Lianshulu Lodge
June 2009
A group of the Caprivi region’s disadvantaged children had the time of their lives at Lianshulu Lodge in the Caprivi. Children in the Wilderness hosted two groups of children coming from the communities surrounding Mudumu National Park to a week of laughter, outdoor adventure and environmental education.
This was the first time that Children in the Wilderness had hosted a camp in the Caprivi. Lianshulu Lodge in eastern Caprivi overlooks the Kwando River and is situated on a private concession inside Namibia’s Mudumu National Park. The area is a lush wilderness of riverine forest, marsh and open woodland, with superb scenery and a fascinating array of fauna and flora which served as the perfect canvas for a Variety of wilderness activities, a favourite of which was the Kwando River Boat Cruise.
“I loved the boat cruise because we got to touch and smell different plants,” said one camper. “We saw hippos in the water and I loved the fish eagle.” Other campers enjoyed the game drives and learning about how to protect their crops from animals. A hands-on activity taught campers how to combine dried chillies and elephant dung to create a substance that safely repels elephants when set ablaze.
“Elephants are important,” said another camper. “They help other animals to get food and they create jobs for us. We don’t have to throw stones at them. I will teach my family about what I learnt in the camp.”
In addition to the wilderness activities, children were taught about the dangers of drinking alcohol and about their rights, particularly when it comes to bodily integrity and protecting themselves from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. The safe environment created by Children in the Wilderness gave the campers the freedom to explore, to try new things and to open up about challenges they are facing.
“I will never forget the people on camp,” said a young camper. “They are so nice and they make you feel special. I wish I could stay here forever.”
Children in the Wilderness is dedicated to working with Namibian children to give them hope and belief for their own future and the future of their country’s natural environment. It is thrilled to welcome Lianshulu to its growing programme.
Taken from the Namibian Economist, 29th May 2009.
March 2009
You will be able to read about the Mudumu National Park and Nandi, Lianshulu's muffin chomping crocodile in the next issue of Travel Namibia Magazine. Whilst the Zambezi is currently rising and saturating its flood plains, the Kwando is meandering peacefully beside Lianshulu Lodge and as yet remains well below 2008's flood levels. Self-drivers heading for the lodge should remember that there is no mobile phone coverage inside Mudumu so it is worth making sure Lianshulu has a rough ETA.
The guides are reporting the usual superb green season birding with plenty of raptors active along the river bank. The park continues to offer good daily sightings of prey species and the boat cruises are picking their way carefully between the hippo pods to spot Red Lechwe, Water Buck and Bush Buck. The local elephant and buffalo populations are seen every week despite the rains.
February 2009
With all the rain in the rest of the country, Lianshulu reports business as usual for the Caprivi Strip. The Bream are rising, the hippo are mowing the fresh grass far from the river and the Mudumu National Park is a twitchers paradise.
October 2008
The Mayeyi Traditional Authority had their 12th Annual Cultural Festival. A whole day of exciting festivities was all about local culture and dancing performances. The honourable Mayeyi Chief Sifu also attended. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Richard Kamwi, was the guest of honour this festival.
Lianshulu Lodge also recently hosted the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Mrs Netumbo on her visit to Mudumu National Park recently.
August 2008
2008 has seen a dramatic peak in the Caprivi rainfall pattern. The Kwando River achieved near record breaking levels this year. In March, the river peaked at 3,82mtr and the current flood is peaking at 3,77mtr. Historically the river level has only been higher once in May 1969, peaking at 3,99mtr. The flood plains are submerged upto 1.5km from the river bank.
Despite a number of game drive routes being under a metre of river water, Mudumu's Wild Dogs have been spotted several times in the last 2 months. Sightings have typically occurred in an area of roughly 5000ha, between Lianshulu Main Lodge and the ranger station to the east. This is a different (all adult) group to the pack found denning earlier this year.
Lianshulu's resident (and shy) male lion was recently spotted late at night and seen to be in very good condition. Although he is somewhat camera shy, he is very vocal and adds to the lodge's nocturnal chorus.
The giraffes that were released by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in late 2007 have been thriving in the park. One group of seven, all in very good condition, are frequently seen close to the Nakatwa Ranger station. We hope to see new members added to the family by next year.
The local Sable and Roan Antelopes have become well habituated to vehicles and are making more and more appearances along the main road that runs through the Mudumu National Park. The Eland population are tending to stay isolated in the North Eastern corner of the park.
Elephant sightings are becoming more frequent, now that most of the standing water in the park is drying up. One regular visitor to the lodge couldn’t wait to get back to his pet landscaping project and bulldozed two Mopane trees across the lodge entrance. This delayed the game drive the following morning by an hour as the guides couldn’t get their vehicles out until the trees were cut into sections and dragged away.
Clearly bored with carpentry, the elephant headed next to the precious vegetable garden, walked straight through the electric fence and ate all the leaves off the Banana trees. In an act of unlikely generosity he left the bananas in place!
Finally, news of Lianshulu's more or less permanent fixtures. The resident Hyena has moved from room 4 to the thatch storeroom. Like clockwork each evening when the dinner drums are played, the Hyena calls and continues long into the night. Whilst “Ouma”, the resident hippo, is also keeping up her side of the bargain. She comes out every evening to mow the lawn which is a real treat for the guests and the gardener who has only had to cut the grass twice this year.
February 2008
Lianshulu Lodge is one of the most beautifully situated properties in the Caprivi Strip and is the only lodge inside the Mudumu National Park. The latest news from Lianshulu indicates that the area has had very good rainfall with 480mm of rain in January alone. The Kwando river has risen from 1.6 m to 2.1 m in that time, opening new routes through the papyrus and covering some of the lower flood plains.
For self drive guests, this means there are some good sized puddles to navigate in the Mudumu National Park, but no problem if you are in a 4 x 4. For guests arriving in a 2 x 4 the camp will transfer them the last stretch to avoid any problems.
Many of the game drive roads are partially under water which makes the drives a real adventure. The wildlife has dispersed slighty with the rainfall but the guides are still finding plenty of interest. The most exciting news is that Wild Dogs have returned to the park and have been seen regularly. Mudumu's dogs have successfully raised a litter of 6 pups which are a welcome and important addition to the park's eco-system.
The giraffe, eland and sable that were released into the park last year by MET have done well and are habituating to their surroundings.