Discover Luanshya: Copper History and Water

Luanshya combines a distinctive copper history with bodies of water in the city and the surrounding region. This gives your trip several possible focuses: you can explore the history of industry, visit the small Makoma Dam in Luanshya, or include deeper Lake Kashiba to the southwest of the city.

Water spots around Luanshya

In the surrounding region to the southwest of Luanshya, in Mpongwe, lies Lake Kashiba. This deep, sunken lake differs from the small Makoma Dam in Luanshya simply in its landscape. At Lake Kashiba, the lake is used for birdwatching, catch-and-release fishing, picnics, camping and swimming. If you want to include nature watching and water-based activities in your trip, you will find different options here than at the body of water within Luanshya.

Braais are among the leisure activities mentioned at Makoma Dam. The Makoma Dam Resort is in Roan Township, about 6 km from the centre of Luanshya. If you include a visit to the resort in your plans, you can use this approximate distance as a guide between the city centre and the resort. The two water spots therefore differ both in their location and in the activities described.

Copper history in the city

Luanshya is the site of Zambia’s oldest copper mine. The Collier Monument in Luanshya commemorates William Collier’s copper discovery in 1902. These two connections provide a concrete framework for the city’s history: one points to mining as part of its identity, the other to a named person and a specific year.

If you would rather focus on urban history than water-based activities when planning your trip, you can easily distinguish between these themes. When looking for a holiday rental, you can first consider what you want to focus on: Luanshya’s copper history, Makoma Dam, or places elsewhere in the Copperbelt.

More to explore in the Copperbelt

The Copperbelt offers a distinct regional perspective beyond Luanshya. Lake Kashiba is in Mpongwe; the Copperbelt Museum, founded in 1962, is in Ndola. Its education department develops programs for museum visitors. Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage is a chimpanzee sanctuary in Copperbelt Province. These places represent different themes—landscape, museum and chimpanzee sanctuary—and may appeal to your interests in the region in different ways.

Mindolo Dam is another water spot in the Copperbelt: it is about 7 km southwest of Kitwe city centre, on Kalulushi Road. There is a boating club, a swimming pool and a bar there; availability may change, so check these facilities in advance if needed. A permit from the mine office is required to visit the mine in Chingola. Confirm the requirements directly with the office in advance.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Mufulira, Kalulushi, Chililabombwe, Ndola.

Back to the main travel overview: Copperbelt.