Lochinvar, though not plentiful in the larger mammals, still makes up a tourist park of extraordinary beauty and striking birdwatching opportunities with 420 and more registered species in it’s 428 square km.
The Park is placed on the southern border of the Kafue Flats, an extensive floodplain of the Kafue River between Itezhi tezhi dam in the west and Kafue Gorge in the east. The area covers 33kms from the Kafue River to the low wooded hills
It iconsists of the shallow Chunga Lagoon which fluctuates well in size with variances in river levels. The varying vegetation makes it a fascinating park to visit with floodplains, woodlands and termitaria
It is well known for the large herds of Kafue lechwe, unique to the Kafue flats. Additional antelopes are the blue wildebeest, kudu, oribi and buffalo. Waterbirds are especially plentiful.
The Kafue Flats floodplain, in the northern section, floods from the Kafue River, and here you’ll discovery thousands upon thousands of the endemic Kafue lechwe, among three subspecies of lechwe found in Zambia. More than 30 000 of them make the flats their home and move seasonally according to the flood level.
At high water levels, big herds may be seen along the upper floodline and in the open grassland further south. As the floods fall back the herds move north into the grassy floodplain. They feed on grasses and herbs in water up to a meter deep and are frequently viewed wading or swimming in the Chunga Lagoon. Mating happens mainly between December and January. Males fight over small territories known as leks and then mate with various females.
In the Termitaria Zone, trees and shrubs grow only on the big termite hills and the rest of the area is covered with grasses and herbs, which often becomes waterlogged during the rainy season. There are lots of small grayish mounds which are rearly vegetated. The magpie shrike is one of the birds to be seen in the isolated trees of this zone and the surrounding grassy plains are grazed by buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and oribi. Very much in evidence is the ‘candelabra’ tree. The southern area is mainly woodland dominated by Acacia albida and Combretum trees and free from flooding. Bushbuck kudu, baboon, bushpig and vervet monkey inhabit this area.
The Gwisho Hot Springs take place along a geological fault here, surrounded by lush vegetation and vegetable ivory palms. The water rises by convection from depths of over 1 km with temperatures drifting from 60° to 90° C. This place has high concentrations of sodium, chlorine, calcium and sulphates in the water. A distinctive rock known as a ‘fault breccia’ occurs along the line of the fault and can be seen at Gwisho or the Lodge.
Sebanzi Hill is an archeological site which has been excavated. It was the location of an iron age village, inhabited for most of the last century. Look out for The Baobab Tree with a hollow trunk large enough for several people to sleep in. Historically the tree was said to boast exceptional powers which would protect travellers from wild animals. There is an odd rocky outcrop called Drum Rocks not far from the lodge, which brings out a resonant sound when tapped. They are also part of local superstition that passers-by had to stop and greet the rocks before proceeding.
Birdlife
There are no life-threatening animals in the park aside buffalos and visitors are encouraged to walk about. Motorcars are not allowed to leave the roads. Lochinvar is well renowned as a superb bird sanctuary featuring many different waterfowl, raptors, woodland species and migrants. 428 species have been recorded.
The floodplain is a wide almost flat area, with black clay soils, sloping almost imperceptibly towards the Kafue River.
Flora is made up of grasses, sedges and herbs adapted to an annual pattern of flooding. Mosr plants grow up with the rising waters to become emerging aquatics with high floods. A few isolated winterthorns Acacia albida and palms Borassus aethiopum occur on the river banks. Hundreds of wattled cranes are found feeding on vegetable matter dug from the soft mud and the large marabou stork scavenging on fish. Around Chunga Lagoon you’ll find the greater and lesser flamingo, the pink backed and white pelicans, African skimmer, Caspian tern, Baillon’s crake and the red knobbed coot.
Lots os duck species are abundant in this environment; the black duck, fulvous duck, whistling duck, pintail, garganey, southern pochard, pygmy goose, yellow billed duck and the Cape and European shovellers. Waders include avocet, the Mongolian, Caspian and Pacific golden plovers, whimbrel, turnstone, sanderling, little stint, spotted redshank, black tailed and bar tailed godwits and six species of sandpiper. Over 50 raptors occur including the black sparrowhawk, osprey, secretary bird, African cuckoo hawk and the peregrine falcon to name a few. Other interesting sightings include the white-bellied and black bellied korhaans, yellow throated sandgrouse, narina trogon, and Denham’s bustard.
Conservation
The IUCN and WWF have specified the Kafue Flats a wetland of global importance under the Ramsar Convention. A sponsored management project in the area attempts to engage local people in conservation by redistributing tourist revenue and controlled harvesting of resources. The fishermen you may come across in the park are part of this unique ecosystem and in numerous ways the humans and wildlife here are interdependent.
When to take a holiday to Lochinvar tourist park
It is accessible all year round but care is required in the wet season after heavy rains. A four-wheel drive is not essential although advantageous in the rainy season.
Peak floods are come about in May at the end of the rainy season, while the water is at its lowest in October and November at the end of the dry season. Birdwatching is best during the wet season when migrants arrive from the north. The game however is easier to spot in the dry season.
Accessing the park
Lochinvar safari park is only a three hour drive from Lusaka and is also accessible by charter aircraft. The access road is via the town of Monze on the Livingstone – Lusaka road. Monze is 282 kms from Livingstone and 186kms from Lusaka. Just north of the grain silos at Monze, turn west along a gravel road signposted at Namwala, then after about 25kms turn right at the signpost to Lochinvar, a distance of about 48 kms. The park gates are open between 6h00 and 18h00 and park fees are payable on entry.
Accommodation
Lechwe Plains Tented Camp
The luxurious tent is positioned near the water’s border, enabling intimate views of thousands of Lechwe and 428 bird species that dwell in the channels and islands. The day’s adventures may include a cultural visit to the nearby fishing village or a morning out touring homes for the rare sitatunga, an aquatic antelope of astounding grace. Later perhaps a ride in a dugout canoe in search of a fish-eagle’s nesting site. The World Wildlife Fund operate a camping site next to the southern gate. Simple chalets are also available.
