VentureCo - travel, ethics, purpose

Day 1. 28 July 2012. Getting there.
The flight from Heathrow departs in the evening, has a touch-down in Nairobi (Kenya) and arrives in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia the next morning.

Day 2. 29 July 2012. Lusaka To Siavonga
Welcome to Africa! We collect you at the airport and introduce you to the expedition truck – she’s quite a beast! Our first task is to top up with any special snacks and drinks that you may like for the next few days, because once we’re in the bush, there are no shops.

Our expedition sets out in a southerly direction along a good tar road, heading for the eastern end of Lake Kariba., We descend into the Zambezi valley and drop more than 500 m to Eagles Rest camp  which overlooks the lake, near the village called Siavonga.

When everyone is settled in we’ll run through the “Rules of The Road” to ensure that everyone (big people and little people!) knows how to behave in wilderness areas when big game is all around; it’s all common sense, but it’s good to go through it just to make sure we complete the expedition with the same number of people that we start with!
[Meals L & D]

Day 3. 30 July 2012. Siavonga to The Moorings
After breakfast we visit the dam which is 579 metres wide and 128 metres high and blocks the Kariba Gorge forming the largest manmade lake in the world. Construction began in 1955 and didn’t reach the state it’s in today until 1977 – mainly due to political argy-bargee rather than technical difficulties, but this is Africa, and the dam is on a national frontier!

Spooky fact of the day is that while they were building the dam 90 workers were killed … and it’s believed 18 are entombed in the dam’s concrete …

MMid-morning we’ll set off in a north and then in a westerly direction passing through the town of Mazabuka, home of Zambia’s sugar cane industry, where we re-stock the camp kitchen with wonderful fresh Zambia fruit and veg. Our destination, just short of the small town of Monze, is Moorings Farm, a truly beautiful spot. The birdlife around the farm is renowned throughout Zambia; there are also several short walks around the farm to discover the local plants and flowers and see something of Zambia’s “Little Five” as opposed to the “Big Five” . The farm is also home to a number of community projects that are interesting to learn about and provide an insight to local village life.
[Meals B, L & D]

[Note: there is no official list of the “Small Five”. African guides, who are known locally as “Fundies” = “funds of knowledge” like to select their five favourites miniature which usually include the stag beetle, elephant shrew, siafu ant (or army ant) buffalo weaverbird and leopard tortoise. It’s all very unofficial and just a bit of fun.]

Day 4. 31 July 2012. Lake Kariba
Continuing further south, we turn off the main road at Batoka, and return to the Zambezi valley where progress is slower but the scenery pretty with many small villages dotted amongst the hills. A bumpy final hour brings us to a shady campsite on manicured lawns right on the shore of Lake Kariba at Siansowa. The swimming pool is a perfect place to cool down after travelling.

Note: for fishermen Lake Kariba is one of the best places for some big freshwater fish (Tiger Fish, Bream, Electric Catfish and Vundu being the stars.). It is possible to hire tackle and a boat for an hour or two. This activity is an option.
[Meals B, L & D]

Day 5. 1 Aug 2012. Lake Kariba, Siansowa
This morning we take a launch out onto the lake to explore a couple of the private islands close by, game spotting as we go. Depending on whether there are elephant around or not, we may be able to walk on the islands with a guide where we will learn how to identify different game species by their spoor, and discover the healing properties of local plants. The birding list is greater than 235 species (compared to 436 for the entire UK). In the early afternoon we visit Zongwe Crocodile farm, the largest in Zambia with over 100,000 Nile Crocs! We will visit the incubators and hatchery before continuing on to the breeding dams which are also great for birding. There’s often a chance to feed the adult crocs too. We always count everyone in, and everyone out again, just to make sure!
[Meals B, L & D]

Day 6. 2 Aug 2012. To Livingstone
The approach to Vic Falls is across flat land and when you’re still 30 Km out you can see the first sign of spray rising into the sky: this is Mosi O Tunya “Smoke that thunders”. We stop en route for a picnic lunch and arrive in Livingstone by mid-afternoon. We will leave our sleeping-bags on the truck and use chalets as our base for the next three nights in the small town of Livingstone.

There’s time to freshen up before we drive the last 10 Km to the falls and spend the afternoon exploring. This expedition is timed so that the moon is full, which means that after exploring we walk to a hidden viewpoint and see a lunar rainbow, or “moonbow” over Victoria Falls. It’s simply spectacular in August because the river is high and the spray explosive. Snacks can be arranged by the crew to keep small tummies from grumbling, and we’ll be back in town by about 8.30 - 9pm in time to get some dinner or take-aways.
[Meals B, L]
 

Day 7. 3 Aug 2012. Victoria Falls.
This morning we return to the falls where the guide will explain the lie of the land and you’re free to explore the falls, craft stalls and wood-carving markets independently.

We’ll rendezvous just before mid-day and return to Livingstone for lunch. In the afternoon we come back to the river once more and board a river cruiser for a sunset trip on the upper Zambezi. Drinks and snacks are included and if we’re lucky we’ll see elephant, hippo and crocs. The birdlife is always spectacular, particularly when seen with a sunset backdrop.

Livingstone has many fine initiatives going on, one of which is Olga’s Restaurant which is actually a NGO set up to train local Zambians how to cater for safari travellers, enabling local people to find work in the safari camps and lodges. This evening the guide will explain the layout of the town and let you know the range of restaurants available, and you are free to explore independently.
[Meals B & L]

Day 8. 4 Aug 2012. Victoria Falls
Livingstone is the adrenaline centre of Africa and there’s heaps of things to do. We will give you a full menu nearer the time, but the optional activities include flights by helicopter or microlight, walking safari in Mosi O Tunya NP, white water rafting, jet boating or even an elephant back safari. There’s a good museum in town, there are cultural tours and an incredibly busy local market selling everything from smokey-dried mummified fish to toy cars made from reclaimed fencing wire.
[Meals B]

Day 9. 5 Aug 2012. Chobe NP, Botswana
After an early start, a short distance up-stream is the Kazungula Ferry which crosses the 400m river in a style that hasn’t really changed for hundreds of years. We have to complete exit & entry formalities which are straight forward and then we’re off to one of the finest parks in Africa. Chobe (pronounced “cho-bee”) contains one of Africa’s most diverse range of animals. The Fundies recon that the elephant population is in excess of 50,000 individuals, giving Chobe the highest elephant population in Africa.

At the Botswana border post we transfer into smaller 4x4’s and head into the park, leaving the truck to wait in the queue at the ferry and catch us up later. We’ll have a 3 hour game drive and as the morning warms we should see plenty of animals sunning themselves along the river.

After a leisurely lunch at Thebe Safari Lodge and time to relax by the pool, we jump on the truck for a very short drive to the jetty (taking our own cool box of drinks and snacks). We head upstream back into the park and enjoy 3 hours of game spotting from the river. At sunset we frequently see huge herds of elephants coming down to drink, just as the afternoon light is changing, providing fantastic photo opportunities.

Our cook will have been slaving away over a hot fire whilst we’ve been gone, so dinner will be ready when we return.
[Meals B, L & D]
 

Day 10. 6 Aug 2012. Mabula
After breakfast, we return across the Kazungula ferry to Zambia. Our destination today is Mabula Game Farm a place of beauty and tranquillity. One of the most impressive things the farm has achieved is the domestication of Eland. The largest of the antelope species, with powerful spiral horns and cloven hooves (like cows) rather than a single footprint (like horses). The opportunity to get up-close to such large animals is exciting and offers wonderful photo opportunities. We take a guided walk around the ranch, accompanied by a guide, to find out more about eland ranching.
[Meals B, L & D]

Days 11. 7 Aug 2012. Itezhi Tezhi.
This morning we travel to Choma and re-stock with fresh food before making our way north west to Namwala, on the Kafue flood plain. We have a horrible few Km driving along rough tracks to reach the ferry over the Kafue River – you may want to get out for half an hour and walk ahead (the driving is that slow!) but once over the ferry the gravel road is reasonably well maintained. We arrive at the village of Itezhi Tezhi, adjacent to the Kafue river dam, and cross the bottom of dam itself to make camp beside the lake at a place that is strewn with massive boulders – great for scrambling around – and the pool is a welcome sight!
[Meals B, L & D]

Day 12. 8 Aug 2012. Elephant Orphanage Project
After a leisurely breakfast we drive into Kafue NP via Ngoma gate, probably seeing big game along the way, after all there are no fences around the national park and animals don’t know where the boundary lies. Small narrow tracks lead to the elephant orphanage where the orphans are fed at mid-day. We are able to approach very close and watch them drink and interact with their handlers. We’ll also have a chance to have a look around the orphanage and ask plenty of questions. We leave a donation to help support this project which is the only one in Zambia. After a picnic lunch, we drive back to camp keeping a keen eye out for big game along the way.
[Meals B, L & D]

Days 13. 9 Aug 2012. Kafue NP

This morning there may be an option of a boat trip out onto the lake, or more fun scrambling around on the rocks, before we head north through the village again on a good gravel road. We’ll stop en route for lunch before enjoying the final 60kms of tar sealed roads to reach the northern part of Kafue NP.

Our camp tonight is Mayukuyuku camp and we’ll settle in during the afternoon leaving plenty of time for a game drive in the evening. African wild places have a feel that is unique: a combination of wild space, clear air, vibrant sunshine and the illusive scent of the bush. Mayukuyuku has all this plus a camp crew who are welcoming and well informed.

This evening we decant into smaller 4x4’s for our evening game drive. Dawn and dusk are the key times to see wildlife and this evening we could see big game and some smaller game such as genet and caracal (two cat-like predators) porcupine and mongoose. This is also a good time to see honey badgers which are not really like our UK badgers and look more like oversized weasels; they also have a reputation for being really fierce and not even lions will attack them.
[Meals B, L & D]

Day 14. 10 Aug 2012. Return to Lusaka
It sounds a little startling to get up at dawn when you’re on holiday, but it makes good sense. Dawn and dusk is when all the animal activity happens, so it’s worth making the effort, besides, it actually feels quite right to be up early when you’re in the bush. The camp crew will have tea, coffee and biscuits ready for everyone and then we’re off, exploring the trails along the riverbank and surrounding woods and grassland. The animals are active and the light is perfect for photography. We hope to see plains game (antelope species and other herbivores), elephants, predators - and if we are really lucky, the pack of Wild Dogs that has been sighted close to camp. Back to camp for a large, late breakfast.

In the afternoon, after striking camp, we head east towards Lusaka. Our final camp tonight is Eureka farm just outside the city, with zebra and impala roaming near the tents.
[Meals B, L & D]

Day 15. 11 Aug 2012. Lusaka and fly home.
The airport is nearby so we will time departure for flight check-in.
[Meal B]

Accommodation details
During the expedition we will spend:
11 nights: full-service camping in well-equipped campsites with shared facilities. All equipment provided.
3 nights: self-contained apartments or chalets with en suite facilities.
Swimming pools are available on 11 nights.

Rooming in hotels
Families of two or four persons are accommodated in twin rooms; we will try to arrange adjacent rooms, but can’t always confirm this.

Families of three persons are accommodated in a triple room. This may be a twin room + additional bed, or a genuine triple bed room. Sometimes triple rooms are not available and we need to use a single + twin room.

For larger families, we can provide twin rooms + a triple room if your family is an odd number.

Camping: we use two person tents; the ablutions block is shared. We use our own mess tent and all dining equipment is provided. All camp chores are done for you including pitching and striking your tent, cooking and washing up.

Please note that children must share a tent with an adult and are not to be left alone at night in game reserves and wilderness areas.

Food
All meals are included whilst camping. Meals are prepared for you but you are welcome to assist the African crew if you wish to learn about African methods/recipes/ingredients.

Typical meals
Breakfast: Tea/coffee. Cereals or toast when on early game drives and the occasional “fat-boy” fry-up.
Lunch: Fresh salads and sandwiches, cold meats, cheese and fruit.
Evening meal: Main meal of the day; stews, barbeque, pasta, curry and some local dishes.
Vegetarians are easily catered for.

Please tell us about all special dietary requirements and allergies.

We can supply the following drinks: various squashes, tea and coffee. Other drinks can be purchased from time to time along the route but are not included.

Transport
Transport is in a specialist expedition truck which is robust enough to cope with some fairly rough trails as well as tarmac roads. The visibility from the passenger compartment is excellent. The truck carries all the necessary camping equipment, and is equipped with comfortable coach seats with seat belts, a large drinking water tank, fridge/freezer, cooler boxes and a reference library.

Weather
Forget about the UK’s four distinct seasons: think “wet season and dry season”.

The rains at Vic Falls begin in October and end around March. This period is also the hottest time of year, particularly October, just before the rains come. July and August are good seasons for Europeans to visit because it’s dry and the temperatures are relatively low. In August 2011 there were light frosts in Zambia, so be prepared for some chilly nights.

Lusaka
Day: average mid 20’s°.
Night: -2° to 6°
Low humidity. Zero chance of rain.
Type of clothing: Summer cotton clothes. Good sunglasses.Fleece for evenings.

Victoria Falls
Day: average high 20’s°.
Night: -5° to 6°
Low humidity. Zero chance of rain.
Type of clothing: Summer cotton clothes. Good sunglasses.Fleece for evenings.

Passports and Visas
Zambia: all nationalities require a full passport valid six months beyond the intended return date to your home country.

British passport holders require a visa to enter Zambia. Visas are available at all points of entry. The visa fee for British nationals is currently US$50 for a single entry visa and US$ 80 for double entry. It is much easier to obtain this visa upon arrival at Lusaka airport than to apply to the Zambian embassy in London.

Please note that this itinerary travels from Zambia to Botswana and re-enters Zambia, so you will require a double entry visa.

Visa regulations can change without notice and if you are not a British passport holder please check the current regulations.

Botswana: Brits do not require a visa for Botswana.

Staying Healthy
When you join a VentureCo expedition we will give you free membership of InterHealth. The process is simple, you send us your email address when you book and we send you a link to Interhealth; a simple security check ensures you are who you say you are, and you will have full access to InterHealth, including:-

• Up to date guidance about vaccinations
• Advice about where to obtain vaccinations
• Guidance about malaria prophylaxis
• A dedicated phone number to speak to a practice nurse who is up to date and experienced in tropical medicine
• access to their website which includes country reports and downloads

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for this trip.
Recommended vaccinations currently include: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A.
Malaria prophylaxis is essential on this trip.

Travel Insurance
Please follow this link: www.ventureco-worldwide.com/travel-insurance/

Local Time
Zambia is GMT + 2 hours

Electricity
230 volts AC, 50 Hz. There is a 240 volt invertor on the truck that can recharge camera/mobile/laptop batteries when it is being driven. We recommend that you bring your standard charger, with a UK plug (either 3 pin or 2 pin) for this purpose. There are often recharging facilities at campsites but you may be charged. We recommend taking extra batteries and charging them at every opportunity due to the unreliable electricity supply in some areas.

Money Matters
The national currency of Zambia is the Zambian Kwacha (ZMK) with an exchange rate of 7,608: £1 and 4,850: US$1 (Jan 2012)

ATMs are available in Lusaka and Livingstone and you can use your usual debit card.
Credit cards may be used in Livingstone to pay for optional activities. Please note that some credit card companies charge up to a 5% service fee.

Do not use travellers’ cheques: they are difficult to exchange and are an out-dated way to access cash. Please note that cash US dollars are accepted in many places, as is Sterling and Euros but perhaps to a lesser degree than dollars.
 

Responsible Travel
Travel is a real help to local communities if it is carried out correctly. The practice of “all-inclusive holidays” is harmful because so little money filters down to the local people. Expedition-style travel, on the other hand, is the opposite because we use a locally owned truck, we employ local drivers, guides and mechanics to prepare and operate the truck; we purchase services locally directly from campsite owners, local markets and local businesses; we employ local guides and we purchase national park entry permits and other permits directly from the appropriate local authority. All of which is a perfect example of how your holiday actively benefits the local communities in Zambia and Botswana.

For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy see:
www.ventureco-worldwide.com/about-us/travelling-responsibly

Group size and age restrictions.
The group will be between 6 and 20 people. The minimum age on this trip is 5 years.