Exploring Zambia’s History at The Livingstone Museum

Visiting The Livingstone Museum in Zambia is like stepping into a time machine, one that whisks you through the pages of history, culture, and the untold stories of a vibrant nation. As Zambia’s oldest and largest museum, it offers a treasure chest of artifacts and exhibits that bring the past to life. From the tools of ancient warriors to the personal belongings of legendary figures, every corner of the museum tells a story.

A Glimpse into Zambia’s Fight for Freedom

The story of Zambia’s independence is proudly showcased in the museum. A statue commemorating freedom from colonial rule stands tall, symbolizing the nation’s journey from oppression to liberation. Next to it, the sight of the British flag reminds visitors of Zambia’s history as a British colony, a reminder of the courage of the Zambian people.The story of Zambia’s independence is proudly showcased in the museum. A statue commemorating freedom from colonial rule stands tall, symbolizing the nation’s journey from oppression to liberation. Next to it, the sight of the British flag reminds visitors of Zambia’s history as a British colony, a reminder of the courage of the Zambian people.

You’ll find traditional weapons like spears, bows, and arrows, used by Zambia’s ancestors for both hunting and protection. These artifacts offer a vivid connection to the bravery of those who lived long before the modern era.

The Legacy of David Livingstone

At the heart of the museum’s collection is an impressive exhibit dedicated to David Livingstone, the legendary explorer and missionary. His personal items are on display, including his travelling trunk, which looks like a rugged, well-worn chest ready for an adventure. You’ll also see his coat, his letters, and even his journal, each offering a glimpse into the life of a man who explored territories and made history along the way.

The museum also features a statue of David Livingstone, a reminder of his enduring impact on the region and its history. His story is intertwined with Zambia’s past, making this exhibit an essential stop for anyone curious about the country’s journey.

The Vintage VW Beetle Vehicle

One of the most charming exhibits in the museum is a vintage vehicle. Its unusual design makes it stand out among the historical displays, offering a fun and unexpected element to your visit. This car was once used in Zambia, and its presence in the museum adds a delightful touch of the past.

Panoramic Views of Zambia’s Past

The Livingstone Museum doesn’t just tell stories, it immerses you in them. One of its highlights is a breathtaking panorama of a traditional Zambian village. This display recreates the sights and sounds of village life, complete with huts, tools, and scenes of daily activities. Walking through this exhibit feels like stepping into another time, offering a profound connection to Zambia’s cultural roots.

Nature lovers will also appreciate the museum’s natural history section.

Here, you’ll find displays including the skeleton of the isamupati, that is in folded like poster showing in what style olden people buried others. But perhaps the most intriguing exhibit is the Broken Hill Man skull, an important anthropological find. While the original skull is currently housed in the UK, the museum displays a detailed replica and shares plans for its return to Zambia, a move that will further enrich its collection.

For , culture enthusiasts, or anyone with a curiosity for the past, this museum offers an unforgettable experience. Its carefully curated exhibits and immersive displays ensure that every visitor leaves with a deeper appreciation of Zambia’s heritage.

Kenneth Kaunda’s Chilenge House: A Symbol of Leadership

No visit to the museum would be complete without learning about Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s first president and one of the most influential figures in the country’s history. The museum features a view of his Chilenge House in Lusaka, where Kaunda’s leadership and vision began to take shape including the motorbike he used. This exhibit honors his legacy and highlights his role in shaping modern Zambia.

Why The Livingstone Museum is a Must-Visit

The Livingstone Museum is more than just a building filled with artifacts—it’s a living, breathing celebration of Zambia’s rich history and culture. Whether you’re marveling at the tools of ancient warriors, admiring David Livingstone’s personal belongings, or stepping into a recreated Zambian village, every moment spent here is an opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect.

December 22, 2024 4

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

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

A Four-Day Lower Zambezi National Park Safari

Just because I tell stories of solo adventures, does not mean I have avoided group adventures. Group travel is more cost effective than individual one. When you travel with others, you feel a sense of security especially when in remote locations. Group travel also provides opportunities to meet new people and make friends with like-minded people.

I felt this way about the trip to Lower Zambezi. Some of the things I loved about this trip were:

1) The preps

As one who loves food blogging mostly through restaurant reviews, I would have loved to share step-by-step how I prepared the mouth-watering roasted spiced potatoes with meatballs in onion rings dish and vanilla cake for dessert. It’s always exciting to be in the kitchen and more so if it has to do with a trip. I loved the other preparations like packing of things we were going to be using.

2) The wonders of an 11 hour road trip

It is a known fact that a road trip can be relaxing. I loved this trip because as earlier mentioned, it was one done with like-minded people. Sing-along songs were done naturally, goofing around was welcome and I think that is why some people prefer group trips to solo trips. We passed through many towns like Kitwe, Ndola, Kapiri Mposhi, and Lusaka to get to the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. You will find the Zambezi River here and surprisingly in many parts of the country because it happens to be one of the longest rivers in Africa.

3) Camping out

Camping solo sounds like a thrilling activity if the place is one having wild animals. I know of some places here like hostels in the middle of a city yet have camping sites. This does not appear the same as camping in or near a national park with all sorts of wildlife. Some dangerous, some not. This is not the sort of place to do a loner camping trip unless you are as brave as the Incredible Hulk. I am glad we were a team.

In certain parts of the world, camping is more common than in other places. In this part of the country, tourists coming from outside the country camp more than locals. I must say we are missing out on lots of fun here. Some lodges in the outskirts do offer camping space and we enjoyed this service at Kiambi Safari Lodge.

We had enough camping space next to the Zambezi River and if we wanted to, we could have been in the other type of accommodation offered like chalets and cabins but that was not the style of this trip. The good thing about being with people who are expert campers is that you just tag along or help where you can. I learned several things I am gonna try out on my next camp trip. I loved the spot and the fact that the convenience block was close to our tents. There were times I imagined myself face to face with some large animal on my way to the restrooms because of the signposts that were around.

4) Great views on boat rides

It was not enough to just camp next to the Zambezi River but also enjoy the lovely scenery on the boat. Kiambi Safari Lodge did offer boat rides. Boating on this long river is a must-do. I loved the beautiful scenery of mountains on the horizon, the greenery as well as the presence of some animals on water. Elephants were found in these waters either on their own or in numbers. Because we were on the water, most animals spotted were crocodiles, hippos that were trying to cool off, elephants, and bird life. I am not sure what sort of birds make holes like this but the woodpecker was my guess. On the other hand, I figured woodpeckers only make holes on tree bucks.

5) Driving through the national park

As we approached the Lower Zambezi National Park gate, we found a signpost having some park rules that should be followed. It was a long drive around and through the park and to be honest, all of us were dying to come face to face with a lion. We have heard enough stories of those who have found the lion on these park drives. Did we find the lion or the lions? Was this our lucky day?

We were happy to see water bucks and I liked the species that had a white ring on their backside. I was only lucky to take a photo of one because they are jumpy or scared. Not to sound ungrateful to mother nature but I have seen enough antelopes. We saw loads of them and I think I have seen enough to last a lifetime.

The national park is graced with lots of chimpanzees and monkeys. Having seen lots from the monkey family, I was dying to see animals I don’t see often. The elephants were in numbers here. It was a treat to spot warthogs and buffalos because I don’t get to see them often. The other animals I should say I was happy to see were zebras. These I do not get to see often and I thought their close friends, the giraffes would be close by but this was not our lucky day to spot them. And just like the giraffes, the lions were not within our reach. I can’t say I was that disappointed but coming here again just to see a lion may or may not be possible so better luck next time.

6) Lasting moments

Lasting moments should be to end this trip with a good evening on a sunset cruise enjoying our last moments here. This scene is unforgettable. And because the weather is chilly during this time of the year, having a fire place set was a perfect idea telling all our stories there and having some other campers around was nice. This last evening made me want to rewind select, so we relive the four days again. I also thought of this because it was when we heard a lion roar from a distance and I was happy that though we didn’t see the lion on the game drive, this was an audible gift from this beast.

June 1, 2024 17

Sushi Waves and Crocodile Charms

Sushi is not the kind of meal to have daily. And so having it brings with it lasting memories to dwell on. This Japanese delicacy is prepared in a few restaurants in the part of the country I was in. I also had the opportunity to try out crocodile cuisines in the same area. And I must add that the delicious taste of crocodile delicacy should be celebrated independently of the animal’s behavior. It is natural to associate the behavior of crocodiles with consuming their meat. This will cause you to miss out on that unique taste crocodile has.

If you desire good sushi, Sea Spice Restaurant is the perfect place and I must say it did it for me. Eating ordinary is cheaper of course. But life is not meant to always be ordinary. Special moments come with special meals and celebrating a birthday is a good enough reason to have some sushi.

I tagged along on this sushi adventure. Sea Spice Restaurant offers diversity on its menu including sushi. I have only come to learn that I had Uramaki, Maki, and Rainbow roll sushi types. These are not the only types of sushi we ordered but that is what was at our disposal that I know by name.

I must admit there was some skill in the preparation of the sushi. The ingredients tasted fresh and I could see the innovation in the rolls. My absolute favorite was the Maki sushi. I feel I need lessons to use the chopsticks because I just can’t wrap my head around how to use them. My love for food has also taught me that one should never feel embarrassed to use eating tools the wrong way. Confession, I used a fork.

Having sushi goes hand in hand with a cozy environment. Sea Spice once called Ocean Basket experienced a transition in terms of ownership of business yet one thing is true about this place: I have had mouth-watering seafood in the same space.

I loved the simple design of this restaurant. Nothing too fancy. The walls were talking. The design was that of sea creatures which am sure were intended to match the theme of the restaurant. The restaurant is not just a sushi bar but one could enjoy samosas, prawns, oysters, mussels, calamari, and the like. You are at liberty to enjoy indoors or better still, outdoor meals.

This restaurant had attentive staff and this enhanced the experience.The food’s appearance and flavour exceeded all expectations, taking the dining experience to a new level of pleasure. It was clear that each ingredient had been carefully chosen and cooked, making for a delicious experience that remained long after the dinner was over.

Expect to spend about 20 dollars for both plates.

What a treat this was! I loved having what I usually don’t have. I couldn’t help but compare sushi to crocodile to see what tops my list.

I do recommend trying good crocodile dishes from Zest, Zambezi Cafe, and Avani Hotel. My first experience having well prepared crocodile was at Zambezi Cafe. These were crocodile spare ribs. This inspired me to give it a second shot at Zest and Avani Hotel.

Zest Restaurant is a small place that offers crocodile meat and has a bar.

As I mentioned earlier, there’s a common misconception that those with delicate taste buds or sensitive stomachs may prejudge crocodile meat based on the reputation of the creature itself. However, being someone who relishes culinary adventures, I decided to challenge any preconceived notions and embarked on a dining experience at Zest. With an open mind and an appetite for exploration, I opted for the intriguing choice of crocodile meat.

When the crocodile dish arrived, the presentation was impeccable — a testament to the chef’s skill and attention to detail. The aroma wafting from the plate hinted at the culinary journey about to unfold.

Savoring the crocodile meat, I was pleasantly surprised by the tender texture and subtle flavors. It was a revelation, challenging any preconceived notions I might have had. I loved sushi as well but my favourite dish from these two restaurants happens to be crocodile. If one critically thinks about what a crocodile eats, it would be a reason to never try it. I looked past all that and discovered a meal I will add to my list when I have an extra 15 to 20 dollars to spare on food not cooked from home! You must try it out too.

January 20, 2024 13

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

Awesome Southern African cities you should visit in 2023 (Part 2)

The last time I filled you in on which cities you shouldn’t leave Southern Africa without seeing, I did mention that it’s good I have had to learn about my bucket-listed cities via blog posts, TV,and the like and that without them, I would not even know about certain parts of the world I desire to travel to. Today I am so geared to share with you the other cities around Southern Africa you should visit in 2023 or later. I was happy to have shared on why you should visit cities like Livingstone, Walvis Bay, Cape Town, Dar es salaam and Swakopmund. If this list didn’t make you start your travel plans, I hope to do a good job making you try out the following towns:

1) Mombasa (Kenya)

I once mentioned how Kenya is like literally the epitome of Africa.Very few humans could actually not have coastal cities as their ideal hide out or hangout place. Both the areas in and near Mombasa have a touristic touch but if not a tourist, you will still love Mombasa anyways. This city is known for its history and you could enjoy going down the history lane whilst admiring the Old Town which was the center for trade between the Africans and the Arabs.

Do stop over at Fort Jesus as well on your history tour and learn more there. It is tradition to take pictures of landmarks, so Pembe Za Ndovu should never be left behind without showing some love because this is like the face of Mombasa!

2) Stone Town (Zanzibar)

It’s good to be old school sometimes and seek the things of old. Stone Town is just perfect for this kind of vibe, l mean the place screams ‘history!’ The town has old structures rich in history. Visit the Old Fort of Zanzibar sometimes called The Arab Fort which is right in the heart of Stone Town close to lots of accomodation choices ranging from hostels to 5 star hotels. You will find some local entertainment going on there to keep your spirits up.

Stone Town is the starting point for the refreshing day trips to Prison Island, Nakupenda Island and indeed many other places I did not see. If you happen to be a food lover (especially one in love with seafood and Indian food), Stone Town will just do it for you! I found lots of restaurants and certainly enjoyed the ones I picked.

3) Lusaka (Zambia)

Not that the town is not that touristic but i have met many a traveller that aren’t that into touristic stuff yet travelling. Some travellers like this could enjoy many places in Lusaka like Trotover Farms for those into horses and enjoy some horse riding .

Lusaka boasts some game reserves and you don’t have to go so far off to have a safari experience and the perfect place for this would be Chaminuka Game Reserve which is close to the main airport and do enjoy watching animals.

Restaurants are also an ideal fun place especially for your taste buds. We have restaurants in the likes of Bombay Lounge, Keg restaurant and bar, Radisson Blu Hotel, The Quorum Hotel, Neelkanth Sarovar Premiere, for those who like to keep it fancy. Aside all these activities are others like the night life if that is your thing.

4) Windhoek (Namibia)

Namibia’s capital, Windhoek is a must-go. The city is calm, busy on some days and ideal for a short city getaway. There are historic landmarks like the Christuskirche i found which is the face of Windhoek. So much history attached to this structure! Other structures that captured my attention were the Independence Memorial Museum that focuses on struggle for independence. The museum is very close to the Christuskirche and could be seen in one tour.

I liked Windhoek for its affordable but neat accommodations. There are lots of shopping malls that offer lots of convenience. I loved the drive on the elevated pieces of land in certain parts of the city which was an opportunity to view the city from a better angle.

5) Kasane and Maun (Botswana)

There are many people I have asked about what one could do in Botswana and often times the replies make it appear like there isn’t really much one could do there. Maybe there is a reason some say so but I doubt the two towns Kasane and Maun would agree to that and am thinking so long there is a desert in the country, should be a reason for it to qualify as a place for people like me.

Kasane is a small border town in Botswana that offers the Chobe Safaris. These are famous safaris even on the Zambian side as you will find many Zambian tour companies offering day or more than a day trips to these national parks. This place I must say is elephant territory so you might want to watch out for these big fellows. I saw lots of those and other animals as well like the Impala family.

There are few cheap flights you could find from Kasane to Maun and back and this could give you the opportunity to see the lovely Okavango Delta from above that looks especially incredible!

These are the towns in Southern Africa that you should find a reason to visit.

August 24, 2023 11