Zambia beckoned me after 5 years … The country that made me
my own person ! It was exciting for me especially because I went there with Kunal for the very first time … He had
yet to see a little part of my life which remained in stories up until then. Zambia’s capital of Lusaka deserves to be more
than simply a pit stop or way station between national parks – its modernity as
opposed to other African Nations and cosmopolitan mix of people offer a window
to understanding the country as a whole. The city’s young and stylish hit the
happening restaurants and clubs, many of which are in and around Manda Hill and
Arcades Shopping Centre. While admittedly overwhelming to the senses, the
city’s outdoor markets are worth experiencing to see how ordinary Lusakans do
their everyday shopping.
Our First stop had to be in Chinika where we visited our
factory … It was such a proud moment for me when everyone welcomed us !! They
were happy to see me but I was happier seeing them..
The rewards of travelling in Zambia are those of exploring
remote, mesmerising wilderness as full of an astonishing diversity of wildlife
as any part of Southern Africa. Adventures undertaken here will lead you deep
into the bush where animals, both predators and prey, wander through unfenced
camps, where night-time means swapping stories around the fire and where the
human footprint is nowhere to be seen. Where one day you can canoe down a wide,
placid river and the next raft through the raging rapids near world-famous
Victoria Falls.
Though landlocked, three great rivers – the Kafue, the
Luangwa and the Zambezi – flow through Zambia, defining both its geography and
the rhythms of life for many of its people. For the independent traveller,
however, Zambia is a logistical challenge, because of its sheer size,
dilapidated road network and upmarket facilities. For those who do venture
here, the relative lack of crowds means an even more satisfying journey.
We were lucky because my dad together with business friends
had it all arranged for us. We hit the road on day 1 post factory visit instantly.
We visited the Kafue temple which every Indian residing in Zambia is so very
proud of. No trip is complete without a pit stop here !!
We continued on a beautiful ride up until Chinika border
town and then a dilapilated road for the next hour to arrive at the Kiambi
River Lodge ! There are lodges small and large each overlooking the Kiambi River ... Ours was beautiful ... The Lodge , Bar and Dining Area is constructed of natural materials:
thatch, reeds and stone flooring with Rhodesian teak furnishings transporting us in Minutes for the whole Jungle Safari theme.
We took the sunset trip down the River Zambezi which I highly recommend. The driver
cum guide ponited the various Animal and Bird Life typical of the region
The setting along the banks of the
Zambezi is incredible. Looking out at the elephants, cape buffalo and hippo's
grazing on the islands…And those Carmine Bee Eaters look a Magical shade of red
against the muddy banks !!
On our way back we stopped by a Banana plantation. A quick
chat with the workers on the Plantation revealed there is so much more to this
produce than what meets the eye. Science, Cold Storage and an advanced
knowledge of irrigation system has made exporting Bananas so much easier. We
plucked and ate one right from the bunch and enjoyed its sweet taste …. Oh
Mother Nature !!
We returned to Lusaka for the night and immediately hit the Pro-Flight Tarmac to South Luangwa National Park… if you are a group of 12 it maybe just over 30$ extra per person to charter a flight. For scenery, variety and density of animals, South Luangwa is the best park in Zambia and one of the most majestic in Africa. Impalas, pukus, waterbucks, giraffes and buffaloes wander on the wide-open plains; leopards, of which there are many in the park, hunt in the dense woodlands; herds of elephants wade through the marshes; and hippos munch serenely on Nile cabbage in the Luangwa River.
The bird life is also tremendous: about 400 species have been recorded.The focal point is Mfuwe, an uninspiring though more prosperous than average village with shops as well as a petrol station and market. We were picked up at the Mfuwe Air Strip , you cant really call it an airport ! On Our way we gave a lift to a herd of chattering school going girls who sang local as well as Bollywood songs thanks to Zee Channels penetration ...
Around 1.8km further along is Mfuwe Gate, the main entrance to the park, where
a bridge crosses the Luangwa River. Much of the park is inaccessible because of
rains between November and April.
We stayed at Mushroom Lodge … which looked like our second
home because my mother and sister ran a vegetarian cooking lesson for the staff
through all the days we stayed there.
The Safari staff ran excellent day and night wildlife drives. These
activities are included in the rates charged by the upmarket places, while the
cheaper lodges/camps can organise things with little notice.
The wide Luangwa River is the lifeblood of the park. It rises in the far northeast of Zambia, near the border with Malawi, and flows southward for 800km. It flows all year, and gets very shallow in the dry season (May to October) when vast midstream sandbanks are exposed – usually covered in groups of hippos or crocodiles basking in the sun. Steep exposed banks mean animals prefer to drink at the park’s numerous oxbow lagoons, formed as the river continually changes its course, and this is where wildlife viewing is often best, we had some really good close-ups, especially as the smaller water holes run dry.
We would return to the lodge for lunch and a rest. But soon
enough, it was time to head out again. We left in the afternoon, still suitable
for viewing game. We would stay out past sunset and drive into the night,
hoping to see nocturnal activity. This particular afternoon was one to
remember. The best part about South Luwanga, aside from the healthy large
populations of animals and the few and far between tourists, is that unlike
many more commercialized game preserves, the drivers at Mfuwe aren’t restricted
only to the dirt road. Peter was never afraid to make his own tracks, in fact
he did it all the time. While some may say this is dangerous, I never felt like
I was in eminent danger. Yes, sometimes being so close to dangerous predators
was scary but it was also lost in excitement..
exhilarating that I always got lost in the excitement.
After having seen The Leopard .. The Lion … The Lion Cubs in
the first two safaris , all we asked was The Kill … I Mean we were being greedy
but every safari goer wants to tick this off their list, don’t we ?? The Kill –
There are two ways to look at how a person who follows the Jain Faith looks at
it – The educated me looked at it as a nature’s cycle. The smaller gets eaten
by the larger and in turn the largest feasts – Law of the Jungle … and then it’s
the Heart that feels bad at wanting to see THE KILL. If you are my mother you
will hear the sound of Crushing Bones and 6 Lions over a poor Impala feasting
and think you have added to bad karma. She did not eat dinner that day to pay
penance at feeling helpless that she couldn’t do anything while us children
photographed and snap chatted away !!
As the night sky took over, a whole new world of animals
came to life. Like the spotted Hyena leave the bushes and make their way ...
Elephant numbers are very healthy, even though ivory
poaching in the 1980s had a dramatic effect on the population. This park is
also a great place to see lions and leopards (especially on night drives). We
saw a heard of 6 lion in a kill, 2 cubs with an injured Lioness and a Leopard
in a kill thanks to the amazing tour guide and spotter !!
No trip to Zambia is complete without a visit to Victoria Falls … Taking its place
alongside the Pyramids and the Serengeti, Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya – the
‘smoke that thunders’) is one of Africa’s original blockbusters. And although
Zimbabwe and Zambia share it, Victoria Falls is a place all of its own.
As a magnet for tourists of all descriptions – backpackers,
tour groups, thrill seekers, families, honeymooners – Victoria Falls is one of
Earth’s great spectacles. View it directly as a raging mile-long curtain of
water, in all its glory, or peek precariously over its edge from Devil's Pools;
the sheer power and force of the falls is something that simply does not
disappoint.
Whether you’re here purely to take in the sight of a natural
wonder of the world, or for a serious hit of adrenalin via Micro Flight like we
did above the Zambezi, Victoria Falls is a place where you're sure to tick off
numerous items from that bucket list.
There are so many people to thank for this successful trip but most of is my parents who are constantly pushing us to try different things ... to explore terrains not many people venture out to and always being our biggest critics !!! This trip and every other trip we take with them are full of learnings worldwise and otherwise... Love you guys.
