Subtle Elegance in Zambia

Old Oct 14th, 2006, 09:33 AM
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Subtle Elegance in Zambia

Having travelled Southern Africa relatively extensively, impressing us is not easy. Personally I prefer the reality of earth to earth contact camping in the middle of the wild, while my partner has an eye for the finer things, not that either of us are averse to being spoilt rotten. Lungwa River Lodge, bordering on the Sounth Luangwa National Park combines all of these flawlessly. Your every whim is catered for but never in a manner that detracts from the African Wildness of this remote, unspoilt part of the world.

The travel may be a tad lengthy, but the staff at the lodge assisted with arrangements from flights, to visas to airport transfers – safari style. Whether it’s your first (perhaps only) visit to Southern Africa or whether you’re a local, we would recommend Luangwa River Lodge without hesitation.
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Old Oct 14th, 2006, 09:36 AM
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I agree Bushbunny! i've been there twice!
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Old Oct 14th, 2006, 10:24 AM
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Couple of questions please. Is driving off road permitted? Are night drives, i.e. sundowners then sriving to about 8pm, permitted?
regards - tom
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Old Oct 14th, 2006, 10:40 AM
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tom, on all our game drives in South Luangwa we stayed out until 8-8:30 then back to camp for dinner. at the lion kill, we stayed out until around 9:30 watching. i think the gate closes at 8:00 but at LRL they cross the river and don't use the gate, and at Puku Ridge they are inside the park anyway. Off roading is "not" permitted but you know how that goes, if it's a good sighting, off you go.
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Old Oct 14th, 2006, 11:32 AM
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It also helps that at Luangwa River Lodge that the lead guide, Victor, was a ZAWA scout for 15 years (Zambian Wildlife Authority, the same agency that runs the national park and operates the entrance/exit gates). Victor seemed to gain a very high position within ZAWA and is very highly respected by the ZAWA scouts.

Now Victor, in my opinion, is one of the very best guides in Zambia, if not all of Southern Africa. Chances are that if one stays at Luangwa River Lodge that they will end up with Victor as their guide, especially if requested beforehand.
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Old Oct 14th, 2006, 12:16 PM
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You agree, Bushbunny?
regards - tom
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Old Oct 14th, 2006, 12:56 PM
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Hope you don't mind my jumping in here, but Ruth and I just returned from LRL less than a week ago, so I can speak first hand re. the experience. I heartily second all the positive comments above Absolutely wonderful in every respect. And Victor is not only a great guide with the vast experience that Rocco referred to, he is a wonderful man in every respect. We stayed six nights, and never, ever were bored. Something new every day and night.

I've just starting my trip report on our most amazing journey to Zambia so it will be a bit before I get to our stay at LRL which was in the second week, but I touch on one of our night drives with Victor in the thread asking about rain in Botswana. We were caught in a thunderstorm on one of our night drives. Victor was concerned about us getting wet, but it just added more excitement to an already exciting night.

Luangwa River Lodge--wonderful place, wonderful people.
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Old Oct 28th, 2006, 08:58 AM
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Hi all,
Thanks for all the great replies, have unfortunately been keeping my head and am seriously behind on responses.

With references to the travelling after dark and off road driving: from memory I only recall seeing guided vehicles on the roads and no self drives so not sure you can do your own off-roading (if that was the question.) General conservation rules state that if you have had a positive sighting of one of the big 5 then a qualified guide/ranger may track the sighting off-road. The guided evening drives do start in the late afternoon and continue well after dark which gives you a great opportunity to see the wild coming to life at their most active time of day.

With reference to all the comments on the guides...mmmmm not so sure guys, we were fortunate enough to have both Victor and James as guides while we were down there. Victor is definately knowlegdable and great, but it was James who found me my leopard... He also has a vast knowledge of birdlife, flora, creepy crawlies and a wicked sense of humour... difficult choice... but I would go with my leopard man.

Let us know what you think once you've been there.
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Old Oct 28th, 2006, 09:39 AM
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Hi all,
Inspired by GreenDrake's posting, I created a online album for anyone who still has any doubts.

Enjoy memory lane with us.

http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mig...QsjuFBrNNxBNFX

Enjoy
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