Hello there. I hope that you are fabulously well. Here in the luscious green Luangwa the animals are looking happy and have a definite spring in their steps and this morning we woke up to water in the river. It’s by no means full but it all of a sudden over night came up and is once again flowing. However, even though I love to chat about the weather I shall instead give you a full update of our annual Carnivore Week at Nkwali Camp. Chizzy, the guide leading it this year, teamed up with a researcher from the Zambia Carnivore Programme (ZCP), resulting in an unforgettable week full of incredible wildlife encounters and enriching experiences that deepened everyone’s understanding of the carnivores of the South Luangwa.
This was Chizzy’s first time leading Carnivore Week, and he did an excellent job. Aside from sharing his own knowledge of the wild with his guests, he also got to learn a great deal more from the ZCP Research Team who accompanied them of the game activities. The Research Team gave incredible insights into everything from the behaviour of the carnivores of the Luangwa, our impact on them and the amazing conservation work going on to protect them.
The group was very fortunate with big cat sightings. During the week, they observed lions from three different prides—the Luwi, Nkwali, and Mfuwe prides. Each pride showcased its unique behaviour, providing exciting moments in the wild.
They also spotted a well-known leopard named Lucy with her cubs. One particularly thrilling moment was seeing Lucy with a baby warthog kill, a rare and fascinating sight.
Hyenas made an appearance too, with four individuals being spotted during the week. The highlight for many, however, was the sighting of wild dogs, which are notoriously elusive and a special treat for any safari. The wild dog population has flourished over the years as a direct result of the conservation efforts on the ground so much so that South Luangwa has become a top destination to see wild dog as it has the highest population in all of Zambia.
Beyond the carnivores, the group encountered plenty of other wildlife. Big game such as elephants, buffaloes, and giraffes were frequently seen, along with an abundance of plains game. A particular joy for many guests was seeing baby impalas and baby warthogs—adorable moments that added an extra layer of delight to the experience.
One of the standout highlights was spotting the African Pitta, a rare and colorful bird that thrilled everyone, including Chizzy himself. For bird enthusiasts, this was an exceptional moment and a significant addition to the week’s sightings.
Carnivore Week wasn’t just about wildlife. The Zambia Carnivore Programme also organized a local football match, which were a fantastic opportunity for guests and locals to come together and have fun. The ZCP Team realize the value of educating and involving the local communities in their work and their collaboration with the local community is the reason their conservation work has gone from strength to strength.
The Zambia Carnivore Programme continues to do vital work in South Luangwa, and having their research team based at Nkwali Camp allows for our annual Carnivore Week to be both an informative and enjoyable experience. Their efforts in wildlife conservation are making a meaningful difference, and our guests were able to witness the impact firsthand.
And in some rather exciting news, Kanga Banda, was flown to Lusaka with his wife over the weekend as he was awarded Best Safari Guide in Zambia by the Zambian Tourism Agency at the prestigious Tourism Excellence Awards this Saturday. We are super proud of him as this is a huge achievement – congratulations Kanga!
Wow! what a wonderful week it was for everyone.
In other news, to be honest it’s just all go in the kitchen as the team start preparing what they can for the festive season, and I start making sure that we get Christmas crackers and turkeys here on time. So, as we get ready for the festivities in a few weeks’ time I am sure that everyone at home is doing the same. I shall therefore leave you to it and hope that you have a wonderful week with plenty of smiles and laughter and don’t forget to look after one another.
