| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 85 | 65 | 8.20 |
| Feb | 85 | 64 | 6.25 |
| Mar | 85 | 63 | 3.15 |
| Apr | 85 | 57 | 0.37 |
| May | 82 | 49 | 0.06 |
| Jun | 77 | 44 | 0.01 |
| Jul | 76 | 42 | 0.00 |
| Aug | 82 | 47 | 0.00 |
| Sep | 89 | 56 | 0.03 |
| Oct | 92 | 63 | 0.65 |
| Nov | 90 | 65 | 1.41 |
| Dec | 86 | 65 | 7.01 |
My canoe began to rock a bit, so I paddled from deep water to the safety of the Zambezi's shallows. Nearby, a crocodile rose silently to the surface and began cruising toward an unsuspecting heron on the muddy bank.
We hear the deep-throated calls from behind a bend in the river. Our guide steers our canoe to the right bank, following it closely as we round the corner. The river widens before us and we see, lazing in the water near the opposite bank, a small pod of hippos. Paddling with slow, even strokes, we gently cruise by, the animals glancing unconcerned as we pass.
Later, we sit down to lunch at the Chiawa Camp when a scout runs up to us. "Don't start eating! You've got to come right away!" We jump into our vehicles and head into the bush. A lion pride has just taken down three Cape buffalo. Amidst the voracious growling and tearing, we hear the unmistakable crack of bone. The Zambezi has opened our eyes to the relentless tensions between predator and prey. Their struggles for survival are constant.
Once, we come upon an elephant shoulder-deep in the river, feeding off the rich grasses along the shore. We bring the canoes to a stop, perhaps fifty feet from the great beast. Finishing her meal, she hauls herself out of the water and wanders away, and we slowly resume our course downstream.
Born in Zimbabwe, Garth grew up in Botswana and South Africa. His guiding career began at an early age when he completed his Zimbabwean Pro Guides Licence at age 22. Always one to tackle the more adventurous side of tourism he has guided around the world, including working as a safety kayaker for white water rafting below the Victoria Falls and Jump Master for the Bunji Crew.
Arrive in Lusaka, where you are met and assisted to your regional flight to Mfuwe. A small bush plane takes you the rest of the way to the airstrip at Lukuzi, the end of the line for flights into the interior of the Luangwa region.
Your expedition guide joins you at Lukuzi for the short drive to the river and boat crossing to the other bank. From the river’s edge, it is a short walk through the bush to Chikoko Tree Camp, accessible only by foot and located in a beautiful corner of the valley where there are no roads. As a result, the game density is excellent. You are likely to sight leopard, lion, buffalo, elephant and zebra on game walks. You may also spot Cookson’s wildebeest and Thornicroft giraffe, both unique to this area.
Return to camp around dusk for drinks and dinner with your expedition team.
Chikoko Trails Camp L DThe varied terrain provides water, food and protection and accommodates the required habitats for many different wildlife species. At breakfast each morning, your expedition guide briefs the team on animal movements from the previous night and early this morning.
There is no better way to get close to nature in the African bush than on a walking safari. With no vehicle noises, animals are not disturbed and their behavior remains natural and unaltered. Guides plan the morning and late afternoon safaris, based on scouting reports from the bush and your interests in particular animals or birds. Each walk lasts four to five hours.
Breakfasts and dinners are served in the camp each day. You can have lunch in camp after a full morning hike; boxed lunches are offered in the event of a longer hike.
Chikoko Trails Camp B L DThis morning, travel by bush plane to the airstrip in Lower Zambezi National Park, one of the greatest river systems on the African continent. It begins in the Angola Highlands and moves past the Lake Kariba Dam and Victoria Falls before flowing into the Okavango Delta. Tempered by the dam up-river, the gentle current of this mighty waterway flows through a main channel along with dozens of secondary channels.
Your guide’s knowledge of the river and the animals that inhabit the deep pools and shallow banks is extremely important. Understanding the behavior of hippo and crocodile keeps the canoes travelling on a safe course. Knowing the habits of elephant, Cape buffalo and lion allows the guides to steer the canoes close to the wildlife without disturbing or provoking an aggressive response.
Chiawa Camp B L DAfter breakfast at camp, set out by canoe on a watercourse that provides access to wildlife that cannot be matched in safari vehicles. At any bend in the river, the high drama of the Africa wilderness can unfold. Shore birds populate the banks and flocks of waterfowl and fishing eagles fly overhead.
Lion prides have been known to cross shallow channels in pursuit of Cape buffalo grazing on the floating islands. Elephant wade shoulder-high on the banks as they forage on fresh grass at water’s edge. The guides position themselves in the lead and tail canoes in the shallows to avoid hippo or crocodile encounters in the deeper pools along the way.
Today is divided into two very distinct programs. This morning, it is necessary to maintain a steady pace for paddling in order the reach the next camp by early afternoon. Once you arrive at your camp, you can choose from a variety of safari options. Go for a game drive into the surrounding woodlands by four-wheel-drive vehicle, or take a flat-bottomed boat farther out on the river for fishing or hippo viewing.
Old Mondoro Bush Camp B L DSpend your final two days at Sanctuary Zambezi Kulefu Camp, located on a remote side channel along the river with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities on land and by boat. A very healthy wildlife concentration inhabits a land corridor between a steep escarpment and the river. Leopard are abundant here, and you have a good opportunity to spot them on night game drives. Take advantage of the wide range of activities available along the legendary Zambezi River from game viewing by 4x4 or on foot, or fishing for the tigerfish (one of the most sought-after freshwater fish in the world) by motorized boat.
Sanctuary Zambezi Kulefu Camp B L DYour final morning in the African bush brings you out to the airfield for the flight back to Lusaka, where you are met by an Abercrombie & Kent representative and transferred to your hotel.
Taj Pamodzi Hotel BYour hotel room is secured until it is time to leave for your flight home.
B
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