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bia’s pristine Luangwa Valley. Five chalets built from
local material accommodate guests who are provid-
ed excellent cuisine, personalised attention within a
relaxed family atmosphere. Tafika offers micro-light
flights as an additional activity to the excellent game
drives and walking safaris also conducted.
Sanctuary Zebra Plains – Walking Safari Camp
Telephone: +260 (0)211 253719 / 253625 / 256022
/ 255823
Fax: +260 (0)211 255823
southernafrica@sanctuaryretreats.com
www.sanctuaryretreats.com
Sanctuary Zebra Plains is perched on a sand bank at
the confluence of the Luangwa and Chibembe Riv-
ers. The unspoilt bush around camp is home to large
populations of zebra, elephant, buffalo, crocodile
and puku, as well as various endemic species and
over 400 bird species. The diversity of habitats here
provide from some of the most spectacular walking
in Africa over terrain that is ideal for exploring with
plenty of shade and long sweeping views. Zebra
Plains is a luxury safari camp with just four traditional
tents – two doubles and two twins. The camp accom-
modates a maximum of six guests, allowing for an
intimate exploration of the South Luangwa. The main
mess tent has a dining area although most of the
gourmet meals will be served in the open in carefully
selected vantage points. There is also a small library
and bar area. This is a seasonal camp that operates
from June to October each year. Sanctuary Zebra
Plains has been designed to leave the lowest pos-
sible carbon footprint and is packed up completely
each year with no trace that it was ever there be-
tween seasons.
LAKE TANGANYIKA
Tanganyika’s waters lap Tanzania, Burundi, Congo
(DRC) and Zambia. It is the longest freshwater lake
in the world and the second deepest after lake Baikal
in Russia. The immense depth is due to its location
in the Great Rift Valley, which has also contributed
to creating its steep shorelines. It reaches a depth of
1433 metres of which is 642m are below sea level.
The bottom, at 1 200 meters, of the lake remains
‘dead’ - either due to its high level of hydrogen sul-
phide or too its low level of oxygen to support life. This
‘fossil water’ is said to be over 20 million years old.
It is essentially landlocked, but as a result of heavy
rains, the lake overflows into the Lukuga River,
which in turn feeds the Congo’s Lualaba River.
The lake stretches north to south a distance of 677
km, and is approximately 50 km wide. The clear wa-
ters are host to more than 350 different species of
fish and are well known for angling. Although Zambia
can only claim to 7% of the lake’s surface area, Zam-
bians do take advantage of such a spectacular lake.
Like Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika is extremely
old, and the combination of its age and ecologi-
cal isolation has led to the evolution of unique fish
populations. Sport fishing is very popular here and
catches include the goliath Tiger fish and Nile perch.
Crocodiles inhabit most of the shoreline, except
around Mpulungu, most likely due to the noise the
noise pollution of the area coming from people and
motorboats.
Swimming in the lake (only in the Mpulungu area—
due to crocodiles elsewhere) is an absolute treat.
Warm, clear, salt-free water that changes from a
silky stillness, to magnificent waves is phenom-
enal—great for body surfers, as winds have been
known to produce waves of up to six meters high.
GETTING THERE
One can travel straight to the port of Mpulungu
on the Great North Road via Mpika and Kasama,
or drive to Nsumbu National Park, which borders
the Lake, via Mporokoso. Kasaba Bay cannot be
reached from Mpulungu as there are mountains and
a river in the way, but it is possible to arrive by boat,
a river journey for a distance of about 60 km. There
is an airstrip at Kasaba Bay, which receives frequent
chartered flights.
WHERE TO STAY
Isanga Bay Lodge
Private Bag 12
Mpulunugu, Zambia
Tel: +260-96-6646991 / + 260-97-7393868
isangabay@gmail.com
www.isangabay.com
Isanga Bay is home to 3 beautiful beach chalets
that have spectacular views of the lake. There are 3
other rondavels that overlook the rocks, which also
have amazing views of the Lake. The lodge accom-
modates approximately 20 people, and all rooms are
only but a few minutes from the beach.