One of Africa’s legendary safari
companies, Robin Pope Safaris
(RPS), has launched a six-night SHOEBILL SAFARI that comprises stays in RPS’
Nkwali Camp in the South Luangwa National Park, the Shoebill Camp in the remote
Bangweulu
Wetlands and at Wasa Camp in Kasanka National Park, famous for its annual
bat migration and known as
one of Zambia’s best birding destinations, inhabited by no fewer than 457
different species. Guests will be
under the wing of acclaimed safari guide Jacob
Shawa.
Rates
(based on a minimum of four and a maximum of six guests) start at US$4350 per
person, sharing, and include everything except Visa, airport departure taxes
and international flights.
Ornithologists rank the SHOEBILL as one
of the five most desirable birds in Africa. It can stand as high as five feet tall. Its bill is as big as a boot, and its
wingspan can reach eight feet. Ancient Egyptians
depicted it; ancient Arabs referred to it as abu markub, or one with
a shoe. Some scientists claim it is the “missing link” between storks and
pelicans. Stork or pelican, this
blue-gray “statue-like” bird resembles a creature from Alice in Wonderland (or possibly from The Black Lagoon).
But it’s not just their strange, alien
looks; it’s their voices, too. Shoebills
are known to moo like a cow; whine like a persistent kid at a candy store, and
clatter their bills during nesting season.
The sound of young birds begging for food is “uncannily like human
hiccups.” Loners, Shoebills typically
forage in muddy waters and spread out from each other (sometimes as far as 66 feet),
the way people unconsciously step apart in an elevator. To see these wonderful
creatures and many other exotic birds and wildlife species, book THE SHOEBILL
SAFARI with Robin Pope Safaris.
For
bookings or additional information: info@robinpopesafaris.net
or call +265 (0) 179 4491 / 5483.
Or visit: www.robinpopesafaris.net. Detailed
itinerary follows.
ROBIN POPE SAFARIS SHOEBILL SAFARI – DETAILED ITINERARY
Day
1 On arrival at Lusaka International Airport, you will be met by
a representative from Robin Pope, who will assist you with your luggage and
check-in for your flight to Mfuwe. Jacob will be waiting for you at the Mfuwe
airport, where he will drive you to Nkwali Camp. The drive to Nkwali Camp is
one hour through colorful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as
bush. Nkwali Camp has a wide view of the Luangwa River. On Robin Pope’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. Depending on your arrival time, you will
enjoy either a lunch looking out over the lagoon to the back of Nkwali, or
afternoon tea as well as afternoon and night game drives. Nkwali
Camp
Day
2 This is a full day to explore the Luangwa, on board a vehicle
or on foot. Nkwali
Camp
Day
3 After breakfast around the camp fire, you will be transferred
to Mfuwe Airport with Jacob for the 50 minutes
flight to Kasanka National Park. Depending on your flight, you may arrive in
time for lunch and then enjoy birding for the afternoon with Jacob along the
Luwombwa River. With luck, you may see African
finfoot, ross’ lourie, pel’s fishing owl and osprey. Returning to camp for
dinner and an early night. Alternatively, enjoy after-dinner drinks around the camp fire. Wasa
Camp
Day
4 Enjoy a day of birding and game watching in the hope of
seeing many mammal species, such as Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, sable antelope, reedbuck and the
rare blue monkey. Visit the sitatunga hide with its panoramic views over the Kapabi Swamp where you can
spot as many as 40 sitatunga feeding at one time. Wasa
Camp
Day
5 Transfer by plane to Bangweulu Swamps, arriving at Shoebill
Camp by boat from the airstrip. The search to track down the elusive Shoebill by boat and foot will start. Back to camp for lunch and out again after
tea to see the herds of antelope for which the area is famous. Dinner is simple
but adequate and then an early night. Shoebill
Camp
Day
6 A full day of birding and soaking up the surroundings.
Watch from the hide at dawn or dusk as thousands of waterfowl fly overhead. Shoebill Camp
Day
7 Today you will take a flight back to Lusaka for your onward
connection. END OF SAFARI
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