Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
trees, and flanked by a steep escarpment on the northern side, covered with thick
miombo
woodland.
On the Zambezi are several islands. Some are large rocky outcrops covered in old trees,
which feature in the writings of explorers such as Livingstone and Selous. Others are
nothing more than temporary sandbanks with grass and low bush. Along the riverside
grow the largest trees - jackleberry, mahogany and winterthorn. On the opposite bank, in
Zimbabwe, is Mana Pools National Park, and together the parks constitute one of Africa's
finest wildlife areas.
The best wildlife viewing is on the flood plain and along the river itself, so
boat rides
are a major feature of all camps and lodges; doing a boat trip down the river (about
ZMW150) is certainly a rewarding activity and it won't be long before you're lulled into
the majesty of the Zambezi. The elephant population was ravaged by poaching until the
early 1990s, but thanks to the efforts of
Conservation Lower Zambezi
(
www.conservationlowerzambezi.org
)
, an organ- isation funded by the area's lodges and
private grants, they are making a strong comeback now, with the surrounding Chiwa
Game Management Area particularly dense with elephants. However, despite regular anti-
poaching flights (keep your eyes open for a Cessna 172 Reims Rocket passing overhead at
about 300ft) and regular ZAWA patrols, two dozen elephants were killed in 2011; in the
same year another 40 or so died from a naturally occurring anthrax outbreak (in addition
to 150 hippos and a large number of buffalo).
Other mammal species include puku, impala, zebra, buffalo, bushbuck, leopard, lion
and cheetah, and more than 400 bird species have been recorded, including the unusual
African skimmer and narina trogon. There are also plenty of water birds such as plovers
and egrets on the reed islands. Seeing elephants swim across the river, or hundreds of col-
ourful bee-eaters nesting in the steep sandy banks, could be the highlight of your trip. The
best time to visit is May to October; however, temperatures average around 40˚C - and
have been recorded as high as 55˚C - in the latter half of October.
The main entrance is at
Chongwe Gate
along the southwestern boundary (park fee
ZMW132). The southwestern sector of the park is the easiest to reach and the most scenic,
and has excellent wildlife viewing, so as you might expect, it's a popular area. As you go
further into the central part of the park the surroundings become wilder and more open
and there's more chance of having the place to yourself. Although the park is technically
open all year, access is impossible in the rainy season and most lodges are closed down
from at least mid-December to the end of February.
The eastern part of the park is different in character as here the hills are close to the
Zambezi and there's virtually no flood plain. The park's eastern boundary is the dramatic