Wilderness Wildlife Adventure Challenge
Situated in the Lower Zambezi Valley, in an area of outstanding African wilderness, the Zambezi Wilderness Leadership School runs unique adventure safaris that are specifically designed to place participants into new, rewarding and challenging situations deep in the African bush.

Through a once in a lifetime experience, those taking part are given an extraordinary opportunity to face and overcome new challenges outside the norm, developing invaluable skills and renewed confidence whilst becoming familiar with this new and exciting wildlife environment.

The area is home to an abundance of animal species. Throughout the safari we are likely to encounter a fascinating diversity of wildlife, from elephants, buffalo, lion, leopard and the antelopes, to a wide variety of birdlife.

Itinerary

Days 1-10
On arrival in Lusaka you will immediately board a light aircraft and fly some 25 minutes to a bush airstrip in the Zambezi Valley. Here you are met by the Zambezi Wilderness Leadership School team.

Venue
A 12000-acre privately-owned wildlife sanctuary within the lower Zambezi Valley, Zambia, some 4 hours drive from Lusaka. From the stunning riverside vista of the Zambezi to the high escarpment hills to the north, the area has a unique diversity of habitat. As a protected wildlife environment the sanctuary is home to a wide variety of animals, including all the big game resident within the Zambezi Valley: elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard.

Accommodation
The adventure safaris offered by the Zambezi Wilderness Leadership School are based at a riverside camp. You will share a tent with 1 or 2 participants; mosquito nets, bedding and linen are provided. You will spend some days away from camp, sleeping out in the bush.

Safety and risk assessment
All activities are supervised by highly experienced, armed instructors. In addition, a formal risk assessment process involving all participants ensures acceptance of, and support for, necessary control measures such as wearing life jackets in canoes and learning appropriate evasive action from dangerous game.

Instructors
The course relies on the highest standard of instruction, and each instructor is an expert in his field. Two full-time instructors ensure adequate supervision and individual attention throughout.
Visiting lecturers specializing in related subjects of a more specific and academic nature contribute to this educational safari.

Local community interaction
Visits to the nearby community, including the opportunity to help with local school programs, provides participants with valuable interactions with people of a different culture.

Program

After 10 days you will appreciate the African bush intimately. Through a series of interactive lectures, activities and daily highlights you become familiar with one of Africa's Top Ten Destinations – the Lower Zambezi Valley!

We start with an open address to discuss the aim of the retreat and stress-safety procedures. An introductory walk for familiarization with the base camp setting and wildlife follows.

Lectures and activities include the following:

1) Introduction to dangerous game and evasive action: guests experience an encounter with dangerous game and note approach and risk assessment procedure, basically an exercise in animal behavior and reaction. Professional armed guides lead at all times.

2) Challenges to conservation and wildlife management: poaching methods and countering poaching.

3) General knowledge walks: bird, mammal and flora identification.

4) Introduction to tracking: general and specific skills relevant to walking in the bush.

5) Introduction to canoeing: preparation for safety on the water, risk assessment including hippopotamus/crocodile behavior.

6) Leadership task practical: a group challenge.

7) 1st aid specific to the local environment.

8) Canoeing practical: a 20-km journey downstream during which hippo and crocodile will be seen in addition to a wide variety of animals and birdlife.

9) Night sounds: a drive into the bush at night and a study of nocturnal species, stars, sights and sounds – a thrilling experience! More evening game drives take place throughout the safari.

10) Introduction to bushcraft #1: a day to learn survival skills, recognize edible flora, etc. A day of walking and orienteering in remote areas of the sanctuary may take place at any stage during this phase of the safari.

11) Introduction to bushcraft #2: firemaking, rope making and trapping will be practiced.

12) Survival and risk assessment in the bush: what to do when the worst possible scenario comes true.

14) Visit to a local community: participants can interact with a village school and witness the traditional ways of life of the ‘Gova' people.

15) The challenge [top secret]!
Contact us for more details. Remember that you can combine this trip with our other safaris!