GREEN SAFARIS
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What this means for travellers in 2022 is that, whether or not they have an interest in the ethical motivations behind each Green Safaris decision, they will directly Founder Vincent Kouwenhouven says it best: “Hear the birdsong – not the engine – as you travel on one of our solar-powered game drives (which does not pollute the atmosphere); enjoy the lightest, freshest food derived from our local organic farm, which will delight the palate (but does not involve a heavy carbon burden); bask in our beautiful interiors (crafted by local artisans or at our community enterprise); and experience the hospitality of communities who truly love to welcome you (because they are integrated and vested in our safari operation)”
As the pioneers of the Silent Safari in Zambia, extending solar power to even their e-Cruisers, e-Boats and e-Mountain bikes, Green Safaris is constantly determined to push the boat (or game vehicle, or bike) out a little further when it comes to using eco innovations to heighten their luxury guest experience.In2021,despite the many challenges of the year, Green Safaris recovered 100 per cent of their carbon to claim total carbon neutrality: are powered in the majority by solar farms; their building operations are made more sustainable thanks to the innovation of sandbag building; they provide zero single use plastics; and they grow much of their own organic produce. But these initiatives alone merely minimise the Green Safaris carbon footprint. Much of the vital work is done outside of their properties, where they neutralise not only the company’s own diminishing carbon emissions but also much of the devastating social impact of the pandemic via a series of Community and Conservation Development Projects The Green Safaris Reforestation Programme has now planted over 31,000 trees on Likoma Island alone, and other initiatives such as the Mukuni Community Farm, the Likoma Young Mother’s Programme, and the Tongabezi Chicken Coop, have provided vital work and also training in vulnerable local interest in living more sustainably.
From Nest-rooms in the Busanga Plains to private islands above Victoria Falls, sprawling Zambian riverside villas to Malawian beach chalets, each Green Safaris property is designed to pay unique homage to its environment, community, and wildlife. The Green Team does not believe in one ‘Green Safari’ experience, and so every visit will gift Africa to you in a whole new way. View the Green Safaris portfolio and learn more about their environmental work at www.greensafaris.com
Eco-motivated safaris mean more luxury for travellers
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6 TRAVEL & LEISURE | Sept - Dec 2022 CONTRIBUTIONS CONTENTS ISSUE 22 | SEPT - DEC 2022 Contents 6 Editors Comment 7 Victoria Falls’ ‘Grand Old Lady’ 8 Places to visit in Zambia 14 Lochinvar Birding Bonanza 16 Buffalo vs Wild Dogs 18 On the Banks of the Zambezi 20 South Luangwa National Park 24 Wild Dog Migration 27 Mbale Ball 28 Mwaba Mwila 32 Focus - Zambian Skies 34 Lusaka...What, Why and Where 38 Planning a Safari to Zimbabwe 40 5 Reasons to Visit Zambezi National Park 44 Bamba Train 46 Dusty Road 48 Ross Kennedy Interview 50 Sian Simba River Lodge 52 Pioneers Lodge 54 Explore Breath-taking Mana Pools 56 Mana River Camp 58 Book Review 60 ON THE COVER A large bull elephant with his attendant cattle egret feeds on the reeds of the submerged island into the middle of the river. Lower Zambezi National Park. Photo credit: Edward Selfe Photo Safaris. Publisher Safari Magazine Editor & Managing Director Andrew kwisanoent@gmail.comMuswala Layout & Art Director Lyn grandemangelyn@gmail.comGrandemange Sub-Editor Tessa tessa@responsibletraveller.co.zaBuhrmann Website www.zambiatravelmagazine.com Subscriptions +260kwisanoent@gmail.com977308711 Contributors Thandiwe Mweetwa, Aaron Mwale, Sarah Kingdom, Mukwa River Lodge, African Bush Camps, Liryn de Jager, Jenman Safaris, Mana Brightman, Lesley Cripps Thomson, Kyle Branch, Tessa Buhrmann, Wisdom Muzoka, Mwaba Mwila Adventures, Frank Willems, Nick Aslin, Classic Zambia Safaris, Sarah Kerr, Lesanne Photography, Suzanne Robinson, Jessie Sargeant, Suzanne Elliott Smith, Shelley Cox, Katrina Garnett, Stan Higgins, Innocent Mukute, Machaba Safaris, Sian Simba River Lodge, Ernst Jacobs. Submissions We welcome editorial and photographic submissions to the magazine. Accompanying images should be sent in high-res jpg and minimum 3MB in size. Please send a synopsis of the proposed article to kwisanoent@gmail.com for consideration. Printers New Horizon Printing Press Plot # LUS/9815/H Kafue Road, Lusaka, Zambia Copyright Copyright © All rights for material appearing in this magazine belong to Safari Magazine and/ or the individual contributors. No part of this magazine may be reproduced either without the written consent of the publishers or without due acknowledgement. Victoria Falls City 42
We are grateful to every tour operator, airline, safari lodge and establishment, as well as the many individual contributors, who have been part of this magazine and that have supported it from its first issue to date. Also, not forgetting the team at Travel & Leisure Zambia & Zimbabwe magazine, who work tirelessly to make sure that each issue is published on time, and of an international standard.
Sept - Dec 2022 | TRAVEL & LEISURE 7 A WORD FROM THE MD WELCOME TO ISSUE 22 OF TRAVEL & LEISURE ZAMBIA & ZIMBABWE MAGAZINE.
With the publication of this issue we are celebrating exactly seven years of Travel & Leisure Zambia & Zimbabwe magazine. It has been a very interesting journey so far, and we are pleased to see how the magazine has kept growing with each edition published.
The magazine’s distribution presence keeps on growing, and this year we participated for the first time at Africa’s Travel Indaba. We now have more visibility at key international travel shows, expos and road shows, along with a growing confidence from both international and local travel trade in our magazine. You can subscribe annually to receive your digital copies by visiting our website www.zambiatravelmagazine.com.
ANDREW MUSWALA[ ] A WORD from the MD Happy Reading! FAWLTY TOWERS ACCOMMODATION AND ACTIVITIES 216 Mosi Oa Tunya Road, Livingstone, Zambia | www.adventure-africa.com | info@adventure-africa.com | +26 097 2250 154 | +26 0213 323 432 Budget accommodation in Livingstone, with a relaxed atmosphere, set amongst private tropical gardens, with a crystal-clear pool and its own bar and cafe. Dorms, Budget Twins, Standard Twins & Doubles, Garden Twins, Deluxe Twins & Doubles.
Zambia and Zimbabwe are breathtaking! Add them to your list of “must do” destinations – explore and experience all the splendor that these wonderful destinations offer. We join Nick Aslin on his first of a two-part series about planning your Zambian safari pg 14, and Shelley Cox as she journeys through planning a safari to Zimbabwe pg 40. As you read through this issue, may it continue to fuel your inspiration for safari travel.
