Shoebill

9 day tour in central Zambia (including South Luangwa)
8 day extension through Kafue National Park



Shoebill Some highlights of the tour:
  • Game drives and night drives in the sensational South Luangwa Park
  • Bird watching and sightings of the elusive Shoebill Stork;
    Thousands of Lechwe in the Bangweulu Swamps
  • Boat cruises and game drives in the Kafue National Park
  • The beautiful Ngonye falls in the western Zambezi River

Day 1: South Luangwa National Park
Transfer from the Mfuwe airport to our lodge next to the Luangwa River. Our first game drive is in the afternoon until sunset.
Luangwa is known for its high concentration of African wildlife: Thornicroft's giraffe, Cookson's Gnu, Crowshay's Zebra, leopards, lions and big herds of buffalo and elephant.
It is not uncommon to see leopard on the night drive (optional).
Camping
(Overnight in Chalets or luxury safari tents next to the Luangwa River)

Day 2 and 3: South Luangwa National Park
Game drives along the Luangwa River often produce spectacular sightings. The colourful Carmine bee-eater is often seen perching in front of their nests in the river banks.
Hippo families occur in high numbers in the river, unequalled in Africa.
Camping
(Overnight in Chalets or luxury safari tents next to the Luangwa River)

Day 4, 5 and 6: Bangweulu Wetlands
Transfer to the airport at Mfuwe and board the charter flight.
After landing on the escarpment we head on to the Bangweulu wetlands.
These remote swamps are unique in ecology, fauna and flora. The water covers huge areas of the swamps until about April each year, when the waterline slowly recedes and water birds congregate to feed in the pools and channels that are left behind.
It is here that we will be looking for the elusive Shoebilled stork. This interesting, strange looking bird has become very rare in most parts of Africa, but here in the Bangweulu they are fairly common.
We move on foot and with a boat (depending on the water level) to find the water birds, the huge herds of Lechwe antelope, and other animals like tsessebe (a species of antelope),zebra, buffalo and black backed jackal.
The herds of thousands of Lechwe in this seemingly endless landscape, is an unforgettable African experience!
Overnight in Shoebill Island Lodge or Nsobe Camp

Day 7: Kasanka National Park
From a hide in a majestic Mululu tree, 18 metres above ground, we are able to observe the shy and rare Sitatunga antelope (among other animals). The birdlife during this time of the year is terrific.
Overnight in Luwombwa or Wasa Lodge

Day 8: Lusaka
We drive back to the Great North Highway and on back to 'civilization'.
Dinner in a restaurant in Lusaka (own expense).
Camping
(Overnight in a small lodge in the suburb of Lusaka)

Day 9:
Transfer to the airport and board the flight back home, or join the extension tour through the Kafue National Park.


8 Day extension to Livingstone:

Leopard Day 9, 10 and 11: Kafue National Park
Like many other Parks in Zambia, this is also a Park in a remote area, beautiful landscape and many animals to be seen. Hippo, crocodile, lechwe, crowned crane, wattled crane, lions, puku, oribi (antelope species that occurs here) and zebra are but a few examples of the animals to be seen here.
Our game viewing and bird watching will mostly be done by boat and on foot.
Camping
(Overnight in a lodge in the central Kafue Park)

Day 12: Barotseland
Leaving Kafue National Park and passing through untouched indigenous forest, we drive east to the Zambezi floodplains. During this time the Zambezi River is up to 50 km wide!
Camping
(Overnight in a lodge next to the Zambezi River)

Day 13 und 14: Ngonye Wasserfälle
Further south, where the Barotse floodplains end, are the Ngonye falls. A beautiful spot to do bird watching, tiger fishing or just relax in the spectacular river landscape.
Camping
(Overnight in a lodge next to the Zambezi River)

Day 15: Livingstone
In the afternoon we arrive in Livingstone.
Dinner in a restaurant in Livingstone (own expense).
Camping
(Overnight in Maramba River Lodge)

Day 16:
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight back to Johannesburg/Europe.


Dates:
Every second tour is done in the reserve direction

07/04/2007 - 15/04/2007 (from South Luangwa to Lusaka)
05/04/2007 - 13/04/2007 (from Lusaka to South Luangwa)
21/04/2007 - 29/04/2007 (from South Luangwa to Lusaka)
19/04/2007 - 27/04/2007 (from Lusaka to South Luangwa)

Minimum of 6 participants per tour
Maximum of 10 participants per tour


Price:
€ 1680-00 per person sharing
Single supplement: € 280-00

8 day extension to Livingstone:
€ 1580-00 per person sharing
Single supplement: € 220-00


Camping option:
€ 1520-00 per person sharing
Single supplement: € 150-00

8 day extension to Livingstone (camping option):
€ 1380-00 per person sharing
Single supplement: € 90-00


Included in the price:
  • All meals - except the last dinner in Lusaka and in Livingstone (extension programme)
  • All transport (excluding the transfers to/from all airports)
  • Competent English speaking guide and driver
  • All accommodation in good chalets (reed or brick) and luxury safari tents
  • All activities as described
  • All entrance fees

Not included in the price:
  • International flight from Europe (return)
  • Charter flight from South Luangwa to the escarpment (Bangweulu Swamps)
  • Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks
  • All optional activities
  • Personal insurance
  • Tips for guides
  • Visa fees


Tour Info:
Every second tour is done in the reverse direction.

This is a tour strongly recommended to birding enthusiasts and Africa addicts. The birdlife in Zambia (especially in Bangweulu Swamps) is spectacular. Spotting the rare Shoebill Stork during this time is not exceptional. This is also the time when Lechwe antelope congregate at the edge of the swamps in their thousands.
The game viewing in South Luangwa and in Kafue is very good. The lush vegetation at this time of the year adds a pleasant note to the typical African landscape.
All accommodation is in very good chalets or luxury safari tents. Accommodation establishments have been selected for cleanliness and practicality.
(Camping option: Accommodation is in safari tents (2.1 x 2.1 metres). They are easy to put up. Mattresses used are made of high density foam - 50 mm thick and covered with cloth).
The guide is responsible for the catering. Our guides are experienced cooks, and guests often compliment the standard of catering on our tours.
Meals are prepared from fresh ingredients. Meals are healthy, tasty and variable. 'Tin food' and 'fast food' is avoided where possible.
Optional activities described in the program are carried out by local tour operators. The optional activities are paid directly to the operator and not to Adventure Purist.
Activities offered on this tour are by nature dependant on weather conditions. If, due to unfavourable weather conditions, some activities cannot be offered, Adventure Purists will endeavour to seek alternatives.
The vehicle used is a extended Landrover Tdi. Bucket seats, double shock absorbers and Landrover's suspension system provide a comfortable ride. The vehicle is open on all sides, but can be closed for long distance travelling.

We travel in remote areas. Patience and a certain ability to endure the circumstances we may encounter are expected from the participants of this tour.


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