Journeys in the Linyanti Region

Abstract

ON June 15, 1899, we left Kazungula, and, keeping along the bank of the Linyanti river, headed nearly due west. At the end about 7 miles we came to the Sebuba rapids, which were the only obstacle to navigation we met with on our trip. It is, however, at seasons of low water that these rapids constitute any serious difficulty, and even then native canoes are able to pass up them. Our road had led most of the way along the foot of some low stony hills, which, at the rapids, come right down to the river's bank. From Sebuba we continued to march along the right bank of the river for about 25 miles. The same low hills, covered with dense jungle, were on our left hand all the way, and indeed continue for about 55 miles from Kazungula. The river meanders through a low flat plain at their base, which stretches away northwards as far as the eye can reach. While, of course, the hills hem in the river on the south and prevent its overflow, the plain to the north is for many months of the year flooded from 1 to 3 or even more feet deep.