microlighting & canoe trips Zambia?
Jun 24th, 2005, 09:59 PM
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microlighting & canoe trips Zambia?
Hi I have been reading many posts, everyone has so much information. I am going to zambia in September, my first safari. I was thinking the microlighting looks fun, but unable to figure out if available near where I am staying. I know it is available near the falls, has anyone done this, I am more interested in trying this while on safari. 3nights Stanley River lodge
2 nights Kasaka River lodge
2 nights at bushcamp/or canoetrip
4 nights at Luangwa river lodge
Has anyone done the overnight canoe trips? or microlighting? what did you think? do you know if any are available near these areas, lastly does this itinerary look ok? thanks for any help
2 nights Kasaka River lodge
2 nights at bushcamp/or canoetrip
4 nights at Luangwa river lodge
Has anyone done the overnight canoe trips? or microlighting? what did you think? do you know if any are available near these areas, lastly does this itinerary look ok? thanks for any help
Jun 25th, 2005, 12:31 AM
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Sandyca
We were in Zambia (South Luangwa)in March of this year. One of the highlights for me was the microlight flight around the Luangwa River, looking at buffalo, elephant and kudu from the air - just awesome.
This microlight flight was on offer from the Tafika Camp, run by John and Carole Coppinger. This camp is somewhat remote (read my trip report) and getting to Tafika was arduous. I can say though that it was definitely worth the effort.
We also did several canoe trips (by day - night sounds scary!)which were also very exciting.
Hope this helps.
We were in Zambia (South Luangwa)in March of this year. One of the highlights for me was the microlight flight around the Luangwa River, looking at buffalo, elephant and kudu from the air - just awesome.
This microlight flight was on offer from the Tafika Camp, run by John and Carole Coppinger. This camp is somewhat remote (read my trip report) and getting to Tafika was arduous. I can say though that it was definitely worth the effort.
We also did several canoe trips (by day - night sounds scary!)which were also very exciting.
Hope this helps.
Jun 25th, 2005, 06:17 AM
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thanks Governor Phil, I had already read your trip report and thought it was great, that is why I decided it would be awesome to do. I was wondering if anyone knew of microlight flights from any other camps? I believe Tafika is booked since I am planning this so late. Thanks again
Jun 25th, 2005, 08:40 AM
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Sandy,
For your second stop, I think Chongwe River Camp would be an excellent option. Although it is not far from Kasaka River Lodge, it does seem to be in a slightly better wildlife area and I have read good things about it. Plus, it would reduce the amount of time you spent traveling.
I, myself, will spend 3 nights at Kasaka River Lodge, 3 nights at Chongwe River Camp, then move on to South Luangwa for 3 nights at Luangwa River Lodge and 3 nights at Puku Ridge.
Will you be there this September (2005)?
If so, which dates are you looking at?
I will start at Kasaka on the 1st of the month. It should be a very productive time this year as it is very dry which will increase the gameviewing.
I think you have chosen a wonderful itinerary. Feel free to e-mail me if you need any help with an agent recommendation. This is my 3rd Zambian safari in as many years and I have made some excellent contacts along the way that I would be willing to share.
For your second stop, I think Chongwe River Camp would be an excellent option. Although it is not far from Kasaka River Lodge, it does seem to be in a slightly better wildlife area and I have read good things about it. Plus, it would reduce the amount of time you spent traveling.
I, myself, will spend 3 nights at Kasaka River Lodge, 3 nights at Chongwe River Camp, then move on to South Luangwa for 3 nights at Luangwa River Lodge and 3 nights at Puku Ridge.
Will you be there this September (2005)?
If so, which dates are you looking at?
I will start at Kasaka on the 1st of the month. It should be a very productive time this year as it is very dry which will increase the gameviewing.
I think you have chosen a wonderful itinerary. Feel free to e-mail me if you need any help with an agent recommendation. This is my 3rd Zambian safari in as many years and I have made some excellent contacts along the way that I would be willing to share.
Jun 25th, 2005, 08:42 AM
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Sandy,
Regarding the microlighting, unless you are staying at Tafika, you will be unable to microlight in South Luangwa.
However, you WILL be able to microlight at Victoria Falls through a couple different operators, I believe. As spectacular as microlighting in South Luangwa would be with the wildlife, I cannot imagine anything more spectacular than microlighting over Victoria Falls!
Regarding the microlighting, unless you are staying at Tafika, you will be unable to microlight in South Luangwa.
However, you WILL be able to microlight at Victoria Falls through a couple different operators, I believe. As spectacular as microlighting in South Luangwa would be with the wildlife, I cannot imagine anything more spectacular than microlighting over Victoria Falls!
Jun 25th, 2005, 08:53 AM
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Thanks Rocco, I don't have the exact dates my agent is from bornfree Safaris she is based in LA she seems very knowlegable, we are also looking at arriving in early September, do you think 3 nights at stanley river lodge is too much? should we be staying 3 nights at chongwe or kasaka instead and 2 nights at stanley? Ive been reading many of your posts and switched from Botswana to Zambia because at such late notice I was unable to book in botswana, however my agent has been to both Bots & Zambia and Zambia is her favorite(more wild) according to her. I will update when I have dates. Thanks for all your info.
Jun 25th, 2005, 10:03 AM
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sandy,
I would advise you to limit Victoria Falls to 2 nights and then add a night at Kasaka River Lodge.
When you get pricing, feel free to e-mail me and I will let you know whether or not it is fair pricing or not. Unfortunately, not many agents will sell Zambia for rack rates but will instead further cushion their already built-in commissions.
I would advise you to limit Victoria Falls to 2 nights and then add a night at Kasaka River Lodge.
When you get pricing, feel free to e-mail me and I will let you know whether or not it is fair pricing or not. Unfortunately, not many agents will sell Zambia for rack rates but will instead further cushion their already built-in commissions.
Jun 27th, 2005, 09:50 AM
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Sandyca,
I highly recommend getting out on the Zambezi in a canoe.
About ten years ago I went on a four day canoe trip on the Zambian side. The landscape is just majical from the water. You have to be fairly adventurous as you'll be scared to death once they tell you the damage an angry hippo can do!
The game viewing was incredible and very different from the water we saw elephant, hippo, crocs, zebra and a variety of bucks and buffalo. The bird life was great and I'm not a twitcher!
We took the canoes down small inlets and on the main river where we rested on sand bars. We camped a couple of nights in pre existing modest tented camps and one night in more upmarket wooden framed chalets.
The canoing is easy, all downstream, though turning/navigating the canoe with your partner is stress inducing.
On another trip more recently I visited Sausage Tree and we went fishing on the Zambezi in a small boat. It's a great camp and I highly recommend it but the experience of several days out on the water is just very different...a little more basic and it gives you time to enjoy the silence of the river and to get into a rhythm with the water. When you are right down on the water for a couple of days you really take in the surroundings and notice things in a different way.
Hope that helps.
I highly recommend getting out on the Zambezi in a canoe.
About ten years ago I went on a four day canoe trip on the Zambian side. The landscape is just majical from the water. You have to be fairly adventurous as you'll be scared to death once they tell you the damage an angry hippo can do!
The game viewing was incredible and very different from the water we saw elephant, hippo, crocs, zebra and a variety of bucks and buffalo. The bird life was great and I'm not a twitcher!
We took the canoes down small inlets and on the main river where we rested on sand bars. We camped a couple of nights in pre existing modest tented camps and one night in more upmarket wooden framed chalets.
The canoing is easy, all downstream, though turning/navigating the canoe with your partner is stress inducing.
On another trip more recently I visited Sausage Tree and we went fishing on the Zambezi in a small boat. It's a great camp and I highly recommend it but the experience of several days out on the water is just very different...a little more basic and it gives you time to enjoy the silence of the river and to get into a rhythm with the water. When you are right down on the water for a couple of days you really take in the surroundings and notice things in a different way.
Hope that helps.
