May 19-22 - Lufupa Tented Camp, Kafue National Park, Zambia
On our way to the airstrip this morning we got a last look at Botswana's zebras, buffalo, and impalas and even had a good look at another serval cat. As we approached Kasane, the pilot flew low over the river and we saw a "bellow" of Cape buffalos in a water hole and a "pod" of hippos at the bank of the river. In Kasane we had to clear immigration with Botswana and then flew 15 minutes into Livingstone, Zambia, paid an entrance fee and then cleared immigration again. Then we flew on to Kafue NP. From the plane we could see the mist rising from Victoria Falls even though they were miles away.
Zambia - Kafue NP is in the center of the left "wing"
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Flag of Zambia
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Typical license plate |
Map of Kafue NP with Lufupa Camp in the center
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Satelite view of Lufupa Camp on the Kafue River
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On arrival, we ate brunch at our new camp - Lufupa Tented Camp in Kafue NP, Zambia. After brunch we found our new accommodations. They are actually quite nice for a very rustic camp in the bush - limited electricity and water, batteries to the main office to be charged, etc.. The camp is along the Kafue River and there are hippos here and in the camp. Since they only come out of the water at night to graze (and make a lot of noise), we are safe as long as we don't sleep walk.
The landscape here has a lot of woodland that is hard to see through. It opens into grassy plains and the grass is 3 to 4 feet high. The termite hills here are very old and huge - ten feet high and 20 feet in diameter. There are very mature trees growing out of them. Animals like to perch on them because they provide a good view of the surrounding area. We saw lots of Puku, far more than at Chobe.
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This area is full of Tsetse flies. We have been told that sleeping sickness here has been eradicated because the cattle that are necessary for part of the life cycle were removed. The flies are still annoying and will bite. Our jeeps burn a can of elephant dung on the back bumper and the scented smoke helps keep the flies away. At night we have repellent coils burning in our tents to discourage all insects. |
Insect repeller - it burns elephant dung
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We saw fewer animals in Kafue and more flowers and birds. Our guide showed us an epiphyte, a lemon orchid, growing on an ilala palm tree. The elephants shake the trees and eat the fruit.
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Lemon Orchid
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At one of our coffee spots there were about 12 hippos and as many crocodiles. We were entertained by two mating hippos (she spent most of her time under water) and hippos bellowing, yawning, and chasing each other. It was an active pod.
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The evening drives were not very productive as far as animals were concerned, but we saw some different Birds (Hoopoe, Red-necked Francolin, Coucal, etc.) and the clouds and sunset were nice.
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The real highlight of the Lufupa Camp stay was the two boat rides we took on the river where we saw lots of birds as well as hippos and crocodiles. The morning ride was especially good for bird watching. During the afternoon, Gale went off fishing with our tour guide and one of the other men in the group. She caught the first, biggest, and most fish. The evening sunset boat ride was also very nice and peaceful.
Malachite Kingfisher |
Brown-hooded Kingfisher |
African Fish Eagle |
The proud fisherwoman with her African Pike
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Deadly Puff Adder out for a swim
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