Dear Sarah,"We got back from South Luangwa on 24th March and this is the first opportunity I have had to email you, so apologies for lateness. As you know, this was our third visit to Norman Carr Safaris in Zambia, but our first in the 'emerald season', and what a great visit it turned out to be.
We had expected rain, and by golly we got it. However the thunderstorms were absolutely fantastic, with huge forks of lightning piercing the dark grey clouds and adding another
dimension to being out in such a wild and wonderful place. It was great to catch up with staff that we had met previously, and everyone of them seemed genuinely pleased to see us and welcome us back.
It was quite an experience to turn off the engine of the boat and slowly and silently float into the ebony groves and across areas where we had previously walked or driven. On one occasion we moored the boat on top of a bridge and were able to walk along the actual road for a short space before the water was lapping at our feet again. We did manage one walk in the bush and were very excited at being able to track and find a large group of buffalo. 
We saw many animals, far more than we expected in fact, including a pack of eight wild dog that were still on their kill. Also hyena, elephant, giraffe, plenty of hippo and crocodiles and from the boat a pride of eight lion (including two cubs), who had very conveniently plonked themselves close to the river bank.
The birds were fantastic and there was much excitement at seeing a palm nut vulture, which are apparently quite rare within that area. We saw so much wildlife that it would bore you rigid if I listed it all, and I think that this was one of the surprises of the whole trip. We had not thought to see so much. The experience of seeing 'green Zambia' was one we will always remember, along with that wonderful feeling of being the only people there, in the middle of such a wild place - a priceless emotion that only Africa seems to satisfy somehow.
Thanks to you, the arrangements, flights, pick ups etc went without a hitch and made the less enjoyable part of a holiday that much easier to cope with. Pioneer Camp was an interesting place and managed to have the largest spiders I have ever seen in a bath!!!So as a summary, I would suggest to everyone who has not visited South Luangwa at this time of year to make a special effort to get there. It is truly breathtaking and makes a wonderful contrast to seeing the area when all is 'brown' and 'baking' during the summer months. A truly memorable holiday in a truly memorable place.
Thanks to you and all at Wildlife Worldwide for a really great time."
Christine, March 2009
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