Update From Luangwa Valley
We would like to introduce ourselves, we are Brain & Tracy May and we are the new managers at Kafunta River Lodge. We would like to keep you updated to what is happening at Kafunta Safaris as well as in the bush around us!
This month has been busy with lots of development happening, thanks to Josephat, our pontoon (which is rebuilt each year after the rains right close to Kafunta River Lodge), is in operation since the start of May and used on a regular basis for easy access to the park.
One quiet evening Ron, Luke (7 years), Patrick (Luke’s new school teacher), Tracy and I ventured into the park with Meyam, to test out the pontoon and ensure that our guests experience was up to the expected standard (just a good excuse to get out on a game drive really). We had a fantastic time and saw the big 4 within the space of three hours, Luke did a great job of spotting and the leopard sighting was a first for Patrick and the first Luangwa leopard for Tracy and I.
With the excess water now drying up we are seeing more and more game activity in front of the lodge as they come to drink from the water below the decking. Baboons and elephant seem to be a regular daily sighting together with the resident puku and impala. The families of banded mongoose are becoming more visible as the bush dies back and with less leaves on the trees, the thick tailed bush baby has been seen over the dinning area fairly frequently. Hippos are still nightly visitors and hyena, lion and leopard have frequently added to the nightly chorus. A lot of birds have been taking advantage of the water present by the camp and a pair of saddle billed storks and crowned cranes stop by every few days to add a splash of color to the browning bush. The small pond in the reception area has a host of small birds drinking and bathing everyday and can provide some challenging identifications when it come to the little brown jobs or LBJ’s.
Bush camp construction is near completion and the site has been moved to a new location this year as a result of the ever-changing Luangwa River. Island Bush Camp is now based on the riverfront facing the island, a totally awesome placed to watch both sunrise and sun set from the comfort of your room (not that we will let you stay there to watch, as we drag you off to track down the abundant wildlife on foot).
Best regards