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Zambia🇿🇲 | festivalsChakwela Makumbi CeremonySoli chief's reception, Chongwe village grounds, hand drums, chitenge crowds | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony
👍 Recommendedfestival ranked #8
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Chakwela Makumbi suits travelers who like their culture unpolished: people happy to stand in a dusty field, follow drumbeats and ask questions. Anyone who needs seats, schedules and a sound system will find it less rewarding. The ceremony belongs to the Soli people and takes place at Chakwela Makumbi village, in the Chongwe area east of Lusaka in Zambia. Expect a walk-in crowd of villagers in chitenge cloth, dancers in animal skins and a chief receiving guests. You explore on foot between huts, drum circles and food stalls, and you leave with a real sense of Soli identity. It runs for a day, with tours arranged out of the capital. Cultural travelers and photographers will love it. Party seekers and clock-watchers won’t.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #8 festival in ZambiaWhat makes this festival worth celebrating

Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony draws backpackers who want a Zambian tradition they can actually stand inside, not watch through a tour-bus window. The Soli people of Chongwe, east of Lusaka, gather their chiefs, elders and families for a day of drumming, dancing, praying for rain and giving thanks, and outsiders who arrive with respect are usually welcomed to watch from the edge of the crowd. That access is rare in a country where most headline events sit behind a ticket gate.

The second reason is how neatly it fits a Zambian route. The ceremony sits close to Lusaka, so you can pair it with the capital’s markets and then roll on toward Lower Zambezi, Livingstone or the Luangwa valley without a long detour. Entry costs very little compared with festivals in neighboring countries, and there is no … read more 👉
Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony draws backpackers who want a Zambian tradition they can actually stand inside, not watch through a tour-bus window. The Soli people of Chongwe, east of Lusaka, gather their chiefs, elders and families for a day of drumming, dancing, praying for rain and giving thanks, and outsiders who arrive with respect are usually welcomed to watch from the edge of the crowd. That access is rare in a country where most headline events sit behind a ticket gate.

The second reason is how neatly it fits a Zambian route. The ceremony sits close to Lusaka, so you can pair it with the capital’s markets and then roll on toward Lower Zambezi, Livingstone or the Luangwa valley without a long detour. Entry costs very little compared with festivals in neighboring countries, and there is no wristband economy. You bring small cash for grilled maize, local brew and a lift, and you leave with a story about Soli chiefs and the rain-calling rituals that few travelers on the usual circuit can match.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. The Soli Chief’s Arrival: The ceremony centers on the chief being received by his people, with drums, praise songs and a procession. It is the clearest view of how Soli leadership still works.
  2. Traditional Soli Dances: Troupes move in rhythm to hand drums, with feet stamping the dry ground. Watch the footwork and the call-and-response singing.
  3. Costumes and Regalia: Animal skins, beadwork, feathers and bright chitenge wraps make every group easy to read at a glance. It is the best place for photos, if you ask first.
  4. Local Food Stalls: Families sell nshima with relish, grilled meat and home-brewed drinks around the grounds. Eating here is the easiest way to start conversations.
  5. Speeches and Blessings: Elders and officials address the crowd, often thanking ancestors and asking for good rains and harvests.
… read more 👉
  1. The Soli Chief’s Arrival: The ceremony centers on the chief being received by his people, with drums, praise songs and a procession. It is the clearest view of how Soli leadership still works.
  2. Traditional Soli Dances: Troupes move in rhythm to hand drums, with feet stamping the dry ground. Watch the footwork and the call-and-response singing.
  3. Costumes and Regalia: Animal skins, beadwork, feathers and bright chitenge wraps make every group easy to read at a glance. It is the best place for photos, if you ask first.
  4. Local Food Stalls: Families sell nshima with relish, grilled meat and home-brewed drinks around the grounds. Eating here is the easiest way to start conversations.
  5. Speeches and Blessings: Elders and officials address the crowd, often thanking ancestors and asking for good rains and harvests. A guide or neighbor will translate the meaning, which adds depth to everything else you see.
For a first visit, Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony is best experienced through the chief’s arrival, because everything else on the day builds around it.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

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🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony?

Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony is held each year in late August (the date is set by the Soli chiefdom and has sometimes shifted by a weekend) and runs for one day, at the Soli people’s grounds in Chakwela, Chongwe District, east of Lusaka.
  • Best part: The main ceremony day itself, when the chief arrives and the dances, drumming and speeches happen. Arrive in the morning to catch the build-up.
  • Weather: Dry and sunny, with afternoons around 26 to 29°C (79 to 84°F) and cool mornings near 10 to 13°C (50 to 55°F). Bring a hat, sunscreen, a light jacket and a water bottle. Dust is common.
  • Booking: Entry is usually informal, so the pressure is on beds. Book Lusaka lodging two to three weeks ahead; prices rise modestly, if at all.
  • Crowds and roads: Leave Lusaka early to beat traffic on the Great East Road and
… read more 👉
Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony is held each year in late August (the date is set by the Soli chiefdom and has sometimes shifted by a weekend) and runs for one day, at the Soli people’s grounds in Chakwela, Chongwe District, east of Lusaka.
  • Best part: The main ceremony day itself, when the chief arrives and the dances, drumming and speeches happen. Arrive in the morning to catch the build-up.
  • Weather: Dry and sunny, with afternoons around 26 to 29°C (79 to 84°F) and cool mornings near 10 to 13°C (50 to 55°F). Bring a hat, sunscreen, a light jacket and a water bottle. Dust is common.
  • Booking: Entry is usually informal, so the pressure is on beds. Book Lusaka lodging two to three weeks ahead; prices rise modestly, if at all.
  • Crowds and roads: Leave Lusaka early to beat traffic on the Great East Road and avoid driving the dirt access road after dark.
Confirm the exact date with the Soli royal establishment or a Lusaka tour operator about a month ahead.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Lusaka is the best place to stay for the ceremony, because Chakwela has almost no accommodation and the capital has the hostels, transport links and other travelers you want. Within Lusaka, the areas around Longacres and Kabulonga Road, and the neighborhoods near Cairo Road, suit backpackers best. They have a good spread of budget dorms and guesthouses, plus restaurants and ATMs within walking distance. Social dorms and shared kitchens make it easy to find people to split a taxi or a rental car with, which matters because the ceremony is outside the city. Look for places that offer secure parking … read more 👉
Lusaka is the best place to stay for the ceremony, because Chakwela has almost no accommodation and the capital has the hostels, transport links and other travelers you want. Within Lusaka, the areas around Longacres and Kabulonga Road, and the neighborhoods near Cairo Road, suit backpackers best. They have a good spread of budget dorms and guesthouses, plus restaurants and ATMs within walking distance. Social dorms and shared kitchens make it easy to find people to split a taxi or a rental car with, which matters because the ceremony is outside the city. Look for places that offer secure parking or lockers and that can arrange early drop-offs. Avoid walking at night in the city center and use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps. Another option is Chongwe town, closer to the site and quieter, with a few basic guesthouses that fill up around festival weekends. Choose it if you want a short morning drive, but expect fewer social options and limited evening food.
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👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony costs most independent travelers about US$0 to 5 per day when based in Lusaka, with a total daily budget of US$95 at the top of that range.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 5Entry is often free or a small donation. Some events charge a modest gate fee.
AccommodationUS$15 to 40Lusaka dorms run US$15 to 25, private guesthouse rooms US$30 to 40 in late August.
Local transportUS$20 to 35A shared hired car or taxi to and from Chongwe District costs roughly US$20 to 35 per person when split.
Food & drinksUS$8 to 15Nshima with relish at stalls costs US$2 to 4. Chibuku is under US$1.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$7 to 10Small gifts or donations, bottled water, sunscreen and a few crafts.
Total Daily BudgetUS$50 to 95About US$95 with a private room and a hired car.


source: zambiatourism.com
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

Food at the Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony is local, simple and cooked on site. Expect nshima, the thick maize porridge you eat by hand, served with relish such as beans, kapenta (small dried fish), greens like rape or pumpkin leaves, and stewed chicken or goat. Women’s groups and village vendors sell these from plates and pots near the grounds, and the smell of charcoal fires carries across the dust.

Try roasted maize and boiled groundnuts as snacks, and look for grilled meat when a cow or goat has been prepared for guests. The drink to know is chibuku, the thick, sour opaque beer sold in cartons, and munkoyo, a mildly sweet fermented maize drink. Soft drinks are sold warm or lightly chilled.

Bring small cash in kwacha, as there are no card machines and vendors rarely have change for large notes. … read more 👉
Food at the Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony is local, simple and cooked on site. Expect nshima, the thick maize porridge you eat by hand, served with relish such as beans, kapenta (small dried fish), greens like rape or pumpkin leaves, and stewed chicken or goat. Women’s groups and village vendors sell these from plates and pots near the grounds, and the smell of charcoal fires carries across the dust.

Try roasted maize and boiled groundnuts as snacks, and look for grilled meat when a cow or goat has been prepared for guests. The drink to know is chibuku, the thick, sour opaque beer sold in cartons, and munkoyo, a mildly sweet fermented maize drink. Soft drinks are sold warm or lightly chilled.

Bring small cash in kwacha, as there are no card machines and vendors rarely have change for large notes. Wash your hands before eating, since nshima is shared from a common plate, and accept food with your right hand or both hands as a courtesy. Portions are generous, so share a plate with a new friend. Carry your own water.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony takes place once a year in late August, usually on a Saturday, and lasts a single day. It is held at the Soli people’s grounds in Chakwela, Chongwe District, roughly 60 to 80 km east of Lusaka. Exact dates are set by the Soli chiefdom, so confirm about a month ahead.
Attending Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony is cheap, with entry usually free or a small donation of up to about US$5. Most of your spending goes on getting there, since a shared car from Lusaka costs about US$20 to 35 per person. Add US$8 to 15 for food and drinks, and a Lusaka dorm bed at US$15 to 25.
Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony generally does not require tickets in advance, as entry is typically informal at the gate or through the chiefdom. What you should book ahead is transport and a bed in Lusaka, ideally two to three weeks before the late August date. Bring small cash in kwacha, since there are no card facilities on site.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Zambian festivals near Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony is a one-day event, so give it exactly that, plus an early start and a late return. Staying overnight in the area adds little. I would arrive with small cash, a chitenge to wear and a patient attitude, and spend the following day somewhere quiet.

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The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Zambia. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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