The
Lochinvar National Park lies south west of Lusaka in Zambia, on the south side
of the Kafue River. The national park straddles two of Zambia's eco-regions:
Zambezian and Mopane woodlands in the south, and Zambezian flooded grasslands
over most of the park. Habitats in the latter eco-region include Chunga Lagoon
and the Kafue Flats (floodplain), and drier grassland between floodplain and
woodland dominated by termite mounds.
The
park is a former ranch designated in 1972 and is known for its Kafue lechwe and
birdlife, with over 400 species recorded. The antelope and birds thrive in the
absence of larger predators, which have been killed off by ranchers in the
area. Lochinvar is also home to hot springs, echoing rocks, remains of a
Neolithic settlement and an Iron Age village on Sebanzi Hill, also known for
its caves, ancient baobab and wildlife. The old colonial-style farmhouse serves
as the lodge for the park.
Massive
herds of Zambian wildlife can be spotted on the lush green plains of the
National Park. The park is a paradise for herbivore species and the most common
sightings include buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and oribi. The southern area of
Lochinvar National Park is famous habitat for species like bush buck, kudu,
baboon, bush pig, impala, reedbuck, common duiker, genets, civets, hyenas and a
few buffalo. Hippopotamus and crocodiles occur wherever there is water.
Wildebeest, Burchell's zebra, eland, sitatunga and oribi are found in the flood
plains.
The
most notable mammal is the Kafue Lechwe, whose range is confined entirely to
the Kafue flats in the northern section of the park. Thousands upon thousands
of the prevalent Kafue lechwe, one of three subspecies of lechwe are found
here. More than 30,000 of them make the Kafue Flats their home and move
seasonally according to the flood level. At high water, massive herds may be
seen along the upper floodline and in the open grassland further south. As the
floods recede the herds move north into the grassy floodplain. They feed on
grasses and herbs in water up to a meter deep and are often seen wading or
swimming in the Chunga Lagoon. Mating takes place mainly between December and
January. Males fight over small territories known as leks and then mate with
several females.
In
the Termitaria Zone, trees and shrubs grow only on the large termite mounds
with grasses and herbs covering the rest of the area, which often becomes
waterlogged during the rainy season. There are also many small grey mounds
which are always unvegetated. The magpie shrike is one of the birds to be seen
in the scattered trees of this zone and the surrounding grassy plains are
grazed by buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and oribi. Very much in evidence is the
‘candelabra’ tree. The southern area is mainly woodland dominated by Acacia
albida and Combretum trees and free from flooding. Bushbuck kudu, baboon,
bushpig and vervet monkey inhabit this area.
The Gwisho Hot Springs
The
Gwisho Hot Springs occur along a geological fault here, surrounded by lush vegetation
and vegetable ivory palms. The water rises by convection from depths of over 1
km with temperatures ranging from 60° to 90° C. There are high concentrations
of sodium, chlorine, calcium and sulphates in the water. A distinctive rock
known as a ‘fault breccia’ occurs along the line of the fault and can be seen
at Gwisho or the Lodge.
Sebanzi
Hill is an archaeological site which has been excavated. It was the site of an
iron age village, inhabited for most of the last century. Look out for The
Baobab Tree with a hollow trunk large enough for several people to sleep in.
Historically the tree was said to boast special powers which would protect
passing travellers from wild animals. There is a curious rocky outcrop called
Drum Rocks not far from the lodge, which produces a resonant sound when tapped.
They are also part of local superstition in former times and passers-by had to
stop and greet the rocks before proceeding.
Birdlife
There
are no dangerous animals in the park, apart from buffalo and visitors are
encouraged to walk about. Cars however should not leave the roads. Lochinvar is
well renowned as a superb bird sanctuary featuring many different waterfowl,
raptors, woodland species and migrants. 428 species have been recorded.
The
floodplain is a wide almost flat area, with black clay soils, sloping almost
imperceptibly towards the Kafue River. Vegetation is made up of grasses, sedges
and herbs adapted to an annual pattern of flooding. Many plants grow up with
the rising waters to become emerging aquatics at high flood. A few isolated
winterthorns Acacia albida and palms Borassus aethiopum occur on the river
banks. Hundreds of wattled cranes can be seen feeding on vegetable matter dug
from the soft mud and the large marabou stork scavenging for stranded fish.
Around Chunga Lagoon you’ll find the greater and lesser flamingo, the pink
backed and white pelicans, African skimmer, Caspian tern, Baillon’s crake and
the red knobbed coot. Many species of duck are abundant in this environment;
the black duck, fulvous duck, whistling duck, pintail, garganey, southern
pochard, pygmy goose, yellow billed duck and the Cape and European shovellers.
Waders include avocet, the Mongolian, Caspian and Pacific golden plovers,
whimbrel, turnstone, sanderling, little stint, spotted redshank, black tailed
and bar tailed godwits and six species of sandpiper. Over 50 raptors occur
including the black sparrowhawk, osprey, secretary bird, African cuckoo hawk
and the peregrine falcon to name a few. Other interesting sightings include the
white-bellied and black bellied korhaans, yellow throated sandgrouse, narina
trogon, and Denham’s bustard.
Share
with us your experiences, comments and recommendations. Send emails to wildlifemgtsociety@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment