Lusaka National Park

Rich, Katie, Ian, Theo, Nachi, and Griffin atop the tower.

We spent a lovely morning at Lusaka National Park yesterday in search of our first African wild animals. The park was set up relatively recently -- only in the last few years -- modeled after Nairobi National Park in Kenya. It offers an opportunity to get more Lusakans, including school kids, into Zambian parks because of the relatively short drive. It also protects some of the last undeveloped land near to the city.


The animals were relocated from other parks in the country. In our couple of hours at the park, we saw impala, eland (we're told this was a lucky site), kudu, wildebeest, zebra (from afar), reedbuck, and bushbuck. The giraffe eluded us on this trip but we'll be back. We did see giraffe footprints and scat right on our road.

Kudu (left -- check out those horns! that is a big kudu) and wildebeest. Photo by Ian.

Impala. Photo by Ian.	Giraffe hoof print. Photo by Ian.
Chewing impala. Photo by Ian.	Big kudu. Photo by Ian.

A special feature of the park is a tall metal observation tower in the picnic area. It was a little dicey to climb up (the metal ladder was a a little shake-y and the ladder rungs at a jaunty angle, though the handrails helped), but we had a great view from the top.

Rich makes his way up the ladder.

Nachi, Theo, and Griffin on their way down.

The view from the top of the tower at Lusaka National Park. Photo by Ian.

Zambia's strong sun is tough on the outdoor signage...