Zambia's South Luangwa National Park (Mammals)

This is a single-centre holiday based at Kafunta River Lodge, a small and exclusive lodge situated on the edge of the South Luangwa Valley and overlooking the Luangwa River. Kafunta can accommodate up to 20 guests in 10 twin-bedded thatched chalets, each having private facilities and a private verandah. A thatched, open-plan bar and dining area, provides meals and service to an excellent standard. There is also a swimming pool and patio where guests can relax overlooking the Luangwa River. The aim of the holiday will be to gain a thorough appreciation of the mammals (and, to a lesser extent, the birds) of one of the most famous and best national parks in Africa. By concentrating only on this one park during this relatively short holiday, we will maximise our time in the field, minimising wearisome overland travel. By travelling at the end of Zambia's 'green season' in April, we may have to put up with the occasional rain shower, but are likely to be more than compensated not only by the beauty of this season, but also by the lack of other tourists. The October/November departure offers you the chance to see mammals around the waterholes towards the end of the dry season. Even in Zambia's high season, tourists are never as thick on the ground as in other parts of Africa, due to the limited accommodation in Zambia's national parks, and the generally very high cost of this destination. The South Luangwa National Park also has other advantages over most African national parks. Here, we may do some game-viewing walks in the Game Management Area (GMA) - grass levels permitting - on the edge of the park and within the area of our lodge grounds, and are permitted to go on night drives in search of nocturnal mammals and birds not normally seen in other African countries, where night driving is forbidden (please note, however, that night drives are not included in the cost of the holiday and are offered each day at an additional cost). In all, during our stay, we hope to see around 30 species of mammals, and perhaps nearly 200 bird species... a truly unforgettable week of wildlife!

Elephants, Impala, Puku, Crawshay's Zebra and African Buffalo are common in the Luangwa Valley, as is the local race of giraffe, Thornicroft's Giraffe, which is only found here. Less common herbivores include Greater Kudu, Common Waterbuck, Bushbuck and Grey Duiker. All this 'meat on the hoof' provides sustenance for a variety of predators, not least Lions, Spotted Hyenas, African Wild Dogs and Leopards. Indeed, the Luangwa Valley holds one of the highest densities of Leopards in the world and sightings of this powerful feline are not uncommon, especially after dark. Other nocturnal inhabitants include Honey Badger, African Civet, Small and Large Spotted Genets, Verreaux's Eagle Owl and the spectacular Pennant-winged Nightjar.

The birdlife is incredibly rich too. Collared Palm-thrush, Burchell's Glossy Starling and Terrestrial Bulbul are common garden birds, along with the ubiquitous doves. On the game drives we might come across any number of species, including Saddle-billed, Abdim's Woolly-necked and African Openbill Storks, Tawny, Wahlberg's and Martial Eagles, Lizard Buzzard, Allen's Gallinule, Three-banded Courser, White-crowned Plover, Lilian's Lovebird, Jacobin, Striped and Black Cuckoos, Purple-crested Turaco and White-fronted Bee-eater. Between late August and the end of November the sandy riverbanks of the Luangwa River are adorned with large colonies of dazzling Southern Carmine Bee-eaters!

At the end of our 7-night stay we must return back to Mfuwe Airport for our flight home, although those with additional time might like to consider extending the holiday with a trip to the spectacular Victoria Falls or to elsewhere in southern Africa.