After the lovely stay at Isanga Bay (refer to Excursion to Lake Tanganyika blog post), we journeyed back to Mpulungu using the speed boat in hopes to also see the Kalambo Falls before returning to Kasama. The drive from Mpulungu to Kalambo Falls, via Mbala, was fairly smooth and we managed to get to the Kalambo falls in under 4 hours as the roads after Mbala were gravelled and in a good condition.
There were sign posts along the gravel road, but we were advised to just keep right until we got the the Great Kalambo Falls Lodge signage, where we decided to park the vehicle as the road became quite rocky and begun to steeply descend into the valley. It was amazing to realise that from where we were parked, we could actually see Tanzania on the other hillside. The signage around the junction indicated that the falls were 1.5kms down hill but I tell you, nothing about that walk felt like it was 1.5km. As we descended it became more and more apparent that we would be in for a serious work out on our return. I highly recommend making sure you have comfortable, light weight trainers and water, lots and lots of water.
We eventually got to the welcome shelter and got to learn a little history about the waterfall from a local guide, who then took us further down a trail of stairs to the point where the Kalambo River swirls and eventually falls over 200 meters into the gorge below. The Kalambo River, which forms part of the border line between Zambia and Tanzania, makes its dramatic drop as the Kalambo Falls (🇿🇲 – Right, 🇹🇿 – Left) and it then flows through the lush valley into Lake Tanganyika.
The walk back uphill to the Kalambo Falls Lodge Kiosk and eventually to vehicle was an intense work out, but, witnessing the beauty of this northernmost waterfall was well worth it.
Adventures with BoBoBongz 