Zambezi and Chongwe River video, Zambia Safari June 2013

A short video of the two rivers that I experienced on my visit to Zambia in June, to complement my earlier video of the National Park.
The Zambezi forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and is well over a kilometre wide in places and dotted with small islands.The Lower Zambia National Park on the Zambia side is opposite The Mana Pools National Park on the Zimbabwe side and wildlife particularly elephant and buffalo often cross between the 2 parks using the islands as a refuge and a convenient resting place. The river is slow flowing and not very deep ranging from a few inches to several feet so boats have to be careful they choose the right channels!! The river flow is determined by the vast Kariba Dam about 200 km. upstream and during the rainy season when the dam gates are opened the river can easily flood. The Chongwe River is a small tributary which forms the boundary of the park and Kasaka River Lodge where I was staying is slightly out of the park in a conservation area so it was necessary to ford the river everytime we went into the park on game drives.There are several crossing points quite away upstream but these soon become impassable during the rainy season which means most of the camps close between November and April. The Chongwe itself is fed from the escarpment which runs the length of the park.
I took several trips on the river in the late afternoon and it is a thoroughly relaxing and memorable experience to slowly drift down the Zambezi, gin and tonic in hand and watch the ever changing panoply of life along its banks. Hopefully the video catches a little of that.

 





Safariman

 and  Safariman

Another great clip of your safari.  Life along a river is always so magical and I can quite understand why you took several trips (along with the sundowners what could be more perfect) ? !

I loved seeing the eles and the bank with all the nest holes where the carmine bee eaters would be nesting.

A lovely clip Safariman, thanks for sharing with us.

Lai

Another great clip Safariman thanks it looks really tranquil, although I would have been a bit worried when that Croc started coming towards the boat Looked like there were plenty of Hippo about as well. I really enjoyed sailing along with you, although mine was a pint of Boddies, rather than a Gin & Tonic

WS

Thanks WS and Lai. The nests in the bank are actually made by the White-fronted bee-eater which is the most common in Lower Zambezi. They do get a few Carmine but not as many as South Luangwa. The crocs in the clip were the larger ones well over 3 metres in length and capable of taking small antelope or young buffalo!!

Safariman

Thanks for that Safariman, I did think it must be some sort of Bee eater and took a chance guess!  Crocs they don't appeal to me at all but I did enjoy seeing them in your clip.

Lai

Lai Crocs are not the most endearing of animals, but you have to give them 10 out of 10 for survival. Also they do a vital job of keeping the rivers, and water ways of Africa free from polution by eating all the bodies of animals that have drowned in the water. Very much like Hyenas, and Vultures do on Land

WS

True and you are so right WS but they still don't have a lot of charm about them

Lai

Oh Boy, that was a great way to end the day Safariman, loved sailing up there with you and at the beginning of the clip it looked as if the River and sky met at one point, it was lovely. Great to see the Hippos and the Eles but yes those Crocs are HUGE, they always look like mean beasts and sadly not one of my favs either but yes they have their purpose as all things do.
I really liked the end of the clip with the sunset, so beautiful and peaceful, it all looks quite magical really and i'm glad I caught up with that video. Not sure again if the music was your choice or all that was on offer but again it had an air of anticipation to it.......what are we going to see next? I think it really fitted the clip well.

Thanks for sharing that Safariman, I will sleep with good dreams tonight  

littlewid-x-