Walk Luangwa 2020

350km. 17 days. 5 people. 3 National Parks. 1 Valley.

Partners

• Remote Africa Safaris (Nick Riddin) – Tafika fund community support

• Project Luangwa (Ian Macallan) –Community support

• The Bushcamp Company (Andy Hogg) – Charity Begins at Home Community Support

• Department of National Parks and Wildlife (South and North Park wardens) – beneficiary for patrols

• Conservation South Luangwa (Rachel McRobb) – beneficiary for patrols

• North Luangwa Conservation Programme (Ed Sayer) – beneficiary for patrols

• Zambian Carnivore Programme (Matt Becker) - beneficiary for monitoring • Project Luangwa (Ian Macallan) – Community Support (Mfuwe area)

Rationale

Conservation needs to take on a wholistic approach to ensure its sustainability, and a wholistic approach requires the buy-in and support from a number of key stakeholders: conservation organizations, funders, tourism industry, government and communities in the surrounding areas.

The novel coronavirus, Covid-19, has crippled the input of two of those components. With international travel bans and grounded flights, no tourists look to be able to visit Africa in the foreseeable future, virtually bringing the tourism industry to a halt. Years of gains in building a sound relationship between ecosystem and the communities stands to be wiped out in just a few months. Thousands of lives which rely on tourism as a source of livelihood, health support and education are on the verge of being left in the lurch by helpless operators and may well turn to the old ways of bush meat poaching to sustain themselves.

Though this bush meat poaching is indiscriminate and that while the intention is to catch mostly bushbuck, impala, puku and buffalo, is important to highlight that other animals such as lion, leopard, wild dogs and elephant, are regularly caught in these snares. The Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife work closely with a number of conservation NGO’s to reduce this risk of snaring, to collect snares in the bush and to sensitize communities as to the consequences of bush meat poaching.

In Zambia’s Luangwa Valley tourism directly supports conservation and law enforcement through bed night contributions. The reduction in tourism as a direct result of Covid-19 means no bed nights for most operators and consequently no conservation contributions. We intend to raise awareness for the heroes who maintain the parks and their surrounds on the ground through patrols, anti-poaching, de-snaring and monitoring.

The objective of this walk is to raise £ 200 000 to support conservation and anti-poaching patrols, run a football league which supports ~250 individuals, fund conservation educators, provide concrete grain stores, substantial food packs and hand sanitizer communities to aid with reducing animal-wildlife conflict and the risk of poaching. The overall impact is estimated to benefit in excess of 10 000 individuals, though ultimately the goal is to ensure the well-being of the animals, the national parks and the relationship between the communities and the wilderness that we wish to preserve, to preserve the sustainability of the Luangwa Valley.

To ensure this spectacular place and rare example of how people and wildlife can successfully coexist, the Luangwa Valley as a whole requires the immediate support from any avenue possible.

Background

Luangwa The Luangwa Valley, an extension of the East African Great Rift Valley, is the honey-pot of Zambia. Here dramatic seasonal variations, a dynamic river system, fertile soils and lush vegetation ensure a prolific supply of wildlife. Home to the majority of big game – including lion, leopard, wild dog, black rhino, elephant, hippo, crocodile and buffalo – the Luangwa Valley also boasts two endemic sub-species: Thornicroft’s Giraffe and Cookson’s Wildebeest. An impressive concentration of both hippos and crocodiles makes the Luangwa River one of the most wildlife-dense in Africa.

Smaller mammals and over 470 recorded species of birds add to the game viewing experiences, reinforcing the Luangwa Valley’s impressive reputation as the pride of Zambia’s wildlife. The Luangwa Valley is home to four National parks: South Luangwa, North Luangwa, Luambe and Lukusuzi. Remote Africa Safaris operates in both the South and North Luangwa National Parks. South Luangwa National Park covers 9,050km2 in eastern Zambia and is Zambia’s best-iknown National Park.

North Luangwa National Park covers 4,636km2 in northern Zambia. There is a wide range of species diversity within the park, including Zambia’s elephant stronghold, the world’s largest concentration of hippos, Zambia’s only black rhino population and one of the highest lion densities in the region. The park and adjacent Game Management Areas (GMA) cover roughly 22,000 km2.

There are two distinct seasons that are experienced in the Luangwa Valley, namely the wet (or emerald) and dry seasons. Temperatures during these seasons vary from lows of 10°C, in June and July, to highs excess of 40°C, in October. Even during the coldest period, the days remain warm, sunny and perfect for all safari activities. The late dry season is the warmest period and makes for the best game viewing, as all outlying water dries up and forces the game towards the riverine belt. While the emerald season, which can start as early as the end of October and typically draws to a close at the end of March, sees an impressive average annual rainfall of around 850mm. Rare but always welcome showers may also be experienced in April and May. The Emerald season boast spectacular and dramatic thunderstorms, ones that could give the best firework displays a run for their money!

Looking back in time, a report on the faunal survey of Northern Rhodesia, compiled by Captain C.R.S. Pitman in 1934, summarized the following:

• Though there is a general abundance of game, the game on the whole has decreased markedly in recent years. • Approximately 12 000 elephants in Northern Rhodesia, possibly more. • The whole-hearted cooperation of the local authorities is essential if the game generally is to enjoy efficient protection. • Buffalo populations were so substantial that buffalo were nearly placed on the vermin list. • Approximately o 1 500 rhinoceros o 60 000 buffalo o 30 000 eland o 60 000 roan antelope o 150 000 black lechwe o 250 000 red lechwe o 3 000 hippopotamus o 30 000 zebra o 300 giraffe ▪ Lions must total several, and leopard many, thousands.

Walking and photographic safaris Scottish missionary and explorer, Dr David Livingstone is arguably one of Europe’s greatest explorers. He walked the length of the mighty Zambezi River and brought the impressive Victoria Falls to the European world’s attention. In 1856 he became the first Briton to set foot in the Luangwa Valley. In December 1866, on his last expedition searching for the source of the Nile, Dr Livingstone found himself once again on the banks of the Luangwa River. On this occasion he crossed the Luangwa River near the center of the valley, at a point between Tafika Camp (home of the Coppinger Family) and Chibembe Camp (the birth-place of Jen Coppinger, and home to the Coppingers for 9 years as they managed this camp for Wilderness Trails). On this expedition he wrote:

“I will make this beautiful land better known to men that it may become one of their haunts. It is impossible to describe its luxuriance…”

Indeed, when marketing the Luangwa Valley, it is difficult to describe its natural beauty, vastness and wilderness. It is something that must be experienced in person to truly grasp and we are sure that those of you who have been fortunate enough to visit it will agree. It is a wildlife haven as a result of the incredibly fertile soils that wash onto the valley floor, flooding the banks each rain season and providing an abundance of food for animals and until now it has remained largely undeveloped by man. Because of this impressive richness of game, man’s greed got the better of him and hunting took its toll on the animals in the Luangwa Valley.

Norman Carr grew up a hunter, having shot his 50th elephant on his 20th birthday. In 1938 he became an elephant control officer in the Valley, responsible for shooting elephants which became problematic in communities bordering national parks in order to reduce the conflict between wildlife and the people. Bearing this title, he travelled the Luangwa Valley on foot, for weeks at a time, camping in simple tents. He was a much-loved man within the communities as he rid them of their threat to crop loss, and left them with masses of meat. This admiration would turn out to be meaningful in the future.

In 1949, when Carr returned to the Luangwa after World War II, he convinced the senior-chief Nsefu to declare a portion of his tribal land as a private royal wildlife conservation area and create a visitors’ camp. In 1950, Nsefu Camp was created as the first safari camp in Zambia. In 1961 Norman Carr started out his private safari businesses – Luangwa Safaris and Wilderness Trails, where he invented walking safaris. In 1974, he built Chibembe Camp, which John and Carol Coppinger managed for Wilderness Trails from late 1987. In turning to walking safaris and photographic safaris and in having gained the admiration of local communities, Norman Carr set in place the start of a change in mindset of the people of the valley – a shift towards tourism and conservation as a sustainable model for tourism.

Tourism, Conservation and Wildlife in the Luangwa Valley Travel and Tourism was Zambia’s fastest growing national economic sector in 2018, employing ~400 000 people, and contributing over ZMW 19.4 billion to the Zambian economy. In 2019, 1.1 million international visitors were expected to travel to Zambia, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. The Zambian safari industry relies heavily on international visitors, in particular from the U.K. and U.S.A.

Tourism dove-tails well with the community seasonality as the bulk of the safari sector in the Luangwa Valley relies on the dry season, that is May to early November. This formal employment in the lean months supplements the economies in these remote areas, affording an appreciable amount of respect for tourism and for the well-being of the animals and ecosystems that drive tourism. The Luangwa Valley rests in a well-balanced position under normal conditions, though the impact of a number of key custodians cannot be understated.

A snared lion which has been darted and being treated, before making a successful recovery. Image courtesy of Conservation South Luangwa. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) are responsible for National Parks in Zambia. They are very ably supported by a number of conservation NGO’s in the Luangwa Valley, namely Conservation South Luangwa (CSL), the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP) and the North Luangwa Conservation Programme (NLCP). In partnership, these groups ensure that the animal component of this model remain protected and in check - conducting routine monitoring, anti-poaching patrols and desnaring. The results of the hard work that these custodians do speaks for itself.

The Luangwa Valley prides itself in having:

• the largest hippo population in the world. • the largest wild dog population in Zambia, comprising 21 packs which disperse across ~12000km2 (ZCP annual report 2019). • a healthy lion population (ZCP monitored 19 prides and 18 coalitions between Luambe, South Luangwa National Park and the adjacent GMA’s, while North Luangwa also has a very healthy lion population). • exceptional leopard densities and sightings. The Luangwa is known as ‘the valley of leopards’. • a growing natural elephant population despite rampant poaching of the 80’s during which time black rhino were shot out completely. No feeding and artificial waterholes contribute to this population. • Zambia’s only black rhino population. In 2003, John Coppinger opened the gate of the boma in North Luangwa to re-introduce the first black rhino into the park. Today, the project looks back on great success with not a single rhino having been poached in these 17 years – a great accolade to the relationship and hard work between NLCP and DNPW.

This balance of sustainability and the relationship between communities, conservation and tourism is however very fickle. This year has seen a delay in the opening of safari camps in the Luangwa Valley, as with safari destinations throughout Africa. Depending on how things progress, we may potentially see a zero-revenue year for many safari operators in the Luangwa Valley, with a direct consequence of not being able to employ most (and in some cases all) of their staff.

Walking safaris were pioneered in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park by Norman Carr, and David Livingstone has trekked through the Luangwa Valley and crossed the Luangwa River near one of the Remote Africa camps.

Remote Africa Safaris and the Coppinger family The Coppinger Family has been living and working in the Luangwa Valley for 33 years, since John and Carol started managing Chibembe Camp for Norman Carr’s Wilderness Trails in 1987. Their two daughters were home-schooled by Carol in South Luangwa and brought up with a multitude of orphaned animals. Their younger daughter, Jennifer, and I have returned from our lives in South Africa to continue their hard work and make the Luangwa Valley our future.

I have come from a background in marine science, working for the South African government for 5 years in furthering marine science through data collection, research platform provision (South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity’s African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme) and in teaching historically disadvantaged individuals the technical components of fisheries and marine science. Having put the ocean behind me, I am incredibly driven to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Africa that I have grown up dreaming of – an Africa with no fences and a healthy balance between people and the natural environment. Zambia’s Luangwa Valley provides the perfect opportunity to do just this.

Remote Africa Safaris (RAS) employs 100 staff, 90 of which are from rural communities. It is not uncommon for employees in the formal work sector to support up to 10 family members or more. RAS employs 100 camp-building staff which are in addition to our seasonal camp staff, bringing the footprint to near 1000 individuals benefitting from seasonal camp operations.

Remote Africa’s community initiative, the Tafika Fund, was named after our main camp and is passionately run by Carol Coppinger. The fund aims at supporting the community beyond direct employment opportunities with the company. As part of the fund, we run an annual football league, Football for Wildlife, which sees players and match officials receiving match fees. This supports roughly 250 individuals across 9 communities in both North and South Luangwa, with the aim of spreading a conservation message through remote communities. In addition, we fund 12 scholars (full bursaries) and 9 post-school skills students (medical, teacher and other training). We also support the school and health clinic in our nearby Mukasanga Village.

Remote Africa also manages a number of community camp sites in the Luangwa in an attempt to grow a presence in more remote regions and to drive economies in these less travelled areas.

Community Funds The Tafika Fund Remote Africa Safaris runs a conservation initiative as part of its sustainable approach to tourism. Being a family-run operation, the Coppinger’s have worked closely with individuals and communities in their areas of operation for over 30 years.

Below are a few key points highlighting the impact that this Tafika Fund has on the ground.

• Has supported 77 skills students (2012-2019) in completing their medical, teaching and accountancy training. • Has funded 124 high school learners through to completion of their secondary education (2012- 2019) • Funds a “football for wildlife” league annually which supports 16 teams (8 female and 8 male) plus match officials (~250ppl) – each participant receives a match fee and travelling teams receive transport assistance. Games are played across 9 communities which are adjacent to 2 national parks • Funds 5 school teachers per annum • Fund a medical clinic assistant at Mukasanga Community Clinic • Spends ~ $ 65 000 per annum on the fund

Project Luangwa Project Luangwa depends on tourism bed night contributions for ~70% of their revenue to support communities in the area around Mfuwe – the hub of the Luangwa Valley. They are a charitable organization formed by some of the Safari Operators of South Luangwa as a part of their commitment to responsible tourism.

- has built infrastructure for 14 schools, equating to educational support for upward of 4 500 pupils, providing higher standards of numeracy training for 1 200 pupils.

- supports thousands of young women with safe, clean and washable sanitary products and education through their menstrual hygiene programme.

- sponsor around 150 children through secondary education each year, and 25 students through tertiary

- support and empower hundreds of young men and women, and help to break down barriers of inequality through their 20 gender support clubs across four chiefdoms

- are providing hygiene facilities in schools, and we are beginning to support through face mask production during this pandemic.

The Bushcamp Company Community and Conservation The Bushcamp Company, based in Mfuwe, have also made a major commitment to the wildlife and people of South Luangwa. They work with local schools and run several impressive community projects:

- Meal-a-day programme provides over 2000 meals a day at schools in Mfuwe

- Committing to clean water (borehole drilling and water provision) - Tree planting projects focus on the issue of deforestation in wilderness areas, and helps bring an awareness and appreciation for the environment

- Conservation: The Bushcamp Company company believe strongly in supporting conservation in South Luangwa and provided an aircraft for aerial anti-poaching and research activities.

- Luangwa Conservation and Community Fund: by spending a night at The Bushcamp Company, you are contributing to these wonderful causes.

How it all fits together

The Coppinger family has travelled extensively throughout Zambia (and Africa), including canoeing the Luangwa River. As a personal goal, I felt that given my love for the outdoors and our company’s strong focus on authentic walking safaris that I would like to walk the entire 770km length of the Luangwa River, broken up over a five-year period. I had planned to do my first walk this year in August. My goal was to walk from North Luangwa to South Luangwa, bridging the gap between our Northern-most camp (Mwaleshi) and our Southern-most and home base, Tafika Camp. What I had calculated would be roughly 150km, to be done over 5 days.

With travel, tourism operators and associated communities being impacted this year by Covid-19, I had the dream of doing this walk to raise awareness and funds toward the sustainability of tourism, the environment and the communities in the Luangwa Valley. The walk is to now extend to the southernmost tourism camp in South Luangwa National Park, given the environmental risk that Covid-19 has placed the Luangwa Valley. So, the revised plan is to walk 350km (~220miles) from North Luangwa to South Luangwa over 17 days, starting in late July 2020. Overnight stops will include nights at 8 different operators, including some of the better known and longest standing companies in South Luangwa. Camps which are not hosting night-stops have shown their support and interest in trying to promote and share news and updates on this initiative – a truly great sign of a unified destination.

The safari industry in Zambia has nurtured a strong relationship with local communities across the country, requiring their belief in Travel and Tourism. Given the strong seasonality of the Luangwa Valley, all communities are vastly dependent on tourism to supplement their economies since they plant small maize crops during the rainy season (November-April) and then would otherwise be unemployed and be in deep need of support through the remainder of the year. Relying so heavily on their maize crops is a massive risk as they employ zero irrigation, hence crop success is completely dependent on natural rains. If the rains are poor, they may have a poor crop and the surrounding natural vegetation may also be deficient in nourishment for the big game such as hippopotamus and elephant. Similarly, if there are heavy rains their crops may flood, as has happened this year in many villages. Of course, elephants are a major concern for these communities since they readily destroy maize crops.

With a reduction in employment prospects for 2020, there is a marked increase in the risk of poaching and human-animal conflict. Maize stores will have far higher value to communities and individuals than ever before, for if these stores are raided then the staple food source for that family for the remainder of the year will be destroyed. This in turn would place the balance of the Luangwa Valley in jeopardy as the relationship between humans and the animals may break down. A relationship which has been built up over many years, together with tourism and conservation.

Though most individuals within these remote communities understand the global situation and may indeed support the tourism-community-conservation model, when food and finances are not available these same individuals are left with few options but to turn to bush meat as a source of nourishment and business. Bush meat is a term used for poached wild game which is cured in the bush in the smoke of a wood fire, enabling it to last for extended periods without going rotten in the absence of electricity and fridges. Poaching in remote areas can get out of hand very quickly, once again tipping the Luangwa Valley out of balance.

t is at this time that our custodians are most needed. Now more than ever the jobs of DNPW, CSL, ZCP, NLCP and everyone else who is playing their part need our support, your support. A fundamental challenge facing any enforcement officer is that the reward for doing their job should outweigh the reward from poaching. Anti-poaching patrols are vital going forward and DNPW and these NGO’s will require assistance.

In November 2019, CSL’s Benson Kanyembo was awarded the prestigious Tusk Wildlife Ranger of the Year award at the Tusk Trust’s Tusk Conservation Awards, held in London. This caliber recognition gives people at the grass roots level hope and belief that they too can amount to something of value, despite being raised in rural Zambia.

Even with the conservation component being taken care of, the communities will have nothing to turn to in months to come when they are hungry and have no jobs. They will be left with no option but to turn to bush meat poaching, no matter how much they believe in and support a tourism-conservation- community model. It is as important to support remote communities which have no option but to poach if they are to eat. Again, this is a vital part of keeping the valley in balance.

Media and documenting

We are fortunate enough to be joined on the walk by Conservation Storytelling couple, Mana Meadows and Matthew Blair. This couple has already done some phenomenal work documenting conservation issues in Africa countries and we look forward to them bringing a professional story and product to the world. Documenting this walk is no joke as we will be walking unsupported – meaning that they will be carrying their film gear, camping kit and food on their person.

You will be able to follow us on social media (Instagram and Facebook) at @WalkLuangwa2020 (#WalkLuangwa2020).

Walk schedule (17days, 350km) Day 1 (27km) – The starting point of the walk will be Marula Puku, the conservation operational headquarters for the FZS North Luangwa Conservation Programme. Today will head along the Lubonga River and down to the Mwaleshi River, and on to an overnight camping stop in a beautiful part of North Luangwa, known for its plains rich in buffalo herds, lion prides and black rhino. The first few days we will be accompanied by Ed Sayer (FZS) and Alex Phiri (Remote Africa North Luangwa guide).

Day 2 (20km) – Today follows the Mwaleshi River, the life line to the richness of the central North Luangwa National Park. This shallow, clear river remains flowing throughout the dry season, providing a relief from the dry outlying areas. This leg extends outside the rhino sanctuary and past the 30-year old Mwaleshi Camp, run by Remote Africa Safaris and down to their newest property, Takwela Camp, on confluence of the Mwaleshi and Luangwa Rivers. Tonight, we enjoy the sounds of the numerous hippos and wild animals in this wild, remote location.

Day 3 (21km) – After a good sleep at Takwela Camp and a hot prepared breakfast, we will follow the East Bank of the Luangwa River, passing some beautiful natural seeps which have some amazing birdlife. Heading south-west we follow the Luangwa River until reaching our second camping stop. Ed and Alex remain in North Luangwa, and Remote Africa Safaris South Luangwa guide, Amon Zulu joins us.

Day 4 (21.5km) – Today is an interesting day where we leave an old main arm of the Luangwa and move westward with a ‘new’ channel which has formed. The Luangwa is known for regularly reshaping itself. It should be a beautiful section with lots of fertile ‘dead’ river beds. Time for another night under the stars.

Day 5 (23.5km) – Long day ahead – but not surprisingly as we are leaving the North Luangwa National Park section, crossing some GMA and moving into the lesser-known Luambe National Park, where we will sleep at Luambe Camp. Hard work is being done in developing the massive potential of this park and the big game (lion, wild dog, hippo and elephant) are responding well.

Day 6 (21.5km) – This morning we take our shoes off and cross the Luangwa River on foot, at a wide and shallow section and continue the rest of the walk down the West bank of the Luangwa River. Tonight will be another camping night in an area with lots of old oxbow formations so it will be interesting to see what we find here.

Day 7 (19km) – Today the trip heads downstream into South Luangwa National Park and past the first of the operational areas in this National Park. We are starting to hit the prime walking safari habitat in South Luangwa where there are only 3 bush camps and no roads in 35km of pristine river frontage – a perfect spot to put up the hammock and enjoy the bush sounds.

Day 8 (18km) – Today we touch on history – a day we cross paths with where David Livingstone and his party crossed the Luangwa River at a place called Pelekane, in 1866. This is also the area that Norman Carr chose to start his walking safari camps – we will be walking through the home and origin of walking safaris. It goes without saying that the mindset shift from hunting to photographic safaris has been instrumental in preserving Africa’s wilderness’ – and this is where it all began. It is also with much pride that we will be entering our own bush camp walking area – an area with no roads or vehicles, an area set apart exclusively for walking safaris with big game. We will be passing our double-story Chikoko Tree Camp and overnighting at our Crocodile River Camp site.

Day 9 (22km) – Heading home. This would have been the last day of the initial plans for this walk, but alas it is not to even be the halfway mark. Nonetheless it will be great for a few of us to be heading home for the night. We walk past Shenton Safari’s Mwamba bush camp and their ‘last water hole’ hide before stopping at Lion Camp for lunch on the deck overlooking their camp waterhole (and probably for a quick dip in the pool). After lunch we divert back north and cross the Luangwa River by canoe, and walk our family-run camp, Tafika, for a hot shower and a cold Mosi Lager.

Day 10 (19km) – We head back across the Luangwa at sunrise and continue to meet up with fellow operators for the remainder of the walk. We walk through the game-viewing areas of Lion Camp and Shenton Safaris and continue on to our overnight stop at Kaingo Camp, home to the family-owned Shenton Safaris.

Day 11 (15.5km) – Today is a shorter day so we will slow down and spend a little more time talking about some of the finer things that make the Luangwa what it is to all of us. We will end todays walk a little earlier and chat with Time + Tide (formerly Norman Carr Safaris) about their founders’ legacy and the history of tourism in the Luangwa. Fittingly, we overnight at Kakuli Camp, Kakuli is the local name for a big old bull buffalo, Norman Carr’s nickname.

Day 12 (21km) – From the history lesson and into the big lights. Today we walk through the hub of the game-viewing area in South Luangwa National Park, and so are likely to be joined by a number of other operators along the way. The walking day ends at Bushcamp Company’s Mfuwe Lodge, one of the few camps which is operational throughout the year. They also run a host of really impressive community initiatives in the Mfuwe area.

Day 13 (19km) – From the longstanding to the reinvented. We pass the Mfuwe main gate area and head on southwards. This morning (and for the remaining days) we will be joined by another Remote Africa guide, Stephen Banda. We move on to the luxurious and recently renovated Puku Ridge Camp, managed by Chiawa Safaris.

Day 14 (23km) – After a comfortable night’s rest we stride out on a longer day to get away from the core Mfuwe game-viewing area and head down to the remote southern camps in South Luangwa. We should have hit a few small hills by now – something we have not had for some time as we have moved down the center of the valley. The walls of the valley begin to narrow in as we head south. Tonight we stop at Bushcamp Company’s Chamilandu.

Day 15 (20km) – Hopefully no blisters at this point. We shouldn’t come across any traffic or people from here South. We amble our way to Kafunta Safaris’ Three Rivers Camp, where we will cross the river to get into camp for the night.

Day 16 (21km) – Zambia is known for its authentic safaris, its back to Africa feel and for its warm welcomes. Today we work our way down to the southernmost camp in South Luangwa, Sungani Camp. This new camp is still under construction, but we look forward to touching bases with the owners of this family-run camp.

Day 17 (~21km) – Today is a mop-up day. Having done the maths last night, we will know how much distance we have covered to date and will cover the balance today to reach our goal distance of 350km, before heading back into Mfuwe for a hot pizza and a good night of campfire stories at Croc Valley. Tomorrow it is back up home to Tafika, and back to reality. Hope you’ve all enjoyed being part of the journey and welcome questions for when we get back to camp.

Communication along the way will be intermittent, but we plan to bring updates through as regularly as possible. Please send through questions and we can try to respond to them around the camp fire in the evenings.

Map 1: The full walking route showing the four national park boundaries in the Luangwa Valley. Map courtesy of Google Earth.

Map 2: Showing details of the Northern section of the walk, through North Luangwa National Park, Luambe National Park and into South Luangwa National Park. Map courtesy of Google Earth.

Map 3: Showing details of the Southern section of the walk, through South Luangwa National Park. Many of the camps in the area have been included for reference. Map courtesy of Google Earth.

Map 4: Where the walk will take place in relation to some Africa neighbours and landmarks. Map courtesy of Googe Earth.

Finances Funding will be run through JustGiving, the same platform that Captain Tom Moore used reliably for his support of the NHS, using the name Walk Luangwa 2020. Our goal is to raise £ 200 000, though any support is welcome and if the support exceeds this goal then there will always be bellies to fill and animals that need protection. If you wish for your donation to go to a particular component, please contact me directly.

Proposed budget breakdown:

Communities £ 133,000 1775 substantial ration packs @ £75 each Football for wildlife £ 20,000 250 players and officials across 9 communities DNPW patrols £ 22,500 195 scout patrols (@ £115 each) Crop protection £ 15,000 150 concrete grain stores (£58), 150 chilli blasters (£42) ZCP monitoring £ 5,000 Staff rations, operating expenses and maintenance Transport £ 3,000 Transport to remote communities Chongololo Club £ 1,500 Conservation education training (Mukasanga Village) TOTAL £ 200,000

Correspondence Please would you direct any correspondence relating to the walk to me, and in dealing with media with Mana and Matt, please be sure to copy me in on communications.

Thanks for supporting the walk and we look forward to sharing this exciting story with you!

Nick Riddin [email protected]