RPS is now open throughout year for the first time in 20 years. The many guests that stayed during the “emerald season” said that it was an exceptional time of year. The air is clear, skies spectacular with dramatic sunsets, the animals and birds are at peak breeding, the game viewing was beyond expectations with the game tending to stay on the high ground – the roads!
Nkwali Camp (12 beds), and the private houses Robin’s House and Luangwa Safari house are now open all year. With the river high we offer day boat trips or even just a sundowner in the glorious light!
Take a look at the newsletters that came out of the green season. Its Monday - in the Green Season

Our new Honeymoon/Vip chalet is now complete. Adding now the seventh chalet available at the lodge and extending our maximum number of guests to 14 people. This room offers stunning views of the mighty Zambezi river from a private garden deck or a separate room balcony with the most glorious sunrises and sunsets. Designed to provide more privacy than our existing chalets it adds to the peaceful & tranquil atmosphere at the Islands of Siankaba.
After a fantastic wet season the falls are almost at their fullest. And as a result the view from the lodge is even more beautiful with an open vista of the mighty Zambezi.
Best wishes to all -
Mark & Tanya Stephens and the Siankaba Team!

Friday 31st March saw Chongwe opening the 2006 season to a full camp of guests, raring to go. Canoe trips, game drives & night drives were enjoyed by all with excellent game sightings, including lion, despite the thick bush. Fishing has been reported as “good” and continues to improve as the muddy rain waters begin to settle and clear.
Chongwe Safari House opened its “doors” to its first guests on the 11th March. All the hard work put into building the house over the past year has been well worth it, the result is spectacular and we are all very excited about the outcome. Zimbabwean based photographer, Dana Allen, joined a group of International journalists in capturing the first moments of the final product in all its glory and unique location.

Greetings from Chiawa Camp in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park. Game viewing for leopards the past week has been phenomenal with 4 different leopards on the morning drive of June 3rd. Jeki airstrip is now again open but, more importantly, Chiawa has opened another Superior Tent and which is simply unbelievable – for anyone wanting the absolute best in tented safari accommodation look no further than Chiawa Camp’s Superior Safari Tents. Further down the Zambezi and still in the National Park is Old Mondoro – a fantastic Bushcamp owned as a joint venture between Chiawa Camp and Sausage Tree Camp.
Old Mondoro is fast becoming one of Zambia’s most sought after Bushcamps. Go to www.chiawa.com for more information.

Every year during November a phenomenon happens in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park – a herd of elephants checks into Mfuwe Lodge to snack on the wild mango tree.

But to reach the huge tree the elephants have to walk through the main lodge building. This doesn’t seem to put them off and the herd of nine walk up the steps to the entrance of the building, passing the reception desk before crossing and exiting next to the bar and restaurant area.

The giant mango tree stands next to the lodge’s main bar and library area, so guests can enjoy a drink from the bar or sit in the quiet library and watch this spectacle at close range.

Well May certainly was a fantastic month! The enigmatic leafless Baobab trees are in fruit, providing a welcomed source of food for Baboons, Vervet Monkeys and even humans. The famous Lower Zambezi Sausage Trees are also in fruit, their huge fruit suspended on their long stalks. On an evening drive, one of our guides, Victor, and his guests spotted a female lion, then another to its left and then, out of all directions the lions sprang into action. The pride of lioness brought down two Waterbuck. As if that was not enough, a large crocodile began to skulk out of its hiding place and creep closer to one of the Waterbuck carcasses, lions and all. In a loud rush of roars and snarls the dominant Lion charged. A stand off resulted in the crocodile eventually returning to his dambo.

We are delighted to announce that Sindabezi Island was selected to be featured in the Tatler’s Travel Guide 2006 as one of the top hotels in the world. And more good news, Horace, our resident hippo, has returned to the island after his annual holiday. Arriving on the same day as last year, punctual as always, he was back with us again. The Sindabezi Island family is complete and ready to welcome you on to the island.

Tongabezi is pleased to announce that all guests staying at Tongabezi in the low season for a period of 3 nights or more will receive a complimentary visit to Livingstone Island. This offer will start on the 1st November and be valid right through the low season until the end of May 2007.

Waterfall for showers? Hand made copper bath? Totally private safari? Recently opened, the Luangwa and Chongwe houses were designed by Neil Rocher of Shampole fame, and have pushed the boundaries of safari style in a simple but luxurious way. Both overlook amazing views, with game always in the vicinity. Ideal for private groups and families, they are included in the newly developed circuit of four bedroomed houses include
• Luangwa Safari House, South Luangwa (at Nkwali, RPS)
• Chongwe River House, Lower Zambezi (next to Chongwe)
• Shiwa Ng’andu, The Africa House in the Northern Zambia
• Tangala, Livingstone (next to Tongabezi)

The two main airlines of Zambia have combined all sales and operations and are now flying, under the flag of Zambian Airways, as one airline. In their strengthened position they are now able to schedule more flights for the tourist destinations.
• Now flying daily throughout the year to Mfuwe and Livingstone (from Lusaka) • Capacity to Mfuwe in the Safari Season has increased to 130 sector seats. • Increased scheduled flights to Lower Zambezi
• Mfuwe/Livingstone return (via Lusaka) daily in the Safari Season.
• Fleet now includes 2 Embraer 120 (30 seater),
3 Beechcraft 1900, 1 Grand Caravan.
2007 schedules now available – see www.airwaves.co.zm

Norman Carr Safaris is proud to announce South Luangwa’s first Zambian lady safari guide. In May Rose Jere became the first ever black Zambian female safari guide to sit the extremely demanding South Luangwa safaris guides exams. After 5 years of hard work and dedication she passed with flying colours. Her first game drive was a great success. To the delight of guests Rose’s route to the park gates was lined with game scouts and staff from other lodges applauding her success.

The late Norman Carr believed passionately in making sure that the tourist industry benefited local people. He also believed in education and equality of opportunity. He would have been proud of her.

The Luangwa Valley had a strong and established population of black rhino but it was completely poached out in the ‘70s and early ‘80s. In June 2003 five black rhino were translocated to the North Luangwa National Park (and then there were six after the arrival of a newborn male!).

The aim of the Rhino Re-introduction Project is to bring in a “founder population” of 20 animals. On 06 June 2006 another ten arrived in two Hercules C130 flights each with five rhino. Quite a thought. Is it possible in the foreseeable future the rhino will roam free again in The Luangwa Valley?