zambia migration safari – africa’s wildlife secret ... · pdf filegame viewing...

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Zambia Migration Safari – Africa’s Wildlife Secret

Designed exclusively the Houston Zoo by Next Adventure ®

When: November 27 – December 8, 2018 Capacity: Maximum 15 travelers Trip Length: 12 days/ 11 nights Safari Cost: $12,995 per person, based on double occupancy

$14,995 per person, based on single occupancy Deposit: $2,599 per person (20% non-refundable deposit) required at time of booking

ITINERARY IN BRIEF November 27-29: Arrive in Lusaka November 27, meet & greet, scheduled flight to Mfuwe, road transfer to Mfuwe Lodge. Game viewing activities in South Luangwa National Park and visit with researchers from Lion Landscapes from your base at Mfuwe Lodge (3 nts) November 30 & December 1: The group of 12-14 splits into two smaller groups of 6-7 each, with the host choosing to stay at one camp for both nights. Game drive transfer to Kapamba Camp & Zungulila Camp. Spend one night at each camp, with a walking safari between camps on December 1. (2 nts) December 2-4: Fly via private charter from Mfuwe to Kasanka. Witness the world’s largest mammal migration of fruit bats in Kasanka from your base at Wasa Camp (3 nts) December 5-7: Transfer to airstrip, fly to Liuwa Plains, transfer to King Lewanika Camp (3 nts). Witness the second largest wildebeest and zebra migration in Africa on the Liuwa Plains. December 8: Road transfer to airstrip, fly via private charter Kalabo to Livingstone for onward arrangements. Optional Victoria Falls extension available December 8-10 (at additional cost) for those who wish to extend their stay in Zambia. Program Overview Travel with the Houston Zoo on this 11-night itinerary that explores Zambia’s ecological diversity during the most wildlife intensive season. Visit South Luangwa, Kasanka and Liuwa Plains, a rarely-visited region in remote Western Zambia. This itinerary will include game drives and walking safaris, as well as highlighting the world’s largest mammal migration of fruit bats in Kasanka National Park and the second largest wildebeest and zebra migration, which occurs in Liuwa Plains, providing a unique and exclusive safari experience with unrivaled opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.


Zambia

Zambia is named after the mighty Zambezi River, which rises in its north-west corner, flows into Angola before re-entering Zambia at the Cholwezi Rapids, and thereafter forms the southern border of the country with neighboring Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The Zambezi and its valleys are one defining aspect of this country; another is the southern end of the great African Rift system that cuts through the eastern and southern parts via several deep rifts along the course of the Luangwa River. Incredible natural features also include the breath-taking Victoria Falls, Lake Tanganyika, the second deepest natural lake in the world, and the floodplains of Busanga, Barotseland, the Kafue Flats and the Bangweulu Swamps. In general, the country is situated on a high plateau and is characterized by immensity of space and gentle horizons, broken by the enormous valleys of the Upper Zambezi and its tributaries - of which the Kafue and Luangwa Rivers are the largest. With an average height of 1200 meters above sea level the climate is comfortable rather than tropical, while the valleys of the middle Zambezi, the Luangwa and its tributaries, all about 300m above sea level, are hotter and more humid. The Kafue Flats form yet another valley trough, although the altitude, about 975m, is only slightly less than the surrounding plateau.


In the south, the mighty Zambezi hurls itself over the lip of the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, twists silently through the narrow Batoka Gorges before flowing into Lake Kariba and on through the Lower Zambezi Valley. The Kafue and Luangwa Rivers both flow into the Zambezi and their fertile banks play host to some of the country's most important conservation areas. In the east the vast floodplains of Barotseland flank the Zambezi with the best-known wildlife areas being the Liuwa Plain and Sioma Ngwezi National Parks. Much further along its course, the Lower Zambezi National Park replaces the wide-open nature of Liuwa with a juxtaposition of woodland, escarpment and river. The 2.25-million-hectare Kafue National Park and surrounding game management areas in central Zambia make up the largest conservation area and are a mix of miombo woodlands and seasonally inundated floodplains. Like Liuwa and Sioma Ngwezi it is under-visited and is enveloped in an atmosphere of solitude, wilderness and timelessness. The North Luangwa and South Luangwa National Parks and associated game management areas in the east of the country make up almost as large an area where they straddle the Luangwa River and provide an exceptional experience in the ancient riverine woodlands adjacent to the river. Zambia offers impressive diversity as well as large concentrations and numbers of wildlife, including endemic subspecies of giraffe and wildebeest found in the Luangwa River valley, while extensive herds of black lechwe inhabit the floodplains of the Bangweulu. Bird life is particularly prolific, with 740 bird species found here, including many 'specials'; it is the southernmost extreme of the eccentric-looking African shoebill's range for example and one of the best places to see this sought-after species.

November 27 Arrive Lusaka, light air transfer to South Luangwa, transfer to Mfuwe Lodge

In accordance with your air itinerary (not included and to be arranged separately), arrive in Zambia at Lusaka International Airport. A local representative will assist you with collecting your luggage and clearing immigration and customs where you obtain an entry visa for US $50 per person (not included and payable directly in exact US cash). You will then board a light aircraft transfer to South Luangwa, where you are met at the airstrip on arrival by a local camp guide for your transfer to Mfuwe Lodge. You’ll be welcomed with an orientation to Mfuwe and shown to your room where you can settle in before your first evening wildlife viewing activity, sundowners and dinner.

Mfuwe Lodge Ease yourself into Luangwa life with a stay at the award winning Mfuwe Lodge. Set inside the park, just five minutes’ drive from the main gate, the lodge’s allure is instantly obvious. Beneath a canopy of ebony and mahogany, its thatched buildings are arranged around the banks of two lagoons where an endless stream of wildlife will keep you enthralled as you lounge on the open deck or take a dip in the swimming pool. Thanks to a thorough refurbishment in 2010 the airy interior of the lodge is an exquisite complement to its natural surroundings. This region of the park is renowned for its prolific game – giraffe, buffalo, antelope, crocodile are constant visitors to


Mfuwe Lodge’s lagoon, whilst in November the local elephants regularly wander right through the lobby, lured by a nearby wild mango tree. Scattered along two lagoons' shady banks lie 18 thatched chalets from where you can enjoy your own private piece of Africa. Secluded covered verandas look out over wallowing hippo and thirsty game in the lagoons, while the newly refurbished African interiors are the perfect place to wind down with their comfortable sitting rooms and en-suite bathrooms with panoramic walk-in showers. The game-viewing potential at Mfuwe Lodge and the surrounding area is second-to-none. Walking safaris can be arranged on request, but the majority of outings are game drives, allowing guests to explore as much of this prolific region of the Luangwa Valley as possible. Drives are led by our experienced team of guides, setting out at first light and then again in the late afternoon when the wildlife is at its most active. After sundowners, spotlights are used to pick out a new cast of nocturnal creatures. Elephants in Reception

Each year at Mfuwe Lodge we have some very special guests that pay us a visit whole families of elephants have been regular guests at the lodge for a number of years, visiting between late October and mid-December to feast on the fallen fruits from the large Wild Mango (Cordyla africana) tree in the lodge grounds. The fact that a large safari lodge is built around this delicious food store is of no concern to them after all, why walk the extra few meters to go around, when there are some nice steps and a tiled reception lobby to saunter through each day? At least three generations of one particular

elephant family have returned annually and their unusual dining habits and unique behaviour has been the focus of many a TV documentary, photograph, video, newsworthy article, and even children's books.

November 28 & 29 South Luangwa National Park

We spend our days in South Luangwa exploring the wildlife-rich floodplains on guided morning and evening game drives, with free time in the afternoon to enjoy the comforts of Mfuwe Lodge and the wildlife that is frequently seen on the grounds, including the incredible “migration” of elephants through the lobby in search of wild mango! South Luangwa National Park For wildlife, and wildlife-lovers, it doesn’t get any better than the South Luangwa National Park. With its verdant floodplains rustling with huge herds of game, mopane woodlands and indigenous hardwood forests filled with over 400 species of birds, and a mighty river that attracts thirsty animals like a magnet, it’s a natural utopia and one of Africa’s truly great wildlife sanctuaries. Bordered on one side by the Muchinga Escarpment and the Luangwa River on the other, the park consists of 9,050 square kilometres (half the size of Wales or Massachusetts) of untouched wilderness supporting one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.


It was none other than explorer David Livingstone who first recognized the extraordinary allure and unique nature of the South Luangwa Valley. Crossing the Luangwa River in 1866, he declared, “I will make this land better known to men that it may become one of their haunts. It is impossible to describe its luxuriance.” It wasn’t until 1938 that the area was proclaimed a game reserve, and then given national park status in 1971. In 1961 the legendary Norman Carr put the Luangwa on the map as a safari destination leading the first walking safari in the reserve. Over 60 different species of mammal call the South Luangwa National Park their home, drawn by the diverse range of habitats from sandy seasonal river courses to the mineral-rich alluvial floodplains that stretch out to distant blue hills. Predators such as lion, leopard and wild dog stalk the smaller game, whilst primates such as yellow baboons and vervet monkeys swing through the trees. Down on the river, huge densities of elephant, hippo and crocodile enjoy the cool waters. There are two distinct seasons, during which the park completely changes its appearance. In the dry season (May to October) the landscape is arid and vegetation is sparse, providing optimum conditions for viewing game, especially as animals congregate at the waterholes and rivers. During the wet summer (November to April), the park is lush and green. Wildlife is harder to spot but the park is arguably at its most beautiful in this ‘emerald’ season. November is variable; it can be hot and dry like October, or it can see the season's first downpours, making it a very interesting month for safari, as you may see both weather patterns on successive days. Unlike some other African national parks, in the South Luangwa the focus is always on the wildlife. Sprawling visitor centers and restaurant complexes are nowhere to be found here – just traditional safari lodges and intimate, rustic bushcamps that merge discreetly into the landscape, from where you can enjoy the true pleasure of being surrounded by an unspoiled African wilderness. November 30 & December 1 South Luangwa National Park: Kapamba & Zunguilila Bushcamps

This morning the group will split into two smaller groups and depart on a walking safari to Kapamba & Zunguilila Bushcamps. You will spend the night of November 30 at your first camp and embark on another walking safari to spend the night at the second camp on December 1.

Kapamba Bushcamp In a remote corner of the South Luangwa National Park lies Kapamba, a camp that combines the isolation and superb game-viewing opportunities of a true bushcamp with a touch of... dare we say it... luxury.


Set on the banks of the shallow, spring-fed eponymous river, Kapamba is surrounded by some of the park's richest wildlife. Watching an elephant take a dip in the river can be quite an experience when you're lounging in your own private plunge pool. The central bar and dining room is positioned under a huddle of matumi and sausage trees, with a wide deck that stretches out with views of the Kapamba River. And if that's still not close enough for you, why not enjoy your G&T from the middle of the river itself, your feet dipped in the cool, crystal shallows.

Zungulila Bushcamp Zungulila is a charming camp that embodies the essence of old Africa and a bygone era, with breathtaking views onto the Kapamba river and an expansive plain where natural springs attract huge herds of game. Perfect for small private groups, this isolated, classic tented safari camp delivers an authentic African safari experience. Zungulila is eminently peaceful, and you may be tempted to stay forever!


December 2-4 Kasanka National Park: Wasa Lodge

On the morning of December 2, we bid farewell to South Luangwa and fly by private charter plane to Kasanka National Park in Northern Zambia, which will be our base for viewing the largest mammal migration on the planet. Between October and December each year, about 10 million straw colored fruit bats descend into a tiny patch of evergreen swamp forest inside Kasanka National Park. Millions of bats dispersing at dusk against the setting sun is one of the wildlife wonders of Africa! This natural phenomenon, unique only to Kasanka, lends itself to some truly astonishing wildlife sightings set against a backdrop of incredible scenic surrounds and dramatic skies. Although wildlife patterns can never be guaranteed, fruit bat migration numbers are historically at their peak during our dates of travel. We stay within the park at Wasa Lodge, a simpler, more rustic accommodation relative to the other camps on our trip, which places us in optimal position to see the fruit bat migration.

Wasa Lodge Wasa Lodge has a total of 7 chalets - 4 large chalets and 3 smaller rondavels all of which are set in the treeline or overlooking over the lake. The larger chalets all have double and single beds in the room, a verandah and a simple shower, basin and flush toilet in an en-suite bathroom. The smaller chalets have double or twin beds and an en-suite bathroom with flush toilets and simple bucket showers. Between the chalets is a tree-top platform which makes for a stunning sunrise spot listening to the hippo, puku and fish eagles. The main dining area has beautiful views and is complemented by a cozy bar and chill zone while many a warm and cold drink are enjoyed around the fireplace outside the main building.


December 5-7 Liuwa Plain National Park: King Lewanika Camp

We fly via private charter plane to Kalabo airstrip in remote Western Zambia, where we are met by local guide and transferred by road to Liuwa Plain National Park and our luxurious camp for the next three nights, King Lewanika. The Liuwa Plains are exceedingly remote and wild, boasting one of the most amazing wildlife parks in Africa. Our Zambia safari culminates with the opportunity to see the second largest wildebeest and zebra migration in Africa, which also brings large numbers of predators like lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena. 3 nights in Liuwa Plain National Park round out our “best-kept secret” Zambia migration safari.

King Lewanika Camp This 5-star luxury camp is the only permanent camp in Liuwa Plain National Park. Developed in partnership with African Parks (a conservation nonprofit that works closely with the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife), King Lewanika retains its safari authenticity with canvas drops, indoor and outdoor showers, decks overlooking the vast Liuwa Plain and the use of thatch and grass in the main area. The six villas (one of which is a two-bedroom family villa) are run using solar power and built using such sustainable materials as grass, thatch, and recycled composite.

Liuwa National Park The area incorporating Liuwa Plain has a long and rich history and is homeland of the Lozi people. The traditional Monarch of the area is the Paramount Chief or King, called the Litunga, meaning 'keeper or guardian of the earth'. One of the earliest protected areas in Africa, Liuwa Plain was proclaimed a game reserve by the king in the early 1880’s; protected by the Lozi people and used as a royal hunting ground. Since 2003, the park has been managed by African Parks through a public-private partnership with the Zambian Government and the Barotse Royal Establishment. Often described as a photographer's dream, in addition to its famed lions, guests will see thousands of wildebeest in the second biggest wildebeest migration on earth, discover various species of rare and endangered birds (330 species; flocks of hundreds of wattled and crowned cranes and millions of pratincoles), follow cheetah hunt in the plains or watch clans of up to 50 hyena interacting at their den. There is something for everyone on Zambia’s Liuwa Plain.


December 8 Departure from Livingstone

After breakfast and perhaps a final activity, you are driven back to the Kalabo airstrip for your private charter flight to Livingstone where you connect with your onward international flight (or choose to continue on by adding the optional December 8-10 Victoria Falls extension). Bid farewell to your travel companions and depart with warm memories of your Zambian adventure with the Houston Zoo!

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Zambia Migration Safari – Africa’s Wildlife Secret

Designed exclusively for the Houston Zoo by Next Adventure ®

November 27 – December 8, 2018 Safari Land Costs

$12,995 per person, based on double occupancy $14,995 per person, based on single occupancy (please limit single travelers to one) Included

• 11 nights’ accommodation and meals as per your detailed safari itinerary. o Accommodation on safari in Zambia is on a shared basis in a double tent or room in safari camps. o Safari camps in Zambia are fully inclusive of all meals and drinks (excluding premium imported

beverages, cellar wines and champagnes); laundry service is included as well.

• Private wildlife-viewing activities in vehicles reserved for exclusive use throughout the safari.

• All airport transfers throughout and road transfers as per your itinerary.

• All private charter light aircraft transfers and scheduled domestic flights within Zambia as per your itinerary.

• All National Park, conservation and land use fees when on safari.

• All taxes including VAT and tourism levies where applicable.

• Safari coordination and monitoring by Next Adventure and our local partners. Excluded

• International airfare to Lusaka and from Livingstone, booked directly by you.

• Visa fees in Zambia, currently $50 but subject to change, payable in cash.

• Gratuities for local guides and camp staff.

• Premium imported drinks such as cellar wines and champagnes at safari camps.

• Items of a personal nature such as communication costs or curio purchases.

• Trip cancellation, evacuation and emergency medical insurance. We strongly recommend that you take out a comprehensive policy for your safari & tour.

Please consult your air itineraries for flight details which are subject to change.

Important Notes Regarding Passports & Visas for US Passport holders: A visa for Zambia may be obtained on arrival for US $50 per person. Zambia requires 2 pages per entry for visa stamp. Important: Please be sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return travel date. Please check with Next Adventure if you need assistance. Luggage Restrictions: 33 lbs per person As you will be travelling in small aircraft with limited luggage capacity in Zambia, your luggage is required to be packed in a soft bag (no hard suitcases allowed) weighing a maximum of 33 lbs including all carry-on items and camera equipment as well.

Arrival and Departure Information

• International airline tickets are not included in the safari land costs.

• Flights must arrive into Lusaka and depart out of Livingstone.

• Participants must arrive into Lusaka no later than 14:30 (2:30pm) on Tuesday, November 27, 2018.

• On the final day, participants are free to depart Livingstone any time after 15:30 (3:30pm) on Saturday, December 8th.

• Travelers who choose to spend 2 nights in Livingstone on the optional Victoria Falls extension are free to depart Livingstone anytime on Monday, December 10th.


Participation Notes Participants must be able to get into and out of safaris vehicles and be prepared for game drives and short walking excursions in hot, dusty conditions. Fruit bat viewing in Kasanka may occur from tree hides located in the forest canopy at approximately 50 feet high, which requires climbing up ladders to access the hides. Temperatures range from 22-40 degrees Celsius, but travelers are rewarded with outstanding game viewing. November is variable; it can be hot and dry like October, or it can see the season's first downpours. November is often a very interesting month, as you may see both weather patterns on successive days. December falls within the rainy season, but also offers the rare and spectacular specialist wildlife experiences that are featured on this safari: the Kasanka fruit bat migration and the wildebeest and zebra migration in Liuwa Plains. Payment & Cancellation Policy

Deposit: $2,599 per person (20% non-refundable deposit) required at time of booking Final Payment: Balance due 90 days prior to departure (August 27, 2018)

Next Adventure Participation Agreement Each traveler will be required to sign Next Adventure’s Participation Agreement: Booking Terms & Conditions Release & Assumption of Risk.

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