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Zambia Group Trip Fall 2024
Zambia is a premier African safari destination renowned for its abundant and diverse wildlife, set within vast, pristine wilderness areas and rich river systems. Travelers to Zambia can expect an immersive experience in some of Africa’s last great wild landscapes, with relatively low tourist numbers ensuring intimate wildlife encounters.
Zambia’s extensive waterways make it a hotspot for large populations of African elephants, often seen bathing and feeding along riverbanks. Hippos gather in massive pods, particularly along the Luangwa River, where counts can reach 48 hippos per kilometer of river. Zambia hosts several endemic and rare species, including Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest, and three subspecies of lechwe antelope (black, Kafue, and red lechwe). Zambia is home to the Big Five-lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Lions are common in major parks like South Luangwa, often seen in prides, with unique behaviors such as tree-climbing lions. Leopards are especially notable here for their excellent viewing opportunities, particularly in South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks, which were key stops on this group trip.
Botswana
Botswana stands out as one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations, offering travelers a chance to experience vast, unspoiled wilderness and exceptional biodiversity. Its conservation-focused tourism model emphasizes low-impact, high-quality safaris, making for intimate and exclusive wildlife encounters. Key wildlife areas include:
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Okavango Delta: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Delta’s seasonal floodplains and channels support rich concentrations of wildlife, including elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and an array of antelope and bird species. Lions are prevalent, with occasional sightings of painted dogs, cheetahs and leopards. Safari activities include traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions and guided walks.
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Moremi Game Reserve: Located in the eastern Okavango Delta, Moremi is renowned for its high wildlife density, including regular sightings of predators and diverse birdlife.
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Chobe National Park: Famous for its massive elephant herds and river-based game viewing, Chobe also offers excellent sightings of buffalo, lions, and aquatic species along the Chobe River..
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Central Kalahari Game Reserve: This vast desert reserve is home to unique, arid-adapted wildlife such as gemsbok, springbok, and the elusive Kalahari lion.
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Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans: These salt pans host dramatic zebra and wildebeest migrations, as well as seasonal flamingo gatherings and rare species like meerkats and aardvarks.
Rwanda & Uganda
Gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey trekking
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda offers one of Africa’s most profound wildlife experiences: the chance to observe endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is home to twelve habituated gorilla families. Treks traverse bamboo forests and volcanic slopes at altitudes between 8,000 and13,000 feet. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to nearly half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Treks can be from 2 to 6 hours, depending upon how long it takes to locate a family. Once the gorilla family is located, you spend a magical hour observing their behavior-feeding, grooming, playing, and interacting-while maintaining. You cannot approach them closer than 25 feet, but they may approach, touch, or otherwise interact with you. to observe endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Both countries are global leaders in gorilla conservation and provide well-regulated, sustainable trekking opportunities that directly benefit local communities and wildlife protection efforts.
Chimpanszee's are more aggressive and thus your approach distances are a bit further. While golden monkey are shyer and mostly stay int the trees. Kibale Forest National Park in south western Uganda is a leading destination for chimpanzee trekking and habituation experiences with about 1500 chimpanzees,120 of which are habituated to human interaction. Kibale has 13 species of primates that may also be found during the tracking, ;including: black & white Colobus, grey cheeked Mangabey, red tailed monkey, olive baboons, blue monkeys, demidoff galagos (bush babies) and vervet monkeys.