Liuwa Plain Adventure
2014 Itineraries with set departures for either 4 or 5 nights
4 Night Package - USD 4100 per person sharing
16 May 2014
30 May 2014
5 Night Package - USD 4830 per person sharing
6 May 2014
11 May 2014
20 May 2014
25 May 2014
3 June 2014
8 June 2014
INCLUSIONS
4 or 5 nights ensuite tented accommodation at Matamanene Camp
Charter flight return transfers to and from Lusaka / Kalabo
All meals, bar and laundry
All activities and national park fees
EXCLUDES
International flights, departure taxes and visa
Departures are maximum 6 clients
Tell someone you are going to Liuwa Plain – and you have their attention.
Many seasoned Africa travelers have heard of these vast open grasslands in the far west of Zambia but few, very very few, have been there. The area is famous for the blue wildebeest that move between the western boundary near Angola and the centre of the plains …..numbering up to 35,000 animals, many say this is the third largest migration in Africa. However the movement is not en masse….you tend to see large herds of up to 1000 wildebeest, with zebra and sometimes tsessebe amongst them. Birding is also extremely rewarding with large flocks and also species that are rare frequently sighted….
Hosted by the legendary Robin Pope and his most able assistant Jason, this is an opportunity not to be missed…..
In May 2009, Alan and I visited Liuwa Plains together with 2 clients…..what a paradise we discovered…miles and miles of African picture perfect landscapes surrounded us when we walked or were driven around these wonderful wide open spaces….
Liuwa Plain National Park is situated in a remote section of Western Zambia.
Few people have ventured into the Liuwa Plain due to its relative inaccessibility, however the prolific birdlife, vast open grasslands and wildebeest migration make it one of Africa’s last true wildernesses and a huge attraction to the bush fundi…..
You won’t witness huge masses of animals as in other parks and you won’t see the Big Five…..BUT the variety of animals, the flashes of wildflower colours that dot the landscape, the endless horizons that surround these magical plains, the stunning African sunsets, the birdlife (the largest flocks of wattled cranes and crowned cranes that we have ever witnessed) and the quality of the light that lends itself to photography all bundled together make Liuwa Plain the unique area that it is…..
Safari and walking guru, Robin Pope, of Robin Pope Safaris will lead small groups of six during May and June 2014 with a choice of four or five night safaris….Robin led expeditions into the plain during the nineties but had not done so for ten years. He has never lost the yearning to return and so in December 2008 he started up safaris to this wilderness again. He is based at African Parks camp Matamanene Camp which is a comfortable tented camp with each tent attached to an ensuite bathroom….meals are taken around the fire at night where many an animal viewing story is to be told…..breakfast and lunch is also taken in the boma area…..
Meals are freshly prepared and cooked and on personal recommendation simply delicious!!!!!
May and June follow the annual rains so there is plenty of water in the small depressions, lagoons are dotted with water lilies and wild flowers are found in colourful patches on the plains…this is a wonderful time to visit with clear blue skies and sensational sunsets.
Liuwa Plains is home to many antelope species that are rare in other locations such as roan, red lechwe, steinbuck, oribi and duiker. Africa Parks has recently re-introduced eland and buffalo and their numbers are expected to increase.
The area is famous for its abundant birdlife as a mix of plains and woodland allow a larger diversity of species.
The predominant predators of Liuwa Plains are the hyenas…..and they have formed very powerful clans mainly due to lack of competition from other predators….
There are wild dog and cheetah are sighted occasionally but the most amazing story in this area is that of Lady Liuwa, the lone lioness who has lived a solitary existence amongst these other rival predators and survived!!!! She has been joined by two males who were introduced to the area in May 2009 …..hopes are high for the continuation of the lion population, but only time will tell….keep tuned for this amazing love story!!!!
To reach this magic place, you will fly from Lusaka, Zambia on a fascinating 2 hour flight which takes you over the massive Kafue wetlands and across the mighty Zambezi River floodplains ….to see that amount of water wending its way through the African countryside is an awesome sight to behold and a very exciting start to your safari….
This safari can be easily combined with other worthwhile areas in Zambia such as the South Luangwa National Park and the Lower Zambezi National Park (where you can see where the Zambezi flows to) ending up with a visit to the mighty Victoria Falls….all these areas are accessible from Lusaka and Africa Bound can design an itinerary to suit.
