We had a short ride today from Chipata to our camp in the South Luangwa National Park. We rode through a little of everything as we headed deeper into Zambia … potholes, nice pavement, dirt, big bridges, rickety bridges, villages, and people walking and riding bicycles.
Our camp is just outside the southern border of the park, on the south side of the Luangwa River. This whole area is very rustic and much less developed than parks in South Africa or Botswana. For one, the park has no fences or separation from anything else so all the animals are free to roam in and out of the park at will … and they do. You feel a bit exposed. From our camp we could see the river full of hippos and crocodiles.
We did a safari ride that took us into the night. Great animal viewing after dark … leopards and lions on the prowl, hyenas waiting to scavenge something, elephants and hippos lurking around, genets and civits, giraffes … the sky was sooo black and full of stars. Nature at its best.
Came back to camp late at night for a very civilized dinner and went to bed. A good day communing with nature in a wild wild setting.
Our hotel in Chipata, Zambia
On our way deeper north into Zambia
Crossing one of the tributaries to the Luangwa River
The grocery store in a small village
The park ranger - keeps of the gate to the park
We made it
The main room at our lodge - animals roam freely around here - lions, elephants, hippos
The view from our camp - hippos in the Luangwa River
Monkeys love our bikes
Lots of lion snacks - Impalas
Pumba!
On Safari with our guides
Tea and gin and tonics in the park as we see animals walk by
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