Kabwe travel guide

Kabwe is the capital of the Zambian Central Province and the Kabwe District, with a population estimated at 288,598 at the 2022 census. Named Broken Hill until 1966, it was founded when lead and zinc deposits were discovered in 1902.

When Zambia was the colony of Northern Rhodesia, Kabwe's British name was Broken Hill, due to the hill just south of town which had a natural shaft going through it. This became the location of a large lead and zinc mine, which in turn became the major employer of the town. The mine was later closed, and now has only been partially reopened. Because of the amount of lead in the surrounding soil and local water, Kabwe today is one of the 5 most polluted places on earth.

Getting in

There is good luxury bus service going north from Lusaka and going south from the Copperbelt cities. One of the best companies running buses is Mazhandu - but be prepared to listen to (or try to ignore?) a loud preacher quoting from the Bible during the first half-hour or so on the rides leaving Lusaka. The "bus station", for all companies, is on the street in front of Big Bite.

Getting around

In its heyday many of Kabwe's streets were paved and lighted. Today the light posts are still there but except for right in town the lights are all gone, and all but the main streets have deteriorated back into dirt roads with serious bumps and holes, so go slowly and carefully if you drive a car. Many locals use bicycles and most simply walk, and there are a lot of dirt-path "shortcuts" between the named streets, particularly going across the railway tracks between the suburb of Luangwa and the main part of town.

Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.