The tar road from Lusaka to Harare, via Chirundu, is an important commercial artery, so it is kept in good repair, although watch your speed as it's not entirely free of pot-holes (and there are police speed traps). Leaving Lusaka, you soon pass the town of Kafue and, shortly before the busy turning to Livingstone, cross over the wide and slow Kafue River that is also heading to join the Zambezi. From here the road gradually, consistently and occasionally spectacularly, descends. It leaves the higher, cooler escarpment for the hot floor of the Zambezi Valley, before crossing the busy bridge at Chirundu into Zimbabwe.

Between Kafue and Chirundu, there are occasional craft stalls set up on the side of the road selling carved wooden animals, drums and other mementos. Just 1km north of the turn-off to Lechwe Lodge are found the famous giraffe carvers: wooden giraffes of all sizes line the roadside. If you're tempted to buy, and you're flying home, remember that these carvings have to be put in the plane's hold, so make sure they're very carefully packed.