*What destination was your personal highlight?
Busanga Plains, for it’s isolation, numbers and variety of game and excellent birding.
Unfortunately out of bounds for self drivers, but definately, you awakened my appetite. Mine as well... :-)
For me it was the wildebeast migration which we hit full blast visitng Liuwa Plains by mid October.
Hard to say, maybe South Luangwa and around. We loved much Kundalila Falls as well, but not for an overnight.
*Which activity(s) here contributed the most to your enjoyment?
The expert guiding on the game drives.
The efforts by the operator in Liuwa to please the visitors, fire were lightened, firewood provided for free and the shower facilities prepared individually, great effort.
The day spent at Kawasa eco village near Mfuwe. People there are incredibly kind and one can learn so much...
*At which destination(s) would you have liked to have stayed longer and why?
Definitely McBrides. One walk with Chris, none with Charlotte and only one boat drift was not enough- two extra days.
Mushingashi- one extra day.
Liuwa Plains- two extra days spent further north perhaps three weeks later would have been great.
Mc Brides for sure, but also Mayukuyuku and the northern part of Kafue in particular.
Can agree as the migration was showing progress, the new calves were born at astonishing rates.
We visited the same location twice within 2 days (water hole in central part of Liuwa) and the presence of young ones really "exploded" in just a day.
Kafue NP
I would have liked to have time to visit McBrides and northern Kafue
*If pushed for time, which destination(s) would be cut or reduced and why?
Southern Kafue, to allow more time for the above. Certainly if I go again I would skip most of this. The animals and birds were just not enough.
Southern part of Kafue was a disappointment, very scattered highlights.
Positive in this part: Wildlife around southern tip of IT dam
Nanzhila camp set-up
Lowlights: Activities compromised by Tsetses, little wildlife spotting and over rated Hippo Bay camp site (in effect it does not even exist anymore but you camp improvised at Konkamoyo)
Mutinondo Wilderness? A beautiful spot, but not much to do and no game. Maybe disappointed because of the weather and I was expecting too much?
*With no time limits what would you most have liked to add to your trip?
Definitely would still add Kasanka for the bats, sitatunga, the isolation and the environmental variety. Would love to tag Shoebill Island onto this.
To traverse North and South Luangwa as well would be great.
Limiting myself to the western part of Zambia I would like to traverse Northern Kafue from Kabenga gate to Moshi - Lufupa - and Hook bridge (min 3 days).
Shiwa Ngandu, Kapishiya and the Luangwa Valley between NLNP and SLNP
*Which was the best campsite?
Pontoon campsite Kasanka. McBrides right up there.
Mayukuyuku and Sikale (Northern Liuwa)
Hard to say... Kaingu? Pontoon at Kasanka?
*Which was the best non-camping option?
Busanga Plains Camp.
Water view lodge in Zambezi (overlooking the Floodplains from 50 meters above)
Understand: this is a town overnight option, self catering with garden access.
Ignore the nightly power cuts to the town for reasons unknown.
Didn't try much. No opinion.
*Which route was the most interesting or challenging?
The road and ferries into Liuwa.
The 5 ferry route from Sitoti - Lealui - Kalabo - Lukulu - Watopa
Leopard road between Lusaka and Lower Zambezi
*Which route was the most boring or disappointing?
The southern Spinal Route.
Access roads to Southern Kafue (Kalomo), then Mwumba to Mc Brides both for reasons of deterioration.
The spinal road which does not yield any viewings or vistas.
All tar roads!
*What was your most exciting sighting?
The serval at Busanga. All the sitatunga at Kasanka were also special. In context the wild dogs next to the Nata-Kasani road.
Spotted Hyenas bathing in Liuwa, migration of the Wildebeest and Zebras
Bats at Kasanka. All these hippos in the Luangwa river.
*Best positive feature(s) of Zambia as a self-drive destination?
All the water, especially the rivers. The hospitality and friendliness. Same for me!
The variety of landscapes, omni presence of water, the vistas from elevations and the hospitality of the Zambians in general.
Maybe a bit biased coming from a desert like country with people with an attitude.
*Most negative Zambian feature(s)?
The black market fuel at Mombwa and the money changers at the borders. The attitude at Konkamoya.
The currency restrictions and broken ATM's outside main towns, the fact you have to pay fuel in cash and the rip-off of crafty "helpers" on ferries and with fuel supply.
The corrupted cops in Lusaka.
*Choose your single favourite photograph(s).
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