Emerald Season Safari, February 2020 & March 2020

*Schedule is subject to minor changes

Day 1 - Lilayi Lodge

Arrive Lusaka International Airport (LUN)

Road transfer to the beautiful Lilayi Lodge, the perfect soft landing on your journey to Zambia. Enjoy the safari setting and luxurious pool, lounge and restaurant, while surrounded by 25 different species of mammals like zebra, eland and kudu, plus 300 species of birds.

Sip your favorite cocktail while your hosts Mike and Nancy provide a welcome briefing about your Emerald Safari adventure!

Dinner (included)- Savor your first taste of delicious cuisine with an African twist at Lilayi’s poolside restaurant , featuring dishes to please every taste. Organic vegetables and herbs come straight from the garden.

Recover from your long air journey in the luxurious bath, then lay your head on the soft pillow and fall asleep under the African sky...

Day 2 -  Lilayi Lodge/Nkwali camp

Start off with a delicious breakfast (included) and begin marking birds off  your checklist!

Relax at the pool, and read about your next destination, South Luangwa National Park, a quick flight away!  

Board a Jeep or Land Rover for the 10 minute ride to Lilayi’s wild elephant orphanage, one of only a few in all of Africa. You’ll learn why the elephants are orphaned and get to see experts at Game Rangers International feed and care for them.

Lunch- Refresh with more delicious Lilayi cuisine

Road transfer back to Lusaka Airport

Board your included Proflight Zambia flight to Mfuwe (MFU), gateway to the South Luangwa valley, possibly the finest wilderness in Africa!

Road transfer thru the lovely Mfuwe village to the all-inclusive Robin Pope Safaris’ intimate Nkwali camp, spectacularly set on the banks of the Luangwa River. You’ve arrived in the true wild, where leopard, lion, giraffe, elephant and almost 60 other species of mammal roam freely.

Safety briefing/settle in- Take in the surroundings at Nkwali, which is dominated by a huge ebony tree around which the bar is moulded.  Retire to your chalet (only 6 in the whole camp!) and settle in to your temporary home.

Dinner- Eat a sumptuous meal and enjoy a glass of wine under the stars before falling asleep to the sounds of the wild

Day 3- Nkwali Camp

Wake up bright and early for your first “game drive”!   But first…

Breakfast- Enjoy breakfast and coffee/tea as the bush awakes around you

Morning Game Drive-Meet your guide and get ready for wildlife as you head into the bush in a Land Rover to see and learn about  the beasts of your dreams. Wildlife is most active very early in the morning, so our drives will start as early as possible. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera!

Lunch- Enjoy  lunch back at the dining area at Nkwali camp, set on a lagoon where wild elephants come to drink then relax, nap, or hang out  in the common area.

Afternoon tea/coffee/snacks

Afternoon Game Drive - More wildlife experiences with your first “sundowner”, where you sip a gin and tonic, glass of wine or beer, or favorite soft drink in a peaceful spot as the sun goes down.  This is followed by a night drive to see nocturnal animals like honey badgers, genets and more!

Dinner by the lagoon

Day 4- Nkwali Camp

Breakfast

CSL HQ  Visit- Take a ride to Mfuwe Village to visit the headquarters of the incomparable Conservation South Luangwa (CSL). Here, you’ll meet the amazing people working hard every day to prevent poaching and conserve the wildlife of this pristine wilderness. You’ll learn about the projects that Dazzle Africa and your safari help fund, including the full-time wildlife veterinarian, the anti-poaching dogs and the scout patrols keeping elephants and other species safe.

Mfuwe Secondary School visit- Dazzle Africa has been sponsoring university and secondary school students in Mfuwe since 2012. We’ll visit the secondary school to meet some youngsters and tour the Dazzle Africa-sponsored “Hands Over Zambia” entrepreneurial marketplace.

Mfuwe Village stroll- check out small “dukas” (shops), the market, bars, and meet people offering various skills.  This isn’t a so-called “canned cultural tour” you might find in other places. Mfuwe is a real town where you can get a true picture of Zambian village life.

Lunch at the lagoon

Afternoon tea/coffee/snacks

Afternoon Game Drive and sundowners- keep your fingers crossed for painted dogs and look up trees for leopards!

Dinner and comparing notes on wildlife sightings

Day 5- Nkwali camp/ Nsefu Camp

Breakfast

Enjoy your first exciting boat journey up to the storied Nsefu camp, which , barring some upgrades, exudes the same wild mystique it did when it was established in 1951, the very first photographic safari camp in Zambia! You’ll love the classic, rondavel-style chalets , each having prime views over the Luangwa River, whether from your bed, or the verandah. There is exciting game viewing here at Nsefu!

Lunch - look out for elephants as you eat, as they cross the river just upstream from where the dining area is situated.

Rest, relax, read, write , savor your time in the wild

Afternoon tea/coffee/snacks

Afternoon boat safari and sundowners - meander through flooded mopani forests teeming with bird life, and listen for the laughing hoots of hippos. Relish the last rays of sun as you raise a glass to another gorgeous day in the African wilderness

Dinner , always a delectable spread and full of stories...

Day 6- Nsefu camp

Breakfast

Boat safari - We head up the river and into its tributaries to watch huge numbers of yellow-billed storks build their nests in jackalberry trees. During this time of year, when water and food is plentiful, these charismatic birds are made even more so by their breeding plumage, as their normally white feathers turn pink on their upper wings and back.

Lunch

Siesta time!

Afternoon tea/coffee/snacks

Boat safari/bush walk and sundowners- after a boat ride, take a walk thru the bush with a guide and wildlife authority scout, where you’ll learn interesting facts about plants and smaller animals. Keep your eyes peeled for Cookson’s wildebeest, endemic only to the Nsefu area!

Dinner

Day 7 - Nsefu camp

Breakfast- another classic Nsefu day begins with breakfast!

Boat safari

Lunch

Siesta

Afternoon tea/coffee/snacks

Boat safari and sundowners

Dinner

Day 8- Nsefu camp/ Luangwa River Camp

Breakfast

Boat transfer to the bush-chic Luangwa River Camp, nestled under an ancient ebony grove- see hippos, birds and other wildlife during our journey down river

 Lunch- after settling into your bush-suite, join your safari-mates for a delicious, fresh meal in a new , wild setting

Free time

Afternoon tea/coffee/snacks

Afternoon game drive and sundowners- experience  a different part of the South Luangwa , where your excellent guiding team will look and listen for species you may not have seen yet.

Dinner in the beautiful River Camp setting

Day 9- Luangwa River Camp

Breakfast

Morning Game Drive- you know the drill. The most glorious drill!

Lunch

Afternoon tea/coffee/snacks

Afternoon game drive

Cocktail Party, CSL/ZCP Presentation- Join your hosts Mike and Nancy at River Camp for a cocktail party and short presentation by Conservation South Luangwa (CSL)  and the Zambian Carnivore Programme ZCP, two Dazzle Africa partner organizations doing outstanding, important work in Zambia to defend wildlife. You’ll have already seen the incredible animals, now you get to meet their protectors.  Followed immediately by dinner.

Dinner

Day 10 - Luangwa River Camp

Breakfast

Morning Game Drive

Lunch

Mulberry Mongoose - after lunch, we’ll drive to a Dazzle Africa guest favorite. Mulberry Mongoose is a unique workshop, “located on a well-trodden elephant path in the Zambian bush, where local craftswomen [and one man!]  make jewellery by hand using natural materials from the South Luangwa valley.” Most items are made from snare wire collected from the bush, so it’s a perfect place to shop for gifts for loved ones. You’ll be helping remove snares dangerous to wildlife and bringing home a beautiful piece of Africa.

Afternoon tea/coffee/snacks

Afternoon game drive

Gratitude gathering- a Dazzle Africa mainstay and the perfect way to wind down our adventure.

Dinner

Day 11 - Luangwa River Camp/Fly home or onward

Breakfast to fortify you for your journey home or onward

Game Drive and road transfer to Mfuwe Airport - say goodbye to giraffes and puku and kudu and zebra and warthog and all the rest of the cast of  The Lion King on your way to your plane. If there is time, plan on a 30-45 minute stop at Tribal Textiles, near the airport, for fantastic home products for gifts, or yourself! Another guest favorite.

Fly to Lusaka, then onward , with Zambia forever in your heart and soul! You’ll see!

• Includes round trip flight between  Lusaka and Mfuwe.
• Includes gratuity/meals/excursions/lodging
  

  Safari Package Cost	$6,596.00
  Required Fundraising Minimum	$1,000.00
  Initial Deposit (non-refundable)	$500.00
  1st Payment due by May 31st, 2019:	$1,524.00
  2nd Payment due by July 31st, 2019:	$1,524.00
  3rd Payment due by September 30th, 2019:	$1,524.00
  4th Payment due by November 30th, 2019:	$1,524.00
  Fundraising due December 31st, 2019:	$1,000.00+
  Total Payments	$7,596.00

• Monies until March 1st, 2019 (excluding deposit) are fully refundable. March 2nd, 2019 through June 1st, 2019 is 75% refundable. June 2nd, 2019 through October 1st, 2019 is 50% refundable. After October 2nd,  2019, no monies are refundable.If you think you may need to cancel this trip for any reason, you may consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance. * Please see the link labeled, Travel Insurance.

The cost of the Dazzle Africa Emerald Safari to you, as described above, is $6,599.00. In addition, there is a minimum fundraising/donation requirement of $1,000.00.

You can either contribute the donation yourself or we encourage our guests to share Dazzle Africa projects with others in your community and inspire them to donate with you!

We will provide more information on our specific projects and also tools to assist with your fundraising, and hope you will enjoy the experience! Dazzle Africa’s mission is to help the children and wildlife of Mfuwe, Zambia. We are not a travel company (though admittedly, we plan great safaris and have been taking guests to the South Luangwa since 2012); we are a philanthropic non‐profit. Safari tourism is absolutely vital to the people and wildlife of the area where you will be vacationing, and we are excited to have you have you join this safari!

IMPORTANT: Please contact Mike Paredes and/or Nancy Law from Dazzle Africa immediately to review any discrepancies, especially regarding your arrival/departure dates and times. Be sure to have your joining instructions with you while traveling.

Departure from Lusaka Airport to Mfuwe, Zambia

Your connecting flight to Mfuwe is approximately one hour. Please print and have your Lusaka/Mfuwe E­-ticket with you for this Proflight Zambia flight. This will be emailed to you a month before departure.

Emergency/Late Arrival Contact Information

If your flight is delayed for any reason, please notify Mike Paredes at 410-991-7172 or Nancy Law at 443-994-2740 by text or call if you do not text.

Minimum guests are required for this trip. In the unlikely event this minimum cannot be met, all safari monies would be refunded by October 1st, 2019  (prior to your airline ticket purchase).

Monies through May 2019 (excluding deposit) are fully refundable. June through September 2019 are 50% refundable. After October 1st, 2019, no monies are refundable. If you think you may need to cancel this trip for any reason, you may consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance. * Please see the link labeled, Travel Insurance.

Please follow this link and fill out the Release of Liability and Participant Info form. Each traveler must fill out the form individually.

All travelers need a valid passport with at least 4 empty pages and a visa to enter Zambia.
U.S. Citizens must have a valid passport that does not expire for at least 6 months after travel.

Travel Visa

A visa is required for entry to Zambia. Directions to acquire your travel visa will be emailed to you 90 days in advance of your safari trip.

Travel insurance is required to participate on a Dazzle Africa Safari. Dazzle Africa is an affiliated member of an insurance broker, which proposes multiple travel insurance plans and allows you to pick the plan that best suits your needs. You do not pay more by going through Dazzle Africa.

Once your travel insurance plan has been purchased please email it to contact@dazzleafrica.org and print all necessary documents and bring them with you during your travels.

To purchase your insurance, please go to: https://www.squaremouth.com/21416

This is a suggested guideline for insurance policy coverage:

If you are unable to secure these coverage amounts, please secure the highest possible.

Emergency Medical Evacuation: $500,000
Emergency Medical: $250,000
Primary Medical

Depending on what coverage you choose in your insurance plan, the price will range from $50.00 to $300.00 plus. If you select cancellation insurance your costs will be commensurate with the amount of your trip. Please ask for more direction if needed.

Travel doctors recommend a minimum of Tdap, Typhoid and Malaria pills. Please do your own research and make the best health decision for you by going to www.cdc.gov. Travel vaccine centers in your cities will also recommend what they think best for the areas you will be travelling. These recommendations are only for Zambia, if you are adding other countries to your visit, please make sure to look at the specific recommendations and requirements to enter and be safe in other areas of Africa.

Malaria

You will be visiting an area of Zambia with malaria. You will need to discuss with your doctor the best preventive medicine for you. Ways to prevent malaria include: Taking a prescription antimalarial drug, using insect repellent and using bed nets. All of the following antimalarial drugs are options for preventing malaria in Zambia: Atovaquone‐proguanil, Doxycycline, or Mefloquine. For information that can help you and your doctor decide which of these drugs would be best for you, please see: http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/drugs.html

January through April in South Luangwa Valley is the famous Emerald Season. Plan to witness a green and lush South Luangwa environment. Daytime temperatures can reach a high of 89 degrees,while warm nights average 68 degrees.

Expect heavy intermittent rains in January to a small rainfall in April. The average precipitation for each month is: 

• January 10”
• February 7”
• March 4” 
• April ½”

Packing List:

*A detailed packing list will be emailed.

We also will have two conference calls to help anyone with packing questions prior to the trip, so if you are unsure about what to pack, please ask and remember you always need less than you think.

We recommend packing lightly!
All safaris include daily laundry service

Clothing, Footwear, & Accessories

Please wear neutral colors and avoid wearing blacks and dark blues as they attract tsetse (biting) flies. Also, please avoid wearing white or bright colors as these colors may frighten wildlife. 

Suggested Clothing, Footwear, & Accessory Checklist

• 4 t shirts/short sleeved blouses
• 2 pairs of long pants or capris
• Rain jacket
• A bathing suit and cover­up (chitange, i.e. sarong)
• lightweight pajamas or nightgown
• 2 pairs of shorts or skirts
• Sports bra as the roads can be bumpy 
• Lightweight long sleeve button down shirt for sun protection
• Hat with brim and/or a baseball cap
• 3 bandanas or buffs (multi­functional tubular bandana) – has a range of uses, from keeping your hair off your face, the sun off your neck, the dust off your camera or even folded double as a cap. If you are feeling particularly hot, you can wet it and wear as a kerchief around your neck for instant cooling.
• Workout/yoga clothes (if desired)
• 1 pair of closed toed shoes ­light hikers or sturdy tennis shoes
• 5 pairs of socks
• Sturdy flip flops/sandals
• Sunglasses
• 2 washcloths (if desired)

*A chitenge i.e sarong (or large lightweight scarf) is a great multi use garment to bring as it can be used as a cover up at the pool, for sun protection or rolled up and used as a neck pillow or wrap on the airplane. We have also found it to be useful for napping during the hottest part of the day as we dampen it with cold water and use it as a cooling “sheet”.

Toiletries & Medications

Shampoo and soap are provided at all of your lodges. A first aid kit is also held at all lodges. 

Suggested Toiletries & Medications

• Sunscreen
• 2 tubes of Lip balm
• A small first aid bag that includes band aids, aspirin, anti itch cream, neosporin, anti­diarrheal pills, a few electrolyte replacement packets, saline nasal spray and moisturizing eye drops. 
• Mosquito repellant
• Prescription medicines in original containers with labels
• Small nail clippers/emory board/small tweezers
• Hair conditioner if needed

*TSA has a 3.4 ounce rule for liquids. Remember to put these liquids in a single quart size ziplock bag.

Do not bring Benadryl as the active ingredient, diphenhydramine, is illegal in Zambia.

Electronics

• Headlamp/small flashlight
• UK 3 ­prong plug adaptor

Optional Items

• Binoculars (We suggest Nikon Monarchs 8x42. Swarovski, Bushnell, and Pentax are other good options)
• Camera and battery charger
• Extra cf/sd card and extra batteries.
• Phone/computer/tablet chargers
• Lens wipes
• Compression socks for long flights
• A featherweight rubber air blower for your camera/electronics to get rid of dust and grit that may clog up the workings.
• Travel size roll of duct tape
• TSA approved locks for luggage
• Various sizes of ziploc bags
• A small journal or diary and a few pens/pencils
• Book(s) or a kindle 
• Lightweight carry bag for souvenirs
• A small backpack or bag to bring in the safari vehicle
• A refillable water bottle (Water at the Bushcamps is provided from deep boreholes which is perfectly safe to drink)
• Address labels to label your binoculars, cameras etc. and other electronics or belongings
• A good shelf stable daily probiotic can help support your digestive system and immune system. Probiotic pearls (found at Whole Foods or similar) don’t require refrigeration and are easy to pack.

Airline Luggage Regulations

We recommend carrying on your luggage and not checking your bags. If you choose to check your luggage please make sure that any necessities, such as your malaria medicine,  are in your carry on luggage.

Guests will be flying on different airlines, so please check your airline for weight and size restrictions.

Since airline rules and regulations are constantly changing, please visit the following websites to find the most current regulations. 

*Please make sure your information is up to date

Proflight: Baggage Allowances

Emirates Airline: Baggage Allowances

Ethiopian Airlines: Baggage Allowances

South African Airways: Baggage Allowances

Phone numbers as shown should be preceded by the international dialing code, which from the United States is (011), international it is « 00 ». When phoning, friends should ask for you by name and explain that you are traveling with Dazzle Africa. Zambia is 6 hours ahead of the Eastern Time zone and nine hours ahead of the Pacific Time zone in the U.S.

Most Cell phone companies have service in this area. Please contact your cell phone provider, add an International Calling plan to your service and receive information on how to use this plan.

Lilayi Lodge
Arrive: Feb 21
Depart: Feb 22
phone +260 211 840435/6
mobile +260 971 002010
website: www.lilayi.com

Nkwali Camp
Arrive: Feb 22
Depart: Feb 25
phone: +265 (0) 999 970 002 / 3
Emergency Phone: +265 (0) 993 504 600
website: www.robinpopesafaris.net

Nsefu Camp
Arrive: Feb 25
Depart: Feb 28
phone: +265 (0) 999 970 002 / 3
Emergency Phone: +265 (0) 993 504 600
website: www.robinpopesafaris.net

Luangwa River Camp
Arrive: Feb 28
Depart: March 2nd
phone: +265 (0) 999 970 002 / 3
Emergency Phone: +265 (0) 993 504 600
website: www.robinpopesafaris.net