Three Chris's & Three Generations Make Wildlife Memories in Luangwa
Wildlife Worldwide has arranged many multi-generational trips for clients, but we are always deeply moved by the stories our clients share with us. One such client, Chris, visited South Luangwa on safari with his 18-year-old daughter on one of my guided tours. 30 years later, he returned to share the wildlife experience with his grandchildren. These are my memories of this incredible family.
In 1993, I led my second safari from the UK to Zambia’s Luangwa Valley. I had previously worked in the Luangwa as a guide and camp manager. Our group consisted of seven guests – Roy and Kathy, Sue and Peter, Hilary, Chris and his 18-year-old daughter Katie.
We travelled in September and visited Kasanka National Park, South Luangwa, and then Livingstone to see Victoria Falls. It was a wonderful, wild and exciting trip with some incredible wildlife sightings. We were the only people in Kasanka. During our stay, we enjoyed walking safaris and night drives in the Luangwa, spent time with the legendary Norman Carr, then went white-water rafting at Victoria Falls and took a light aircraft over the waterfall to see the ‘angels’ view’.
Chris wrote to me after the trip, saying:
‘I have not enjoyed a holiday so much as the Zambia trip for years! It is a splendid country, and I can quite understand your enthusiasm for it, its people and wildlife.’
Chris’s daughter Katie, by then at university, wrote to me a couple of weeks later to say:
‘I just wanted to tell you exactly how much I enjoyed the holiday – in fact, I think the memories are improving even further as the weeks pass by.’
Chris described the 1993 trip as “life-changing” and has returned to Africa on birding trips over 20 times since.
Over the years, Chris and I have occasionally met at Global Birdfair, and elsewhere, and he has always mentioned wanting to return to Zambia. This July, it became a reality, and he visited the Luangwa Valley and Livingstone. Imagine my delight when I received his email:
'I did eventually get to Zambia with the two oldest grandchildren - Lucy and Jacob. A great trip organised perfectly by Chris Osborn. All the connections worked perfectly and finishing off with two nights at Waterberry was excellent. Seven leopards in all, some lions, but the best mammals were the wild dogs in two different dens. I even got a new bird for my African list in bronze-winged courser. Excellent guiding and great lodges throughout. Much more comfortable than 30 years ago. I hope that Lucy and Jacob will continue to appreciate the wild.’
Image by Duncan Cox
I personally have no doubt that some of Zambia’s magic will have rubbed off on Lucy and Jacob, and that they will endeavour to return one day with the next generation …
Find out more about our wildlife safaris to Zambia, or speak to our team to start planning your dream holiday.
