Zambia and Zanzibar 2004 Expedition

Objective

This summer seven students from the University of Warwick Expedition Society will be going to Zambia to help in the creation of Flora and Game Management Area (FGMA). The ultimate goal of the project is to provide a more sustainable way of life for the people who live in the area. This involves discussing with them the benefits that tourism can bring and how the disadvantages it might seem to have, such as the reintroduction of elephants which may destroy crops, may prove to be for the best in the long run if it encourages tourism.

Location

The project will be carried out in Northern Zambia 75km north east of the town of Mpika. Lattitude and longitude are 11°19`6.67``S 31°48`55.38``E.

Tasks

To achieve our goal we will be carrying out the following work:

•    Collecting human population data for the proposed FGMA.

•    Collecting information on the currently employed agricultural methods in the FGMA.

•    Carrying out population surveys of domestic cattle and dogs.

•    Identifying and mapping traditional roads.

•    Mapping out vegetation and forested areas.

•    Identification of any species of birds and animals in the area.

•    Discussion with the Chief of the area on his ideas for the project.

Itinerary

N.B. This is a sketch outline of the itinerary and will of course be subject to significant changes when we are in the field. The idea of this itinerary is more to give a flavour of the expedition and it should not be taken to be entirely correct.

July 31st 2004 - Fly out of Heathrow

From August 1st to August 8th - On Zanzibar. Chilling out, walking, swimming, sun bathing, etc.

From August 6th to August 9th - Travel via boat, train and minibus to project area.

From August 10th to September 3rd - On project. Take the weekends off the project to go see some more of Northern Zambia.

From September 4th to September 10th - On safari. We will probably go on safari in South Luangwa National Park because North Luangwa National Park doesn't really cater for independent travellers (plus there are rumours that there are no giraffes in the northern park!)

11th September to 15th September - Travel via minibus and boat from Chipata to Siavonga and then along Lake Kariba to Livingstone. Swimming is not advised since there are literally thousands of crocodiles in the lake so we'll just have to sit back and watch the wildlife along the banks of the great Zambezi.

16th September to 21st September - Do loads of crazy things around Livingstone and Victoria Falls. On the 'To do' list of crazy activities is: bungee jumping, river boarding, jet boating, elephant trekking, gorge swinging and abseiling although there will of course be loads more to do.

22nd September - Go back to Lusaka.

23rd September - Fly home. The expedition is over.

For a more detailed itinerary please take a look at the following link:

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/sunion/expedition/news/zambia/zambia_itinerary/

Kit List

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/sunion/expedition/news/zambia/zambia_kit_list/