Solwezi Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Solwezi is a working town rather than a tourist centre, but the wider province rewards travellers with time to explore.

• Solwezi markets — Get a feel for daily life in the town’s busy markets, selling produce, fabrics and household goods.
• Kifubwa Stream Rock Shelter — A national monument near town with ancient rock engravings in a small gorge.
• Source of the Zambezi — A protected forest spring in the far north-west of the province where Africa’s fourth-longest river begins, reached on a long road trip.
• West Lunga National Park — A remote, little-visited park of forests and rivers, suited to well-prepared, self-sufficient travellers.
• Rivers and countryside — Drive out through miombo woodland and past small villages and rivers around the town.
• Zambian food — Try nshima with fish, beans or local relishes in the town’s restaurants.

Solwezi has a tropical climate with a pronounced rainy season, usually from about November to April, when heavy afternoon storms are frequent and unpaved roads can become difficult.

The cool, dry season from May to August is the most comfortable time to visit, with sunny days and chilly nights, and it is also the best time for road trips to remote sites. September and October become increasingly hot before the rains return. If you plan to travel beyond town, check road conditions locally, particularly early and late in the rainy season.

Solwezi Airport is a small domestic airport located close to the town, serving mainly scheduled domestic and charter flights linked to the mining industry and regional travel.

Taxis may be available for arriving flights, but it is best to arrange a pick-up through your hotel or host company in advance. The transfer into town is short. Car hire with a driver can be arranged through local operators for trips around the province, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for remote areas.

Accommodation in Solwezi is mainly in business hotels, lodges and guesthouses, and it can fill up with mining-related travellers, so book ahead.

• Town centre — Close to shops, banks and restaurants; practical for short business stays.
• Lodges on the outskirts — Quieter surroundings with gardens, suited to longer stays.
• Near the main roads — Convenient for travellers heading to the mines or onward across the province.

• Money: Carry kwacha in cash; cash machines are available in town, but card acceptance outside larger hotels is limited.
• Getting around: Use hotel-recommended taxis or a hired car with driver; distances in the province are long.
• Road travel: Avoid driving after dark, carry water and fuel on long journeys and use a four-wheel-drive vehicle for remote areas.
• Health: Use insect repellent and seek medical advice about malaria prevention before travelling.
• Etiquette: Greet people politely before starting a conversation and ask before photographing people or mining sites.