Chipata

Day Trips

Make the most of your day with our curated plans, packed with Chipata's hidden gems and unique experiences!

day 1
Arriving in Chipata
morning
:

The day starts with lifting off into a warm Zambian dawn as you arrive at Chipata Airport. A seasoned driver greets you with a broad smile and helps load your luggage onto a rugged safari vehicle. You drive through palm-lined roads toward a cozy lodge, where the scent of flowering flamboyant trees fills the air.

afternoon
:

After a light lunch, you wander through the leafy avenues of Lewis Memorial Park. Colonial-era fountains bubble gently under the shade of jacaranda trees. Children in school uniforms chase pigeons and add youthful energy to the lush green surroundings.

evening
:

The sun sets in fiery hues as you dine under lantern light at a local boma-style restaurant. The chef serves nshima accompanied by fresh tilapia cooked in traditional red palm oil. Soft guitar rhythms and local folk tales accompany your meal as fireflies dance among the trees.

day 2
Village Paths of Saita
morning
:

Wake with roosters crowing at a rural homestead near Chipata. Slip into a mountain bike and pedal along red dust trails lined with maize fields. Local women wave from their gardens as you pass by clusters of thatched-roof huts.

afternoon
:

Stop for a roadside lunch of fresh cassava and beans under a mango tree. A local farmer shows you how to grind corn by hand on a stone mill. You sip cool baobab juice while sharing stories with children chasing goats on the hillside.

evening
:

As dusk falls, return to the lodge for a bowl of warm pumpkin soup by candlelight. A gentle breeze carries the scent of burning acacia wood from communal cooking fires. You retire early to the sound of crickets and distant nightjars.

day 3
Shopping at Sunday Market
morning
:

Head to the bustling Sunday market at Katete Road where vendors spill over with brightly colored fabrics, fresh mangoes, and woven baskets. The air is thick with the scent of fried maize and spiced peanuts. You haggle with craftsmen over a carved wooden mask for a memorable souvenir.

afternoon
:

Sample a spicy bean stew from a smiling grandmother tending a charred wood fire. Nearby, stools gather around a woman pounding millet into fine flour on a wooden mortar. You learn about the medicinal herbs laid out on palm fronds by a local herbalist.

evening
:

As the sun retreats, neon lights flicker on street stalls selling grilled tilapia and jumbo tiger prawns. You sip chilled Mosi lager while listening to a saxophonist playing soulful rhythms on a wooden crate. Music and laughter drift through the humid air as the market slowly winds down.

day 4
Safari Adventure at North Luangwa
morning
:

You rise before dawn for a game-drive into North Luangwa National Park. A convoy of 4x4s rattles down red clay roads as the sky erupts in pink and gold. You spot herds of kudu and warthog grazing in the misty grasslands.

afternoon
:

After a bush lunch of roasted chicken and fresh salad beneath an acacia canopy, you embark on a walking safari. A skilled guide teaches you to read lion tracks embedded in the soft earth. The thrill of silence heightens as you peer into a hidden hippo pool.

evening
:

You return to a riverside camp where lanterns glow against the darkening forest. The crackle of a campfire mingles with owl hoots as you savor grilled tilapia and root vegetables. Overnight, you listen to the distant roar of a lion echoing across the plains.

day 5
Discovering Pamuzinda Rock Art
morning
:

Set off on a guided trek through fragrant mopane woodlands toward ancient rock shelters. Sunlight filters through twisted branches onto vibrant ochre paintings depicting animals and hunters. You crouch beside faded San motifs, marveling at art that dates back thousands of years.

afternoon
:

Pause for a packed lunch of boiled sweet potatoes and peanuts at a termite mound overlooking the valley. Your guide points to new symbols etched by local Bisa artists in homage to the original rock art. You sketch coastal escarpments and mythical creatures as the wind whispers through grass.

evening
:

Camp beneath a starlit sky near the rock shelter, with the Milky Way blazing overhead. Around the fire, you listen to elders recount legends of the San people and their deep connection to this land. The scent of smoldering eucalyptus fills the night air.

day 6
Relaxing at Chamangunda Falls
morning
:

Travel to Chamangunda Falls through a lush gallery forest, the roar of water growing louder with each step. Mist dances on your skin as you approach the cascading torrents plunging into emerald pools below. You feel the spray on your face as sunlight creates dancing rainbows in the mist.

afternoon
:

Slip into a natural plunge pool and float amid lily pads and jewel-toned fish. A picnic of grilled maize ribs, fresh tomato salad, and chilled coconut water awaits on a sunlit rock. You watch kingfishers dart along the river’s edge and breathe in the cool, misty air.

evening
:

Climb to a viewpoint atop a cliff to watch the sun sink behind towering trees. The symphony of tumbling water and chirping frogs lulls you into relaxation. Overhead, bats stir in the dusky sky as you sip chilled mango juice and toast the day’s adventures.

day 7
Visiting Katete Village
morning
:

Journey to Katete Village, weaving through verdant hills dotted with banana plantations. Local children greet you with shy smiles and eager waves as you disembark at a clan meeting hut. The village chief’s daughter offers you a garland of fresh lilies to wear.

afternoon
:

Join women in the communal courtyard learning to weave colorful baskets from palm fronds. You grind corn by hand for nshima, feeling the rhythmic pulse of tradition. A friendly neighbor invites you to taste sweet fried plantains dusted with cinnamon.

evening
:

As dusk settles, villagers gather around a central hearth for a traditional choir performance. The hypnotic drums and harmonies echo across the thatched-roof huts. You share roasted peanuts and honey-sweetened beer, absorbing the vibrant community spirit.

day 8
Excursion to Lundazi
morning
:

Depart early for Lundazi District, windswept fields stretching toward distant mountains. The road winds through coffee and tea estates where farmers wave from terraced slopes. You pause to sip fresh coffee brewed over coals at a roadside stand.

afternoon
:

Explore the ivory-stoned Lundazi Museum, admiring antique farming tools and colonial-era letters. You wander through a citrus orchard behind the museum, tasting tangy lemons off the branch. A local historian recounts tales of early explorers mapping the Eastern Province.

evening
:

Ascend to the hilltop lodge’s veranda for panoramic sunset views over rolling emerald hills. The sky ignites in mauve and rose as you dine on pan-fried catfish and cassava chips. Soft guitar ballads float from the lounge as you savor a glass of Zambian red wine.

day 9
Zambian Cooking Experience
morning
:

Shop alongside a local chef at a bustling farmer’s market, selecting fresh okra, greens, and peanuts. The air is rich with aromas of ginger, curry leaf, and charcoal-grilled chilies. You learn to identify medicinal herbs used in traditional healing.

afternoon
:

Return to a community kitchen where you prepare nshima under the guidance of village elders. You mix peanut butter, tomatoes, and onions to craft a creamy ifisashi relish. Laughter and chatter fill the sunlit courtyard as you lend a hand in every station.

evening
:

Feast on the dishes you helped create, from stewed mackerel to okra-and-garden-egg stew. Palms sway gently in the breeze as you sip homemade palm wine from calabashes. The evening sky is awash with stars as you share recipes and friendship with new companions.

day 10
Farewell to Chipata
morning
:

Awake to birdsong echoing across the lodge’s garden and enjoy a breakfast of local mandazi and filter coffee. You pack your bags slowly, savoring the cool morning breeze scented with jasmine. Soft conversation drifts from neighboring chalets as the day begins.

afternoon
:

Take a final stroll through the artisan quarter, choosing beaded bracelets and carved figurines as parting mementos. The rhythmic tap of carving knives provides a backdrop to heartfelt farewells. You load your souvenirs into your bag, the weight reminding you of the friendships formed.

evening
:

Drive to Chipata Airport through a golden sunset draped over acacia silhouettes. Your guide recounts highlights of the journey as you share a last sip of spring water laced with mint. You board your flight with a heart full of Zambian hospitality and memories to treasure.

Discover Chipata

Read more in our Chipata 2025 Travel Guide.

Chipata Travel Guide