Africa & Beyond July 2015 Newsletter

Africa & Beyond July 2015 Newsletter

Call: 0161 789 8838 | Email: [email protected] |

Welcome to the July edition of our newsletter.

We hear from Jamie on his travels to Zambia,

see where we’d really love to go and catch up

on the latest news.

Inside this month

| Email: [email protected] | Visit: africaandbeyond.co.uk

We hear from Jamie on his travels to Zambia,

love to go and catch up

Inside this month

Jamie’s Zambia Adventure

Zambia’s ‘Best of’ lists

Bucket lists according to the Africa & Beyond team

Latest news


Jamie Taylor Zambia Trip Report

Having worked previously in Zimbabwe I was more than excited to embark on my first trip to the Wilds of South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi, a true wilderness adventure.

Courtesy of Norman Carr Safaris I was able to enjoy and appreciate the Luangwa River with its many oxbow lagoons and experience a true walking safari – synonymous with this country. By walking you always get to look for something new, the little things. So each day in Luangwa didn`t disappoint, from the smallest and most camouflaged, seeing day old “Three Banded Courser” chicks hidden on a dirt track to the most inquisitive “Tower” of Giraffe moving ever closer to a pride of Lion on a hapless Hippo kill, thankfully for the

giraffe the lion were contented and full.

Kakuli Bush Camp, was the place to be during siesta time as a leopard on a mission bound past the feet of two female guests enjoying some downtime from yet another food fest, commonplace in these lovely simple and well managed bush camps. Was it the very same leopard we short time later as they can be in a real mission when hunting?

You never seem to get away traffic jams! A 200 strong heard of Buffalo blocking the way. It’s dusk, the lights were switched off, it was pitch black, we listened to the grunting and munching and stirring as they swarm the vehicle, shuffling along.

African Wild Dog are always a tremendous spot and make you appreciate how endangered they are and the amount of


Question?

How does an elephant cool down?

Answer!

It digs a hole in a dry river bed and happily plonks his derriere into a refreshing water reserve!

giraffe the lion were contented and full.

Kakuli Bush Camp, was the place to be during siesta time as a leopard on a mission bound past the feet of two female guests enjoying some downtime from yet another food fest, commonplace in these lovely simple and well managed bush camps. Was it the very same leopard we short time later as they can be in a real mission when hunting?

You never seem to get away traffic jams! A 200 strong heard of Buffalo blocking the way. It’s dusk, the lights were switched off, it was pitch black, we listened to the grunting and munching and stirring as they swarm the vehicle,

African Wild Dog are always a tremendous spot and make you appreciate how endangered they are and the amount of

work trying to grow their numbers, I have been so lucky to watched them many times, whilst for some in our group this was a first. So a chance to see 13 plus in Mfuwe was real bonus and something very special, albeit a short time as they can be in a real hurry when hunting!

Finally, a shout out has to go to the extremely luxurious Chinzombo Camp in Mfuwe, a flagship camp of Normal Carr Safaris which recently opened. The camp commands a tranquil setting overlooking the Luangwa River. Such a stunning place to unwind and chill, a great massage can be had after bumping around on the numerous game drives and if you are looking for air conditioned mosquito nets, this is the place for it !

Jamie also visited the Lower Zambezi, more to come next issue!


Zambia is one of the best safari

destinations in Africa and here’s why…….

Best for walking safari…..

Back in the 1950’s when it was still sadly fashionable to ‘go

hunting’, Normal Carr pioneered the Walking Safari down in the

Luangwa Valley. Getting out of the vehicle and on with your boots

is uniquely possible in this area, unlike many other national parks,

where visitors get a chance to move slowly and observe the little

things.

Today Norman Carr Safaris & Robin Pope Safaris excel in this field

and offer the most thrilling experience including guided walks and

sleep outs!

Best for Remoteness…..

If your looking for a safari that truly takes you away from the crowds

then Zambia is the place. Lesser known and visited regions such as

North Luangwa, Kafue National Park and Bangweulu are wildlife rich

with delights such as mass black lechwe herds, the rare and wonderful

Shoebill stork and endless pristine plains and wetlands to explore.

Lodge numbers are few and accessibility is fairly easy making these

remote destinations a real find.


Zambia is one of the best safari

destinations in Africa and here’s why…….

Best for fishing…..

Between late August and mid November

the Zambezi becomes the main attraction

for those tiger fishing enthusiasts.

There’s a strict catch & release policy, but

these wily creatures prove to be a great

test for even the keenest anglers

Best for leopard…..

The South Luangwa National Park is one of the best destinations by

far for safaris due to its high animal concentrations around the

Luangwa River and many oxbows. However, it is the leopard that

steals the show every time.

This region is naturally home for huge leopard numbers, the terrain,

water suppliers and abundance of food mean that they thrive,

making chances of seeing leopard very high indeed!

Best for Adrenaline Sports…..

Thrill seekers look no further. Livingstone and

around Victoria Falls is the perfect place to get your

heart pumping with adventures like bungee

jumping, canyon swinging, microlight flights, white

water rafting to name a few.

At Africa & Beyond Even we have a bucket list!

Richard, the Big Boss! There aren’t many places on this fabulous continent that Richard hasn't been to, but so far those pesky Lemurs of Madagascar have escaped him! Hopefully this will be rectified soon!

This intriguing island is full of unique sights and sound its should be on everyone’s list. From numerous lemurs species, countless endemic reptiles & amphibians, gigantic baobabs avenues of Kirindy to the pristine beaches and coastline, Madagascar really does have it all.

Jamie, a man of many talents! Stepping away from the safari vehicle and getting his getting his walking boots on is Jamie’s want! High up in the Laikipia Hills, Kenya,

there is a unique take on getting closer to nature, a camel safari! This dry, rugged region is perfect for walking alongside these curious creatures. There are several lodging choices; stay in a permanent camp and walk each day or head from point to point, letting the camels take the strain, carrying the camping kit and set up each night in a new spot. Certainly a very different safari

experience.


Rob, looney marathon runner For Rob it has to be Botswana, but more specifically taking a mokoro through the Okavango Delta. When water levels are good, post floods, the reed lined channels open up and create a mesmerising labyrinth full of hippos, marabou storks, fish eagles, the elusive Pel’s fishing owl. many tiny amphibians, even an elephant or two.

Kate, she keeps us organised One thing that would make Kate very happy is to take her family to South Africa but in particular a chance to walk with elephants. Over in KwaZulu Natal on the Bayete Zulu Private Reserve, visitors can experience a respectful, no gimmicks interaction with their resident elephants, learning about they’re habits, family life and the struggles they face by poachers.

Sue, chief bean counter Namibia holds a special place in Sue’s heart due to a certain proposal on top of ‘Big Daddy’, however, an opportunity to return to this remarkable country is high on the list especially if it involves tracking rhinos. Up on the Palmwag Concession, at the beautiful Desert Rhino Camp,

these desert adapted creatures roam freely but under the protective eye of the team at Wilderness Safaris and Save the Rhino Trust. To view these black rhino at such close quarters in such a tranquil, safe setting is a rare treat indeed.



Angama Mara Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya is

set high up on the Great Rift Valley

escarpment. This newly opened luxury camp,

from it’s lofty position, has set itself away

from other camps down on the plains and

aims to offer luxury family friendly

accommodation with one of the best vantage

points in the Mara.

Ubuntu Camp, Serengeti, Tanzania, will be

settling into its new location when if moves

into the southern Serengeti in December.

Ubuntu Camp is a prime example of a mobile

camp, which is moved bi-annually so guests

get the best, ringside seats for the migration

herds across the Serengeti.

Ruzizi Camp, Akagera National Park, Rwanda

A cute little camp with just 9 tented rooms

built by local people with locally sourced

natural resources.

A tranquil setting on the banks of Lake Ihema,

attracting abundant birdlife and mammals

such at African Fish Eagles & hippos. Our very

own Rob stayed recently and loves it.

What’s new……..?


UPDATE ON NEW RULES FOR FOREIGN VISITORS

Botswana no longer requires visitors from Zambia to have a valid

Yellow Fever Certificate.

From 1st September, you will need to apply for and receive your Kenya

Visa in advance of arriving in the country. This could take over a week

so be prepared.

Zanzibar has introduced a raft of increased and new taxes, these will

apply with immediate effect to all visitors.

*please contact us for more information

Lions on the move!

Last week saw the journey for 7 lions from South Africa to Akagera

National Park, Rwanda begin as part of the re-introduction programme

led by the Rwanda Development Board in partnership with African

Parks.

Akagera is a wonderful park where visitors could see Sitatunga, the

rare Shoebill Stork, elephants, zebra, olive baboons and the elusive

blue monkey. Combining perfectly with your gorilla experience in

Volcanoes National Park.

Call: 0161 789 8838

Email: [email protected]

Visit: africaandbeyond.co.uk

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Africa & Beyond July 2015 Newsletter