A Lion In Africa


A friend of mine Chanda Mfula posted this on Facebook. I loved it.

“A man walking in the great plains of Africa meets a lion and he knows life is over for him. He kneels down to pray, asking God to forgive him his sins.

The Lion draws closer and when it’s right in front of the man, the beast also goes down on its knees in prayer.

The man looks on with intent surprise before asking the lion what he’s doing and why he’s also praying.

The lion replies “I’m saying grace before my meal!”

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Zambia-Zimbabwe Border


Now, we wouldn’t blame you for thinking this photo was contrived or rigged! Not so! It’s the real deal! It was shot by Cara Watts, the Lions Manager (awesome job title!) at Lion Encounter in Livingstone, Zambia. Cara hails from the South West of England (Yeovil, Somerset) and studied BSc (HONS) Animal Management and Welfare at the University of Lincoln. She says she’s ‘always loved animals and especially the African Lion’.

Cara first volunteered at Antelope Park in Zimbabwe in 2006 and returned again in 2007 to help with the lions. She then stayed on at the Park and became the Lions Manager there. In April 2009 she moved to Livingstone, Zambia to Lion Encounter where they now have 17 lions and are working towards achieving their four stage rehabilitation programme to release lions back into the wild.

Whilst Cara’s parents Mike and Sue visited her in Livingstone (naturally staying at Chanters Lodge) they headed to the Royal Livingstone for high tea and some cocktails. This is where they saw this spectacular view over the Falls and the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Cara’s dry comment: “It certainly looks like I left the dark side for bright Livingstone!”

Great photo Cara!

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Hotel Development – Mana Pools


The Zambezi Society is calling all its members, and concerned members of the public, to help act towards the protection of the Zambezi wilderness. The Zambezi Society is a non-profit, non-governmental, membership organisation working to promote the conservation and environmentally sound management of the Zambezi River and its basin for the benefit of wilderness, wildlife and people.

PROTEA HOTELS DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL – ZAMBIA

Zambezi Society members need to know about a 144-bed hotel development proposed by the Protea Hotel Group, Zambia to be situated on the banks of the Zambezi River, in communal land in the Chiawa Game Management Area some 500m opposite Vundu Point in the Mana Pools National Park and World Heritage Site.

An advertisement has appeared in the Zambian newspapers asking for public comments and/or objections to on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) document for this development that has been submitted to the Environment Council of Zambia (ECZ) for approval. Submissions should reach the ECZ (see contact details below) NO LATER THAN 14th APRIL 2010

The Zambezi Society was first alerted to this through concerned Zambian tour operators and conservationists (not through the developers nor the consultant who completed the EIS).

THE ZAMBEZI SOCIETY WILL MAKE A SUBMISSION BASED ON THIS MEMBERS CONSULTATION

We wish to make an informed submission on behalf of our membership by the due date and are therefore asking ALL concerned Zambezi Society members to write to us URGENTLY with your comments on this proposal by the end of March 2010.

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Glamour!


I was in trouble yesterday for publishing a photo of my sister Ruth which she described as ‘rather unglamourous’! I guess – though I love those photos of people wearing huge raincoats and hats, still getting soaked at Victoria Falls!

Anyway to appease her, there’s a lovely photo of Ruth Binney enjoying her river safari on the Chobe River during our recent visit to Botswana and the Chobe National Park!

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A Day To Remember

(Another contribution from guest blogger Ruth Binney)

If you’ve ever wanted to see a herd of elephants walk down to the water to drink, cool down and play, watch crocodiles and monitor lizards basking or see more than 25 different species of birds all in the space of a few hours then the place to be is in Chobe National Park in Botswana.

The one day safari from Chanters Lodge begins with a drive to the border on the Zambezi, the only place in the world where four countries meet (Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe), There you quickly realize that the speed boat organized to take you across the river is luxury indeed, On both sides there are lines of trucks a mile or so long waiting to be carried, one at a time, by the three ferries that ply the water, At worst, we learned, it can take more than a week in the queue.

Our party – myself, Richard on a rare day off and his wife Ireen and Henry aged 7 – were transported the short distance to Chobe Safari Lodge for the first and most spectacular part of the day, a 2 1/2 hour boat trip along the river Chobe. What an experience! Botswana’s bird spectacularly on display, best of all being the malachite kingfisher (pictured, lilac breated roller (Botswana’s national bird, fish eagles, maribou storks and lappet faced vultures. Plus the elephants with mothers protecting their young between their legs and many hippos in family groups. A game drive through the park followed lunch, when Henry excelled himself spotting a tortoise and mongoose – neighbours to the many elephants, wart hogs and giraffes.

Altogether an excellently organized day thanks to Bushtracks and their informative guides and our driver Chris who sped us through the form filling needed to cross the borders back and forth. Another outing not to be missed from Chanters and a thrilling day for Henry too!

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Chobe National Park


Yesterday my sister Ruth, staying with us from UK, Ireen, Henry and I went on the Chobe 1 day safari that we offer Chanters Lodge Guests at US$150 per person inclusive.

I’m sure I’ll have the chance to write about it fully some time soon, meanwhile check my great photo of a giraffe!

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Walking With Rhino


A guest blog from Chanters Lodge guest Ruth Binney (nee Chanter)

Early on Saturday morning, while my friends and family back in the UK were still in their beds I was literally yards from a dozing white rhino! Aside from my first glimpse of Victoria Falls in 1990 the Rhino Walk was by far the most amazing experience I’ve had in four visits to Livingstone. It is not widely known that Zambia is one of the few countries in which it is possible for tourists and wildlife enthusiasts to observe animals on foot.

From a 6.45 departure with Bwaato Adventures from the Lodge Grace, Richard’s daughter and I drove to the Mosi O Tunya National Park accompanied by tour guide Tony and his trainee Pilata, pausing to observe a troop of baboons sauntering in our path before we met with Clayton who would be our leader and armed guard as we walked single file through the bush. His weapon, we were assured, was largely to ward off poachers, but could be used in an emergency if we were in danger.

But before we could climb down from the vehicle we spotted a huge male elephant moving swiftly across our path. Grace was terrified! For me it was an awesome sight, but I was also apprehensive as the animal appeared to be confused as to the direction it was taking. Once on foot we immediately saw a family of giraffes (what elegant creatures they are) then, helped by other trackers out in the field, made our way to ‘rhino territory’ pausing at intervals to examine everything from hoof prints to animal dung (with dung beetles) which gave clues to the creatures that had passed by. Both Tony and Pilata were mines of information and impressively in touch with every sign and signal in the landscape.

After about 40 minutes we came on the male rhino, half asleep beneath a tree and luckily surprisingly undisturbed by our approach, though there was no doubt that he could have become active and charged us at any moment. Slow, smooth actions were essential, and we managed to observe him for a full 15 minutes at the end of which he raised his mighty tonnage onto four legs and moved himself to a shadier spot. The trackers in the field informed us that there were 4 other rhino in the vicinity, but too far away for us to reach easily so we returned to our vehicle and drove to the bank of the Zambezi above the Falls for refreshments before driving back through the Park. Here, like scenes from a wildlife documentary, impala, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, vervet monkeys, grey hornbills and white throated beeaters were among the creatures ‘on display’ for us. And at every turn Tony and Pilata were on hand with information.

So for those of you who might one day need to know such things:

A rhino has 5 separate layers of epidermis making its skin viritually impregnable, Its horn is made of hair and can regrow.

A wildebeest separated from the herd can literally die of loneliness.

The patterns on a zebra are unique to each individual. A newly born zebra will have learned the pattern of its mother within hours of birth.

Buffalo have poor vision but are alert to the shapes of objects. If the shape changes (as our vehicle did when Tony dismounted) it will immediately go on the alert.

To disguise their scent, trackers crush and apply the seeds and leaves of wild lavender to their skin. It is also said to be an insect repellant, though I wouldn’t be prepared to take a chance on that!

And if you are lost and thirsty in the bush, look for elephant dung. It is full of water.

Finally – if you are lucky enough to be in Zambia and staying at Chanters Lodge, DON”T miss the Rhino Walk!!

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Zambezi Queen


Check this from the New York Times:

Ever since Katharine Hepburn declared “I never dreamed that any mere physical experience could be so stimulating!,” African river boating has been a booming industry.

The Zambezi Queen a new 150-foot-long river boat described by its owner, Tony Stern, as a “five-star floating boutique hotel,” is a far cry from Hepburn’s African Queen. But it does offer a luxurious new way to explore one of the lesser-known waterways of the continent: the Chobe River in Botswana. The mighty river, which runs through Chobe National Park, supports an array of wildlife, including elephants, waterbuck, giraffes, zebras, impalas, wildebeests, kudus, warthogs and giraffes.

The Zambezi Queen bills itself as eco-friendly, with solar-heated water, jet propulsion (instead of propellers) and no air-conditioning. All 14 suites are appointed with private balconies, modern colonial-style decor and plenty of mosquito netting. The ship also has a bar, reading room and plunge pool.

Tours are two or three days, and cover 20 miles of the river, with prices ranging from $800 to $3,600, depending on length, time of year and accommodation.

Looks stunning doesn’t it?

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Chipembele Wildlife Education Centre


Here’s something really super for Sunday – hats off to Steve and Anna!

Chipembele Wildlife Education Centre is a fun, interactive and contemporary learning facility for Zambian children. It focuses its programmes on wildlife, the environment and conservation issues. The Centre is located on the banks of the Luangwa River opposite South Luangwa National Park. It is a wonderful, unspoiled setting for local children to learn about the value of their natural environment. This education will help to both protect the wildlife and generate sustainable development for the benefit of the local population for generations to come.

Chipembele is run under the auspices of a registered Zambian charitable trust. It was established and is now managed by Steve and Anna Tolan, who emigrated from England to Zambia in 1998 to fulfill their dream of building and running such a centre. It is supported in the UK by Chipembele Trust, a registered UK charity.

Since then however, the Trust has progressed to encompass much more than the Wildlife Education Centre. The work has expanded its programme of conservation education into the local schools and operates a Chipembele Rangers scheme through the school conservation clubs. Anna manages school improvement projects, runs a Pupil Sponsorship Scheme and is involved with local women’s groups. Steve is an actively involved in anti-poaching work and forestry protection. Chipembele also has a seat on the Board of Trustees of the South Luangwa Conservation Society, where Anna has the position of Secretary. They rear and rehabilitate orphaned and injured wild animals and they have made discoveries of archaeological and palaeontological importance.

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Mukuni Big 5 Safaris


Check that amazing photo of Tando Malunga, a friend of my son Michael Chanter, at work with lions at Mukuni Big 5 Safaris. Bit too much of a lion encounter for my liking! Mukuni have a range of activities, and Guests at Chanters Lodge who have had the Mukuni Big Five experience have been delighted with their activities, so here’s rather more detail:

Lion Walk
US$120 per person, two morning collections and one afternoon. Transfers are included and the activity lasts about 3 hours under expert guided supervision.

Cheetah & Caracal Interaction
US$85 per person, collections as above.
The Mukuni Big 5 Safaris’ cheetah research programme is committed to the preservation of the cheetah. A percentage of the project’s proceeds will help to sponsor a mobile clinic and to educate the local population, by means of interaction and lectures, on the preservation and protection of this wonderful endangered species. The Cheetah!

Combo
Lion, Cheetah and Caracal combo price US$170 pp

Mukuni Big 5 also offer an Elephant Ride at US$150 pp.

Of course we’d be delighted to handle your activity reservations.

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