Africa 2001

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On 21 June 2001 I observed a total eclipse of the sun from a camp near Chisamba, north of Lusaka in Zambia. Click “Solar Eclipse” at left to see pictures of the eclipse itself.

I was at a camp of about 200 people, mostly Americans or British. After the eclipse, there was much celebrating and endless re-telling of the experience we had just shared.

The band who entertained us at the eclipse site

In the hour or so before totality a group of Zambians provided spectacular entertainment to these mad westerners who had traveled so far to see an event that would last for only 3 and a half minutes.

The Zambian singers, dancers and drummers continued their entertainment well after the eclipse had ended. These guys added so much to the excitement of the day. They were skilled, energetic and enthusiastic performers.

Celebrating! I knew I was on my way back to Namibia when I saw a Windhoek Lager.

The bad news about the Windhoek Lager was that the caterers received a delivery of beer not long before the eclipse. Thereafter, the price doubled! The story was that the truck driver arrived and demanded twice the agreed price for the beer.

Performer from the Zambian band at the eclipse site

Another performer from the Zambian band.

Herb Koenig, veteran eclipse-watcher, after the eclipse.

Celebrating after the eclipse. This couple danced to the music provided by the Zambian band.

Celebrating after the eclipse.

During the eclipse, and for some time after, several light aircraft, including one that looked like an old DC-3, flew over our camp. These were people viewing the eclipse from the air, taking off from the nearby airstrip.

This is one of the last of the light aircraft.

Sunset on the night of the eclipse.

The Librarian, my second drinking partner

My drinking partners. While there was great revelry immediately after the eclipse, most people had gone off to bed by about 9pm. A once-in-a-lifetime event, and they've disappeared to bed! Barry, the Librarian (whose name I never got!) and I were the last ones standing on the night of the eclipse.

The youngsters staffing the bar finally threw us out, but I'm proud that I was one of the three last revellers.

The morning after

The morning after the eclipse, the camp was full of people, packing up all their gear and preparing to continue their travels.

Packing up the buses ready to leave.

Mike and Rosemary preparing to leave the eclipse site

Mike and Rosemary getting on the buses. A convoy of buses headed back to Livingstone, Victoria Falls and elsewhere.

Bus back to Livingstone from the tented camp

Drive back to Livingstone

The bus trip to the camp had taken more than twice as long as planned, and been held up by breakdown, roadworks and unknown diversions.

The trip back to Livingstone was similar. Here, the convoy of buses, together with other traffic, stops for roadworks.

Young man in Livingstone with eclipse glasses

I met this young man in Livingstone, after the eclipse. Only a partial eclipse was visible from Livingstone, and this young person hadn't had eclipse glasses to view the sun. I gave him a spare pair of mine. So at least he will be able to see the sun in next year's partial eclipse, which will be visible in much the same area. I've promised to send him a copy of this photo if he writes to me in Australia.

Africa 2001

Zambia: After the eclipse

The morning after

Drive back to Livingstone

Next: Taita Falcon Lodge, Livingstone, Zambia