What you learn and experience on a Real African Safari, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

A real Safari is not only about what you see but also what you hear and learning the different behaviors of the animals you are seeing.
 South Luangwa National Park is rich with wildlife some of which is easily seen in the wide open spaces but as you get further into the bush it can get a bit harder to spot things.

 During our trip we were with 3 different guides, Jason, Misek, & Manda, each with their own style but all extremely knowledgeable. We learned so much from each one of them.

 When riding in the jeeps they would stop places giving us a chance to just listen to what is going on around us. On our first game drive we heard a loud pitch screeching sound. Jason told us it was the warning call of a squirrel,  there was a leopard in the area. The baboons also were giving a warning call.

  Spotting a leopard is not easy but when hear the warning calls you know one is close making it somewhat easier to find. We found the tree where the leopard had taken its kill. It was hard to spot but you could see the blood of the Impala through the leaves.

   On a late afternoon drive we spotted 2 spotted Hyaena's and went to get a closer look.

The one had gotten up, then started calling with it's head pointed to the ground.

This Jason explained was a contact call. He is not only sending it out to be heard but vibrations in the ground. He wants his buddy to come follow. Amazing.

  The Puku have one sound for calling in their girls and another if giving out a warning.
Getting to know the different sounds just enhances the overall experience.
On our first night in Kapamba we woke to all sorts of noises outside. One of watch was a Hyaena giving a contact call. Since we knew exactly what it was it was easy to fall back to sleep and just enjoy the sounds.

    On a night game drive with Manda he tried some different calls to see if he could get a leopards attention. First he gave off a cry of a wounded Impala, followed by a Baboon's warning call. We sat waiting and listening to his calls then all of a sudden a Hyaena came out of the bush directly heading for the jeep. Hyaena's are scavengers just looking for left overs. But the calls work.

   When staying in the different bushcamps you can do walking safaris which really bring you one with your surroundings What you see and hear walking is totally different then what you are able to see from a jeep.

   We learned the different animal tracks, not only identifying them but learning how fresh, which direction they were going, and with elephants their size.

Bathroom habits are also fairly interesting and tell their own story. I had no idea you could tell a elephants sex from the way it went to the bathroom. But there is a difference in females and males pooh. Droppings also tell you the type of animal. You become a bit of a tracker when you walk.

  It also gives you a chance to see all the little things like spiders, insects, and plants. Walking along watched as a golden web spider get a fly and wrap it up in its web. Amazing to see.

Of course everyone wanted to know what happens if you do come across an animal while on foot.
Step #1 we were told was, assess the animals mood.  Step 2? Well we never really got to stop #2 but you never run and you do as your guide tells you.

  We do walk with a Zambian Wildlife Scout (ZAWA) who carries a rifle. It is used as a warning shot if needed. On our 5 different walks at no time were we ever in a situation that would call for that type of actions.

    We did see wildlife, Puku's, Impala's, warthogs, elephants, and Giraffe none of which wanted to come close to us. They are very much aware of us but keep their distances or run the other way.
This Giraffe allowed us to move close by while passing him but kept a curious eye on us until we disappeared into the bush.

    Part of nature is also just being at the right place at the right time. We drive this one road we named Hippo's skull road a few times over the couple of days & nights while in bush camps. One day it would be a wide open space with nothing around and another full of baboon, buffalo, warthogs, and Puku. 
The more your out there looking,being part of nature the more you will see and experience.
     The experience of being on Safari in a place in Africa that is still unspoiled was one we will never forget.