Camps and Parks in Zambia and Malawi
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Camps and Parks in Zambia and Malawi Pioneer Camp, Lusaka: Around Pioneer: There is a small recreation area with a swimming pool. In he bar area there is a library with lots of travel books, wildlife books and novels and a curio shop which proudly stocks many items from across Zambia, all bought from local craftsmen. The countryside around Pioner is very safe and there are many places to walk and if you are an avid birder there are plenty in the miombo woodland around the lodge. Pioneer is surrounded by miombo woodland; it is quit and offer nice places to walk. There is a basic map which you can use to go walking and birding outside the grounds of Pioneer. It’s an ideal place to relax and enjoy your first day in Africa. Lusaka: Lusaka is the Capital of Zambia and the East side is fairly developed; the centre of Lusaka is as busy and bustling as any other city with shopping centres, cinemas, cafes and restaurants. Gwabi Camp, Lower Zambesi: is only 180 km from Zambia's capital Lusaka. It is situated on the tranquil banks of the Kafue River, undisturbed by passing boats. Set in lush green lawns with beautiful views over the river. A large outdoor swimming pool and bar area can be found at the main lodge, overlooking the Kafue River. For people who enjoy fishing or just want to game view down the river, there is a fleet of 9 boats for hire. The coxwains will show you the best fishing spots or can take you on a game viewing trip or a sun-downer cruise For bird watchers this is the ultimate spot to find over a hundred species of birds, with the help of their friendly staff. The boat trip is optional, price ca. 400 ZKW (40€) + fuel for the boat! Mvuu Lodge: The Lodge is situated in a secluded location deep within the game rich Chiawa area, next to the Zambezi National Park, opposite the world heritage site of Mana Pools. Indigenous bush surrounds the lodge, wildlife roam freely through the camp, the un- spoilt and abundant river offers phenomenal game fishing. The magnificent Zambezi River is undoubtedly a ‘bucket list’ destination, and Mvuu would like to share this enchanting paradise with you. Lower Zambesi National Park: This Park is still relatively undeveloped, it’s beauty lying in it’s wilderness state. The diversity of animals is not as wide as the other big parks, but the opportunities to get close to game wandering in and out of the Zambezi channels are spectacular. The Park lies opposite the famous Mana Pools Reserve in Zimbabwe, so the whole area on both sides of the Zambezi River is a massive wildlife sanctuary. The River’s edge is overhung with a thick riverine fringe, including ebony and fig trees. Further inland is a floodplain fringed with mopane forest and interspersed with winterthorn trees and huge acacias. The hills which form the backdrop to the Park are covered in broadleaf woodland. Even though the Lower Zambezi National Park covers an area of 4092 square kilometers, most of the game is concentrated along the valley floor. There is an escarpment along the northern end which acts as a physical barrier to most of the Park’s animal species. Enormous herds of elephant, some up to 100 strong, are often seen at the river’s edge. ‘Island hopping’ buffalo and waterbuck are common. The Park also hosts good populations of lion and leopard, and listen too for the ubiquitous cry of the fish eagle. Luangwa Bridge Camp: Luangwa Bridge Camp is on the western side of the river, about 3km south of the mainroad. This place does make a convenient stop between Lusaka and Chipata. This is the first stop outside the Lower Zambesi NP. The bar and large pool at the lodge on the hill are open to all guests. There are many different birds in and around Bridge Camp including the Brown-Hooded Woodland Kingfisher (which dives in the pool rather than use the bird bath), Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Paradise Flycatcher, Fire Finches, various Bulbuls, Bush Shrikes and Hornbills, Sunbirds, Purple Crested Louries, also a pair of Fish Eagles live close by and are often heard and seen calling over the river. Hippo and crocodiles are often seen from the main lodge or on canoe trips on the Luangwa River. Vervet monkeys and monitor lizards live close by and often come close to the lodge. The “Petauke-Road” to Mfuwe and the Luangwa river: The beautiful route takes us along typical Zambian villages. The street is interrupted by dry river beds with steep sandy banks. This journey is not the usal way to the South Luangwa NP and could only be used by 4x4. The road has a breathtaking landscape. A few km in front of the actual national park begins the Wildlife Area and with luck you can see the first animals. The journey to Mfuwe now leads parallel to the river along various Lodges. Most of the time though Mopane Forests without a view of the wide river. The Luangwa is one of the few African rivers which is still in its original state. Undisturbed by human interference, the rivers flows for over 900 km through the northeastern part of Zambia and finally empties in the mighty Zambezi River. The Muchinga Escarpment, one of the last remains of the Great African Gorge, forms the natural border of the valley and is a wonderful backdrop for the river. Croc Valley Camp: This Camp is beautifully situated by the river. Croc Valley Camp offers a big outdoor swimming pool which is perfect for sun bathing and cooling off, hammocks are scattered around the camp for lazing around and watching the world go by. The bar and restaurant can be utilized at any time of the day and both offer perfect views of the river and the wildlife that uses it. The view from the tent is stunning. The hooping grumble of countless hippoes, the alarm cries of birds like the hadeda ibis, the smells of the land and the daily crossing of the elephants are unforgettable. Last but not least, sometimes you'll have to camp in the wild. It's an overwhelming experience that you shouldn't miss. Always look for foraging paths. If you don't want to be disturbed in your "bedroom", don't pitch your tent on a hippo path! The Luangwa is a forceful river. During the rainy season, the water rises 6 meters. The strong current further erodes the banks, uprooting large trees, which then are taken away by the wild water. Steep banks and skeletons of drowned trees are typical for this river. Every evening, just before sunset, the elephants cross the Luangwa. From your tent you could see startled yellow-billed storks fly away with slow movements of their wings. In the deep part of the river, the elephants in the herd take the calf between them. Crocodiles are always lurking. When the calf lags behind, a large female waits for it patiently. The next morning they will return to the safety of the South Luangwa National Park. It sounds odd, but African wild animals respect tents. It rarely happens that people in closed tents are in danger. And a good thing it is, too, because every night the hyenas take a stroll in our camp, sniffing, hippoes shuffle along their regular paths to where they forage and elephants demolish the tree that you feel so comfy under with your tent. Camping along the river is a never ending symphony of hippo noises. Sometimes peacefully murmuring in the background, then again deafeningly loud in an explosion of agression and angry growling. There aren't many places in Africa where one is as close to hippoes as here by the Luangwa. South Luangwa National Park: Experts have dubbed South Luangwa to be one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River, and its oxbow lagoons, is among the most intense in Africa. The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life-blood of this 9059 km 2 Park. The Park hosts a wide variety of wildlife, birds and vegetation. The now famous ‘walking safari’ originated in this Park and is still one of the finest ways to experience Africa’s pristine wilderness first-hand. The changing seasons add to the Park’s richness, ranging from; dry, bare bushveld in the winter, to a lush, green wonderland in the summer months. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species in South Luangwa National Park. The only notable exception is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction. With about 400 of Zambia’s 732 species of birds appearing in the Park, including 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species, there is plenty for the birdwatcher to spot, whatever the season. An interest in the vegetation of Zambia will enhance your experience of the bush. Some magnificent trees and plants grow in the Luangwa Valley and it certainly adds to the richness of one’s experience to be able to recognize the different tree species and to discover exotic wildflowers. Among the more common trees in the valley are the mopane, leadwood, winterthorn, the tall vegetable ivory palm, the marula and the magnificent tamarind tree. The are some magnificent baobab specimens and a few large ebony forests to admire. Seasonal changes are very pronounced in Luangwa. The dry season begins in April and intensifies through to October, the hottest month, when game concentrations are at their height.