Samfya

Samfya sits on the eastern shore of Lake Bangweulu, and its unusual feature is the beach: fine white sand running along a freshwater lake, which looks like a coast and is used like one, with lodges along it and boats going out to the islands. The lake is shallow and merges into an enormous swamp system to the south where the shoebill breeds. Fishing is the town's business and the catch is dried and sent south.

Background

The centre of Samfya District in Luapula Province, the town stands on Lake Bangweulu, along the longest stretch of well-defined shoreline the lake has. Besides fishing and trade, Samfya is a base for boats to the islands and other parts of the lake, and farms and some timber plantations lie inland. The Ngumbo people hold their Kwanga Festival here in October. A tarred road opened in 1983 links the area to the Great North Road at Serenje, and the Luapula Bridge in the district is the longest bridge in Zambia. The lake has crocodiles, and the town has a few guesthouses.

Source: Wikipedia, "Samfya"

Highlights

• The white sand beach - a coast-like shore on a freshwater lake.
• The lake - the open water of Bangweulu stretching west from the town.
• The fishing - the boats and the drying racks that are the town's economy.
• The island trips - boats out to the settlements on the lake.

When to go

May to September is dry and the water is at its clearest. The rains raise the level and bring storms. October is hot.

Good to know

Bilharzia is present and swimming carries real risk. The town is basic and lodges are simple. The shoebill swamps are far to the south and need a separate expedition.

Nearby

Kundalila Falls is southeast, and Lake Mweru is north.

Key facts