luangwablondes

I was enquiring about a walking safari in NLNP with Remote Wildlife. Ramon passed on they have seen 3 wild dog and that they also see lions, buffalos and leopards daily. Very impressive. Ellies have made a regular appearance along the luangwa. From the NLNP camps reports, the wildlife is doing very well in the park.

cooncat2

That's good to hear, Robbie.

luangwablondes

Seems Remote Wildlife is now offering a 5 day portered walking safari in NLNP. If anyone indicates they are interested, I will post some details when I am updated.

cooncat2

Robbie - when are you going???

amolkarnik

luangwablondes - I'd be very keen. Please post more information. Who is Remote Wildlife?

nyama

Remote Wildlife operate in North Luangwa and currently run two camps (two additional camps are in the planning stage). Delia Camp is the first camp in NL that offers game drives on a regular base. Remote Wildlife also offer some very interesting walking safaris in NL.
www.infoafrica.net

luangwablondes

Cooncat
Never again in October.

The planned construction of Chimana Camp of Remote Wildlife, the furtherest North and upstream on the Luangwa is on hold indefinitely. I haven't any info yet on the 5 day walking safari.

amolkarnik

Many thanks.

luangwablondes/nyama - What are your opinions on visiting Luangwa Valley in late September/October? Is it too hot to visit? Is walking in that sort of heat a viable option?

I was planning a visit for 2008 and focussing only on Kutandala/Mwaleshi?
Has anyone here visited either of the Wemote Wildlife camps?

luangwablondes

I think that Sept is the best time for game viewing in Zambia and most parts of Zimbabwe. The temperatures are somewhat hot midday, but bush walks start in the early AM and late PM. Oct. from my experience, can be trying. It will be hot 24 hours. Especially in places with high humidity like along the Zambezi. If you are not used to this kind of heat, I suggest that this is not a good time to go. The game viewing is excellent. The absolute best time. Foliage is at the minimum levels so you have the best of unrestricted views.

Remote Wildlife is new to everyone. Just a very recent startup in NLNP. The question is not so much the quality of the camps in my mind, but because I have not been in the areas of the camps, I can't speak for the game viewing and the quality of guides. From what is said about the camps, they haven't taken any short cuts in anything they do. One of the principles of the operation has glowing reports of regular game sightings, but it would be nice if an independent source said the same. Truthfully, I think Delia Lodge maybe worth a look. A very large pride of lions close by, huge herds of buf seen from the lodge. And they do night and day game drives for those that don't want to do the bush walks everyday.

nyama

amolkarnik, how do you deal with the heat? I hadn't problems making walks in October, other people certainly have. I guess operators make shorter walks in October, or you're getting up and leaving camp earlier.

I made a daytime visit to Remote Wildlife's Delia Camp last September. You can find my impressions in the "New Lodges in North Luangwa?" thread, http://www.fodors.travel/forums/pgMe...4&tid=34979132.

GreenDrake

amolkarnik I have made 2 visits to Zambia. One in September and last year to the North Luangwa in early October.

I did not find major difference to me in the weather between Sept and Oct. I am not a fan of extremely hot weather, but I did fine. Yes it was hot but dry. I live in the Northeast part of the U.S. and we have very humid and hot summers and I found August in Boston to me more intolerable than my experience in October in the North Luangwa.

One thing on both trips that was very helpful was that I brought a very small battery operated fan (5 inches by 7 inches). I I placed by my beside to provide some coolness at night. By the middle of the night it would cool considerably and I would be reaching for covers. Walks were not a problem as we walked 5:30-6 to about 10 and beat the real heat.

Cold beer on my porch mid-day and watching elles and buffalo pass by the Mwaleshi and I was a happy camper.

amolkarnik

I intend to do a 1 week combination of Kafue and Luangwa valley in 2008. I understand that late September/October is the best time for Kafue. Is this correct? On this basis, it might have to be a combination of mid-September in Luangwa Valley and late September in Kafue.

nyama - with reference to your post in the link you provided, I hadnt realised that Kutandala is a luxury bushcamp. All information and pricing hint at it being in the same mould as a classic Luangwa Valley bushcamp - could you please elaborate?

In any case, I dont deal with hot weather very well. But I'm not demanding airconditioning in the bush either .

luangwablondes

Delia Lodge seems like a place to suffer a walking safari at.

http://tinyurl.com/2c3xfm

A game scout, tracker, guide and a porter(porters trained at luangwablondes bush walking school of course).

nyama

amolkarnik, Kutandala is a classic Luangwa Valley bushcamp. It's construction is simple and you're as near to nature as in any other classic bushcamp, such as Mwaleshi, Mwamba, or Chikoko Trails. I loved it looking at the stars at night, only separated from the wilderness by a 50 cm reed wall (I will never understand why most clients prefer to close the jalousie at night). What it makes more luxury than other classic bushcamps is that it's also a family home - the owners, Rod & Guz Tether, are living in camp, and Guz has lovingly decorated the chalets with small nature-based details and is also a trained chef who prepares wonderful meals.

nyama

amolkarnik, regarding Kafue. You're right with late September/October - with the exception of Busanga Plains. I would recommend mid-August to mid-September for that area. If water recedes the Plains become dusty very quickly. In October main parts of the Plains are more like a dust bowl.

amolkarnik

Thanks Nyama. Looks like it going to be a week in Kafue and a week in NLNP -Kutandala (4n) and Mwaleshi (3n) next year.

Time to go earn the money now .

GreenDrake

amolkarnik - I will volunteer to porter that trip!!!

A couple of things to think about when you book NLNP camps. Kutandala offers a price break when you book 5 nights or more. I would imagine Mwaleshi possibly may also match that.

Also if you contact Kutandala if you email Rod directly you will get a faster reply rather than using the general email with the "info@" prefix that is listed on the website.

Fred

amolkarnik

Thanks. Do you happen to have pricing details for 2008?

I am just a bit worried that 5 days at one location has the potential to seriously derail a trip in case any local variables (weather, fires, floods etc) come into play. A 3+4 split gives me a chance to take in 2 distinct areas and hedge my risks.

Its early days yet.

luangwablondes

amolkarnik

'A 3+4 split gives me a chance to take in 2 distinct areas and hedge my risks.'

Whatever gave you that idea? They are both on the Mwaleshi River about 20 kms apart.

nyama

...and they have daily radio contact to avoid running into each other during walks.