zambia: africa's best-kept secret

8/9/2019 Zambia: Africa's Best-Kept Secret

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ZAMBIAAFRICAS BEST KEPT SECRET


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DEAR ADVENTURERZambia! I am thrilled to announce our new Eco expedition to Africa and hope you will

join me for an unforgettable adventure in a truly extraordinary country. ere is a reason

Zambia is called Africas best kept secret and as we explore three national parks we will

discover an amazing diversity of ecosystems and witness the unimaginable numbers of

wildlife that thrive within their protective borders.

is country encompasses some of the least-explored wilderness areas on Earth, and we

divide our time between Kafue, the countrys oldest national park; its newest, Lower

Zambezi National Park; and its most legendary, South Luangwa National Park. Our dayswill be filled with unparalleled close-up wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities

as we travel in 4x4 vehicles by day and night, set out on walking safaris, and by small boats

along the Zambezi River. Of course, the classic safari elements complement our adventures:

luxury tented camps, dinners beneath a starry chandelier, and natures symphony to which

we fall asleep and wake-up each day.

Our Kafue explorations focus on the northern Busanga Plains whose red lechwe symbolize

the success that national park protection offers: just 50 years ago these graceful creatureswere near extinction, but their numbers have grown into the high thousands and can be

seen grazing in large herds. Attracting large concentrations of herbivores, the vast open

plains also provide exceptional viewing of the predators that hunt them.

South Luangwa, with its life-giving river, ox bow lakes, and dambos(flat wetland areas),

offers an impressive variety of terrain and intense concentrations of wildlife with no fewer

than 60 animal species and at least 400 species of birds. Te walking safari originated here

and well set out in search of two species found nowhere else on the planet: Cooksons

wildebeest and the graceful ornicrofts giraffe.

e mighty Zambezi River is the centerpiece of our time in the Lower Zambezi National

Park. During the height of the dry season well enjoy hippo-filled and crocodile-lined

rivers, vegetation-rich islands where birdlife is profuse, and the constant flow of elephants,

buffalo, and waterbuck quenching their thirst along the shore.

e scale and variety of Zambias resident avian species is, simply, awesome and during our

visit in mid to late October well also have the palearctic migrants from Northern Europe

and the intra-African migrants arriving in anticipation of the rainy season that begins in

November.

Please join me on this safari adventure in a land that few outsiders have visited, where true

wilderness still exists untouched, and where Africas wildlife wonders thrive.

Kindest regards,

Lex Hes

Expedition Leader

ELEPHANTS, KALAMU CAMP Wilderness Safari


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DAY 1

DEPART USADepart USA on your independent international

flight to Lusaka, Zambia.

DAY 2

LUSAKA, ZAMBIAArrive Lusaka and transfer to the Taj PamodziHotel, surrounded by lush gardens and situatedin the heart of the city. Welcome dinner and

overnight.

DAYS 3 6

LUSAKA / KAFUE NATIONAL PARKFly to Busanga airstrip, our gateway intoKafue, Zambias oldest and largest national

park. Untouched by human development, the

magnificent Busanga Plains are populated by

astounding quantities and diversity of wildlife

that move into the region as the dry season

progresses. Red lechwe, nearly extinct just 50

years ago, now graze the protected plains in the

thousands, as do puku, oribi, roan and sable

antelope, herds of tsessebe, hartebeest, zebra,

and buffalo. is incredible wealth of game

draws predators in large numbers, including

wild dogs, leopards, and cheetahs, which can

achieve their full speed on this flat landscape.

Lion on the hunt are often spottedsometimes

in prides numbering close to 20. Nocturnal

species include aardvark, genet, civet, hyena,

and the amazing greater and lesser bushbaby.With luck we may also witness the nocturnal

flight of the pennant-winged nightjar.

Birding on the plains is an exceptional

experience and Kafue boasts 490 avian species

including crowned and rare wattled cranes,

black storks, African finfoot, black-collared

eremomela, scaly-throated honeyguide, and

the endemic Chaplins barbet.We spend four days here with the group split

two nights each at Shumba and Kapinga

Camps, allowing for an in-depth exploration

of the wildlife-rich Busanga Plains that spread

across nearly 300 square miles of the northern-

most region of the park.

Shumba Camp Located in the heart of theBusanga Plains, Shumba Camp sits close to

permanent water and seasonal floodplains.

Raised platforms afford stupendous views

and wildlife watching opportunities. Hippos

in great numbers frequent the local waters

and bird activity is lively in the lush fig tree

branches that shelter the camp.

Kapinga Camp Designed and built inharmonious relationship with its environment,

Kapinga is situated in the northwest corner

of the Busanga Plains with sweeping views of

the land and the many species of antelope that

graze here. Herds of wildebeest, zebra, and

buffalo are commonly seen and birders will

thrill to the sighting of Bohms bee-eaters that

thrive in the shade of the camp.

At both camps enjoy multiple opportunities

to view and photograph both iconic and

lesser-known herd and predator species on

walking safaris, by open 4x4 vehicles, and

on night drives.

DAYS 7 9

KAFUE NATIONAL PARK /SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARKFly by charter aircraft to Kalamu in SouthLuangwa National Park for three extraordinary

days of exploration in one of Africas most

spectacular wildlife sanctuaries.

Fabled for its incredible wildlife that comprise

60 animal species, and its few human visitors,South Luangwa is also considered the best walk-

ing safari destination in all of Africa. During

our time here we have the chance to explorethe Luangwa River vegetation and adjacent

dambos, a series of area wetlands, on guidedwalks. Game viewing drives take us through

mopane woodland, open grassland, and along

river shores lined with giant crocodiles, and

to oxbow lakes where herds of elephant gather

and hippos jostle for space. Birders watch for

yellow-billed storks, tropical boubou, crested

cranes, scarlet-chested sunbirds, and Lillians

lovebird, to name but a few species found here.

South Luangwas leopard population is the

densest in Africa. ese magnificent cats seem

to pose for the camera as they laze among tree

branches or move stealthily through dense

underbrush. At night, their rasping sounds

can create a dramatic soundtrack. Other

predatorslions, wild dogs, spotted hyenaare easily viewed in this driest time of the year,

when water becomes a shrinking commodity

THORNICROFTS GIRAFFE

ZAMBIAAFRICAS BEST KEPT SECRET14 DAYS

MikeMyers


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and game is increasingly concentrated.

Cooksons wildebeest and ornicrofts

giraffethe worlds tallest animal at nearly

18-feetare found nowhere else on the

planet except in this corner of Africa.

Kalamu Lagoon Camp Built beneath

a canopy of ebony trees, this new camp

sits along a lagoon off the Luangwa River

in the remote southern section of the park.

A viewing platform offers spectacular views

of the intense numbers of wildlife attracted

to the lagoon shores.

DAYS 10 12SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK/LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

We fly by charter aircraft to Jeki airstrip in

Lower Zambezi National Park and spend

three days exploring the region around the

legendary Zambezi River.

Breathtaking wilderness is modest praise for

Lower Zambezi, which encompasses 1,580square miles of diverse ecosystems, including

rugged escarpment, 80 miles of riverfront,

and countless islands, lagoons, and acacia-

dotted floodplains. Lush vegetation provides

rich habitat for huge herds of elephants often

spotted drinking along the waters edge.

Buffalo and waterbuck feed along the grassy

banks of the Zambezi, and Africas iconic

predatorslion, leopard, and wild dogall thrive on the abundant prey.

Ride motorized boats or canoes past croco-

diles basking in the sun, down channels

teeming with hippos, and close to reed islands

where wildlife feed. A trip highlight could be

witnessing a group of elephants swimming

across the river. Birdlife here is astounding

as well, and we watch for Pels fishing owl,

majestic fish eagles, goliath heron, woolly-

necked storks, as well as lovebirds, hornbills,

and dazzling little bee-eaters.

Game drives give us excellent photographic

opportunities with antelope, buffalo, and

elephants filling the lens. Lions stalking

their prey are a frequent sight, and leopards

are particularly fond of the baboons and

vervet monkeys that thrive here. Walking

the floodplains and mopane forests is also

an option, as are night drives, which offerthe best chance to spot leopards.

Chiawa Camp An award-winning safari

camp, Chiawa sits beneath a grove of

evergreen mahogany trees overlooking the

confluence of the Zambezi and Chiawa

Rivers. After Lower Zambezi was established

as a national park in 1983, the Cumings

family built the camp and brought the veryfirst tourists to the park. It was also along

these local riverbanks that Calvinist mission-

ary David Livingstone traveled during his

exploration of southern Africa nearly 150

years ago.

DAY 13

LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK /

LUSAKATransfer to Jeki airstrip for our flight to

Lusaka and connect to your flight to the USA.

DAY 14

LUSAKA / USAArrive USA and connect with homeward flights.

Lusaka

ZAMBIA

KAFUE

NATIONAL PARK

SOUTH LUANGWA

NATIONAL PARK

LOWER ZAMBEZI

NATIONAL PARK

KalamuLagoonCamp

ChiawaCamp

ShumbaCamp

KapingaCamp

PUKU

HIPPOS

BOHMS BEE-EATER

MAP NOT TO SCALE Mike Myers

Mike Myers

Dana Allen


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WHAT TO EXPECTTravel between the camps will mostly be by small charter aircraft and road transfers are

in 4x4 game viewing vehicles, except within Kafue where we transfer to the camps by

helicopter. Wildlife viewing will be in open-sided 4x4 vehicles that offer excellent photo-

graphic opportunities, but the drives can be long and over bumpy surfaces. For most

activities, a relatively moderate level of exertion is required.

Most nights on safari are spent in deluxe tented accommodations, designed to the highest

standards, with hot and cold running water in the en suite bathroom area. All of the safari

camps are built to blend into the environment and have separate lounge and bar areas that

offer stunning vistas.

We will be in Zambia at the end of the dry season, when water sources have receded,

creating excellent game viewing as wildlife congregates around the available water. Expect

high temperatures (90F) during the day with cooler temperatures at night. We will mail a

complete list of recommended clothing and a suggested reading list to you approximatelyfive months prior to departure. ose travelers who possess a sense of humor, flexibility,

and a true spirit of adventure will remember their time here for many years.

LEX HES Lex, a natura list and wildlife photographer, was born and educatedin Johannesburg and has been involved in the world of wildlife for over 25 years.

Previously a guide at the world-famous Londolozi Game Reserve, Lex is now a popular

freelance nature guide who imparts his wealth of knowledge of Africas ecosystems in

an easygoing and friendly manner. He is an author and nature photographer with five

books to his creditthe highly acclaimed Leopards of Londolozi; a childrens book called

Bushschool;Attracting Birds to Your Garden in Southern Africa; e Complete Book ofSouthern African Mammals; and Wild South Africa, about the biomes of his native country.

In addition to time spent in the Mpumalanga Lowveld and guiding visitors around

South Africa, Lex has been involved with biological work on the sub-Antarctic islands

of Amsterdam and Marion and has led tours to Kenya, Botswana, Zambia, and Namibia.

MEET OUR LEADER

SHUMBA CAMP Mike Myers


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192 Nickerson Street #200 Seattle, WA 98109 USATel:206-285-4000 Toll-free: 1-800-628-8747Fax:206-285-5037 E-mail:[email protected] site:www.zeco.comGiving You the World

TERMS & CONDITIONS1. RESERVATIONS: 25% of the expedition fare, a longwith a completed and signed Reservation Form, will reservea place for you on this Zegrahm Holdings LLC, d/b/a

Eco-Expeditions (ECO), program. e balance of theexpedition fare is due 120 days prior to departure. Air fareis also due at this time. All prices are quoted in U.S. dollarsand must be paid in U.S. dollars. Credit cards accepted fordeposit only.

2. CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY:Notification of cancellation of this program and anyindependent travel arrangements must be received inwriting by ECO. At the time we receive your writtencancellation, the following penalties will apply: 120 or more days prior to departure: $500 per person 60 through 119 days prior to departure:

50% of expedition fare

59 days prior to departure through day of departure:100% of expedition fareSome air fare may be nonrefundable. Once an expeditionhas departed, there will be no refunds from ECO for anyunused portions of the trip. e above policy also appliesto all extensions and independent travel arrangementsmade in conjunction with this program.

3. TRIP CANCELLATION AND INTERRUPTIONINSURANCE: We strongly advise that all travelerspurchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance asprotection against an emergency that may force you tocancel or leave from an expedition while it is in progress.A brochure describing coverage will be sent to you uponreceipt of your reservation.

4. SHARE POLICY: Accommodations on all ECOprograms are based on double occupancy. If you are travel-ing alone and wish to share accommodations, a roommatewill be assigned to you whenever possible. When pairingroommates, we will always pair participants of the samesex. Al l shared accommodations are nonsmoking. Uponbooking you will be required to pay a Single Supplement,if we are able to pair you with a roommate the supplementwill be refunded. Please note that single accommodationsare limited and cannot be guaranteed throughout.

5. MEDICAL INFORMATION:Participation onan ECO program requires that you be in generally good

health. It is essential that persons with any medical prob-lems and related dietary restrictions make them known tous well before departure. We can counsel you on whetherthe expedition you have selected is appropriate for you.

e tour leader has the right to disqualify any participantat any time during the tour if he/she feels the participantis physically incapable and/or if a participants continuedparticipation will jeopardize either the individual involvedor the group. ere will be no refund given under thesecircumstances.

6. LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS:Luggage size andweight limitations for both checked and carry-on luggage,imposed by the airlines or as an operational requirement

due to type of aircraft, will apply for flights to/from/withinthis program. Specifications will be provided with pre-departure materials.

7. FUEL COST INCREASES AND CURRENCYFLUCTUATION: In order to keep rates as low as possible,we do not build into the trip fare an allowance to cover

possible increases from fuel costs or currency fluctuations.erefore, as fuel-cost increases may occur and currenciesdo fluctuate around the world, it may be necessary for us

to initiate a rate surcharge at any time before departureif there are exceptional cost increases beyond our control.

8. ITINERARY CHANGES & TRIP DELAY:Itineraries are based on information available at the timeof printing and are subject to change. ECO reserves theright to change a programs dates, staff, itineraries, oraccommodations as conditions warrant. If a trip must bedelayed, or the itinerary changed due to bad weather, roadconditions, transportation delays, airline schedules, govern-ment intervention, sickness, or any other contingency forwhich ECO or its agents cannot make provision, the costof delays or changes is not included.

9. ITINERARY CANCELLATION: ECO reserves the

right to cancel an itinerary before departure for any reasonwhatsoever, including too few participants or logistica lproblems such as strikes, wars, acts of God, or any othercircumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvis-able. All trip payments received will be promptly refunded,and this refund will be the limit of ECOs liability. ECOis not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip mem-bers in preparing for the trip, including nonrefundable orpenalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa orpassport fees, or other trip-related expenses.

10. PARTICIPATION: ECO reserves the right todecline to accept any individual as an expedition memberfor any reason whatsoever.

11. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILIT Y: is sectiondefines ECOs responsibility with respect to all of ourtrips, including extensions and independent arrangements.Please read it carefully.

ECO, its Owners, Agents, and Employees give notice thatthey act only as the agent for the owners, contractors, andsuppliers providing means of transportation and/or allother related travel services and assume no responsibilityhowsoever caused for injury, loss, or damage to person orproperty in connection with any service resulting directlyfrom: acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays, expensesarising from quarantine, strikes, thefts, pilferage, forcemajeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive

or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism,government restrictions or regulations, and discrepanciesor changes in transit or hotel services over which it has nocontrol. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be madewhere deemed advisable for the comfort and well-beingof the passengers.

As described in item 7 above, all prices are subject tochange.

As described in item 9 above, in the event that an expedi-tion must be cancelled, ECO is not responsible for anypersonal expenses incurred by trip members in preparingfor the program.

On advancement of deposit to ECO, the depositoracknowledges that he/she has read and understands theabove recited terms and conditions, and agrees to bebound by them.

California Seller of Travel Program Registration# 2031043-40

CAPE BUFFALO

Coverphoto:PeterH

arrison(leopard);CarminArnot(GreaterKuduandCapeBuffalo)DanaAllen(crowned

crane);MikeMyers(wilddog).

Mike Myers


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ZAMBIAAFRICAS BEST KEPT SECRET

EZAM1001-2

Giving You the World

I/We would like to join the following Eco-Expeditions program:

October 13 26, 2010 October 30 November 12, 2010

NAME #1(as it appears on passport)

(preferred name)

NAME #2(as it appears on passport)

(preferred name)

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP COUNTRY

PHONE(home) (offi ce)

FAX E-MAIL

ACCOMMODATIONS: Twin Share(roommate to be assigned) Single*

* Limited to one per departure.

I AM/WE ARE: Nonsmokers Smokers

DEPOSIT INFORMATION:

Enclosed is a deposit check for $ (25% per person of the program fare)

Charge the 25% per person deposit to: VISA MasterCard American Express

Card Number Expires

Authorized Cardholder Signature Date(Note: Credit cards accepted for deposits only)

I/We have read and understand the enclosed Terms & Conditions for this program, and

agree to abide by them.

SIGNATURE DATE

SIGNATURE DATE

Please complete and return this Reservation Form with your deposit to:

Reservation requests may also be made online at www.zeco.com.

Mike Myers


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OCTOBER 13 26, 2010 LEADER: LEX HES

OCTOBER 30 NOVEMBER 12, 2010

$13,980 per person, double occupancy $4,480 single supplement*

Limited to 15 expedition members.

INCLUDED: All accommodations and group meals; group transfers; guided excursionsas stated in the itinerary; entrance fees for parks, reserves, etc.; all gratuities; domestic air

transportation within Zambia.

NOT INCLUDED: Air transportation except as listed above; excess baggage charges;airport arrival and departure taxes; transfers for independent arrivals and departures;

passport and/or visa fees; travel insurance; items of a personal nature such as laundry,

bar charges, alcoholic beverages, e-mail/fax/telephone charges.

AIR FARE: A tentative flight schedule is available upon request. Eco-Expeditions willcontact you approximately 180 days prior to the departure of this program to finalize

your flight plans. As of September 2009, the approximate economy air fare as listed in

the itinerary is $1,775 for New York/Johannesburg/Lusaka/Johannesburg/New York.

Additional fares from other cities will be quoted as needed.

All rates are per person, quoted in U.S. dollars, and must be paid in U.S. dollars.

Rates and itineraries are subject to change.

* Limited to one single per departure.

DATES

RATES

ZAMBIA: AFRICAS BEST KEPT SECRET

DATES & RATES

REFER A FRIEND

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

COUNTRY

Send my friend the following brochures:

You qualify for our Refer and Reward program by providing this information.

Contact our offi ce for more details.

PUKU HERD Mike Myers

zambia: africa's best-kept secret

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