Stand at the far south end of Kabwe, where the railway tracks run past the foot of Broken Hill, and the town's story is laid out in front of you: a line of rails, a ridge of old mine ground, and beyond it the deep lakes that were once mine shafts. Kabwe is not a place that arranges itself for visitors. It is a working Zambian town, laid-back enough that you can spend a day here without feeling out of place, and large enough that you will not be the only person going about your business.
This guide suits the traveller who is passing through on the Great North Road or the Zambia Railways line and wants to see a regular Zambian town rather than a resort, and who is willing to walk to get to the good parts. It covers the sights named in the source material, and it is honest about how much there is to see.
Read the environmental note before you plan around children or long stays: Kabwe's mine pollution is a documented and ongoing concern, and the source material identifies the town as a sacrifice zone for industry. Plan your time outdoors accordingly.
Top things to do in Kabwe
1. The Big Tree
A very large fig tree that is a National Landmark, with a small park and benches set under its shady leaves. It is the most common location in Kabwe for public events and promotions, so you are as likely to find a crowd gathered for something as you are to find the benches empty.
Come for the shade in the middle of the day, when the sun is at its strongest, and sit for a while rather than treating it as a quick stop. If a public event is on, stay and watch: it is one of the easiest ways to see the town's life rather than just its buildings.
2. Mulungushi Rock of Authority
A national symbol near the Mulungushi River, about 10 km northeast of Kabwe, known as "the birthplace of Zambian independence". It was first used in 1958 for a rally of the Zambian African National Congress, and in 1960 for the first conference of the newly formed United National Independence Party. Since 1964 it has been regularly used by political parties for their annual conventions and meetings.
Go for the history as much as the rock itself, and go in the morning if you want the site to yourself. Because it is still in active political use, check before you travel out whether a convention or meeting is taking place, and plan around it rather than turning up in the middle of one.
3. Hiking at Broken Hill
One of the best things to do in Kabwe is to hike at the actual Broken Hill, just east of the railway tracks at the far south end of town. You climb up the hills to the lakes, which were the mine shafts and are now very deep lakes, offering solitude in a beautiful setting.
Combine the walk with a look at the railway line at the foot of the hill, since the two sit together at the south end of town. Go earlier in the day rather than in the heat of the afternoon, wear shoes you do not mind getting dusty, and keep to the ground you can see: this is old mine terrain, and the source material is clear that the town's contamination comes from the mine.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Broken Hill at the far south end of town, east of the railway tracks, and hike up to the deep lakes that were once mine shafts. Do this first, while it is cool and quiet.
Afternoon: Head to The Big Tree and take a bench under the fig tree during the hottest part of the day. If a public event or promotion is on, that is your afternoon.
Evening: Travel out to Mulungushi Rock of Authority, near the Mulungushi River about 10 km northeast of Kabwe, to see the site known as the birthplace of Zambian independence before the light goes.
Frequently asked questions
Is there much for a tourist to see in Kabwe?
Not a great deal. The source material says plainly that there is generally really not much for the tourist to see, but that the town is so laid-back it is a good way to see what life is like in a regular Zambian town, and large enough that a visitor would not really feel out of place.
What is Mulungushi Rock of Authority known for?
It is a national symbol called "the birthplace of Zambian independence". It was first used in 1958 for a rally of the Zambian African National Congress and in 1960 for the first conference of the newly formed United National Independence Party, and since 1964 it has been regularly used by political parties for annual conventions and meetings.
What are the lakes at Broken Hill?
They are the former mine shafts, now very deep lakes, reached by hiking up the hills just east of the railway tracks at the far south end of town. They provide solitude in a beautiful setting.
When is The Big Tree busiest?
It is the most common location in Kabwe for public events and promotions, so it is busiest when something is being held there. At other times you will find a small park with benches under its shady leaves.
Work out your route along the Great North Road or the railway line, pick your day, and give Kabwe the few hours it asks for.