LCCL - Luangwa Conservation and Community Levey

Due to the recession, fewer tourists are travelling to the South Luangwa; park fee income has dropped by some 30-35%. Simultaneously, crucial grants from NORAD to ZAWA (Zambia Wildlife Authority – who runs the park) have stopped. The result is that we are starting to see a real reduction in park maintenance and anti-poaching patrols in South Luangwa, especially in the more outlying areas.

Some years ago, the safari operators of the South Luangwa set up the SLCS (South Luangwa Conservation Society) to assist ZAWA. SLCS has always raised its funds through both a monthly fee from the lodges and donations. The pressure is now on for SLCS to expand their conservation activities and fill the gap – and this requires more funds. We believe that it is essential for the conservation of South Luangwa.

At the same time, the community is also feeling the recession. The donations to community projects have dropped, which means less community development. In the long term, local education is key to conserving this area.

This is why we introduced a levy. It’s vital that we act now, and act together. We need to ensure a regular income for SLCS and to maintain the current levels of education in the area. We need to start this now, before the situation becomes critical. After correspondence with many of our agents, we have now realized that this should be a compulsory levy. Here are the terms and conditions:

• Bookings for 2010 a levy of $10 per bednight applies
• Children under 12 will pay 50%, for children 12 years and over at time of travel the full levy will apply