Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NORMAN CARR & SOUTH LUANGWA
The history of South Luangwa National Park is inextricably linked with the story of Norman Carr, a leading wild-
life figure whose influence and contribution to conservation has been felt throughout Africa.
One year after the North and South Luangwa Game Reserves were created in 1938 to protect and control wild-
life populations, Carr became a ranger there. With the full backing of the area's traditional leader, Carr created
Chief Nsefu's Private Game Reserve in 1950 and opened it to the public. Until this time reserves had been for an-
imals only. All visitor fees were paid directly to the chief, thus benefiting the wildlife and the local community.
Carr was years ahead of his time in other fields, too: he built Nsefu Camp, the first tourist camp in Zambia, and
developed walking safaris. In the following decades, other wildlife reserves were created, more tourists came to
Luangwa parks and more camps were built along the river.
In 1972 Nsefu and several wildlife reserves were combined to form the South Luangwa National Park, but
poaching of elephants and rhinos soon became an increasing problem. So, in 1980 Carr and several others formed
the Save the Rhino Trust, which helped the government parks department to deter poachers.
In 1986 Carr opened yet another camp, Kapani Lodge, and continued operating safaris from this base. He re-
tired from 'active service' in the early 1990s, and died in 1997, aged 84.
Activities
All lodges/camps run excellent day or night
wildlife drives
(called 'game drives' in Zam-
bia) and some have
walking safaris
(June to November). These activities are included in
the rates charged by the upmarket places, while the cheaper lodges/camps can organise
things with little notice. A three-hour morning or evening wildlife drive normally costs
around ZMW210, and the evening drive in particular offers the chance to spot an elusive
leopard and shy nocturnal creatures such as a genet or a cerval. You also have to pay
park
fees
(ZMW156)
on top of this, but only once every 24 hours, so you can have an evening
drive on one day and a morning drive on the next. A walking safari (ZMW260) is perhaps
the best way of all to experience the park, offering the chance to break out of the confines
of the vehicle and experience the African bush first hand with an expert guide and a rifle-
carrying ZAWA scout. Expect most attention to be paid to animal tracks, what their dung
reveals and the medicinal uses of various plants.
For something entirely different,
SEKA
(Sensitisation and Education through Kunda
arts;
www.seka-educational-theatre.com
)
is a local NGO that organises and conducts per-
formances for the local Kunda people on important issues such as poaching, AIDS/HIV,
malaria etc -pressing issues in the community. Have a look on their website, and ask your
lodge about any performances going on while you're in the area.
