S E E U S O N T H E W E B AT wildlifeworldwide.com North Luangwa North Luangwa National Park is separated from its southern cousin by the Munyamadzi Corridor. It is a virtually unexploited wilderness in safari terms with no permanent lodges. Its 6,000 square kilometres support a substantial population of flora a fauna, with Wild Dog and Cheetah being particularly good species to record in the area. Earlier this year, the first of 15 Black Rhino’s were returned to the area as part of an exceptional conservation effort to re-introduce them into the Luangwa. North Luangwa is generally reached by light aircraft from South Luangwa and makes a great addition to a safari in South Luangwa. Mwaleshi Camp (sister camp to Tafika) is a comfortable bush camp (it only accommodates six people), constructed in a traditional grass and pole fashion on a beautiful stretch of the perennially flowing Mwaleshi River. There is no electricity in the camp, instead it uses paraffin lamps. The camp is in the heart of an area legendary for its abundant wildlife and in particular Lion. Whilst it is possible to drive along the Mwaleshi floodplain, most of the game-viewing is conducted on foot and you are unlikely to see another soul! Kutandala, set out on the banks of the Mwaleshi River, offers simple thatched chalets with en-suite facilities for only six guests. The dining area, bar and library are arranged under the shade of a huge Natal Mahogany Tree and with there being no generator, the true sounds of bush life can be heard. Like Mwaleshi, this is primarily a walking camp. Lower Zambezi For many years this was a forgotten wilderness although it covers an exceptionally beautiful 4,092 square kilometres with a backdrop of the steeply rising Zambezi Escarpment. Its most characteristic feature is of course the river itself and the surrounding area is superb gameviewing country. Elephant, Lion, Cheetah, Leopard and huge herds of Cape Buffalo are resident here, together with Impala, Puku, Baboon, Vervet Monkey and Nile Crocodiles. Perhaps though, the Zambezi is best known for its boating safaris. Nowhere else is there such a combination of breath-taking scenery and varied wildlife. Tranquil yet exciting, these trips through waters such as the Chifungulu Channel, are an excellent way to appreciate the Zambezi. You can go out on motor-boats and birdwatch or fish, or head out in a canoe. With 6- metre long Canadian canoes and trips lasting from an hour to a whole day, the options are endless! One of the most popular canoe safaris is a gentle afternoon's paddle (always downstream!) to 'Sunset Strip' for sundowners followed by a night drive back to camp. There are three key properties that we work with here, Chiawa Camp, Sausage Tree Camp and Old Mondoro. Additionally, you will find details of Chongwe River House, one of our new ‘Safari Houses’ on page 26. They all offer day and night game-viewing, walking safaris and of course plenty of time on the river. Chiawa Camp offers superb accommodation together with magnificent game-viewing and scenery. The camp consists of nine tents under thatch. The 8-metre motorised pontoon at Chiawa is an ideal vessel to take advantage of the river. Early morning, midday and sunset cruises through numerous channels, viewing Hippo, Cape Buffalo, Elephant and prolific birdlife are all on offer. Old Mondoro Camp is Lower Zambezi's only bush camp, accommodating eight guests in four simple but comfortable chalets. Each chalet has en-suite facilities with a flush toilet and hot water from a bucket shower. Walking safaris through towering acacia woodland are a particular speciality from Old Mondoro. Sausage Tree Camp is a simply designed tented camp in a stunning setting. The six luxurious, white, ovalshaped marquee tents, all with en-suite facilities, are spread along the bank of the Zambezi River with wonderful secluded views. There is a central dining and bar area, set high on the riverbank, overlooking scenic channels dotted with water lilies and pods of Hippos. Chongwe River Camp is luxurious but simple. It accommodates only 20 people and is situated at the confluence of the Chongwe and the Zambezi Rivers, directly opposite Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. This tented camp also boasts a beautiful honeymoon suite and Bushbuck Camp, a simple walking camp away from the main river. 79 Africa / Zambia Kapani School Project The Kapani School Project was established in 1986 with the aim of giving an eduction to children who otherwise would not go to school. Children are sponsored at the flagship Yosefe School, as are students at various High Schools in the region. Not only are their tuition fees covered, but also boarding fees, transport costs, uniforms, text books, pens and pencils. We also encourage our passengers to take out school books and other reading material. Should you wish to make a contribution or help in any way, just let us know or log on to kapanischoolproject.com for more information Chiawa Camp, Lower Zambezi Carmine Bee-eaters

80 F O R R E S E R V A T I O N S C A L L U S O N 0845 130 6982 Kasanka and Bangweulu Kasanka is one of the smallest parks in Zambia and is unique by being privately run. The habitat is a varied mixture of Miombo woodland, riverine forest, evergreen swamp forest and papyrus swamps. It also has lakes, lagoons, plains, dambos and marshes. The game concentrations are not high, but there are a number of specialist species here including Sitatunga, Lichtenstein's Hartebeest, Sable, Grysbok and Blue Monkey. The birdlife is exceptional with nearly 400 species having been recorded, including the rare Pel's Fishing Owl, Wattled Crane and Ross' Lourie. It is a particularly good place to visit between March and June when the rains will have stopped but the towering cumulo-nimbus clouds, lush greenery and fairly high water level will result in superb photographic opportunities. Wasa Camp is a small, rustic, but comfortable camp, overlooking Lake Wasa and close to the Sitatunga hide and Mushitu (swamp) forest. There are eight chalets, three of which have en-suite facilities and private verandahs. The camp offers excellent walking trails, as well as safaris by canoe and 4-wheel drive. Bangweulu is a vast watery wilderness about 55 kilometres north-east of Kasanka National Park. The endemic Black Lechwe congregate here in herds of 10,000 strong. Elephant, Tsessebe, Cape Buffalo, Reedbuck, Oribi and Sitatunga have also adapted to this area and can be found in good numbers. The birdlife is prolific, particularly at the end of the rains (March to May). One of the magnificent rewards for visiting this area is the possibility of sighting the increasingly rare Shoebill, an unusual stork-like bird, now considered to be a distant relative of the pelican. Bangweulu is a days drive from Kasanka (past Chief Chitambo's village, where Dr Livingstone's heart was buried), and on to the expansive wetlands of the Bangweulu Swamps and Shoebill Camp. (It is also possible to do this as a short light aircraft hop.) Shoebill Camp is the only camp in this remote and rarely-visited wildlife paradise. The camp sleeps twelve, each twin-bedded tent having its own toilet and shower. Excursions are conducted on foot, by 4-wheel drive and in boats around the swamps (subject to the very variable water conditions). Shiwa Ng'andu In 1911, a young British Officer, Stewart Gore-Brown, was sent to Africa to determine the border between Northern Rhodesia and the Belgian Congo. He fell in love with it and returned in 1914 and purchased 4,500 hectares of land near a lake and called it Shiwa Ng'andu. On the vast estate is Kapishya, an exquisite natural hot spring surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and tall raffia palms. Nearby are Chusa Falls and a 3-hour walk takes you to Nachipala Bareback Hill which from the summit gives a magnificent view of Lake Shiwa Ng'andu. A visit to Shiwa Ng’andu combines perfectly with either Kasanka or Bangweulu and we recommend a 2-night stay. Lochinvar National Park Lochinvar is a wonderful wetland park which we would highly recommend visiting if you want to experience something quite different in Zambia. Located midway between Lusaka and Livingstone, Lochinvar finally has some excellent accommodation in the form of Lechwe Plains Tented Camp. The park is home to a huge population of Kafue Lechwe, some 30,000 plus, and is also one of the few places that you will find Chaplin’s Barbet – Zambia’s only endemic bird. Year round, Lochinvar is a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 400 species recorded. In addition, the park contains approximately 2,000 Blue Wildebeest, 700 Burchell’s Zebra, Greater Kudu, Bushbuck, Oribi, Hippo’s, Side-striped Jackal, Reedbuck and Common Waterbuck. The endless wetland vistas are quite breathtaking and safaris from the lodge are enjoyed by 4-wheel drive, on foot and at certain time of year by boat. Kafue National Park Covering some 22,500 square kilometres, Kafue National Park is one of the world's largest. Much of the park consists of woodland opening out at intervals onto wide grassy 'dambos' grazed by Defassa Waterbuck, Sable, Hartebeest, Blue Wildebeest, Cape Buffalo and Burchell's Zebra. The northern section of the park is dominated by the vast rolling Busanga Plain fed by the Lufupa River system which recedes in the dry season stranding large herds of Hippo's in shallow pools. This is one of the Kafue's richest wildlife areas attracting a diverse range of antelope including Red Lechwe and deep in the swamps, the elusive Sitatunga. The profusion of game in the park attracts Lion, Leopard and Cheetah in good numbers, whilst for birders this is an unmissable destination offering a great and colourful spectacle. There are now four camps of note in Kafue National Park. They each offer day and night game-viewing and walks, Lunga River Lodge offers additional attraction of boating, fishing and canoeing on the Lunga River. Lunga River Lodge set in north-eastern Kafue on the Lunga River is a twelve-bedded camp. The Lunga River is a permanent tributary of the Kafue River. Beyond its narrow strip of riverine forest the landscape is patterned with broad-leafed woodland, open plains, floodplains and island thickets. Busanga Bush Camp has only three chalets and accommodates six guests (it can accommodate seven or eight if it is for a single group). Set on an island in the heart of the Busanga Plains, the wildlife viewing from here is spectacular with huge herds of Red Lechwe and Puku, Lion, Cheetah, Serval, Caracal, Blue Wildebeest and Side-striped Jackal all possible sightings. The birdwatching is magnificent here too, offering excellent opportunities to see Marsh Owl and the endangered Wattled Crane. This is classic Zambia and a classic bush experience. Lioness at a kill Shiwa Ng’andu