Chipata
Overview
Chipata is a small and dusty crossroads in the Eastern Province of Zambia, and is a popular refueling station for overlanders on their way east to Malawi, west to South Luangwa National Park, or north to Lundazi.
[Edit]History
Formerly Fort Jameson, Chipata was the capital of North-Eastern Rhodesia until 1911, when Northern Rhodesia — later to become Zambia — was created. Now it's the capital of Zambia's Eastern Province and a fairly busy town with about 75,000 residents and more coming in daily.
When to Go
[Edit]Transport
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General Information
There are three petrol stations and a Barclays Bank with mostly-functional ATM on the Umodzi Highway (next to the traffic lights). If you need one — most travellers can get it at the border — you can also obtain an advance Malawi visa from the resident consular officer, ask around to find where he is lurking these days.
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Accommodation
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Entertainment
[Edit]General Shopping
Chipata is a good place to stock up before heading out into the bush. There is a large Shoprite supermarket, a number of petrol stations and a few places to change money. If you are interested in taking a look around a "real Zambian town," head to the Indian shops (so-called because they are almost exclusively Indian-owned). Also known as the Down Shops, among these shops you will find thousands of Chipatans wandering around, meeting friends, or doing business. Chitenje, the colorful traditional Zambian cloth wraparounds, are a good buy here and go for $2-3 each; specialist shops selling these include Scorpio, Vitenje and Patel & Co.
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