wildlife – Chanters Lodge Livingstone

The Porcupines

It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together. This way they covered and protected themselves, but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions, even though they gave off heat to each other.

After a while, they decided to distance themselves, one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: Either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the earth. Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. This way they learned to live with the little wounds that were caused by the close relationship with their companion, but the most important part of it was the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.

There is a moral to this story: The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person’s good qualities.

The Moral?

LEARN TO LOVE THE PRICKS IN YOUR LIFE.

30
OCT

People, weather, wildlife

Paul & Angela Metcalfe

Meet Paul and Angela Metcalfe, guests on the most recent edition of The Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient ft George Soulchild, our regular radio show that goes out on Zambezi Radio 107.7 fm, Livingstone’s best loved local radio station, every Sunday night at 20.30 hrs. Paul and Angela (sorry for the blurry quality of the photo above!) hail from Wigan, Lancashire, UK, as Gerald Mweene was very quick to point out when we offered a prize on air for the first person to text us as to where this friendly couple came from. Mr Mweene won himself a dinner for two with drinks at Chanters Lodge as a result of his fast reactions!

It was interesting to hear about Paul and Angela’s lifestyle. After years in the oil industry, Paul is now in property management, wife Angela is a retired secondary school teacher – specialist subject? French. Paul and Angela met at University in Bangor, North Wales and have been married 28 years. “Was it love at first sight?” I wanted to know, and Paul admitted he’d proposed marriage to Angela within a week of their meeting. “Did you say yes?” I asked Angela. “No” she replied, making us laugh, “I told him to go away and stop being stupid!” “What changed?” I continued my interrogation. “He was very persistent” she admitted, with a wink! “Where did he take you for your silver wedding anniversary” I wanted to know. “Mauritius”. Can’t be bad!

Paul and Angela have one son and one daughter but no grandchildren as yet. They travel a lot – up to 6 times a year – and in Paul’s oil days lived in Gabon, Algeria and Norway amongst other places. They’ve done a lot since they arrived in Livingstone, including high tea on Livingstone Island that very afternoon, a 15 minute helicopter flight over the Falls, a 3 day safari to Chobe, the lion encounter and the rhino walk. Despite living in Wigan, home of the famous rugby league team as well as Wigan Athletic in the Barclays Premier League, Paul and Angela confessed to having no interest in sport beyond snow skiing, in which they regularly indulge.

The music on the show was good, as usual, and featured two tracks from the latest Phil Collins album – ‘Going Back’ the title track and ‘Jimmy Mack’. Rihanna’s ‘Who’s That Chick’ and Taylor Swift’s ‘Speak Now’ (hilarious) made up a set, and so too did Milli Jam’s choice of ‘OMG’ by Serani ft Usher & Patira and ‘Check It Out’ by Will.I.Am ft Nicki Minaj. George’s local selections were from Danny and Dalisoul.

“How did you come to choose Chanters Lodge” Milli Jam asked Paul. “From TripAdvisor and guide books” replied Paul. “Talking of the internet” Milli Jam directed the question at me “have you gone over the 1000 followers on Twitter”. “With a little help from my friends” I replied, “yes I have.”

19
OCT

activities, Africa, Botswana, Chanters, guests, livingstone, music, radioshow, uk, victoriafalls, wildlife, Zambia

Lion Country

We were delighted on Sunday night’s ‘Chanters Lodge Experience’ (our regular weekly radio show aired from 20.30 hrs for an hour on Zambezi 107.7 fm Livingstone’s great local radio station), to host the film crew staying at Chanters. The team are winding up filming the lion encounter based at Thorn Tree Lodge for the forthcoming second series of Lion Country, a documentary to be broadcast on ITV in UK from January 2011 every Friday at 20.00 hrs for 12 weeks.

“We’re in competition with Eastenders at that time” commented Phil Broadhurst – the cameraman who took that great shot of the studio above. Personally I don’t think they need to worry – they had an audience of 4 million for the first series and the second series sounds wonderful! The rest of the crew in attendance were Sebastian Dunn, the sound man, and Alison Quirk, the producer. Also in the photo are Milli Jam and George Soulchild who expertly co-host the show, and myself.

“Are you scared of lions?” We wanted to know. Generally they said they were not, but they mentioned that when they were filming in Zimbabwe they were surrounded at night by 80 of the beasts making a tremendous noise. Sebastian, the sound man, gave us a great impression of a lion’s roar which we made him repeat! “Have you done the night encounter?” we asked the crew. “Not yet, it’s the last thing we have to shoot before we go home” Alison informed the listeners.

The crew gave us the background to their professional careers revealing that both Phil and Seb have been highly involved with all sorts of programmes featuring wildlife in the past. Alison is the producer and the organizer. We’ve had great business at Chanters from various members of this crew during 2010, and it was lovely to hear them praise the lodge, the food and the staff and to tell listeners that Chanters really felt like their second home.

The music for the show was a good mix as usual. Bruno Mars ‘Just The Way You Are’ kept up our record of playing the current number one in UK – we played it back to back with Rihanna’s ‘Only Girl In The World’ the first single from her new album, high in the US Charts. On the local scene George featured ‘Temperature’ by Uniq (“I suppose it means his girl friend raises his temperature” I speculated. “Affirmative” the guys replied). We played the ever popular Petersen’s “Dance With You” as well. (I was delighted to be given a copy of the new JK album by George, though Milli Jam reported massive disappointment amongst the Livingstone public that JK had been miming during his recent album launch at Steprite).

Milli Jam featured Soul IV Real’ ‘Candy Love’ back to back with Aaliyah’s ‘Rock The Boat’ and we played two tracks from the new Phil Collins album ‘Going Back’ – the title track and ‘Papa Was A Rolling Stone’. Great new version of an old favourite. We played ‘Going Back’ for Cara, the Lion Manager out at lion encounter who’s a great Collins fan.

As usual we gave away a dinner for 2 at Chanters Lodge with drinks – this week for the first person to text us the name of the animal the guys had come to here to film. There was a quick response and everyone got it right! We greeted Guests, mentioning that we were very multi-national this week at Chanters with Guests from Japan, Italy, UK, Egypt, USA, Norway, South Africa and Zambia. We wished two of the Chanters Girls not feeling well a speedy recovery, and greeted the rest of the staff by name too.

The crew thanked the lodge for our hospitality and thanked too all the people at lion encounter who had made their trip so memorable. “When do you leave?” Asked Milli Jam. “On Wednesday” replied Phil, as Milimo and George laughed. “What’s funny?” asked Phil. “Richard only brings Guests leaving on Monday” they replied, as we closed a really fun show.

5
OCT

accommodation, activities, Africa, entertainment, radioshow, tourism, uk, wildlife, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Livingstone’s Night Life!

No, not Chez Ntemba, Steprite or the Fairmount Casino Livingstone Discos that rock until all hours! This is about cats!

NEW to 2010; Lion Encounter is proud to announce the launch of Livingstone’s Wildest Night Activity! Experience and support the Lion Encounter – Africa’s first genuine programme to ethically re-introduce the offspring of rehabilitated captive-bred African lion back into the wild, helping safeguard the future of the king of the beasts. An amazing encounter!

No leashes, no collars, just a natural African wildlife adventure operating in the beautiful Dambwa Forest 25 km outside of Livingstone Town. The Night Encounter is a thrilling experience for all those involved, but not only that, it is a vital part of the Lion Release Programme. Lions aged 18 months to 2 and a half years are taken out during the evenings into their 600 acre Pre Release Training Reserve. The Lions are then given the opportunity to chase, stalk and hunt the game they find, giving them the vital chance to practice their hunting skills. (This activity also takes place at different times throughout the day.)

Lion Encounter operates stage one of the African Lion and Environmental Research Trust‘s four stage Rehabilitation and Release into the Wild Program. The first stage of the program involves the young lions being taken out into the Bush, allowing them to build confidence in their natural habitat and practice their hunting techniques before being released into stage two of the programme.

The Guest Experience…
The Lions are taken out into the Pre Release Training Site at various times of the day. The different timings will offer guests a variety of experiences, chose a timing to suit the experience you would enjoy most.

The Night Encounter
Join the pride as they practice hunting under the cover of night! A group of Lions will be free, roaming around your vehicle where you will have front row seats to view the action as they hone their hunting skills!

You will be picked up from your lodge or hotel and driven to the stunning Dambwa Forest where our hospitality team will be waiting to greet you with snacks and refreshments in our welcome area, nestled amongst majestic winter thorn trees.

As the sun sets, your guide for the evening will meet with you to give you a safety briefing and a short briefing on the activity.

After this, you’re ready to go, and you will be asked to climb into your customised 4×4 vehicle. On each vehicle will be a guide and a lion handler, plus a researcher will also be present on the trip, who are all more than happy to answer any questions that you have. A maximum of 2 vehicles will be accompanying the trip and a Night Encounter can host up to 13 guests.

Once aboard your vehicle you’re ready to meet the stars of the night – the lions, and a member of the Lion Encounter Team will open the gates for the lions to start their nocturnal adventure in the Pre Release Training Site. From here, you will have the unique experience of watching the pride as they search for game, stalk, chase and perhaps even make a kill. The Night Encounter drive will last approximately 2 hours, during which your guide will provide you information on the behaviour and life of a lion, a pride, as well as information on a night in Africa, the sounds, the sights and the skies.

Immerse yourself in the magic of the African Night, and join the pride in all their splendour on an incredible journey on the path to freedom

US$195.00 USD (prices effective 1st June 2010 to 31st December 2010)
Includes: Return transfers from all accommodation in Livingstone town.
Safety Talk
Night Encounter or Drive in Lion Country activity.
Night Encounter: Beers, Wines, Soft Drinks, Light Snacks before your Encounter and a meal afterwards.

29
JUL

activities, Africa, livingstone, victoriafalls, wildlife, Zambia

Kariba Bush Club

Overnight we were lucky to have as Guests at Chanters Lodge, Livingstone, Carmen and Geoff Greenwood and their two children. Carmen and Geoff have connections with Kariba Bush Club . The Club is managed by Peter Nel an old friend of ours and his dad Brian is one of our fish suppliers too! Bream Fillets asap please!

“Established in 2003 originally as a back-packer’s lodge and guesthouse able to accommodate 32 guests, Kariba Bush Club has grown extensively over the years with the addition of another guesthouse, four luxury chalets and two houseboats, now being able to accommodate a maximum of 76 guests excluding the campsite.

The lodge has something to offer everyone – whether on a tight budget or not. And of course there are the many activities for all to enjoy, as well as various facilities that the lodge has to offer guests. These facilities include a swimming pool, volleyball court, bar, restaurant and much more. Wildlife to be seen around the lodge includes bushbuck, puku, impala, duiker, zebra, bush-pig, warthog, ostrich and the ever-so-inquisitive monkeys, to name some. Baobab and Marula are both unique in their own way, but both are fully furnished and self-contained, offering a perfect retreat for groups of families or friends.

Baobab House (check the photo) is a double-storey thatched cottage built atop a ridge alongside a massive Baobab Tree. This house sleeps 6 people, is equipped with DSTV and offers private parking. It has shown to be a favourite amongst guests, with its large verandah elegantly wrapping around the front of the house, showing off the spectacular views of Lake Kariba that this house has to offer. Facing west, it is perfectly situated allowing guests to watch the infamous sunsets over Kariba without having to move further than the verandah. It is also ideally located in the sense that it is a mere 100m walk from the main lodge swimming pool yet still tucked away in its own corner, maintaining that true feeling of tranquility and privacy.”

That’s the blurb. I’ve never been there but it sounds stunning. How do you get there? Ah! Going from Livingstone turn right at Batoka and it’s about 200kms I was told! I also notice there’s no map on either the brochure or the website! Lol! I’ll find out sometime and let you know!

10
JUL

accommodation, Africa, guests, innovation, Lake Kariba, management, wildlife, Zambia

Zena and Leon Ferreira

There was a touch of sadness at the start of the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring George Soulchild, our weekly radio show on 107.7 fm Zambezi Radio, as we had to announce the untimely passing during the week of Jonathan Lungu. Jonathan, erstwhile assistant manager and accountant at Chanters Lodge between 2/1999 and 1/2009. Late Jonathan was actually the very first Guest on our radio show which we started in late 2008. We offered our condolences to his family and friends on air. Jonathan was very popular with Guests and Staff during his time at Chanters Lodge.

Our Guests on the show this week were Leon and Zena Ferreira, (above,) from UK, but we were surprised to hear that Leon had spent the first 15 years of his education at Kabulonga Boys School. Then called the Gilbert Rennie school in Lusaka. We made the prize a dinner for two to anyone who could tell us the former name of the school, and we did have one winner. Most Livingstone people were watching Brazil play Cote d’Ivoire I guess last night and were not listening to the radio.

It was interesting to hear of Leon’s early life in Lusaka and of he and Zena’s recent wonderful holiday in Flatdogs in the Luwangwa Valley. They’d loved it and it was part of Leon’s 60th birthday celebrations. They’re a widely travelled family having visited Asia many times.

There was a mixed musical scene: Shyman’s latest and latest from Dizzee Rascall and Iyaz. Leon and Zena enjoyed a rhumba track and I enjoyed Tinie Tempah ft Labrinth – ‘Frisky’! We played a track by Brenda Fassie too.

It’s thanks to Zena and Leon for guesting on our show and we hope they enjoyed the experience!

21
JUN

Chanters, guests, livingstone, radioshow, tourism, victoriafalls, wildlife, Zambia

Tour Guide

Mike Scott who I know to be of Downe House School clearly hs other hats, one of which is Tour Guide! Thanks to him for this written recently on his blog:

“Just returned from research for creating tours in Zambia/Botswana. Had a great time on safari in Botswana. Fitted in visit to Victoria Falls. Stayed at Chanters Lodge which I would recommend to anyone for a fairly priced, welcoming, family run lodge where nothing is too much effort for the host Richard Chanter. I have stayed with him before and would stay with him any time I am in Livingstone.”

That’s Mike with one of his hats on, sitting at the back of that elephant!

26
MAY

Chanters, guests, tourism, uk, victoriafalls, wildlife, Zambia

Elephant Charge 2010

Here’s something different from http://www.elephantcharge.org/

“Zambia’s extreme off-road 4×4 challenge is about to start! Join us in this exciting event and sign up your team now. The Elephant Charge raises money for conservation and wildlife education in Zambia on a not-for-profit basis. All proceeds raised this year will go towards:

– Lusaka National Park
– South Luangwa Conservation Society
– Conservation Lower Zambezi
– The Kafue Trust

What is the Elephant Charge?
The Elephant Charge challenges teams of cars and motorbikes to complete a grueling course through the Zambian bush. Teams consist of either a 4×4 vehicle with up to 6 individuals or 3 to 4 motorbikes. The teams drive and drag themselves around the course, building roads with their bare hands and steering their vehicles up and down outrageous inclines in an attempt get home in the shortest distance possible. The straighter you dare go the more intimidating it will be!

The Elephant Charge engenders a fantastic team spirit and generates a huge feeling of accomplishment both in terms of funds raised and terrain conquered. It is a great weekend in the wilderness for competitors, their families, sponsors and supporters. This year’s Elephant Charge will take place on Zambia’s Independence weekend, 23rd, 24th and 25th October 2010 at a secret location, which will be revealed to competitors the day before the event.

How to Enter An entry fee of K1 million is payable to Elephant Charge Zambia Ltd by each team. The entry fee is used by the organising committee to pay for any costs not covered by event sponsors. Teams must also pledge a minimum of K2 million sponsorship when they enter the event. All sponsorship received by the event will be paid to the charities. We look forward to your support knowing that each and every contribution will help protect and develop wildlife conservation and education in Zambia.

Please email info@elephantcharge.org if you would like to enter a team, act as an official, or sponsor the event, a checkpoint or a trophy. Visit www.elephantcharge.org for the latest information on the event and to download entry forms.

So, what are you waiting for?!

18
MAY

Africa, charities, Lusaka, volunteers, wildlife, Zambia

Where Frogs Live

For the past two months the water feature in the garden at Chanters Lodge, Livingstone has just been a rock feature without water. Happily, as the photo above shows, it now has water again.

The original underwater pump for the feature was given to us by a friend from Denmark, Tom Kristensen, way back in the 90’s when the water feature was a pond teeming with Zambezi Bream. The Southern Water and Sewerage Company saw to that by overdosing the town water supply with chlorine one night, killing all our fish in one fell swoop. We were desolate, and the fish pond was never the same again. That was around 2003.

When we were able to fund a swimming pool in 2005, Phil Roberts and his team from Alpha Leisure who constructed it, built our beautiful water feature as well. We used Tom’s underwater pump that we’d used for the fountain in the old pond. At the end of last year that pump finally broke after more than 10 years service and was replaced by a quite expensive South African one. It didn’t work properly from the start and was declared unrepairably buggered after just a month. Eish!

Now enterprising Phil Roberts has adapted a regular .75hp water pump we had lying about, fitting it behind the rock and, hey presto! We have water circulation again! Oh! And we hope some birds come back – they’ve been absent ever since the rock had no water!

I suppose those noisy frogs will be heard again too!

Ah! Life in Livingstone!

9
MAY

Africa, Chanters, frogs, garden, wildlife, Zambia

Some More Travel Agent Stories…

Some more travel agent stories for you! The photo? A hipppo, what else?!

– A lady called needing to know how it was possible that her flight from Detroit left at 8:20am and arrived in Chicago at 8:33am. The agent explain that Michigan was an hour ahead of llinois, but the Client couldn’t understand the concept of time zones. Finally she was told that the plane went very fast, which she accepted!

– A woman called and asked, “Do airlines put your physical description on your bag so they know who’s luggage belongs to who?” “No, why?” The agent asked. The Client replied, “Well, when I checked in with the airline, they put a tag on my luggage that said FAT, and I’m overweight, is there any connection?” The agent explained that the city code for Fresno is FAT, and that the airline was just putting a destination tag on her luggage.

– A Client asked, “How do I know which plane to get on?” When asked what he meant he replied, “I was told my flight number is 823, but none of these darn planes have numbers on them.”

– A woman called needing to “fly to Pepsi-cola on one of those computer planes.” When asked if she meant she needed to fly to Pensacola on a commuter plane. She said, “Yeah, whatever.”

– A businessman called and had a question about the documents he needed in order to fly to China. Following a lengthy discussion about passports, he was reminded he needed a visa. “Oh no I don’t” he said “I’ve been to China many times and never had to have one of those.” The agent double checked and sure enough, the Client’s stay required a visa. When told he said, “Look, I’ve been to China four times and every time they’ve accepted my American Express.”

– A woman called to make reservations, “I want to go from Chicago to Hippopotamus, New York” The agent was at a loss for words. Finally, the agent asked: “Are you sure that’s the name of the town?” “Yes, what flights do you have?” replied the customer. After some searching, the agent came back with, “I’m sorry, ma’am, I’ve looked up every airport code in the country and can’t find a Hippopotamus anywhere.” The customer retorted, “Oh don’t be silly. Everyone knows where it is. Check your map!” The agent scoured a map of the state of New York and finally offered, “You don’t mean Buffalo, do you?” “That’s it! I knew it was a big animal!”

Have a great weekend!

1
MAY

tourism, travel, wildlife

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