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:: Special Interests
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Zambia |
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Kafue National Park |
Approximately 200km west of Lusaka, Kafue National Park is
one of the largest and wildest protected areas in the world.
Covering more than 22,000 square kilometers, Kafue was originally
established as a protected area in 1950.
The astounding variety of ecosystems within this area include
lush, riverine forest along the banks of the Kafue River and
its main tributaries, open mixed woodland of mature teak and
miombo trees, grassy plains and the seasonally flooded Busanga
Swamps in the north of the Park which alone covers 750 square
kilometers! The Itezhi-Tezhi Dam in the south of the Park
covers 370 square kilometers and is more of an inland seas
than a dam, providing habitat for the African fish eagle and
numerous heron species among many others.
In addition to the more commonly sighted African species
such as lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, hippo and
hyena, Kafue is home to many rare and endangered species now
found in very few areas of the continent. Such species include
the sable antelope and the red lechwe, puku and sitatunga
antelope species which thrive in semi-aquatic swamp areas.
Over 400 bird species can be found in Kafue, and similarly
these include many rare species such as the magestic wattled
crane, the large and elusive Pel's fishing owl and the purple
crested lourie.
The bad condition of the Park's roads is a blessing for the
protection of the delicate ecosystems which now thrive despite
a previous history of poaching and lack of management. Since
the establishment of the Park, a lack of human activity and
development has allowed populations to increase steadily and
Kafue remains a raw, Africa wilderness providing a home to
many hundreds of species of animals, birds, reptiles, and
fish such as bream, barbell and freshwater pike in the rivers.
Wildlife viewing is best between April and October, during
the dry season when animals are drawn to more permanent water
sources.
Most of the Park's roads are inaccessible from November to
April. The best way to visit Kafue is with an organized, guided
safari, enabling visitors to enjoy the wilderness with the
support of knowledgeable professionals.
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Zambia |
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Livingstone Town |
 Livingstone
is a more authentically 'African' town than Victoria Falls
on the Zimbabwean side of the border. The view from this side
of the gorge is equally spectacular, and during the low water
period of October to February it is possible to walk right
to the edge of the thundering Falls themselves or to swim
(carefully!) in one of the rocky pools at the edge of the
gorge.
Many adventure activities can be arranged from Livingstone,
varying from bungee jumping, gorge swinging, micro-lighting
and white water rafting to more leisurely boat cruises on
the upper stretches of the river.
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Zambia |
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Luangwa Valley |
Another one of Africa's prime wildlife sanctuaries, the Luangwa
Valley lies at the tail end of the Great Rift Valley, the
continental fault that runs through the Red Sea and south
down the length of East Africa. This tectonic movement was
responsible for the formation of lakes such as Tanganika and
Lake Albert, the Rift Valley split as it reached Zambia, one
arm forming Lake Malawi and the other becoming the Luangwa
Valley which is 700km long and an average of 100km wide.
In the west of the valley, the Muchinga Mountain Range forms
the natural boundary of the Park. The Luangwa River meanders
down the centre of the Valley, forming oxbow lakes along its
course. Thick, lush vegetation characterizes this area.
The North and South Luangwa National Parks divide the Valley
in two, with the smaller and less well known Luambe Park placed
between the two. Wildlife protection began in this area in
the late 19th century when the British South African Company
banned hippo and elephant hunting.
The National Parks were proclaimed in 1938, but this was
unfortunately not enough to protect the rhino population which
has been extinct in the valley for many years now.
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Zambia |
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North Luangwa National Park |
 The
remote northern section of the Luangwa Valley covers 4636
square kilometers and is not usually open to the public. For
more than 30 years, the only people allowed to enter this
area were National Park rangers. There are no lodges within
the Park area and only a very few safari operators have permission
to enter this wilderness which was home to the well-known
researchers Mark & Delia Owens in the early 1990's. Wild
and untouched, the North Luangwa Park is a nostalgic throwback
to the Africa of old with massive herds of buffalo and elephant,
prides of lion, solitary leopard and packs of hyena.
Very few roads exist through the Park which lies on the Luangwa
River, bordered on its eastern bank by the Muchinga escarpment.
A number of tributary rivers flow through the Park bringing
life-giving waters to this beautiful environment.
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Zambia |
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South Luangwa National Park |
 The
concentration of wildlife in this Park is one of the most
intense in Africa. The appearance of the 9050 square kilometers
varies throughout the seasons from bare bushveld in winter
to a lush wonderland in the summer months. Over 400 bird species
and approximately 60 mammal species make the day and night
game drives and walking safaris offered in the Park an amazing
experience. Thornicroft's giraffe are unique to the Luangwa
Valley and some of the bird species that may be seen here
include crowned crane, steppe eagle, open-billed stork, goliath
heron and beautiful swallow and bee-eater species. Wildlife
viewing is best between April and October, during the dry
season when animals are drawn to more permanent water sources.
Most of the Park's roads are inaccessible from November to
April.
In addition to the animal and bird species within the Park,
the environment is characterized by beautiful, mature trees
including stands of ebony, mopane, leadwood, slender ivory
palm, bizarre baobab, marula and tamarind.
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Zambia |
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The Zambezi River |
 The
Zambezi is Africa's fourth largest river system (after the
Nile, Zaire and Niger Rivers). Running through six countries,
many areas along the river banks are protected and therefore
offer a range of safe habitat for wildlife species.
The river itself is remarkably free of pollution, mainly
due to the lack of human development on its banks, and opportunities
for water sports and game viewing along its 2700 km length
are exceptional.
The river forms the border between Zambia and Namibia and
Zambia and Zimbabwe before it flows into the Kariba Dam. The
Lower Zambezi National Park is Zambia's newest protected area
and covers 4000 square kilometers on the northern, Zambian
banks of the river. Habitat types include riverine floodplains,
woodland and grassland, a heavily wooded escarpment and several
islands.These islands vary from large, rocky outcrops with
towering, mature trees under which explorers such as Livingstone
and Selous slept and carved their names in the trunks, to
ephemeral, grassy sandbanks. Lying opposite Zimbabwe's Mana
Pools National Park, the Lower Zambezi is rich in wildlife
and also offers excellent fishing opportunities.
Canoeing trips are run along the meandering river, the best
time to take part in this activity is between June and September.
The river banks are dominated by Faidherbia albida (winterthorn)
trees which tolerate sandy soils better than competing species
and provide the resident elephant population with nutritious
and tasty seed pods.
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