Some more pics from South Luangwa Park ZAMBIA

Couldn't help myself! So many pictures taken I've just got a few more that I'd really like to share. On my last game drive I was the only person in a vehicle (two new groups and staff recommended I take my own to avoid all the intro stuff again) which meant I had a ball with JJ, the guide who I'd had all week, and his spotter Adam. We stumbled across a Leopard in the first 30minutes then watched her before she tried to grab an impala but missed! This all happened just on the other side of scrub so didnt see it but heard it and it was really exciting stuff. Also saw a couple of mating pairs of lions... this park is amazing and I will be back.
Stuck in Lusaka now for a few days before going home.. not much to report here as it is very average and I'm just trying to kill time. However I did just discover that the Sunday Markets at Arcades are probably the best I've seen in Zambia. Pity I'd already got most of my curios!
Enjoy the Pics.

South Luangwa National Park ZAMBIA

Far OUT!! I must admit, I did do lots of research before coming here because I wanted the best. I felt Kruger was a massive let down and when you travel this far - it’d be nice to see more that 2 Lions at a distance...
For a start, another thumbs up to Bradt for their review on Flat Dogs for accommodation. This place is incredible and the staff are more accommodating than I’ve experienced anywhere - A great place for all kinds of travellers. The only thing Bradt got wrong was saying that they over load their safari vehicles on game drives. I’ve been on all but one drive so far and they are never full. Even other visitors here agree and have said that if there are lots of people, they take more cars. So you’re getting a good seat which you’ll want... because the game viewing here is like nothing I ever imagined. So Flat Dogs is definitely the pick for travellers on a budget but expect to feel spoilt by the staff, wildlife and the menu. Even more so if you have spoilt yourself like me by spending a few days in the Tree House – WOW! I’m typing here right now with giraffes sitting all around me, elephants walking by and the Hippo coming into graze at night... did someone say I have to go home soon?!!
Another myth I’ve cracked is that the morning drives are a bit boring because you won’t see the big cats –Lions and the cat this park is famous for, Leopard. The staff told me to make up my own mind and I am so glad I followed their advice. On my first morning game drive my guide heard something... I had no clue what he was on about but soon enough we were sitting amongst a pride of 15 Lions having buffalo for brekki! Wow... it was them arguing he could hear, and I could feel, once we sat there watching them for a good hour. One even was trying to get scraps from under the car... crikey! So that was awesome. This morning I saw a few Leopard as well so both morning and evening drives are well worth it. The guides know the park extremely well and are walking encyclopaedias on African Wildlife – so it all just adds to the great safari experience offered by Flat Dogs.
This following night was my first night drive and at first we saw a Leopard just sitting. A few more cars arrived, impala gave the stress call and a kill happened right before us, unbelievable! Apparently you are only lucky enough to witness an actual kill about 8-12 times a year so I know I’m lucky, but still, I have seen leopard on every drive following this one as well.
It is quite far to travel to this park but Proflight offer daily flights and you can also get a bus from Lusaka, if you have the time (or to save money). I do believe it is worth it (I will be back!) and every person I speak to say the same. If I had time I’d also mention all the Elephant, Hippos and abundant amount of other wildlife in this park but I’d have to write a book! This has truly been an incredible way to spend my last week in Zambia and although it is so different to where I’ve been living for the last month, it is great to see Zambia on show at its best.
Well I think that’s it for my blogging about Africa – I will do my best to upload the best of many many photographs I have taken! I may still blog about my journeys through central Australia for my overseas friends that I have met but for now, that is all!
If only Australia did better in the World Cup this trip would have been even more memorable! Joking.. Well sort of... I have so many memories and this is by far, the best trip I have even done in my life and I am not sure when I will come to truly realise it. If you have a calling or need come to Africa or anywhere to do what I’ve done, something, anything... do it. You only live once.

Victoria Falls

Thank you all for your kind messages of support for the project, my time here and interest in Africa generally. I am still in Zambia so thought a few words about my travels may help those keen readers who may be considering coming here for either volunteer work or travel.
I have done a tour before in Africa but really, I only actually FELT the true Africa this time. I have been travelling on public bus alone, using the same taxi’s as any local and walking the streets of villages, Livingstone and Lusaka. Of course you need to have your wits about you - ie. dont carry valuables and blend in... I do feral pretty well so wasn’t hard for me! Of course there are some parts of Lusaka that are best left alone, so don’t go there, but for the most part I have had no dramas what-so-ever. Not sure what happened at the Lusaka bus depot when a bloke was bleeding from the mouth going off but not my business – had just negotiated a good cab fair with some guy so was happy that he was looking after me.
The way to get around is by taxi. If you find a driver who speaks good English and negotiates a good rate, stick with him. They want your business so generally wont let you down if you are giving them work. My driver was fantastic and never missed a minute to pick me up as I asked. I stayed at Marumba Lodge which was incredible, but, perhaps not ideal for the lone traveller like me as it was very quiet on the social scene with mainly family guests. I’ve heard many happy people brag about a backpackers, Jollyboys, so would go there next time.
My research prior to coming here pretty well relied on Bradt, trip advisor and experiences from friends that are living here. I give Bradt a big thumbs up – for the first thing it got me out of bed nice and early to see the sun rise over Victoria Falls! Ok, there was no one else there for about 20 minutes, including the staff, but this is Africa time so I just got a bit of a laugh out of it. They did however arrive in time for me to get into the park with plenty of time to see the sunrise over the falls – definitely worth while and I hope my pictures can explain why... amazing. Lots and lots of mist but the cameras are OK under the rain jackets they provide.
The Falls are massive and you can’t see them from the ground as such, just the other side of the cliff that the falls is broken away from. Zambia has a tiny part of them and you need to cross the border to Zimbabwe to see the rest – not sure if worth it or not. I walked all the park on the Zambia side which was incredible enough and took a good hour and a half – another hour would have been nice to really stop and smell the mist but had a helicopter to catch...
Apart from the rude English lady who almost refused to get on the helicopter because she didn’t get a window seat the heli ride was amazing (Her husband got front seat and she was complaining! First in best dressed.) A very quick trip, but they loop around the falls a few times from either side. My pictures should explain it all anyway.
So in a big nutshell – thats Vic Falls! I could go on about Livingstone and how I almost died in my white water rafting experience but I wont now, if you want to know ask!