ZAMBIA 2005
Kafue National Park. Is Zambia's oldest park and by far the largest. It was proclaimed in 1950 and is spread over 22'400 square kilometres. Despite the depravations of poaching and lack of management, the Park is still a raw and diverse slice of African wilderness with excellent game viewing, birdwatching and fishing opportunities. Large prides of lion, solitary leopard and cheetah are prime predators. There is a host of smaller carnivores from the side striped jackal, civet, genet and various mongoose.
The spectacular Busanga Plains in the north is a vast flat expanse that stretches in all directions as far as the eye can see - one of Zambia's most significant wetland resources and one of the few untouched by development or human activity. This vast watery wilderness, flooded in the wet season by several rivers and streams covers an enormous 750 square kilometres. It drains into the Lufupa River, a tributary of the Kafue River. The floods reach their height from March to May, after the rains and large hers of hippo are stranded in the shallow pools left as the water recedes in the dry season. The wealth of game on the plains are a big attraction for lions in prides of up to twenty. Cheetah and Leopard also roam the plains.
The PRICES 2005 are per person and include, accommodation, all meals, game drive activities, daily laundry service, transfers from and to Lusaka. Excluding entree fees and bed levy.
Lufupa Lodge
Lufupa is a well-established lodge
situated at the confluence of the Lufupa and Kafue Rivers. The Lodge is
comfortable yet informal, comprising of spacious, thatched rondavels – which are
en-suite. To maintain the “Real Africa” feel, there is no electricity in the
rondavels, however lighting is by paraffin or solar lamps. There is a swimming
pool for those hot afternoons and the dining area and bar open onto the Kafue
River, a perfect setting. After you have experienced an unforgettable night
drive, the southern night sky is something to behold, spend time sitting by the
fire gazing at the stars and listening to the sounds of the bush.
Game drives are conducted in open four-wheel drive vehicles, with the company
operating a policy that carefully balances the expectations of guests to see
game at close quarters with the needs of game to remain undisturbed. Each
vehicle has a driver and guide. Our guides are sharp-eyed and constantly on the
look out for the unexpected. Nocturnal game drives with a spotlight may give you
chance to see the elusive leopard, animals rarely seen during the day can be
seen at close quarters. We also offer two to three hour walking safaris for the
more energetic. This can be particularly rewarding for those keen on spoor,
birds or plants.
In the river hippos snort, crocodiles laze on sand bars and fish eagles soar
overhead. Therefore, game viewing by boat, considered a rare luxury in most
parts of the world, is one of the highlights of Lufupa Lodge. The Kafue and
Lufupa rivers are rich in pike, bream, silver barbel and catfish, hence the
attraction for the keen angler.
Due to the size of the Kafue National Park we recommend a stay of a minimum 6
nights. Most guests incorporate a 2 night stay at our bush camp "Shumba" whilst
staying with us.
Shumba Bush Camp
Shumba, literally translated,
means “lion” because it is situated at the “place of lions” on the Busanga
Floodplains. Huge and shady fig trees provide the setting for Shumba, with its
distinctive, high viewing platform overlooking the plains. From here, the sight
of red lechwe, intermingled with puku, crowned and wattled cranes, is one you
will not forget.
Simple and welcoming, the camp offers itself as an outstanding safari base.
There are two luxury tents on platforms and one thatched chalet. Toilet
facilities and showers are not en-suite.
The Plains are unique. For most of the year the area is not accessible to man,
so animal and bird life flourishes. They are drawn to the plains by its
life-sustaining waters, hard on their heels come the predators, cheetah, jackals
and hyenas and large prides of tree climbing lions. Herds of buffalo move from
plains to forest, roan antelope, zebra and wildebeest roam freely. Shumba is
about two and a half hours drive north of Lufupa Lodge and is only open from mid
July to the end of October.
Kafwala Rapids Camp
The newly refurbished Kafwala Rapids Camp has its own character, shaped as much
by the music of the rapids as by the game that encircles it. The camp is found
nestling along the wooded banks of the Kafue River in amongst lush vegetation
dotted with palms and tall trees. The Camp overlooks the rapids where the sound
of water is constant throughout the year. Sit a while on these banks watching
and listening. The river life will unfold before you. It is a good game-viewing
area as all the larger antelope such as sable, roan, kudu, eland and hartebeest
share this habitat with lions, and solitary leopards.
Accommodating just six guests, in three thatched rondavels with en-suite
facilities, relax on your own terrace and wind down, or discover one of our many
quiet spots with a variety of views to behold. Alternatively, try fishing from
the riverbank or from the rocks that are easily negotiated on foot. Enjoy a
sundowner from our famous "Gin Tree". After your evening game drive, relax in
the impressive combined bar and dining area. With its tree trunk features and
lofty thatched roof it overlooks the rapids during the day and feels mystical at
night with just the sound of the rushing water somewhere nearby. This small camp
is the ideal place to either start or end your visit to the Northern Kafue.
Kafwala is about an hour and a half's drive from Lufupa.
Rates 2005 per person
6 nights at Lufupa: EURO 1'377.00
6 nights, 4 Lufupa + 2 Shumba: EURO 1'642.00
6 nights, 4 Lufupa + 2 Kafwala: EURO 1'437.00
8 nights, 4 Lufupa + 2 Shumba + 2 Kafwala: EURO 1'991.00
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Ntemwa Tented Camp lies South of the Busanga Plains along the Lufupa River. Accommodation in 6 large comfortable and airy twin tents. The rooms have ensuite bathroom facilities, hot running water provided by wood fired boilers for showers and basins and flush loos. Activities offered are day & night game drives in open Land Rovers, escorted wilderness walks. Access by 1 hour 45 minutes light aircraft charter from Lusaka and 1 hour 30 minutes game drive to camp.
RATES 2005 June
until October
EURO 320.00
Busanga Plains Tented Camp. Very "out of Africa" overlooking the seasonally flooded Busanga Plains renowned for herds of hundreds of red lechwe which in turn attract lion and cheetah. Accommodation in 5 large comfortable and airy twin tents. The rooms have ensuite bathroom facilities with hot bucket showers, cold running water and flush loos, all with a view of the vast open grassland. Activities offered are day & night game drives in open Land Rovers, escorted wilderness walks. Access by 2 hours light aircraft charter from Lusaka and a one and a half hour game drive from Lushimba airstrip to camp.
RATES 2005 June
until October
EURO 320.00