Mushroom Lodge’s January 2012

Newsletter Prepared by : The Mushroom Lodge team.

As Christmas has come and gone, we walk into the New Year of 2012. We would like to wish you all a prosperous year ahead and hope this year will bring you more success. Thank you all who have supported us through out 2011 and we look forward to working with you all in the new successful year ahead.

Mushroom Lodge will remain open through out the rainy season (Jan to June) and we look forward to an ever exciting summer and peak season.

Our people await you.

Welcome to Mushroom Lodge.

There is no better place to spend the festive season holidays than in South Luangwa National Park at Mushroom Lodge.

Ever thought of Christmas Carols in the bush? Well at Mushroom Lodge you can experience carols in the bush with lots of snacks, drinks and socializing. On the 24th of Dec we will be having Christmas Carols for all our guests with all the other lodges in South Luangwa out in the bush.

Guests enjoying sundown drinks and snacks at the Christmas Carols which are held every year in the South Luangwa National Park.  The carols take place out in the bush and all the Lodges take part and give their clients a great time during the Festive season.

The rainy season also brings a different feel of the bush, with the plush green scenery all over and very family friendly for all ages.  Above a family seen enjoying the bush while on a morning safari.

During the wet season, animals even lions are seen right on the road side, which becomes more exciting for the guests. Above you see a male lion also know as the Panthera Leo is one of big five found in abundance in the South Luangwa National Park. Highly distinctive, the male lion is easily recognized by its mane. Lions can live up to ten to fourteen years in the wild, while in captivity they can live longer than twenty years. They are also apex and keystone predators preying mostly on large ungulates. The females are the main hunters while the male is usually the dominant one in a pride.

As we approach the beginning of the rains in the Valley, we see a totally different park as the bushes get greener, the bird life phenomenal and the drops from the sky don’t keep the tourists away. Mushroom Lodge hosted yet another group all the way from Switzerland flown in by the Springbok Classic Air.Springbok Classic Air, is a full service luxury adventure travel company based at Historic Rand Airport near Johannesburg South Africa. They provide classic prop liner voyagers throughout Africa, Europe and beyond.

Above: The group arrives for their bush breakfast under a beautiful shady Natal Mahogany grove by the Norman Car memorial site.

Norman Carr was United Kingdom British conservationist working in Central and Southern Africa. He was influential in setting up National Parks in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Norman Carr was one of the founders of South Luangwa National Park, the place he called alternately the “Enchanted Valley” and the “Valley of the Elephants”.

The group sits down and enjoys a bush brunch set up over looking the Luangwa river, which has gone down tremendously through out this years dry season. In the wet season, the river fills up and tourists get a chance to see fantastic bird life across the river banks.

Guests arrive at our Special Sundown set up and capture the beautiful setup over the Luangwa river and its phenomenal sunset.

As the sun sets, the guests gather round the fire and listen to the sounds of the bush. At this time of the day, the most common sound comes from the hippos, also known as hippopotamus amphibious. The hippos, spend up to 18 hours a day in the water to keep cool and start to venture out onto land when darkness falls. They follow their well-trodden paths to their feeding grounds and return to the water in the morning.

An interesting weekend just passed as Mushroom Lodge hosted a fantastic group all the way from Australia and Tete in Mozambique. There were a lot of exciting events during their stay and excellent safaris with all the guests sighting lion, leopard, elephants and buffalos. Mr. Ben Grobler led the Australian group from Travel Joy while Mr. Pablo Blanch from Argentina led the Brazilian group through a weekend full of fun, excitement and relaxation.

Above: A group photo taken while on a Special Sundown in front of the beautiful Luangwa river.

Travel Joy Group—All the way from Australia getting ready for their night safari with Safari Guide Brian Zulu.

A herd of elephants seen crossing the Luangwa river while on sundown. The Loxodonta Africana is their scientific name and they are found in abundance in South Luangwa National Park and they also remain the largest living land mammal.

A bush breakfast was also set up for the group and it was set over looking the Luangwa river under a Natal Mahogany tree. The Natal Mahogany which is also known as the Trichilia Emetica plays a significant role in the Park in the sense that monkeys feed on the flowers and the baboons and antelope eat the fruit.

The Local people soak the seeds in water, which leave behind a milky substance, this is sometimes eaten with spinach. The seeds are also eaten by certain bird species. Oil extracted from the seeds is used cosmetically and also used to help heal bones.

The flowers are produced between August to November and fruit is found between December to April. The wood is used for carvings, musical instruments, household implements, furniture, bats and canoes.

One of the many exciting birds also seen during the weekend by the 2 groups was the Carmine Bee-eater . Every spring, Carmine Bee-eaters (Merops nubicoides) gather to breed at favoured sites in the sandy banks near water on the Luangwa River. With large colonies supporting up to 1 000 pairs, they provide an unforgettable birding experience.

Above: Part of the team that hosted and led the 2 groups. From Far left, Tenson Ngwenya, Ernest Njobvu—Safari Guide, James Lungu—Safari Guide, Malilo Banda and Brian Zulu—Safari Guide.

Once again we start with a new month and welcoming the spring and sun and doing away with the bitter cold over the last few months. Upcoming events for this spring time are soon to come with lots of interesting packages for you to visit Mushroom Lodge. We are still currently on the Zambian Specials website running a special until the end of the year. Soon to come this month, Mushroom Lodge will be running yet another special called the “Spring Special” and will be advertised on the Destination Zambia website

 Guests enjoying a sundowner along the Luangwa River while on their Night Safari.

Speaking of events, Mushroom Lodge will be participating with the Zambia Tourism Board this month to celebrate World Tourism Day and you will here more details of this event in the next few days on our Twitter and Face Book pages.

Indeed it is a pool with a view and during the summer time, our pool gets very popular with guests either overlooking the game that comes through the lagoon or taking a swim to cool off in the heat of the Luangwa.

Safari Guide Duncan and his guests enjoying a morning tea break after a very interesting sighting of a pride of lions resting on the banks of a lagoon. This is a very rare sighting and hence the cheers to Duncan for finding the lions on their morning drive.

The just ended 85th Agricultural and Commercial show which took place from the 29th July to the 1st August 2011, saw Mushroom Lodge yet again continuing its support with the Zambian Tourism Board. This time we were in the Capital—Lusaka exhibiting at the Lusaka Show Grounds, under the  theme… Shaping Tomorrows World. This year saw 17 countries participate in the 5 day Commercial Show, not to mention a few Egypt, India, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, China, Iran, Pakistan, Japan and Tanzania.

We saw the likes of the Governor of Bank Of Zambia, Honorable Caleb Fundanga far right visiting many of the stands and what a great honor and pleasure to stop and see Mushroom Lodge under ZTB.

Sue Rickens Kabwe—Far right from Zambia Tourism entertaining guests at the stand. Sue has been great support for Mushroom Lodge and has worked hard for all three shows in doing what she does best—Marketing.

Zambia Tourism Board had their newly launched slogan “Lets Explore” put up in well view of passing visitors which in deed attracted a lot of them to see what the tourism sector had to offer at the show. Apart from Mushroom Lodge, we also had Zambezi river lodge, Protea Hotels, Zambezi Airlines, Golden Bridge Hotel and Tecla Lodges all part of the ZTB stand.

This year also saw The Embassy of Sweden who received a special invitation to participate as judges of the exhibiting stalls. Many organizations and firms were very impressive and demonstrated efforts in interpreting this years theme – “Shaping Tomorrow’s World”. Government bodies, large companies but also small scale farmers and the universities were represented at the fair, which is also one of the main events in Zambia every year.

SAFARI

Now to the safari aspect of this months news letter, Mushroom Lodge had a special visit from Students from the Christ Presbyterian Church all the way from Edina Minnesota. They were a group of fifteen students who were in Africa for their first safari and all the better chose Mushroom Lodge to host them.

On arrival at the Lodge, the group was in time for a delicious lunch and then prepared for the first ever night safari with our qualified safari guides as seen below with nothing but excitement in their eyes.

Last month it was Kitwe, and this month it was Ndola, as Mushroom Lodge continues its strategy of promoting Local tourism through out Zambia. Innovation for competitiveness was the theme this time over the last weekend  at the just ended Zambia International Trade Fair which took place in Ndola and we had the chance once again to be with the Zambia Tourism Board. The event was held at the Ndola Showground’s with multiple exhibitors coming in from Congo, Botswana, Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya to name a few.

Among other important events at the show was a visit to the ZTB stand from the Minister of Tourism, Environment & Natural Resources Honorable Catherine Namugala. As seen below and above encouraging us to continue the good spirit in supporting and promoting Local tourism around the country.

From Left: Mr. Isaac Ndhlovu ( Director Mushroom Lodge) Honourable Catherine Namugala—Minister of Tourism Environmental & Natural Resources and Director of Marketing—ZTB Mr. Evans  Muhanga

Also during the show time, there was a special event as we saw the Zambia Tourist Board unveil their new logo with a theme of “Lets Explore” and also had a launch which was held in Lusaka on the 30th June 2011.

The Zambia Tourism Board also came out overall winners for Best Exhibitors as seen with the trophies above.

SAFARI

To take you back to the Safari aspect of this month, Mushroom Lodge would like to introduce you to Julie Howlett seen below enjoying a bush breakfast. From the left: Head Barman—Edson Banda, Safari Guide—Ernest Ndjovu, Julie Howlett and Louise Kalidas, Julie’s Host.

Julie has been visiting Mushroom Lodge for the last 4 years coming every year in June since 2007 the year the Lodge opened all the way from Norfolk, England. A link to what she had to say about Mushroom Lodge can be seen at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g479226-d1641362-Reviews-Mushroom_Lodge-South_Luangwa_National_Park.html

Julie enjoying a cold one at a sun down, during one of her many safaris undertaken while at Mushroom Lodge. She has already made her reservation for next year June, which will mark her 5th consecutive year with Mushroom Lodge.

The event was held at the Kitwe Showground’s with multiple exhibitors including over 20 South African Exhibitors. The Zambia Tourism Board was also in collaboration with Investrust bank and  FNB, to introduce Holliday loans, for travelers to be able to  go on holiday and see Zambia’s tourist destinations like Mushroom Lodge. Destination Zambia, Voyagers Travel & Tours and Zambezi Airlines who were all part of the ZTB stand who took part in this investment opportunity with a strategy to promote Local tourism and reach out to the people of the Copperbelt.

“Tourism After Copper”

You can have copper, and you keep digging and digging and eventually you can dig no more and find no more copper. As for Tourism, it will always be there and it is sustainable.

From Left: Mrs. Sue R. Kabwe(Senior Marketing Manager-ZTB), Mr. Timothy Mushibwe(Chairman-ZTB) Sefina Tembo from Zambezi Airlines, Mrs. Victoria (Assistant Marketing Manager-ZTB) and to the far right, Mr. Felix Chaila (Managing Director-ZTB)

His Excellency President Rupiah B. Banda visiting the ZTB stand where Mushroom Lodge was exhibiting at the Official Opening of the Copperbelt Mining & Agricultural Commercial Show in Kitwe. To his left: Mr. T. Mushibwe—Chairman ZTB and to His far right is Mr. F. Chaila—Managing Director—ZTB

During the 5 day show, Zambia Tourism Board held a cocktail party which also included a raffle and presentations from their participants i.e. Mushroom Lodge (above), Destination Zambia, Investrust Bank and FNB.

Mushroom Lodge would like also to congratulate Mr. Peter Chisanga of SCAW Limited who won the first prize offered by Mushroom Lodge which includes a weekend for 2 on a full board basis, including meals, accommodation, safari games drives, all taxes and service charges, airport transfers to and from Mfuwe Airport, tea/coffee and snacks. Air tickets sponsored by the Zambia Tourism Board.

We would also like to thank the ZTB (left) team who hosted us through the show and showed great enthusiasm towards promoting the Local tourism in Zambia, which introduced us to many different exhibitors at the show.

What’s New at Mushroom Lodge!
Coming into peak season and the rains have come to an end, the bush is still amazingly green with most of the wildlife still in abundance on the outskirts of the park roads, where else to experience and adventure safari then at Mushroom Lodge.
Recently, Musroom Lodge introduced 4 x4 safari adventure package trips by road from Lusaka to Mfuwe to give an extra feel of the bush and it’s nature. The 4 x 4 vehicles are being provided by African Tracks Limited, who are based in Lusaka.