Hello Sue,

I had an absolute wonderful time in Zambia, in fact let me say that it was blissful!

Each national park and safari camp had its own unique character, its own ‘sense of place’ making the trip especially memorable.  At each camp my travel companions and I felt SO welcomed by the entire staff and it actually felt like we were joining little families for a few days – in Zambia, we had homes away from home. Little touches like handwritten notes of thanks on our bed in the evenings and hot water bottles placed under the sheets for warmth during the chilly nights were really appreciated. We enjoyed amazing food at each camp and were privileged to sample traditional Zambian fare on several occasions. I’m now a big fan of kapenta (little fried sardines), oxtail stew and nshima (cornmeal porridge)!

If I must name a favorite destination from this trip it would be Puku Ridge Camp in South Luangwa National Park, but it is very hard to choose one over the other.

The quality of guiding in Zambia is very high and we saw lots of game thanks to the eagle eyes of our wildlife guides. I have never in my life seen so many lions! At times it seemed like there were lions around every corner, even in trees and within our camps, which can feel disconcerting at times! I have much respect for the lion and love the thrill of seeing them in the wild, but I do appreciate a bit of distance between us! On the other hand I welcome endless close encounters with the elephants because they are my absolute favorite animal. Zambia did not disappoint as we saw many, many elephant, especially in Lower Zambezi National Park. I was also pleased that at two of our camps, my tent proved to be the most popular among visiting elephants. On two separate occasions I had the experience of observing two giant bull elephants from very close. Although I was a bit annoyed with the one elephant who insisted one evening to break branches from the tree outside and make as much noise as possible for over an hour, making it impossible to sleep!

One morning my travel companions and I decided to forgo a morning game drive in order to visit the Chiawa Cultural Village just outside Lower Zambezi National Park – and this excursion proved to be an absolute highlight of the trip! Opened for business in October 2008, the Chiawa Cultural Village is providing needed diversification of livelihood opportunities for those who live in the Chiawa Chiefdom. The project is also encouraging increased appreciation of and involvement in environmental conservation on the part of local citizens, as they realize economic benefits from an enterprise that is driven by the regional wildlife-based tourism economy. 

The pride of the staff working at the Chiawa Cultural Village and their excitement to share their culture (history, food, dance, etc.) with us moved me so much. This was a one of a kind experience that served to further connect me and my travel mates to the Lower Zambezi region. A safari in Africa can be about more than wildlife and I believe that the travel experience (anywhere in the world) should be enriched by understanding the location for its culture, environment, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.

Thanks again Sue for organizing such a lovely and unforgettable trip. I will most definitely be coming back to Zambia to enjoy more of its beauty and charm.

Cheers,

Kate