Safari to South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi, Zambia
This trip was a whirlwind of 13 camps in 16 days! On arrival in Lusaka I boarded a scheduled Proflight to the Jeki airstrip. There I was met by a guide from Sausage Tree and we took a short 10 minute game drive to the boat launch site. From there we traveled up stream for a 20 minute boat ride to camp. Sausage Tree has beautiful views to the river and the rooms are large with all bath facilities outside – open air.
Downstream about 30 minutes was the best camp of all – Old Mondoro. The camp has 4 rooms, so it is intimate and private. The rooms are a little small, but perfect, because there is a large porch with day bed and chairs, so your living space is expanded. I did a nice walk with Etienne and saw lots of elephants.
Back at camp the elephants had invaded, there were so many I ha d to take a game drive to get to the room, with a coordinated pick up for lunch. We saw lion, honey badger, white tailed mongoose and black mongoose on the night drive.
The following morning I drove to the canoe launch site to join a walking safari for the night-Chikoko Walking Trails. Our guide was Isaac who has been in the South Luangwa for over 30 years. We set off on a 4 hour walk back to camp. In order to have a tea or coffee break you had to start your own fire with sticks. I am sure they had back up plan just in case. On the walk we encountered baboon, buffalo, puku, impala, hippo and many different bird species.
The food is comfort food, simple but delicious. Our chef baked all the breads and cakes in a hole, with a steel plate on top. I took a much needed siesta – the day time temperatures were well over 107 degrees . The day finished with a short walk starting ar ound 4:30pm ending back at camp for sundowners and dinner.
Early the next morning we walked out of camp and I drove back to Tafika. John Coppinger operates a micro flight and it is something you have to do! Hold on, because we buzzed crocs, giving them an early wake up call, saw a huge herd of buffalo. It was an amazing experience.
Early the next morning we walked out of camp and I drove back to Tafika. John Coppinger operates a micro flight and it is something you have to do! Hold on, because we buzzed crocs, giving them an early wake up call, saw a huge herd of buffalo. It was an amazing experience.