I do hope that you are wonderfully well and have had a fantastic weekend. Here in the Luangwa, there have been a few isolated thunderstorms, and the days have been lovely and warm but nights nice and cool, so it is absolutely perfect. As the river came up just in time for us to get our last few guests up to Nsefu Camp for the season we breathed a sigh of relief as it has been the first year in many that I have not seen the river bank to bank.
Diverting a little from our news from the Luangwa, I would like to share that our Photo Competition is back! So, if you are coming through to us this year, please do consider sharing your best safari moments from your adventures with us. We have even added a new Video Category, giving you more ways to participate.
The categories include Wildlife, Wild & Whimsical, On Safari, People and the new addition of Videos & Reels. Entries are open all year, and deadline for submissions is 31 December 2025. Find more details here.
So, it would then make absolute sense that we take you upriver with us for the last trip of the season… and… what a trip! As I just mentioned the river has been rather low this year and so the journey up hit a few minor snags (aka sand bars) but expertly navigated by Bertram they got to camp safe and sound and were welcomed by Daudi and the team with some cold drinks and a delicious lunch.
After a quick downtime it was time to get going again. Donning their walking boots they headed out for their afternoon walk and it wasn’t long before they bumped into a pack of 14 wild dogs. The dogs had just finished up a delicious impala dinner and full of energy were playing around and interacting completely unbothered by the team of eager onlookers (Watch a quick video Bertram managed to get: here).
As if the dogs were not enough, they then had the pleasure of sitting on the riverbank watching two really big bull elephants crossing the river one from our side and one from the other side – like they were doing an exchange of territory!!
The following morning jumping in the boat and heading a little further upstream to explore a different area they found it was a day of plains game with plenty of zebra, impala, puku and a decent size herd of wildebeest.
Whilst there have been no sightings of lions this trip, they have certainly been making their presence known and have been calling most nights from the croc river area. It has to be one of the most iconic sounds of the bush at night and not one that I could ever tire of.
And just like that, River Journeys is over and next week we will be looking at trying to drive up to the Kauluzi to get the road in and once we can get there putting up the bridge so that we can get to Tena Tena first and get a team in there and start preparing for the season ahead.
Meanwhile Sarel and the Luangwa River Camp team have been incredibly busy and are super excited about opening their doors for the season this weekend and we cannot wait to share their news as soon as it comes our way.
On that note, I shall bid you a very fond farewell. Have a fabulous week ahead with plenty of smiles and laughter and don’t forget to look after one another.
