Day 7 - South Luangwa National Park

Early morning visitor in our camp

Local fishermen

Live Radio Broadcast with Professor Willem van Riet

Charles Simwama, Warden at South Luangwa National Park giving presentation

Self-made weapons used by poachers

Gerhard Groenewald

Lion cubs

Waterbuck Bull

Warthog

Western Banded Snake

Thornicroft's Giraffe with Billed Oxpecker

It was a privilege to spend the day with the rangers of the South Luangwa National Park. The morning started with an introduction about the National Park and how they operate. What was especially interesting, was how they manage the buffer zone that surrounds the Park, called the Game Management Area, where local people live amongst the wildlife.

We then met with the rangers and shared the vision and mission of the Game Rangers Association of Africa. Enthusiastically, all of them signed up!

We went on a game drive in the afternoon. The game is plentiful here, much to the delight of our team. A game ranger on our team said this is the most beautiful park he has seen! This park is well worth a visit.

The evening started with a local group performing a short play about nature conservation and what one can learn from the bush. The imitation of animals was quite amazing, even though they used very basic props! The team’s spirits were raised as they saw what a local group can do in educating their people about conservation and raising money for HIV/AIDS.

Tomorrow we have a long drive to the Lower Zambezi National Park.