth is it is not meant to be that way. Hygiene first. Wash thy hands in a thorough way. Pinch that big lump of nshima so that you have a smaller piece. Make that piece into a round shape. Use thy thumb to make a small depression in your ball of nshima. That small depression scoops the accompaniment. Then, enjoy the taste of your food. Bon appetit!

How much?

Prices of local foods are affordable. What is more expensive is nshima with T-bone or fish. This is about 3 to 4 dollars. The rest of the restaurant’s food is below that price range. Vegetarians pay less than this. Consider taking on this journey of local Zambian food.

November 4, 2023 5

A Must Try Cafe: Livingstone’s Kubu Cafe Review

Cafes are great locations to relax, take in a warm atmosphere, and have a delicious cup of coffee. For those looking for a break from the daily grind, these lovely spots provide a retreat. Cafes are the ideal setting for deep chats with friends. They provide peaceful moments of isolation because of their laid-back vibe.

These spots are the perfect place to catch up on work, read a compelling book or people-watch. Freshly brewed coffee in the air will tantalize your senses. It will foster a welcoming and cozy atmosphere.

Cafes are places where you can Imagine yourself curled up in a cozy corner. They sometimes have soothing music playing in the background. This is what I walked into at Kubu Cafe. I went there for a conversation. I didn’t realize I was there for two meals and some dessert. I realized it’s enticing to remain for a while and enjoy the experience. This is because of their charming decor, gentle lighting, and plush seats as well.

An excellent cafe should provide its customers with a warm and pleasurable experience. A decent one needs the following things below:

Coffee Quality: Good coffee is the foundation of any cafe. A customer wants a well-made espresso and brewed coffee. They desire a range of premium teas and other beverages. I am not a coffee addict. I could tell the clients around Kubu Cafe were enjoying their coffee. I was enjoying my cappuccino.

Comfy Seats: A variety of comfortable seats create a warm atmosphere for customers. Some individuals might like the cozy embrace of a plush couch. Shared tables offer a unique setting for seating. This setting fosters a feeling of neighborhood and encourages interaction between varied groups.

When I linked up for a chill, I tried the shared table. We stuck around for a while and I ended up on a couch. I must say Kubu Cafe had a variety of seats which makes it an ideal hang-out spot for both individuals and groups. I even noticed baby seats which means every age group had a seating arrangement.

Wide Range of Menu Options and Considerate Pricing :
Variety is vital when it comes to designing an alluring menu. A cafe should have a wide variety of tastes and dietary needs. This helps customers find something they enjoy. At Kubu Cafe, you will have variety on the menu. What was on their board was not all there was on that day.

There is something for everyone at Kubu Cafe. The food ranged from mouthwatering croissants to savory sandwiches. I enjoyed the colorful salads, and mashed potatoes with a juicy t-bone steak. Going out to eat with someone means you can taste some of their food. My partner in crime at this cafe picked their chicken schnitzel with fries. I must add that it was well-prepared food that needed a signature dessert after. There is nothing that does it for me more than chocolate cake. Yummy…

Charging stations and WiFi: It has become more crucial for businesses to cater for their tech-savvy clients. Today’s world is fast-paced. Wi-Fi and charging stations are an efficient method to improve client experience. Having stuck around Kubu Cafe, we soon were in need of some charging. We didn’t care much about the WiFi because we had ours.

Sufficient Hours of Operation: Cafes should have enough hours of operation. This might influence a business’s success. It can decide to keep later hours or open earlier. This may draw a greater variety of clients. I liked that Kubu Cafe had these hours of operation.

A successful cafe blends hygiene, friendliness, and competent personnel. It is safe to say Kubu Cafe did well in these three areas. I was helped by one staff member who gave recommendations on a book sold there. Cafes may create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages repeat business. So the next time you enter a cafe, enjoy the right atmosphere. I left Kubu Cafe feeling refreshed.

October 20, 2023 10

Appreciating African Artwork

I took my love for art to another level by identifying a student of mine who is so gifted I couldn’t ignore this. I recently got rid of old art (gave them out) I had and started a new collection. I hired my student to do some art pieces for me because she was not that expensive. Her prices are affordable compared to those from a fancy shopping mall. Unlike the previous paintings I usually request, these had one theme, Africa. These lovely paintings my student did scream Africa and I love them.

Art is fluid. I am not quite sure I have met anyone that looks like the women in these pictures. This is what someone thought of so it’s good enough for me. This was a set and my student charged me about 24 dollars for these. That is not the price you will find them,especially as a tourist.

I found myself at it again. I was travelling and this time not so far off. I went to the southern parts of the country. It’s amazing what kind of art was there!

Artists use their emotions, beliefs, and senses to come up with fine art. Some have defined art as something that the imagination and skill have come up with. This imagination and skill express ideas or feelings. I was willing to take a tour and appreciate what runs through some African artists’ heads.

It is out there that there are many types of art the main types being visual, literary, and performing arts. This tour I took showcases the first mentioned type of art and that is visual. The other type was instruments used in performing arts.

Where to find these art stands I went south of Zambia and decided a tour to and around these markets was in order. I have seen some locals and tourists admire these pieces. The reason some tourists can’t buy loads of art from these stands is because they have to travel light. Some have to move from country to country. You will find this art in some hotels and one place that has a variety of art is Mukuni Park Curio Market. So let’s see what I found and that you and I must appreciate as it was someone’s well-thought-out idea.

The art you are likely to find is:

1) Art you can wear

Fashion is subjective, sometimes. As we travel and also depending on countries’ rules and laws about fashion, we can wear what we want. It is important to study your environment beforehand so you don’t offend anybody there.

Speaking of my homeland, Zambia, you could wear what is a thing and we love to see you dress like us. On this trip, I happened to meet an American who has some work to do here. They wore an African-themed shirt and it made me ask about where they got it. They said they got the material and made it themselves!! If you can’t beat us, do join us.

Our materials known as Chitenge can sometimes have way too many colours on one piece. When picking mine, I am usually mindful of my skin tone so I don’t have to look like a psychedelic disco ball!

My suggestion is you try getting pieces of material with only two colors. You could get these for about 10 to 13 dollars for 6 meters. Find a good tailor whilst you are at it. Tailors would charge you about 7 to 10 dollars or more. You could pay more depending on how complicated the pattern of your outfit is. You could also use the fabric as a wrapper, the way African ladies would do it.

You will find plain material or already-made products from materials like side bags, aprons, men’s shirts, bottoms, baby bags and to add a bit of attitude, there is nothing wrong with adding some Jewelry to go with your outfit. Again, these come in many colors and you don’t want to be twinning with the rainbow so pick wisely and rock that African outfit like a local!

You may ask yourself what to wear on your feet. Men could wear smart kinds of shoes. Try ditching the sneakers and hiking boots. Another look for a guy would be to wear black or brown trousers. Wear your chitenge shirt, smart trousers and one of these slippers. For the ladies, these slippers are a biggie. The slippers make any African outfit look good.

2) Art to display in homes, offices or hotels

There is no need to buy big displays as a tourist. You can get miniature versions of some of the cool stuff I found.

I have seen some five-star franchise hotels here with African themes. They have displayed tasteful items like handwoven grass basket plates and mats. Some decorative storage containers are made from wood and coated with varnish. This is also true for what I found out were chairs carved in the form of different animals.

Your hotel or temporary apartment in Zambia could use a facelift. Slap the walls with some African-themed paintings. Some artists transformed wire into a baobab tree. Cute.

3) Art for other uses

There was art of all sorts. Two major ones are already mentioned. Some belonged to a different category. We all know that when the weather is so cold, we get cracked feet. To help stop or reduce that, some use these stones when showering. The stones help so that cracks don’t look dirty. After that, It is necessary to add lotion to stop that.

I also noticed that the elderly were also catered for. If you can’t afford a walker for the old, why not try our walking sticks which come with different designs.

I even saw some art that fell in the category of entertainment. This is a headgear worn by the Ngoni tribe of Zambia. You place it on your head as a crown and it can be used at dance events. I doubt it’s a big deal if you wore it to feel like a part of this tribe. I have worn it before at a hotel I watched the Ngoni dancers’ boogie.

The two other pieces of artwork fell in the entertainment category. These were African drums and the chess board. I play the drums at the intermediate level because I am low-key musical, lol! I had to leave this market.

Before I left, I realized the chess board had pieces that looked far from the king, queen, bishop, knight, pawn, and rook. Believe me, I didn’t have enough time to ask what these African pieces were. I wondered if there were other African rules in this game, lol!

August 31, 2023 10

Siavonga’s Savee Beach Resort Getaway

Getaways are the reason for some of the good in us like enjoying of health benefits, improved mental health, overall motivation and all those good things. You know the other good thing about them? Saving costs. Just because I love travel, doesn’t mean I always have to go so far off, nop. I just needed to be away yet within and do this without emptying my pockets.

In life, we should learn to have a balance because this world is full of things like work, stress, family, marriage and if you allow this endless list to take the best of you, this may be the cause of many unwanted pressures on you with unpleasant consequences.

The whys of this getaway

Ahhmm… first because planning international trips as a solo female traveller with an 8 to 4 job of a teacher can take longer than usual without using a travel agency. I am my own travel agency. So who is gonna wait for later for a longer break because that in itself comes after a good 3 to 4 months. Am not waiting that long to be out there! The other ‘why’ for this trip is a definite ‘ just because’.

So where are we going anyways?

You know if you have been reading my blogs, you realize I have a soft spot for the beach yet born in a landlocked country hence the constant thirst to get to the coastal areas. Siavonga! That’s the name of the small town in Zambia you could enjoy beach moments without having to travel to the coast! I told myself to cool it with the next coastal visit preps and enjoy a weekend on Zambian soil.

This kind of taught me about few times in life we have looked at greener grass on the other side of where we are standing. Sometimes, it’s okay. But this time was time to enjoy grazing the grass I was standing on. So let’s graze!

Coming from the main international airport in the capital of the country and want to try it? This location is about 3 hours away but you won’t regret the distance.

The road trip

Part of the fun of a road trip is you get to see the country side and being that the wet season is over, brown and a bit of green here and there was the theme color nature provided.

The trip from Lusaka Town area to Siavonga town was about 3 hours but I bet it would be less for faster drivers. On your lucky day, you will find some cows and goats on the road making sure they blocked your way.

From a distance as you head to Siavonga, you will see some hilly areas as well but I particularly liked parts where the road meanders through higher land.

The area an hour and a half from Lusaka to Siavonga is quite underdeveloped and if viewing the slower life is your thing, you will particularly like the African village look having mud or thatched small houses and some villagers selling fruits, charcoal or whatever could be sold by the roadside.

I checked my watch and it was almost 3 hours of this road trip. I knew we were almost there because I could see the color blue in the horizon not too far off and though the sky sometimes appears blue, this wasn’t the sky but the beautiful Lake Kariba! The signpost to confirm we were here was just in my face!

Arrival

I knew this getaway was going to be perfect when I saw the entrance to the destination resort I settled for. Savee Beach Resort has a beautiful entrance starting from the gate to the reception area. The fountain gave a refreshing look to the face of the resort. The decor at the reception was simple and all the glass doors, windows were sparkling clean! The floors, though white in color, were also absolutely spotless. I couldn’t help but make this moment last by keeping a lasting memory. For a beach resort in a village near a lovely lake, the face of this hotel was a cool four star! The personnel were on point trying to check me in with cheerful yet professional attitude.

General appearance

The outside of the resort was more like getting up a hilly area. There were stairs almost everywhere because the landscape was high and low. Stair cases were well built with grey bricks.

I must say it’s home away from home kind of place and quite a beautiful hideout for escapists. A stone throw away from the Lake Kariba makes it such a perfect spot for beautiful sunsets.

Some of the facilities it had were about 70 plus rooms which could accommodate single and double occupancy. I got a single room which had simple yet elegant decor with the theme colors chocolate and cream.

The reason I loved this room was because it had a lake view I could access just by opening the glass door. I could say the same for the restaurant. This resort offers multi cuisine but my concentration was more on the Indian cuisine and having my meal right next to the lake added to the great vibes of the place.

I could have sworn I saw many pools but after familiarising myself with the place, I discovered it has three pools. It boasts a small cozy bar and another building called The Boat House which appeared to be a conference or party spot and still being renovated.

So the general appearance considering that this resort used to be called Fresh View and renovations and beautifying are still underway, I must say I appreciate the smooth transition and what the place is becoming. For me its general appearance was a four star.

The highs and lows of the getaway

The highs of this getaway were the fact that this resort is next to the lake and this means wonderful views. The other high is that the food was mouthwatering!

The lows were that the room I was in had an unpleasant stain on the blinds but am sure they have that on their to-do-list considering the renovations going on.

You should totally try this hidden gem!

July 24, 2023 7

Awesome Southern African cities you should visit in 2023 (Part 1)

💕Hey you! Part 2 coming soon!💕

If there is such a thing as winning the lottery, having a get-rich-quick scheme go as planned or I just happen to afford it, I want to visit North America, Europe, Canada and my absolute favorite, Australia but the way I see it, these will remain dreams for now, but, thanks to bloggers, TV and indeed all the places I have seen and appreciated these places through. Imagine if these channels were never available.

Today I especially woke up with a dire need to share Southern African cities I have come to love and hopefully encourage someone out there to consider adding these cities to their bucket list and even if it ends up being a dream, it’s free to dream, right?

By all means do try out:

1) Livingstone (Zambia)

Let’s say you happen to be on the Southern part of the continent of Africa on Zambian soil and not made it to Livingstone, then you haven’t lived. I think at this moment, Livingstone is tired of having me. This is a place you will find African dancers communicating to you, appreciating and welcoming you through dance. Feel free to tag along and enjoy the rhythms of Africa.

I have done Livingstone sometimes just to get soaked by the splashes from the mighty Victoria Falls. I want no one to disturb me when am spending time with her. You will want to enjoy your awesome moment with her after all she is one of the natural wonders of the world! I love Livingstone! Never a dull moment here. If it’s not the falls you wanna be at, do the Zambezi river, all in one town! This river is like the fourth longest river in Africa.

You will enjoy lots of activities done on this river. Many other activities will make your visit to Livingstone memorable like the nerve-wracking, adrenaline-boosting lion interaction. Most of all, if you are a foodie like I am, you don’t want too many restrictions when it comes to food so enjoy tasty crocodile at some restaurants here but I highly recommend Zambezi Cafe. Yu-m-mmmy!

2) Walvis Bay (Namibia)

This is a port town on the coasts of Namibia. It is said to be the second largest city in Namibia and the largest coastal city in the country. You will enjoy being in Walvis Bay as there are lots of boating and cruise companies to help you enjoy the Atlantic ocean and all that you can do there. Wanna enjoy the Atlantic ocean on African soil? Choose Walvis Bay. The cruise agency I highly recommend is the Laramon Tours which changed its name to Catamaran Charters. They offer variety of cruises suitable for all ocean lovers.

Walvis Bay is known for its varying birdlife for all those birders out there. Bucket list this place for all good hotels near the Atlantic ocean like Protea Hotel where you could enjoy your meals and stays with beautiful views.

3) Cape Town (South Africa)

I was amazed at how beautiful this city looks at night from where I stood. I was quite stunned. Coastal cities happen to be my favorite for some reason. Unlike other cities I have toured in my own style, I love that Cape Town offers city tours and the well known company offering these tours is the City Sightseeing red bus which is the hop on and hop off kind of touring. This absolutely gives you the opportunity to see Cape Town, Seapoint area in style enjoying the views of the Table mountain, Cape Wheel, Nobel Square and a boat cruise tour near the harbor area.

Sunsets in Cape Town are beautiful. It pays off to have a long beach walk and get rewarded with an amazing sunset. For your travel sustainable, clean accomodation, I recommend Mojo hotel in Seapoint right next to where the Atlantic and Indian ocean meet.

4) Dar es salaam (Tanzania)

We celebrate Tanzania because of its beautiful city of Dar es salaam. Everytime I have been here, I always find that this city gives me a whole new vibe. Its beautiful beaches could be well appreciated from pleasure resorts like Azure Boutique Resort. I wanted a quiet moment at the beach and didn’t want a public beach. It was only me, the ocean, the birds and this moment I will not forget. I knew that though Dar es salaam is such a loud town, I would enjoy the coastal town by trying out a private beach.

The market place in Kariakoo, I loved! I went round, shop after shop and all sorts of things by the market place are sold and I even took time to ask what some of this stuff was. I especially enjoyed taking a personal tour round the town center area and Mbezi area using their mode of transport I was enjoying to use because we don’t have these kinds back home. Try Dar es salaam for lots more other activities I did not do. Because it’s on the east side of Africa, you will love the sunrise in this town and you know what else caught my attention? Coconuts! Coconuts! Coconuts!

5) Swakopmund (Namibia)

This beautiful city full of awesome scenery is found on the Western part of the country. The beauty with this town is how you can enjoy the best of two worlds, the desert and indeed the coast right in one space! How amazing can it get?!

I had way too much choice here. Took a walk down the road from the place I lodged at and bumped into a tour company right in the desert area called Desert Explorers.

Looking at camels then quad bikes, the adrenaline in me picked the bikes. You will appreciate the dunes using these tours. I was there for hours and would have loved to be there longer!

💕Hey you! Part 2 coming soon!💕

July 1, 2023 2