Posted Apr 01, 2008
Canadian farmers recently visted Zambia and prior to their arrival the La Nino had descended on us. It had not stopped raining for weeks, with some areas in Zambia receiving highest rainfall records in 100 years. I was very apprehensive about the weather and the condition of the dirt roads. Many farms we like to visit were waterlogged, and their bridges and roads washed away. There was no way the bus was going to get to the various farms, so we hired 4 x 4 vehicles with Jackie, Debbie and I as the drivers. Fortunately the group was blessed with wonderful weather as it virtually stopped raining on the day they arrived, and we had lovely hot sunny days. Admittedly the roads were fun and games in parts - all added to the adventure for our guests!
The Canadians visited a variety of farms covering beef, arable, tobacco, essential oils, macadamia nuts, poultry and small scale farming.
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| Tobacco Curing | Zambian Hospitality |
Then we were off to South Luangwa National Park. It was touch and go as to whether we could get into the park as the Luangwa River was about to flood its banks. Daily phone calls to and from with Derek and Sarah Solomon to find out where the water levels were and whether or not the Mfuwe lodge was going to be under water. But as luck had it a few days before we were due in the Luangwa National Park, the River’s water levels subsided.
We call this time of year in Zambia “The Emerald Season” as the bush is lush and green. The Park was looking spectacular and the lagoons full of water and we had the most amazing animal and birdlife sightings. The group was very fortunate to have Derek Solomon guide them and we had only just arrived at Mfuwe Lodge and about to have afternoon tea when Derek said there was Wild Dog in the area and we had to jump in the game viewing vehicles quickly. The wild dog had only been sighted 6 weeks previously. We found the dogs who were very casually trotting down the road and totally unconcerned about our presence. In addition we saw lion, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, zebra various antelope. I think the only animal that did allude us was leopard, however, other people who were staying at Mfuwe lodge were fortunate to see one on one of the night drives.
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 Lilac Breasted Roller |
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The group was then off to Livingstone to stay at the luxurious Islands of Siankaba. The Victoria Falls were spectacular as the water levels in the Zambezi are higher than normal at this time of year.
 The Islands of Siankaba |
 Victoria Falls, Zambia |
Muchenje Safari Lodge - Chobe, Botswana
The Eden of Chobe; Muchenje is a magnificent Lodge in a stunning location, situated on the remote Western side of Chobe National Park. Jackie and I recently visited this lodge which accommodates only 20 guests in intimate exclusivity. Each thatched, stone built room has its own private veranda with a panoramic view of the Chobe river and Caprivi floodplain. Guests are accommodated on an all inclusive basis. This is a definite recommendation for anyone one/ group who would like to experience some excellent game viewing after seeing the Victoria Falls. It is easily accessible by road from either Livingstone (Zambia) or Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe). Like the South Luangwa National Park, Chobe is teeming with game and is particularly renowned for its large herds of elephants.
Derek & Sarah Solomon Relocate to South Africa
Derek (pictured right) and Sarah Solomon have relocated from South Luangwa National Park to wildlife estate on the edge of Kruger in Hoetspruit, South Africa. Due to the huge demand for Derek to guide groups for National Geographic in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia they decided South Africa would be a more central country to be based. However, Derek is still going to guide certain groups for Zamag Tours & Safaris. In Feb/ March 2009 Derek will be guiding a group to see some of the best wildlife parks in Zambia and Tanzania - this will include seeing the wildebeeste migration in the Serengeti, the Ngorongo Crater in Tanzania and South Luangwa National Park and the Victoria Falls in Zambia. We shall let you know in the near future what the tour will involve and the costs for those of you who have already expressed interest in either going on the tour or sending your clients.
Cheers for now and take care
Ian and Daphne Lindsay
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