A pre-sunrise start from Lusaka, heading North, has one reaching the outskirts of Kabwe just when one is feeling ready for breakfast or, at the very least, a cup of coffee. And do you know what? Fig Tree Café, just seven kilometres south of Kabwe, on the left hand side, are open at 6 am ready to fill that hole in your stomach.

They don’t only do breakfast though. Their menu is varied including ‘proper’ toasted sandwiches, in other words made in a sandwich toaster rather than what seems to be the norm in Zambia where they make toast and then put a filling on it. Their lunch menu includes homemade oxtail, lasagna and chicken curry as well as burgers and wraps. Their portions are generous and all ingredients are fresh and locally produced.

For those with a preference for sweet things, freshly baked cakes and cookies are available and as well as their scrumptious Chocolate Brownies.

Then there’s the coffee – always freshly ground and filtered Zambian coffee and a choice of cappuccino, latté, mocha or iced coffee.

Whilst there, also take a look at the home produce that is available- jams, honey, sundried fruits, cheeses as well as some hand made crafts.

Figtree is open from 6 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday so if you are travelling through Kabwe, plan a stop off at Fig tree to give you a rest from driving and to refresh yourself. But if you are pushed for time, you don’t need to go hungry as you can call ahead (Tel: 0968 652-413) and your order will be waiting for you when you get there.