New bridge in Kalabo crossing into Liuwa Plains NP

[jorgjean]

It‘s open. Tarmac continues for about 1.5 km. Thereafter 30 Min drive to Reception.

[alannymarce]

Part of me thinks - great news! Better access.

The other part of me thinks - How sad, another element of the adventure lost...

[apfac]

Part of me thinks - great news! Better access.

The other part of me thinks - How sad, another element of the adventure lost...

Agree 100%. But, conservation comes with a cost!

[Tony Weaver]

That's bad news.

[Kalahari Safari]

There were times when it was a true adventure to reach Kalabo as one and then cross over into Liuwa.

Now with easy access we can expect a lot more traffic and the consequences of more tourism in a environment that struggles to keep up and with only basic infrastructure.

How long until we see prime lodges being built and the normal degrading of a sensible eco system being compromised.

I cry for you Liuwa

[tripodontour]

That's bad news.

I don't quite understand why?
Was it bad when the sekheke bridge was built, was it that bad when the Sioma bridge was built, was it bad when the tar road from Kazangula to sesheke was buillt, was it better to go through the 10 different roads to Senanga all led to no where but mud and a broken pontoon crossing?
As a traveler then yes it is much less of an adventure, but for the local business people it is a god send.
In my humble opion the worse road is from the old ferry point to the AP office and that is due to heavy vehicles they had coming in with building materials, after the head quarters it is almost 2whd through the park

[Tony Weaver]

I don't quite understand why?

To quote Joni Mitchell, "they paved paradise, and put up a parking lot"...
Why do you think the Chinese government put up the billions in infrastructure aid putting tar roads, bridges etc linking Katima Mulilo with Sesheke with Mongu across the Barotse flood plains to Kalabo and Liuwa?
It wasn't because this would make a few unadventurous, high end tourists happy that they could get to Liuwa in air-conditioned comfort.
And it's not because they are happy philanthropists, it's because of future exploration and exploitation of oil, rare earth minerals, timber and copper - Walvis Bay is the end destination port.
We can kiss that once-wonderful, remote, unspoilt corner of wild Africa goodbye. I am very grateful I saw it when it was still relatively pristine.

[lekhubu943]

My view is that easy access attracks the wrong type of traveller or people with the wrong reason to be there. Yes perhaps a gross generalization. But I think it might be trend that history is starting to show us.

Zambia has such a more remote and unspoiled feeling than Botswana. Luiwa is still on my bucket list. I really hope it remains untarnished by people just wanting to say they have been there and do not care about what they leave behind. And with leaving behind something, I include a digital legacy.

[jorgjean]

Yes, access is faster and easier. But conditions in the park are still harsh with deep sand, relatively basic overnighting conditions and harsh climatic condition. Not for SUVs and trailers you need proper 4x4 gear.

Not for the normal tourist still more for the adventurer. The normal tourist and tour organiser will still continue go to the top spots and not venture out to Liuwa Plains.

[jorgjean]

The new bridge in the Barotse floodplains.

This looks impressive. At the same time i wonder if it was necessary to have a project of such magnitude in that area when most of the important roads in Sambia are in dire needs of upgrading. Is there a business case for this project?

[jorgjean]

There were times when it was a true adventure to reach Kalabo as one and then cross over into Liuwa.

Now with easy access we can expect a lot more traffic and the consequences of more tourism in a environment that struggles to keep up and with only basic infrastructure.

How long until we see prime lodges being built and the normal degrading of a sensible eco system being compromised.

I cry for you Liuwa

i will assume that prime tourists for prime lodges are not using road access but will fly in and out.

[ortelius]

That Brotse Floodplains bridge is not new, it has been in use for about 10 years now. The Kalabo one is indeed new.

[Tony Weaver]

Is there a business case for this project?

See my post #7 above.

[jorgjean]

[QUOTE=Tony Weaver;5293332]See my post #7 above.[/QUOTE

hmm. As a general statement ok, but in this particular case hard to imagine.How do you want to transport raw materials from there to Walvis Bay, if there is. Please elaborate.