Travel Guide Chipata

Known as Fort Jameson when Zambia was still Northern Rhodesia, Chipata is the largest city in the east of the country, with a population of about 160,000. Developed on either side of the main road from Malawi to Lusaka, it has grown significantly in recent years. It is set in a beautiful area of green hills. There are supermarkets, banks, a post office and a few shops, often run by Indian families, who are an important community in the city. Indian restaurants are therefore everywhere. There is not much to do in Chipata, apart from strolling through the markets, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and walking along the red dirt roads, but the town is a possible stopover for travelers who are heading to South Luangwa by road and have not stopped in Petauke. Wealthy Chipata families (mostly Indian) like to go on safari to South Luangwa at weekends.