Zambia Elephant Orphanage Project Visit September 2013 The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation invites you to join an exclusive visit to the Elephant Orphanage Project in Zambia from 22 - 30 September 2013, to raise awareness and vitally needed funds for this very special project.
E V I S U L A C X MBI E R ZA U O O N I IP T O J TR
ITINERARY Sun. 22
Depart 19.10 British Airways flight BA255 to Lusaka (please check in – Heathrow Terminal 5 - by 16.30) You will be accompanied on this trip by a DSWF representative, most probably Melanie and/or Mandy Shepherd and we look forward to meeting you in the departure lounge from 17.00hrs.
Mon. 23
Arrive 06.15 – Flight transfer to Mfuwe, South Luangwa Includes full board, park fees and game drives (excludes local departure tax payable direct at approx. US$10) (www.robinpopesafaris.net) Nkwali is one of the prestigious Robin Pope Safari camps in Zambia’s famous South Luangwa National Park. Voted as one of the finest in the country, Nkwali is set on the bank of the spectacular Luangwa River and offers a wealth of wildlife. It is an ideal place to relax after a long flight – and in the evening we will sit around the campfire and give you an outline of the trip and project work in Zambia.
Tues. 24
Nkwali Camp A relaxed day of game drives in this spectacular ‘Valley of the Elephants’ which offers guests a unique African game experience in an unspoilt wilderness with a huge variety of wildlife, from elephants, roan, sable and eland to the big carnivores including lion, cheetah, leopard and wild-dog. There is also a staggering number of bird species.
Wed. 25
Charter flight to Livingstone, transfer to The Royal Livingstone Hotel Includes B&B board only. Lunch, dinner and activities all additional. (www. livingstone-hotel.com) The spectacular and luxurious Royal Hotel is set on the banks of the great Zambezi River, upstream of the mighty cataract where it thunders into the Batoka Gorge, at the famous Victoria Falls. In its cool lounges and shaded verandas, you will encounter the elegance and luxury of an earlier, more courteous age, with the highest level of service and a myriad of superior activities. Local activities include a visit to the white rhinos in the local MosiO-Tunya National Park, river cruises, flights over the falls, visits to the enchanting historic town of Livingstone and bungee jumping and white water rafting for the more adventurous ! (prices not included).
Nkwali Camp
Thurs 26
Charter flight to Kafue National Park - Visit to Elephant Orphanage Project Early flight to Ngoma Airstrip in Kafue Park South to visit the Elephant Orphanage Project to see the older orphans and learn about the project first hand. If time allows, the day will include a school and local community visit before flying back to Livingstone.
generously donated a parcel of land for the newly established nursery facility which is now home to the Elephant Orphanage Project’s smallest orphans that are still milk dependent. At 6.30pm you will be transported to the nearby Lilayi Polo Club where the DSWF/GRI Elephant Ball will be held. The theme for this fabulous annual event will be confirmed nearer the time as you might like to come prepared !!
Fri. 27
Sun. 29
Royal Livingstone Hotel Free day to enjoy the local sights and activities. In the evening there will be a silver service dinner on the steam engine given to David Shepherd by former President Kenneth Kaunda. David is hoping to join us for this special occasion.
Sat. 28
Flight to Lusaka, transfer to Lilayi Lodge Hotel Includes B&B board only (www.lilayi.com) Lilayi Game Farm is 40 minutes out of the city centre and owned by longstanding family friends of the Shepherds. The beautiful lodge has recently been renovated and now offers wonderful accommodation with pool and stunning grounds where guests can walk safely amongst the wildlife. The Miller family has
Lilayi - home to the new Elephant Orphanage Nursery facility Last day of ‘recovery’ and relaxation with a visit to the orphans at the nursery. The day will end with a fabulous fun ‘last’ supper at the Lodge.
Mon. 30
Depart 08.50 British Airways flight BA254 to Heathrow Arriving Heathrow Terminal 5 18.05hrs
Royal Livingstone Hotel
This very special trip will give you special access to the Elephant Orphanage Project’s Release Centre in Kafue National Park and the Nursery Facility for the tiny babies in Lusaka. The Elephant Orphanage Project (EOP) was established by DSWF and local NGO Game Rangers International (GRI) whose wider conservation programme also includes vital Park Protection and training, Education and Community Outreach projects.
PRICE: £5,000 including BA Economy return flight to Lusaka (Upgrades are available on request at additional cost) and inclusive of internal travel and transfers, half-board double or twin accommodation (unless otherwise stated on the itinerary), park permits and special dinners as stated on the itinerary. Excludes insurance (see below), visas (US$50pp) and local departure tax payable (US$ tba) in person. David Shepherd and DSWF working in Zambia ... The republic of Zambia is landlocked by eight African countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Angola. Its population is currently estimated at 13 million comprising about 70, mostly Bantu-speaking ethnic groups. The people are friendly and helpful and Zambia ranks as one of the most safe and peaceful places to visit in Africa. David first visited Zambia when he was commissioned to paint the Independence celebrations in 1964. Since that time, Zambia’s elephant population has fallen by 90% from 250,000 to fewer than 25,000. The slaughter mainly took place in the 1970s and 1980s during the ivory poaching boom, prior to the CITES international ivory trade ban of 1989. On David’s first visit to Zambia in 1964 there were 3,500 black rhino. Today there are no wild surviving rhinos in the country. Despite this, the country remains an important unspoilt wilderness rich in wildlife resources. 29% of the land mass is designated to 19 National Parks and 34 Game Management Areas (GMA’s): Kafue National Park is Africa’s second largest, The Luangwa Valley (once know as The Valley of the Elephants), Sioma Ngwezi, Liuwa, Chiawa, West Lunga and the Lower Zambezi National Park. Five of Zambia’s neighbours have had civil wars in the last 50 years, with disastrous results for Zambia’s wildlife. Apart from social instability, the wide proliferation of firearms led to increased subsistence and commercial poaching for ivory, rhino horn, leopard, cheetah and other saleable trophies, as well as large quantities of game meat for local markets.
David, and latterly DSWF, have been supporting conservation in this very special country since his first visit – so much so that on one recent visit, former President Banda referred to David as a Zambian living in England! Over the last few decades, despite several ‘peaceful’ governments, political and economic problems have persisted and wildlife, one of Zambia’s greatest assets, has largely been ignored. The ‘one off ’ legal sale of legal ivory to China and Japan by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa in November 2008 resulted in an escalation of illegal poaching and once again Zambia’s elephants are in the firing line. Never has DSWF support been so important and Zambia remains our priority project. Not only do we rescue the elephant babies orphaned by poaching, but most importantly DSWF is funding GRI’s fight against wildlife crime and really benefits the local rural communities. ADDITIONAL USEFUL INFORMATION:
The viewing platform at Lilayi
WEATHER September is moving in to the hot dry season – with temperatures ranging from DSWF. It has not involved a UK travel agent and therefore is not ABTA/IATA 25-35 degrees C - hopefully just before the rains arrive – so we shouldn’t get covered. All insurances must be taken out by yourself and I recommend the wet – but its always a good idea to bring a raincoat and a fleece just in case! policy you take out is fully comprehensive. Please see booking form. MONEY approx.. 7,900 Kwacha : £1 The local currency in Zambia is Kwacha although US dollars are advised, and widely accepted. Credit cards can be used in hotels etc. It’s possible you may not be able to buy Kwacha until you get to Zambia and I would advise you exchange only a small amount for drinks and tips etc, on arrival – most places take US$ - and no one will buy back Kwacha. Prices in Zambia are not cheap – much like London! Please remember you will need US$50 pp in US$ cash for your visa on entry (if not already obtained in London prior to departure). INSURANCE Comprehensive travel, medical and repatriation insurance is essential. It is important to note that this trip is an informal project visit arranged by
HEALTH Zambia is a malarial country, especially in the remote areas of Kafue. Before you leave please contact your doctor for the correct prophylaxis. Ensure that you complete the course, which may extend well after you arrive back home, and should you feel any odd symptoms, consult your doctor and advise him that you have been in a malarial area. Although Zambia does not require any inoculations prior to entry, precaution is recommended against tetanus and hepatitis. Should you pass through a cholera zone on your journey to Zambia, you will be required to be in possession of a valid Immunization Certificate. It is very important that you consult with your doctor prior to departure to obtain accurate and up-to-date advice on health requirements and take the necessary precautions. Yellow Fever is now advisable, especially if transferring to other African countries.
WHAT TO BRING Soft luggage is preferable to hard suitcases and no more than 2 bags per person as there is limited space in the transfer vehicles. Make sure you pack comfortable walking shoes/sandals/trainers. We suggest trousers and long sleeved shirts for the day and some evenings to help prevent mosquito bites, but do pack a smart dress (or two) for the Steam Train Dinner and the Elephant Ball. It can get chilly in the evenings so do pack a wrap and/or fleece. A towel and swimming costumes will be useful as pools are situated at Lilayi, Livingstone and Lusaka. We advise that you bring sunglasses and a hat to provide protection from the sun – it is the summer and will be hot. A high factor sun lotion is also recommended. Other necessities include binoculars, cameras and torches (don’t forget spare batteries). Please bring any toiletries or medicines that you may need as these are not widely available outside the capital city. Please also remember to insect repellent and anti-histamine cream for those irritating insect bites. TIPPING Although not expected tips are always appreciated and enthusiastically received. POWER AND ELECTRICITY In Lusaka and Livingstone power is usually not an issue. But in Kafue and in order to maintain the tranquillity of the lodge and its surroundings the use of generators is kept to an absolute minimum. Lighting is provided predominantly by paraffin lamps, hot water by gas geysers, and refrigeration by gas and paraffin. No facilities exist for hair dryers. The charging of camera batteries and laptops can be arranged. We have solar power system installed and DSWF will provide PowerTraveller portable chargers to everyone. There is no power – other than solar – at the Project. COMMUNICATIONS Communications in Zambia are usually good in Lusaka and Livingstone but in the remote spot of Kafue it will be difficult, and if you are lucky, sporadic. Satellite telephones are available in case of emergencies, at a cost of US$5.00 per minute (minimum $20.00).
For further information please contact: Melanie Shepherd, Trustee DSWF – mel@melanieshepherd.org 07799645908 Sally Wilson, Operations Director DSWF – sally.wilson@davidshepherd.org 01483 272323
The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, Saba House, 7 Kings Road, Shalford, Guildford, Surrey GU4 8JU DSWF is a registered charity (No 1106893)