Wild Dog Week
South Luangwa National Park
7 nights at Nkwali Camp
Spend six days with the African Wild Dog Conservation project, learning about and viewing the wild dogs. With a wild dog specific activity each day, you won't leave disappointed!
The Luangwa Valley, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, is one of the last unspoilt wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. It covers an area of over 9000 sq. km. through which the meandering Luangwa River runs. The oxbow lagoons, woodland and plains of the valley host huge concentrations of game - including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, hippo - and over 400 species of birds.
Itinerary
Day 1 On arrival at Mfuwe International Airport a guide from Robin Pope Safaris will meet you. The drive to Nkwali Camp is 1 hour through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as bush. Nkwali Camp has a wide view of the Luangwa River. On Robin's private land, and overlooking the South Luangwa National Park, Nkwali is ideally situated for the start of your safari. The six rooms all look out over the river and have open air bathrooms. The first night of your stay, one of the full-time project staff from AWDC will give an introductory talk on the African wild dog and the African Wild Dog Conservation (AWDC) project. This will include wild dog natural history, their endangered status, key threats as well as the aims of AWDC and the current programs which are running. You'll also get a demonstration of our tracking equipment which will be used to find wild dog packs when they join you out in the field.
Nkwali Camp
Day 2 At dawn breakfast is served around the campfire. The porridge heated on the fire and toast cooked by the coals. The morning drive will leave soon after, entering the park by boat from the camp or by the nearby pontoon. The game in the area is excellent - and includes many family herds of elephants and the endemic species of giraffe, the Thornicroft Giraffe. A mid morning break of tea, coffee and cake will be taken by a scenic point on a lagoon or the Luangwa River. This morning you will be joined by AWDC for the game drive. Gain exclusive insights into African wild dog research as you track for dogs through the National Park - see their tracking equipment and techniques in action! They'll also explain about lion identification and prey counts which are used in their annual predator and prey surveys. You'll get to use these new skills in species identification and scientific technique as you drive around one of the most beautiful areas in Africa.
Return to camp for lunch around mid day. After lunch you can cool off in the swimming pool or siesta. Tea will be served in the afternoon and then off on an afternoon game drive that continues into the early night giving the chance to see the nocturnal world. Usually one returns to camp about 20.00 hrs with dinner generally at 20.30
Nkwali Camp
Day 3 Another day to enjoy the game viewing at Nkwali on walks or drives or you may wish to go on an all day picnic. Taking a scout with you, you will be able to enjoy a walk or explore further a field in the park. Lunch will be under a tree or next to a lagoon and you will then be able to take a siesta or simply spend a lazy couple of hours reading a book or watching the fascinating animals and landscape around you. Returning to camp when you are ready. In the evening you will be joined by AWDC for another talk about the dogs. This evenings lecture will focus on competition between lions, hyenas and African wild dogs, why AWDC researches these inter-predator competitions, and what it means for the survival of the wild dog. They'll also tell you all about exciting hot-off-the-press findings for Zambian wild dogs and other associated wildlife in the area from their research.
Nkwali Camp
Day 4 Chipembele Environmental Education Centre
Education, and in turn the reduction of human-wild dog conflict, is key to the survival of this endangered species. With a visit to the Chipembele Education Centre you'll learn all about wildlife conservation education in general as well as the education programs AWDC have in place for the African wild dog. There's both a fun children's school-based curriculum as well as adult targeted posters and both are integral to AWDC's conservation efforts. You will also be able to learn about other education programs run by Chipembele for different species running in the area too. After your return in the afternoon, you will be able to choose to go out on an evening game-drive, or just relax in camp watching the sunset over the river.
Nkwali Camp
Day 5-7 These last days are very flexible, AWDC will join you on either a morning or evening game drive to track the dogs. The rest of your days will be free to do activities with your Robin Pope Safaris guide. A walking safari, game drive, or boat cruise on the river. Whichever activities you choose, they are sure to be spectacular. Weather dependent, you will also have the chance to visit Kawaza Village, to experience a bit of the local culture. Please let your guide know if you are interested in going to the village.
Nkwali Camp
Day 8 After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Mfuwe Airport for your flight to Lusaka and your connecting flight.
