Wed, 23 Aug 2017 09:57:06 +0000
By Mukosela Kasalwe
THE Chishimba Falls is a marvel sight to onlookers but sadly it remains an untapped tourist attraction which if fully exploited can open up the budding Northern tourism circuit.
It is no longer the case that when people think of tourism or a waterfall that it will automatically be the Mighty Victoria Falls, as Northern Province has some of the most fascinating and dazzling natural wonders and the Great Chishimba falls in the provincial capital in Kasama District is such an iconic sight with water gushing in three segments.
With such a natural wonder there is need for the Ministry of Tourism and Arts working together with other relevant authorities to up their game and market this natural masterpiece to its fullest potential as it would bring about employment creation and foreign exchange in the hospitality and other sectors of the economy.
Northern Province is endowed with abundant natural water which form some of the most beautiful waterfalls and there is need for more investment in proper infrastructure such as lodges and hotels to complement the scenery which will add value to such sites.
A recent visit to the site with Kasama Central Member of Parliament Kelvin Sampa, in whose Constituency the falls is located, showed just how popular yet untapped this natural wonder was.
The lawmaker described it as marvellous as well as breath taking but emphasised the need to open up the Northern Tourism Circuit (NTC) and expressed hope that the waterfall had potential to attract as many tourists as the Victoria Falls because it is strategically located and worth to be known world over.
The NTC comprises Luapula, Muchinga, Eastern and Northern provinces, where some of the tourist attractions have remained untapped with Northern and Luapula Provinces having 14 waterfalls between them.
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
Mr Sampa observed that most foreign and local tourists knew and had visited the Victoria Falls but that only a few had heard of or visited the Chishimba Falls but expressed hope that with the development projects the province had embarked on in the construction sector like in hospitality, road and air transport namely, Kasama Airport which was undergoing an upgrade more tourists would find it easy to visit the site at their convenience.
He challenged management to be innovative and learn from their colleagues in the tourism industry on how they had managed to bring exciting activities such as camping, boat cruises apart from focusing on showcasing the falls.
“People think tourism is Livingstone in Zambia come to Kasama Central as well, Chishimba Falls is marvellous. Let’s open the Northern Circuit,” Mr Sampa said.
The Luombe River 7.2 Kilometres from Chilubula Mission in Kasama District makes a beautiful water fall called: Chishimba Falls or older name Chisimba Falls. The Luombe River joins the Lukulu River shortly after the falls. The Chishimba Falls is about 33 Kilometres from Kasama town.
Location directions by road, drive from Kasama centre on the M3 westbound for about 24Kilometres, then take the junction to the D20 road. After 11Kilometres on the D20 follow the sign “Chishimba Falls 700m – National Monument” to the left. A hydro-electric power plant (owned by ZESCO) is located above the falls.
What makes the Chishimba Falls unique and stand out is that it is historical heritage site consisting of a collection of three falls with crystal clear waters covering over a distance of 300 metres having the, main falls (Chishimba), Kaela Rapids or Kayela, and Mutumuna falls which is the upper falls, a well-built walkway provides easy access to all of the waterfall’s sections with a closer feel and view of the marvellous waters.
With an entry fee of only K 8 per person and a spacious and safe car park at the site, the falls is a hive of activity as tourists can carry out barbeque of delicacies of their choice such as beef or chicken and preferably purchase food and drinks at the restaurant.
The main falls is estimated to drop at a height of about 30 metres while the Mutumuna falls at 20 metres. The site has basic infrastructure like the information centre, ablution block and a viewing centre but management expressed the need to look at ways of increasing revenue collection apart from entry fees.
The Chishimba Falls attracts people from all walks of life such as students, church goers, local and foreign nationals who with excitement tour all the three magnificent falls and take pictures which they share and talk about with friends and family on how wondrous and splendid the fall is.
MORE FACILITIES NEEDED
Although the Chishimba falls is open for camping there is need to put up a full-fledged camping site with appropriate features such as were guests would carry out all necessities to make their stay more comfortable and more fun and increase the number of tourist guides.
Management at the site informed the parliamentarian, that the number of tourists had continued to increase since last year but emphasised the need for would be investors’ to partner with them and construct accommodation, conference centres, camping sites and play parks as it would enable tourists to stay at the site longer and spend money on other tourist activities.
Chishimba falls site manager Joseph Museba thanked Government for having identified a contactor to work on the access roads from the Kasama – Mporokoso Road which is about 2. 1 Kilometres saying once the project was completed it would increase tourists’ inflow.
Mr Museba said Government had seen immense potential of the prolific waterfall and that the provincial office in Kasama had informed them of having intentions to soon erect a theatre centre were a lot of cultural performances and exhibitions would be taking place.
‘‘We are happy that Government has seen immense potential of the prolific waterfall and the provincial office in Kasama has informed us that they will soon erect a theatre centre were a lot of cultural performances and exhibitions will be taking place.
‘‘Government has equally identified a contractor to work on the access roads from Kasama to Mporokoso which is approximately 2. 1 Kilometres. Once this project is complete it will ensure an increase in the flow of tourists,’’ he said.
He said it was important to have as many as possible activities which would boost visit inflow and cater for all age groups which would offer them a memorable experience.
The Government under the administration of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has prioritised tourism as one of the key sectors to turn the economic fortunes of the country in terms of diversification from being solely a copper dependent country and pinned it in the Seventh National Development Plan as a critical component of the much needed foreign exchange and income generation.
Mr. Lung recently emphasized the to need to improve infrastructure and airline connectivity to various destinations and expressed hope that the move would position the country to attract more numbers for business and retail tourism which may lead to increased average stay in the country.
