Blogs from Northern, Zambia, Africa

Geo: -12.895, 31.9228Got to the campsite and there was a Welcome Robert and Laura sign on Campsite #7 which had reserved once we had bought our tickets. Got our tent set up, showered and headed over to the main restaurant for dinner and to see who was still around!The Typical Day at Wildlife CampAfter a night of the sounds of hippos, lions, owls, elephants, and ground hornbill we are usually awake by 5:30am to go fix a cup of coffee and sit out in front of our campsite and see what wildlife is up and moving about. This year because of the abundance of water, we saw quite a bit of bird life up and moving around. Some of the pleasant sightings were the ground hornbills and the yellow-billed stork. Lots of different wildlife over the ... read more

Geo: -12.895, 31.9228Up and ready to start packing up and Morphy was already at Mabuya. He had business in town and was staying there so we stepped up our efforts. Pretty much had everything out of the tent and then it started raining but was a very brief rain!Got everything loaded up and in the car and went to settle our bill with Mabuya and the internet was down. Tom told us to settle up when we returned after Wildlife Camp.Set off around 9:00a.m. and Bizwik was our driver again. Nice, polite and a careful driver. We got stopped in three road blocks along the way and he had to pay at two of the stops. Evidently police corruption is on the upswing according to both Bizwik and John our second driver. The last time Bizwik ... read more

Geo: -12.895, 31.9228Mfuwe to Chipata to LlongweWere up very early because as usual did not sleep well as usually happens before we leave. Got ourselves all packed up without any problems and went and had the "full English" one last time. Robert ordered the banana pancakes but unfortunately they had no bananas so not the same!William, the driver we had coming out to Wildlife Camp was our driver again. Said our goodbyes to everyone and we were off! We were the only passengers in the van, stopped in Chipata briefly but picked up no new passengers and we were off to the border.We had no problems at the border, things were smooth as ever. The driver was there waiting for us and we were making good time. There were two police checkpoints we had to stop ... read more

Geo: -12.895, 31.92289/19 am/pm safariDecided to do another am/pm safari. Our guide turned out to be Ryvers again. We were joined by a couple from Switzerland and two guys one from Chicago and the other from San Diego. As we were crossing the Luangwa River, Rivers said it was the lowest he had ever seen it. Earlier we had heard that some wells in the village have gone dry.Started on our safari and Rivers shared some information about the impala and how they exist in the hot weather. We drove over by the river and found what was left of the poor hapless buffalo that had gotten stuck in the mud. It was mired down and there were hyenas deep in the mud eating away along with white backed and brown vultures, and marabou stork eating ... read more

Geo: -12.895, 31.9228The All Day Safari with Dora, Guillame, James. Our guide was also named James, one of the great Wildlife Camp safari guides and on this day he was absolutely 110% lucky, skillful, funny and fun. Great job, James Different from Flatdogs because this one lasts from 6am until 4pm with lunch included. Other difference was that we did not have a siesta time but got back on the road after our leisurely lunch.They came to pick us up at around 5:45 and we were off. It was nice and cool in the morning so I did not put my long sleeved shirt on instead enjoyed being cool because I knew it was not going to last all day!As we were heading out to the park, Dora the wonderful WC Camp manager started right in ... read more