Africa

ANIMALS IN ACTION
17-24 NOVEMBER 2007
$4430 per person dbl occupancy
  land only
 
In November 2007 THE BUSHCAMP COMPANY will be organizing an extraordinary, weeklong safari during one of the most exciting periods for wildlife activity in the South Luangwa National Park. For anyone who has a passion for African wildlife and would like to learn more on safari this is the ideal trip. With daily game-drives, night-drives, walking-safaris, guest lectures, slideshows, presentations and practical demonstrations - there will be something for everyone at this wildlife symposium
 
Special guest speakers and specialists for the week are:
 
JONATHAN & ANGELA SCOTT, KENYA. Wildlife TV presenters, photographers, artists and authors  
JONATHAN TRUSS, UK. Another TV personality, Jonathan is a renowned wildlife artist. His recent appearance on ITV1’s Holiday Showdown was described by producers as “the funniest show they’ve ever done”.   
PHIL BERRY, ZAMBIA. Having spent over 40 years working and living in the South Luangwa National Park, he was also a former Warden. A local legend, and a world authority on giraffe, Phil will lead daily outings in the Park and will talk on the “HISTORY OF THE SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK” and its many entertaining characters.
 
DEREK SOLOMON, ZAMBIA. A leading ornithologist and animal behaviour specialist, the Little Brown Jobs or difficult birds to   Derek will talk about “ANIMAL COMMUNICATION” and during his drives you will have the unique opportunity to listen to and learn about the SOUNDS OF THE LUANGWA made by many of the Luangwa’s mammals and birds through his specialised sound equipment.
 
MANDA CHISANGA, ZAMBIA. Ranking amongst the best local safari guides in Africa he is also an excellent wildlife artist, and specialist on traditional and medicinal plants. 
 
LAURA BARWICK, UK. She a much sought after wildlife picture researcher. Having worked for the BBC, Nature and Splashdown Picture Libraries, she now works as picture editor for various publications including the BBC’s new series EARTH.  .
 
OTHER SPECIALISTS INCLUDE:
Rachel McRobb, CEO of the South Luangwa Conservation Society; and James Milanzi, Ecologist, Zambia Wildlife Authority.
 
 
A WEEK YOU WILL NEVER FORGET
Each day at ANIMALS IN ACTION you will be able to take advantage of outstanding photographic opportunities on early morning and afternoon/evening drives with the special guest speakers. You will have the chance to meet local experts and personalities at bush breakfasts, lunchtime presentations, evening barbeques or sundowners on the banks of the river. Walking safaris will also be on offer, giving you the chance to see, hear, feel and smell Africa.
 
Additional highlights include:
“The Mango Trail”. Every November the Wild Mango Cordyla africana produces copious quantities of bright yellow fruit that the Valley’s elephants can’t resist. One massive specimen stands in the grounds of Mfuwe Lodge, and every day a matriarch, known affectionately as “Wonky Tusk” leads her family up the steps, through reception to the tree to feed on the day’s crop. In addition to the opportunity to obtain once-in-a-lifetime photographs, Katy Payne and Derek Solomon will be on hand to talk about the elephants and their behaviour.
 
“Elephant Watch”. Late each afternoon hundreds of elephants, lead by various matriarchs, follow a set route across the Luangwa River to go into the villages to raid the crops. You will have the opportunity to assist with a research project identifying matriarchs and other individuals crossing the river. Once again Katy Payne will be on one of the safari vehicles helping to identify important group members and discussing the many behaviors that you will see during this amazing spectacle.
 
“The Chilli Fence Project”. Unfortunately elephants are notorious crop raiders, and hundreds leave the National Park each night to venture into the local villages to feed on crops such as maize, millet and commercial mangoes. Recent trials in Zambia and other parts of Africa show that the use of hot chilli’s mixed with grease and old engine oil and smeared onto strings or ropes around a plot, effectively repel these animals. Join Rachel McRobb from the Conservation Society on a workshop at a nearby village and help them to erect the fence and smear the repellant.
 
“Art in the Bush”. Bring your paints and sketchbooks and join Jonathan Truss on outings in the bush to improve your techniques or simply learn about wildlife art in the field.
 
“Photo of the Week” competition. Submit your best digital photographs each day and obtain expert advice from the three professionals. Then enter one or more for the competition to be judged on the final day with the opportunity to win amazing prizes.
 
By early November all of the migrant birds will have arrived in the Valley boosting the total number of potential species to over 470. “Fishing Parties” formed of huge numbers of storks, herons and egrets feed avidly in the drying pools as fish become easy prey and enormous colonies of brightly coloured Carmine bee-eaters nest in the banks of the Luangwa River - a photographers dream come true.
 
At the gala dinner the local theatre group will present their play THE HORN OF SORROW - a superb presentation on the plight of the rhino in Africa.
 
In addition there will be outings into MFUWE VILLAGE to visit the Mfuwe Lodge sponsored CHIWAWATALA PRIMARY SCHOOL to meet its children and teachers. At TRIBAL TEXTILES - a community-based project – you will be able to see how the stunning hand-painted textiles are made. The SOUTH LUANGWA CONSERVATION SOCIETY is responsible for anti-poaching activities in the Park, here you will meet the scouts and will have the chance to discuss their work.

Cruises

Tours

More

Cruises

Tours

More

Cruises

Tours

 
Online Agency Travel Websites