23rd June 2006 ZAMBIAN HORIZONS - Welcome to our first edition! A selection of safari lodges working together to promote Zambia.ROBIN POPE SAFARIS
RPS is now open throughout year for the first time in 20 years. The many guests that stayed during the “emerald season” said that it was an exceptional time of year. The air is clear, skies spectacular with dramatic sunsets, the animals and birds are at peak breeding, the game viewing was beyond expectations with the game tending to stay on the high ground – the roads! Nkwali Camp (12 beds), and the private houses Robin’s House and Luangwa Safari house are now open all year. With the river high we offer day boat trips or even just a sundowner in the glorious light!
ISLANDS OF SIANKABA
Our new Honeymoon/Vip chalet is now complete. Adding now the seventh chalet available at the lodge and extending our maximum number of guests to 14 people. This room offers stunning views of the mighty Zambezi river from a private garden deck or a separate room balcony with the most glorious sunrises and sunsets. Designed to provide more privacy than our existing chalets it adds to the peaceful & tranquil atmosphere at the Islands of Siankaba. After a fantastic wet season the falls are almost at their fullest. And as a result the view from the lodge is even more beautiful with an open vista of the mighty Zambezi. Best wishes to all - Mark & Tanya Stephens and the Siankaba Team!
CHONGWE RIVER CAMP
Friday 31st March saw Chongwe opening the 2006 season to a full camp of guests, raring to go. Canoe trips, game drives & night drives were enjoyed by all with excellent game sightings, including lion, despite the thick bush. Fishing has been reported as “good” and continues to improve as the muddy rain waters begin to settle and clear. Chongwe Safari House opened its “doors” to its first guests on the 11th March. All the hard work put into building the house over the past year has been well worth it, the result is spectacular and we are all very excited about the outcome. Zimbabwean based photographer, Dana Allen, joined a group of International journalists in capturing the first moments of the final product in all its glory and unique location.
CHIAWA CAMP
Greetings from Chiawa Camp in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park. Game viewing for leopards the past week has been phenomenal with 4 different leopards on the morning drive of June 3rd. Jeki airstrip is now again open but, more importantly, Chiawa has opened another Superior Tent and which is simply unbelievable – for anyone wanting the absolute best in tented safari accommodation look no further than Chiawa Camp’s Superior Safari Tents. Further down the Zambezi and still in the National Park is Old Mondoro – a fantastic Bushcamp owned as a joint venture between Chiawa Camp and Sausage Tree Camp.
Old Mondoro is fast becoming one of Zambia’s most sought after Bushcamps.
THE BUSHCAMP COMPANY
Every year during November a phenomenon happens in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park – a herd of elephants checks into Mfuwe Lodge to snack on the wild mango tree.
But to reach the huge tree the elephants have to walk through the main lodge building. This doesn’t seem to put them off and the herd of nine walk up the steps to the entrance of the building, passing the reception desk before crossing and exiting next to the bar and restaurant area.
The giant mango tree stands next to the lodge’s main bar and library area, so guests can enjoy a drink from the bar or sit in the quiet library and watch this spectacle at close range.
SAUSAGE TREE CAMP
Well May certainly was a fantastic month! The enigmatic leafless Baobab trees are in fruit, providing a welcomed source of food for Baboons, Vervet Monkeys and even humans. The famous Lower Zambezi Sausage Trees are also in fruit, their huge fruit suspended on their long stalks. On an evening drive, one of our guides, Victor, and his guests spotted a female lion, then another to its left and then, out of all directions the lions sprang into action. The pride of lioness brought down two Waterbuck. As if that was not enough, a large crocodile began to skulk out of its hiding place and creep closer to one of the Waterbuck carcasses, lions and all. In a loud rush of roars and snarls the dominant Lion charged. A stand off resulted in the crocodile eventually returning to his dambo.
TONGABEZI AND SINDABEZI ISLAND
We are delighted to announce that Sindabezi Island was selected to be featured in the Tatler’s Travel Guide 2006 as one of the top hotels in the world. And more good news, Horace, our resident hippo, has returned to the island after his annual holiday. Arriving on the same day as last year, punctual as always, he was back with us again. The Sindabezi Island family is complete and ready to welcome you on to the island.
Tongabezi is pleased to announce that all guests staying at Tongabezi in the low season for a period of 3 nights or more will receive a complimentary visit to Livingstone Island. This offer will start on the 1st November and be valid right through the low season until the end of May 2007.
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