TA LWA R SAFA R I G UI D E D BY JA M E S RO BE RT S O N
3 0 th
Z AMBIA AU GU ST - 5 th 2 0 1 8
SEP T
I T I N E R A R Y
O V E R V I E W
C H I N D E N I - S H U M B A - L AT I T U D E 1 5
S O U T H L U A N G WA N A T I O N A L PA R K - K A F U E N A T I O N A L PA R K - L U S A K A
3 0 t h A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 : A r r i v a l - S O U T H L U A N G WA N P You will arrive on Emirates into Lusaka early afternoon and we will �ly you East direct to South Luangwa National Park. You’ll arrive late afternoon and there will be time for a game drive into camp. You’ll be based at Chideni which we have taken exclusively for your group, for three nights. 3 1 s t A U G U S T a n d 1 s t S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 : S O U T H L U A N G WA N P This beautiful park has abundant wildlife owing to fertile soils and the Luangwa River which is a tributory of the Zambezi. Lion prides are large and this is the only place in Africa where lion habitually prey on hippo. Leopard viewing is fabulous here.
2 n d S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 : C H O P P E R S A FA R I T O S H I WA N G ’A N D U Two Eurocopters will come in early this morning and you will �ly over the national park to the Shiwa Ng’andu conservancy to the north. This is a spectacular �light and once out of the park you can stop anywhere. Shiwa Ng’andu - also known as Africa House is a manor house set in formal gardens. We will have a lunch set up for you here before continuing by �ixed wing aircraft southwest to Kafue NP. We will land in camp at Shumba - again which we have taken exclusively for and for three nights. 3rd & 4th SEPTEMBER 2018: KAFUE NP You’ll have the helicopters throughout your stay at Kafue and they will add enormously to your ability to explore and get around. Kafue in the wet season is a swamp, but in the dry season when we will be there, the waters retreat and game concentrates around the river’s edge. All the big cats can be seen - attracted to the profusion of game.
5 t h S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 : D e p a r t u r e -- L U S A K A We will get you back to Lusaka early afternoon and you’ll have rooms at Latitude 15 for the remainder of the day. We hve booked massages for you and an early supper. We will get you to the airport in time for your evening �light on Emirates.
Z A M B I A
L a n d o f t h e l e g e n d a r y A f r i c a n w a l k i n g s a f a r i , h o m e o f t h e V i c t o r i a F a l l s , t h e w i l d Z a m b e z i R i v e r, breath-taking lakes and wetlands, a profusion of birds, abundant wildlife, a n d r a w w i l d e r n e s s . . . a l l i n o n e f r i e n d l y c o u n t r y. Zambia covers 185.976 million acres and sits squarely between the tropics. Most of the country is part of a high undulating plateau, deeply incised by the great valleys of the Zambezi, Kafue, Luangwe and Luapula rivers. Due to the country’s altitude and rainfall, the climate is moderate, largely avoiding the tense heat normally associated with the tropics.
Formerly Northern Rodesia, independence came to Zambia in 1964. The country was declared a one party state in 1972 only reverting to multi-party politics in December 1990. The people of Zambia numbering about 12 million, are acclaimed for their charmingly hospitable dispositions and are represented by 72 distinct tribes. Comparatively late in developing its tourist industry, Zambia is blessed with vast tracts of pristine wilderness and has successfully retained an authentic essence of the wild – beautiful and slightly unpredictable. The natural environment is predominantly a mosaic of large and small miombo woodlands, interspersed with open, verdant spaces. The interior is dominated by Lake
Bangweulu and surrounding �loodplains, the site at which Livingstone �inally hung up his hat allowing Africa to retain his heart and spirit. Zambia has the largest water resources in Southern Africa – massive lakes, magni�icent cascades and plentiful rivers yielding lush natural vegetation capable of supporting high densities of game. A profusion of 750 bird species, resident and migrant, makes Zambia a birdwatchers paradise. The many protecte wildlife areas offer excellent habitats for herds of elephant and buffalo as well as other predators. Leopard do exceptionally well here. Zambia’s herbivores are particularly fascinating for the range of endemic races that have evolved over time due to isolation from neighbouring populations. Zambia is one of Africa’s safari gems, relatively underdeveloped and unexplored, where the true spirit of safari is alive and well. This land of the authentic ‘walking safari’ accentuates the feeling of stepping back into a lost Africa.
Lake Malawi
Malawi Mozambique
ZAMBIA
Zimbabwe
“One of Africa’s safari gems”
L U A N G W A
V A L L E Y
T h e L u a n g w a V a l l e y, a n e x t e n s i o n o f t h e G r e a t E a s t A f r i c a n R i f t V a l l e y, i s t h e h o n e y - p o t o f Z a m b i a . Here dramatic seasonal variations, a dynamic river system, fertile soils and lush vegetation ensure a proli�ic supply of wildlife. The Luangwa Valley in Zambia, with 3 national parks including South Luangwa National Park, North Luangwa National Park and Luambe National Park is a safari destination par excellence. The parks are located in the southern end of the Great Rift Valley in Zambia’s eastern province.
The South Luangwa National Park is the most popular of the 3 and has year-round access. It is one of Africa’s ecologically unspoilt wilderness areas. The national park is 2.23 million acres in size and home to over 420 species of birds and over 60 species of mammals.
The park is renowned for its high population of leopard which are commonly seen on night drives, large herds of elephant as well as great numbers of hippo and crocodile in the river. Home to the majority of big game, the Luangwa Valley also boasts 2 endemic sub-species: Thornicroft's Giraffe and Cookson's Wildebeest. Lions are commonly seen in South Luangwa National Park and it is the only place in the
world where they are known to kill hippo. The lion prides here include up to 20 animals!
The Luangwa River is one of the major tributaries of the Zambezi River. The river generally �loods in the rainy season (December to March) and then falls considerably in the dry season. It is one of the biggest unaltered rivers in Southern Africa. Lake Mweru
Luangwa River
NORTH & SOUTH LUANGWA N.P
Lower Zambezi N.P
Kafue N.P
Zambezi River
Sioma Ngwezi N.P Livingstone
Lake Kariba
Victoria Falls
C H I N D E N I
I n a n e n v i a b l e l o c a t i o n o n t h e e d g e o f a l a g o o n w h e r e h i p p o c h o r t l e a n d e l e p h a n t w a l l o w,
stands Chindeni - undoubtedly one of the most beautiful tented camps in the South Luangwa. There's something about sleeping under canvas that ignites a sense of adventure in everyone. At Chindeni you can combine that thrill with style and comfort in one of its 4 opulent tents. Gaze out from your private veranda onto the lagoon which attracts birds and animals from kilometres around. Or settle back with a gin-and-tonic in the central lounge and dining area - a glorious expanse of varnished decking arranged on several levels around the surrounding ebony trees, boasting, of course, the same spectacular view of the serene lagoon and its inhabitants. With stripped wooden �loors, four-poster beds, cosy sitting rooms, ensuite bathrooms and vaulted canvas ceilings, Chindeni's spacious tents are so inviting you could be forgiven for never wanting to leave your room. Especially when you can see so much wildlife just by stepping onto your own private deck jutting out over the lagoon.
Whether you are in the mood for intrepid exploration or perhaps some more sedentary wildlife viewing, Chindeni will deliver. Avid game viewers and birdwatchers can set out on superb walking safaris, game drives, night drives and scenic sundowner trips in the surrounding area. Or you can just park yourself in a deckchair at camp and watch the abundance of game that is drawn to the lagoon.
“A s u b l i m e t e n t e d c a m p on the edge of a
PERMENANT LAGOON
with the Chindeni Hills providing a truly
b r e a t h t a k i n g b a c k d r o p .”
S HIWA
N G ’A N D U
A v i s i t h e r e i s a l l a b o u t t h e h i s t o r y, t h e u n l i k e l y s t o r y o f h o w a n E n g l i s h g e n t l e m a n
set up a little piece of formal England in the middle of the African bush in the early 1900’s. Shiwa Ng'andu estate is without a doubt one of the most fascinating and unique destinations in Zambia. Shiwa is located in the northernmost part of Zambia amongst the rolling granite hills covered in Miombo woodland that form the tail-end of the Great Rift Valley, an area of great natural beauty. The estate - now over 100 years old combines a rich and varied history of both local African & colonial stories. Designed and constructed in the 1920’s by Sir Stewart Gore-Browne, (who bought the land and the lake from a local chief) Shiwa House fell into disrepair until the turn of the 21st Century when Charles Harvey, Sir Stewart's grandson set about restoring it to its former glory. It is the perfect place to spend a few days relaxing and exploring after an exciting safari in the Luangwa Valley. Today, the redbrick gatehouse has 4 simple but beautiful bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and furnished with many original pieces from when the house was built, with walls hung with family paintings. historical and comfortable stay.
The wildlife reserve covers an area of 22,000 acres of breathtaking terrain, home to over 30 species of wildlife and over 200 species of birds and boasts a large natural lake at it's center, known as 'the Lake of the Royal Crocodiles', one of the largest privately owned bodies of water in Africa. The house is set in beautiful formal gardens which are the perfect place to relax with a good book and enjoy a delicious afternoon tea. Alternatively saddle up and explore the estate on horseback, or a relaxed morning drive, before enjoying lunch in the company of the current owners, direct descendants of Sir Stewart.
“A N E N G L I S H M A N O R E S TA T E i n d e e p e s t Z a m b i a .”
K A F U E
Fo u n d i n t h e c e n te r o f we s te r n Z a m b i a , K a f u e N a t i o n a l Pa rk i s t h e o l d e s t a n d l a rg e s t of Zambia’s national parks. It covers a massive 5.535 million acres.
Kafue National Park takes it name from the 1,900 kilometer long, emerald-green Kafue River, which is fringed by riverine vegetation. During the dry season, May to November, the river is the park’s lifeblood, attracting all manner of wildlife and providing a plentiful supply of water for many different species.
First established as a national park in the 1950’s by the legendary Norman Carr, Kafue is one of the largest national parks in Africa. Despite its size and prominent location only 2 hours drive from Livingston, it remains little-known and largely unexplored with vast tracts of its virgin bush still untouched. Thanks to its size and variety of habitat types, Kafue holds a fantastic diversity of wildlife. Enormous crocodile lurk in the river, and the birdlife is proli�ic, with specials including the Pel’s �ishing owl and African �infoot. Defassa waterbuck, sable, hartebeest, blue wildbeest, Cape buffalo and Burchell’s Zebra graze the grassy dambos. The prominent ilala palm is abundant in the area and attracts elephant who rattle the fruits to the ground before throwing them into their mouths.
The northern section of the park is dominated by the vast, rolling Busanga Plain fed by the Lufupa River system, which recedes in the dry season, stranding large herds of hippo in shallow pools. This is one of the Kafue’s richest wildlife areas, attracting a diverse range of antelope that includes many thousands of red lechwe and – deep in the swamps – the reclusive sitatunga. This profusion of game attracts numerous lion, leopard and cheetah, while for birders the park is a not to be missed destination offering the colourful spectacle of more than 500 recorded species. Lake Mweru
Luangwa River
North & South Luangwa N.P
Lower Zambezi N.P
KAFUE N.P
Zambezi River
Sioma Ngwezi N.P Livingstone
Lake Kariba
Victoria Falls
B U SA NGA
BY
AI R
A hot-air balloon is available for an early morning drift over the plains, but to experience more of this unique area, we will take to the air in a pair of helicopters (Eurocopter 130B4’s).
The only place we know where helicopters
boat cruise on a solar-powered pontoon
is on the Busanga Plains. Certain areas of
large mammals on this section of the Kafue.
are used as the standard mode of transfers the seasonal plains are only reachable by
cruiser will reveal the richness in birdlife &
air due to the wetlands & limited road network in this remote section of the park, with very good numbers of buffalo, puku &
lechwe, closely followed by large lion
prides. The inaccessible papyrus swamps beyond these seasonal plains are home to
“Using a helicopter really
the elusive & rare sitatunga which can be
allows for an extraordinary
To the south of the plains, the Lufupa River
otherwise
spotted more easily from the air too.
feeds the beautiful Kafue River. Using the
helicopters, we will be able to �ly down over the southern sector of Busanga to the threshold
of
the
Kafue
River
at
the
innovative Ila Lodge where a post-brunch
view of the �lood plains
– and accessibility to areas B E Y O N D R E A C H .”
B U S A N G A
P L A I N S
At 5 . 5 3 m i l l i o n a c re s ( ro u g h ly t h e s i z e o f Wa l e s o r t h e s t a t e o f M a s s a c h u s e t t s ) Zambia’s Kafue National Park is one of the largest parks in Africa.
This great wetland wilderness in the north of this vast & diverse park gets �looded in the wet season by several rivers and streams. The breathtaking Busanga Plains are an expansive mosaic of grassy seasonal �loodplains that extend to the horizon. When the mist rises off the �loodplains as they dry up in winter, incredible sunrises and sunsets are experienced here, while the �loodplains and dambos teem with wildlife and birds.
It covers a huge 185,330 acre area that drains into the Lufupa River which in turn discharge into the Kafue River. The �loods reach their height between March and May.
As the water recedes on the onset of the dry season large herds of hippo get stranded in the shallow pools, whilst antelope of every species move onto the grassy plains for excellent dry-season grazing. This highly biodiverse area was formed by prolonged periods of �looding of the Lufupa River
leading to it bursting its banks repeatedly, and with each �lood & recession cycle, the nutrient-rich grassy �loodplains took shape.
One is able to explore the wetlands & seasonal plains of Busanga area on foot, in safari vehicles, or by air.
Lake Mweru
Luangwa River
North & South Luangwa N.P
BUSANGA PLAINS Sioma Ngwezi N.P
Lower Zambezi N.P Zambezi River
KAFUE N.P Livingstone
Lake Kariba
Victoria Falls
S H U M B A
S h u m b a C a m p i s l o c a t e d o n t h e e d g e o f a ' t r e e i s l a n d ’, i n t h e h e a r t o f t h e w i l d l i f e p a r a d i s e of the Busanga Plains, in Kafue National Park.
The Busanga Plains are one of Zambia’s most signi�icant wetland resources and one of the few areas in the world left so untouched by development and human activity. The plains are home to a wealth of game and therefore a big attraction to predators - including wild dog, cheetah and prides of lion.
The seasonal camp is designed to blend in with the environment and natural materials have been used as much as possible, to great effect. Spacious and luxurious, the camp’s well-appointed tents boast spectacular views of the surrounding plains and feature a lovely ensuite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers. Tents and the main area are all shaded by a canopy of majestic �ig trees, and are on raised wooden platforms to protect it from the �loodwater and to enhance the panoramic view across the plains. Large screened doors, romantic four poster beds draped in netting, antique silver soap dishes, tea sets, and other miscellany bolster the nostalgic ambiance. At night the camp is lit by kerosene lamps and candles which, in combination with the cacophony of wildlife sounds emanating from the plains, makes a magical safari atmosphere.
Gentle, muted colours of aqua and sand characterise the main area, comprising a lounge, dining area, camp �ire and small pool under a shady tree. A large focus at the camp is to involve you in the safari way of life and many of the meals are prepared and cooked in front of you.
Adventures include twice daily drives in and around the plains and night drives offer the added excitement of the nocturnal wonders of the area. Wonderful scenic boat trips offer the opportunity to explore the region’s channels. Viewing of species like puku, lechwe and hippo is possible for much of the day from the comfort of your tent or the main deck, while the camp's �ig trees ensure both shade and constant bird activity in the canopy above. After a day of wildlife spotting, return to Shumba for a dip in the pool and a relaxing massage.
“A r e a l e m p h a s i s i s o n t h e L U X U R Y E X P E R I E N C E .”
L A T I T U D E
1 5
Latitude 15° is set amidst the beautiful tree-lined avenues on the south-east corner of Lusaka, 20 minutes to the city centre and 30 minutes from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
This ideally located and supremely comfortable boutique hotel is Lusaka’s best kept secret. The guest rooms ooze soothing stylish bliss, the perfect tonic after your safari. Lusaka's best accommodation is this fashionable hotel with an architecturally designed building that resembles a chic contemporary gallery. Its rooms are plush with king-sized beds, standalone tubs, coffee makers, fast wi-�i, cable TV and plenty of art decorating its walls.
The Latitude 15° kitchen creates gastronomic delights from all corners of the world. We have included meals at The Other Side which offers a more informal array of sharing dishes. The spa offers a range of relaxing, muscle-soothing, calming, strain-releasing massages.
The perfect end to your S A FA R I - t h i s
beautiful boutique hotel is exatly
what you will feel like.
J A M E S
R O B E R T S O N
T h i r t y - � i v e y e a r s a f t e r l e a d i n g h i s � i r s t e x p e d i t i o n , J a m e s i s c h a i r m a n o f t h e b o a r d a t K e r & D o w n e y, and an in�luential leader of the new movement in community-led conservation.
Like the safari industry itself, James Robertson was born and raised in Kenya, where his appetite for adventure has earned him a reputation as one of the modern pioneers of the global safari business.
James’ dependability for never following the same itinerary twice, and for continually searching out new experiences for his clients, has won him admirers across the industry, as well as an army of repeat guests (including two families who have each travelled with him 26 times!). Among his long-standing Kenyan crew, he’s known as “Ndorobo” after the fabled hunter-gathers of northern Kenya – a tribe renowned for their resourceful bushcraft, and their complete absence of fear for wild animals. Although James’ �irst love and main base is Kenya, he is an “all-Africa guide” and just as likely to be found travelling through the game-rich parks, reserves and conservancies of eastern and southern Africa. In recent years, he has been supporting a number of Maasai and Samburu communities that have turned part of their grazing lands over to conservation – giving guests a chance to see some rarer wildlife species, and to experience an absolutely authentic immersion in two of the world’s oldest tribal cultures. In 2001, James was a founder of The Mara Conservancy, a ground-breaking and widely-admired partnership between conservationists and the county government, which established a new public-private template to protect the critical wildlife dispersal areas north of the Maasai Mara Reserve. He sits on the board of the (removed the MMWCT) Kenya Wildlife Trust , and his unrivalled contacts enable his guests to meet some of the leading conservationists and wildlife researchers in the world.
Having been raised on the edge of Kenya's largest National Park, Tsavo is close to James’ heart. His most recent focus is on protecting the last remaining Great Tuskers of which there are around 10 bulls each carrying in excess of 100lbs of ivory per side. He is working closely with the Tsavo Trust to protect these valuable elephants.
James and Abigail live within a wildlife sanctuary on the outskirts of Nairobi, where they host most of their guests personally. They work together as much as possible out on safari where their shared passions are apparent to anyone travelling with them.
TEL: +254 (0)720 911 143 EMAIL: INFO@JAMESROBERTSON.CO.KE S K Y P E : J R S A FA R I S W W W. K E R D O W N E Y S A FA R I S . C O M