Newsletter – African Pioneer Trip

Well we have now come to the end of June and so much has happened this month. We have all been very busy with a lot of Guests coming and going. Island Bush camp has been completed and I was able to take the first guest into the Bush camp not to mention the first North Luangwa trip.

As I am relatively new to Kafunta it was decided that it would be would be a good idea for me to join our first trip to North Luangwa National Park. The guests arrived from Germany a lovely pair by the name of Ingrid & Eduard. Our first night was spent at Kafunta River Lodge and then on the second day after brunch we set off for a couple of nights at the Island Bush Camp, at this stage there was still building going on at Bush Camp, however there were two Chalets prepared and waiting for us. We were greeted by James, got settled in an then spent the first evening on the Luangwa river, drink Gin & Tonics and watching the sun go down behind a pod of Hippo’s. Next morning we were up early, waited for the sun to rise and we then off on our first walk. It was a nice leisurely walk and we came across Giraffe, Puku, Impala and a colony of Yellow-Billed Storks. It was then back to Camp for Brunch and siesta, then out again after tea. This time we sat and watched a pod of Hippo’s and waited with cameras on the ready for one to yawn.

Next morning we had a short walk and then jumped in the vehicle to make our way back to Kafunta. On the way we heard a pride of lions calling and stopped again to have another short walk to see if we could spot them. Sadly no such luck. We arrived back at Kafunta for a quick Brunch and as usual siesta.

Next morning we set off early to make our way to Luambe National Park. This was the start of the trek to North Luangwa. We felt like typical pioneers, as we were the first along the route this year. We passed through many local villages and stopped a few times for loo breaks and of course to have lunch. We arrived at Luangwa Wilderness Lodge at 2pm, enough time to have a short siesta and tea before heading out for a game drive and sun downers. Luambe is a stunning national park and has many wildlife species. We were lucky enough to spot Puku, Impala, Zebra and Kudu all before sunset. We then stopped to have sundown drinks before starting a night drive. This proved to be very productive in which we spotted a pride of 6 Lions and a large male Leopard. Very productive indeed.

Next morning after a quick breakfast we started out journey towards North Luangwa. Again we felt like the first Pioneers as even Martin our guide (who has done this trip many times) had to stop & ask for directions as some of the old roads were not yet open. Each year the road change due to localised flooding. We were also the first ones to try crossing a number of the rivers, most were easy enough and we got through with out any problems. However, one proved a little more difficult and we got stuck up to our axle in the riverbed. But with a lot of teamwork and help from some local villages, we were on our way again an hour later. This time with 2 extra passengers and their bicycles (these were strapped rather precariously to the back of the vehicle). We stopped for lunch later than the day before, as Martin wanted to reach the Luangwa River first. We finally arrived at the river and then set about getting onto the Pontoon (the only way to cross the river at the time). We were now in the North Luangwa National Park, we stopped shortly afterwards along the bank of the river to have lunch and watch the hippos wallowing below. We arrived at Buffalo camp shortly before 4pm and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening settling in and relaxing after our 9 hour drive.

North Luangwa National Park is stunning with a lot of different wildlife species. Of which we were lucky enough to see many. We also saw a large number of Lions and on almost every walk we went on spotted a pride of lions. The most remarkable was on our last morning. Martin spotted some male lions and with the help of our game scout John, attempted to get slightly closer. We then discovered that there were about three male lions. We first spotted them on the other side of the Mwelshi River but suddenly they had crossed and were walking along in front of us. We then spotted a herd of Buffalos and realised that this is what the lions were following. After this bit of excitement we sat under a tree to have a drink from a good high vantage point. Whilst we were enjoying a nice cool drink and comfy seat, Mark Harvey suddenly spotted 2 more lions, this time females. Before we knew it there were 12 lions in total. This certainly made for a memorable stay. That afternoon, we opted for a shorter walk and a drive, after all the excitement of the morning before. Ingrid & Eduard then opted to fly back to Kafunta the next morning whilst myself, Martin & Jonathan our cook drove back in the vehicle and so ended an epic journey of the first North Luangwa pioneers of 2007.

Best regards

Tracy

Kafunta Safaris
Kafunta@luangwa.com
Phone 00260 6 246046
After hours 0026 6 246132
www.luangwa.com