Zambia & South Africa - Nov 2024
Just got back from a trip to Zambia with the International Crane Foundation (ICF) for Classic Escapes.
Great news for conservation in the country is that he ICF has pledged $700 000 per annum for 20 years to uplift the Kafue Flats region (including Blue Lagoon and Lochinvar National Parks) of the Zambezi Catchment. Through increased protection of Wattled and Grey-Crowned Crane habitat and working with the community and government, uplifting this area will not only benefit these two bird species but will help restore and preserve the natural integrity of the land which will have positive spinoffs for people, and their livestock as well as the wildlife.
Paying our respects to the fallen rangers across Zambia, this is a memorial to those who have died in service
Rhinos have recently been reintroduced into Lusaka National Park - they are under 24-hour watch and provide an excellent encounter into this reserve which is bringing people closer to wildlife
At first, we were based out of Lusaka so board members and philanthropists could go out and meet the various stakeholders and understand the state of the area during this extreme drought year. From there we headed west to Liuwa Plains National Park to look for cranes and other wildlife. The drought has also touched this corner of the country but we arrived to some of the first rains of the season and enjoyed the start of the time of plenty. The wildebeest had migrated down from the Angolan border area and all sorts of wildlife was coming alive with the first bit of moisture penetrating the earth.
The lions of Liuwa - famous “Bon Jovi” with his pride
Team shot at Liuwa Camp - rustic setting - excellent rooms and top service
The “Hyena Queens”…hyena society is female-dominated
Guests enjoy a close encounter with a bull elephant that was feeding nearby as we enjoyed breakfast - Lion Camp in South Luangwa is one of my favourite places on the whole continent
From Liuwa we made our way across the country fairly close to the Malawi border to go and explore South Luangwa National Park. This area has had its only crane species (Grey-crowned crane) population decimated and only a small number exist. Based out of Lion Camp, the game viewing was great and we enjoyed some of the valley specials with an abundance of amazing bird life while the predators also came out to play!
Set along the banks of the Luangwa River, these Sycamore figs provided a wonderful place to depart for a walking safari, one of the best locations for such an activity.
Wild dogs enjoyed hanging out along the cooler river edge, before heading inland to hunt…
“Hitching a ride” …Hamerkops enjoying using a hippo as a rock while a Great Egret and Yellow-billed stork fish in the background. The dry conditions resulted in optimal feeding conditions for Zamabia’s fishermen!
Typical scene along the Luangwa - Impalas and Puku feeding along the banks
We left the hot, dry conditions of South Luangwa at 4 am and got to KwaZulu Natal in South Africa at sunset. Just as we departed on our transfer for the Nottingham Road area, torrential rains set in making for a very wet entrance back into South Africa. Over the next few days, we were based out of Fordoun and Oaklands Farm Stay and were hosted by the Endangered Wildlife Trust Crane foundation affiliates and saw first-hand the excellent work that is being done to conserve all 3 species (Grey-crowned; Wattled; Blue) in the area. We also linked up with a carbon sequestering expert and learnt about the potential for this in the area and made our way across to the Free State province to see the work being done to protect crane habitat and the benefit it has to other species such as Botha’s Lark and Sungazer lizards.
Understanding the benefits of Carbon sequestration in well-managed rangelands
Enjoying the last team dinner in the KZN highlands
Overall, a fascinating trip and a pleasure to see the excellent work being done in these areas!
