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Lochinvar National Park - Zambia
African Safari
Lochinvar National Park is a small park covernig an area of 410 square kilometers and was declared a park in 1972. It is situated in Monze District of Zambia's Southern Province. Lochinvar National Park is generally a flat ground apart from the two small hills at the southern end. Lochinvar National Park divides into three distinct zones which has its own charactersitic flora and fauna.
The northern third of Lochinvar National Park is a flood plain home to thousands of the endemic Kafue lechwe, one of three subspecies of lechwe found in Zambia. More than 30 000 of them make the 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.
The central zone of Lochinvar National Park is an extensive region of termitaria grassland, characterized by grassy plains and scattered termite mounds. The 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 portion of Lochinvar National Park is a woodland area characterized by species of Acacia, Albizzia and Combretum. It is here that some interesting hot springs and archaelogical sites are found. The Gwisho Hot Springs occur along a geological fault, and are 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.
In terms of general wildlife viewing: The most notable mammals is the Kafue lechwe, whose range is confined entirely to the Kafue flats. Hippos and crocodiles are found wherever there is water. Wildebeest, zebra, eland and oribi ore found in the flood plains. Impala, reedbuck, bushbuck, common duiker, kudu and a few buffaloes occue in the southern woodlands of Lochinvar park. Lochinvar National Park is famous for its birdlife. There are almost 400 bird species in the park. In the flood plain, fulvous and white-faced tree ducks, spur winged goose, grey, purple and goliah herons, red cormorant, darter pink-backed and white pelicans including fish eagles are numerous.
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