If you have time to spare and an admiration for the
man who trekked across most of Southern Africa in search of the source of the Nile, the
detour to the Livingstone Memorial is worth a visit.
The memorial itself is simply a plaque placed upon the spot
where he drew his last breath, apparently suffering badly from malaria, exhaustion and
dysentery. His servants buried his heart under a nearby tree, then wrapped his body and
carried it 1500 kms over 11 months to the coast where it was shipped back to England.
Shortly after his death, an inscription was carved on the mpundu tree under which he died: LIVINGSTONE, MAY 4 1873 and the names of his three followers. A cast of this is now preserved at the
Livingstone museum, and the original carving, in the Museum of the Royal Geographical
Society in London. A small monument in his honour, marks the spot where the tree was. It
was erected exactly 100 years after his death. (See
History)
Take the left turn after Serenje towards Kasanka National Park,
10kms after the turnoff to the park is a turning to the right. Follow the signposts, 26kms
along. It’s a very pleasant drive lined by creatively decorated houses of the Bemba
people surrounded by tall miombo woodlands. There’s a visitors' book to be signed at
the nearby clinic.
LIVINGSTONE MEMORIAL