#Zambia Tourism News – by #KafuntaSafaris

(Posted 31st August 2023)

Dear All!

Hi there! I know you’ve been staring at your inbox, desperately waiting for our next newsletter or thinking it may have gotten lost in the vast expense of the digital universe. Fear not, it’s finally here.

But time is flying, or rather sprinting through the bush like a frantic guinea fowl! Let’s not waste any more and dive straight into the latest stories from the past few weeks.

Did you follow us on social media during the month of July for our 25th-anniversary celebrations? I hope so! There were plenty of neat posts, stories and videos to enjoy, and in return, we received so much love through countless greetings and comments from around the world. Sheer warmth and very touching. Thank you!

Ron & Anke have been really busy at Kafunta working on the Sunset House, but earlier in July, they took a few days off, flying over to Budapest to meet up with Luke & Tara, who are still enjoying their gap year through Europe. Luke & Tara are now making their way to Africa and will soon be at Kafunta for a visit.

The Sunset House: New Photos

So yes Ron & Anke have been – very – busy with the Sunset House. It’s coming along nicely! I’m sure you can tell by these new photos (did you see one at the very top of the newsletter?).

We’re in the final stages of the construction and working on the interior fittings. We had a photo shoot scheduled last week with photographers Michael & Caroline Randall, so we sprinkled a touch of magic to stage the scene and make it look stunning despite the work in progress. It is giving us a very good feel of what it will be like once completed, we plan to open in October. Stay tuned for the professional photos, which will be revealed soon.

Read our blog on the Sunset House

By the way… why do you think we’re calling it The Sunset House?

Obvious!

Phenomenal Sightings

Now, let’s talk about what our guests have seen over the past two months. It’s been in-cre-di-ble!

From Kafunta River Lodge, we’ve had frequent sightings of wild dogs, including a small pack denning near the lodge (yes pups!). And quite a lot of lion activity around, too.

In the photo below, you can even see the lodge in the background!

At Island and Three Rivers camps, leopards and giraffes have ruled the show, with one family of giraffes (it’s called a tower or a journey of giraffes) amounting to 17 individuals!

I’ve received stunning photos from our guests, but also a lot of videos, so for a change, I’m sharing these for you to enjoy.

Birth of a Zebra

Check out this video showcasing the first steps of a newborn zebra, witnessed by our guide, John, and his guests. Don’t worry, it’s not long, it’s a condensed version of the first 10 minutes of the zebra’s life.

Hold your breath

And it’s again John who filmed this captivating scene, wondering what made this lion so curious, while the guests were holding their breath! In the background you can see, and hear, the impalas alarm calling.

Leopard caught an aardvark

It’s rare enough to see aardvarks in the wild, but to see one sadly caught as prey by a leopard is quite extraordinary! This video was filmed by our guest Petra Jendges-Jansen while on safari with Solomon.

Not one but TWO leopards feeding

Our same guest Petra also stayed at Island Bush Camp and, while being guided by Martin saw another amazing sighting of leopards. This time, it was a mating pair (rare enough!) whose kill had been stolen by crocodiles, but as the vehicle approached, the crocs moved off, and the leopards got their meal back, taking it up to a nearby tree to feed. Great footage!

Stalemate: Lion vs Buffalo

I’ll end this series of videos with this incredible fight between a solo male lion and an old solitary buffalo. We know these don’t usually end well. It started poorly for the buffalo, but didn’t quite look good for the lion either! However, the showdown concluded with a draw (this time) as both managed to walk away before enduring significant injuries.

SENSITIVE READERS – ATTENTION VIOLENT SCENE

Videos by Alan Dixon. Still photos by Alan Dixon and Bruno Waegli.

Whoa… talk about adrenaline overload!

I have more videos and photos to unleash, but let’s give our nerves a breather before the next round. I’ll keep them for next month’s newsletter!

Community & Conservation News

Let’s chill now by looking at the latest updates from the community and conservation programs we’re supporting. Hopefully, you can support them too.

Project Luangwa: New JK Centre of Excellence & Sports

Project Luangwa has started raising funds for this ambitious project of providing Mfuwe with a vast sports facility as well as a learning centre for its Foundation Programme.

The sports area will be designed for multiple sports, it will include several fields, changing rooms, ablutions and seating for spectators.

The Foundation initiative is dedicated to helping secondary school students and recent graduates get ready for what comes next in their lives: stepping into the world of adults, including city life and the more modern world out there. Did you know that some young people in our rural areas have never taken a bus or visited a city like Lusaka?

If you or your business are interested in making a philanthropic impact, this project presents a wonderful opportunity to support and contribute to a meaningful cause. If you have questions about this project, please get in touch with Ian Macallan at Project Luangwa. Or click on the button below for a direct donation.

Donate to the Centre of Excellence

So many anniversaries this year!

CSL – Celebrating 20 years

Conservation South Luangwa is turning 20 this year!

Why not offer them an anniversary gift? $20 would provide a first-aid kit to a wildlife ranger for his/her anti-poaching patrol, while $200 would help de-snare an elephant with immobilisation drugs and emergency equipment.

Follow CSL on their social media pages as they will soon launch an anniversary online auction with exciting prizes (including a stay at Kafunta!).

Donate To CLS

CWET – Celebrating 25 years

And Chipembele Wildife Education Trust is turning 25!

At the heart of CWET’s mission lies the goal of educating youth about conservation, generating Zambia’s future conservation leaders. But additional funding is necessary.

For its 25th anniversary, CWET is actively raising funds to secure the functioning of 40 Conservation Clubs. They’re just a whisker away from their target! Your donation could make a lasting impact.

Donate to CWET

And that’s a wrap for this month’s newsletter. From zebras’ first steps, feeding leopards, inquisitive lions and big fights to crucial community and conservation initiatives, we’ve covered a lot.

I’m curious about your thoughts and would love to hear from you! Share your feedback about this newsletter, and remember that I’m always on the lookout for more photos and videos, too!

If this talk about safaris has your heart racing, remember that we’re also here to help you plan your next adventure.