South Luangwa (Zambia) - Landscapes
In mid-dry-season August the Luwi River tributary of the South Luangwa river flows deeply recessed between its terraced banks. Not until early November when the serious wet season rains return will its waters run higher again. The African fish eagle scans the poolsof remaining water below for a meal. On the high bank the lush greens of shrub and grass have faded into the browns and yellows of winter.
When the Luangwa River floods in the wet season, its fast running waters cut into the sandy banks. Big trees lining the banks may get undercut and finally topple over. Its dead branches providing to several bird species welcome perch posts above the water for catching prey (fish, insects).
The smaller tributaries of the Luwi river have run dry completely. The river bed turned into a sea-of-sand
Mayombe tree forest. Young growth has sprouted up forming a wall of rather dense just passable vegetation.
Numerous dead mayombe tree trunks, standing and tumbled, give the South Luangwa landscape a rather desolate look. Elephants and drought appear to have taken a combined toll here, as there are no traces of charred wood that would point at forest fire damage.
The Sausage Tree (Kigelia Africana) can grow 20 metres tall and its sausages can reach up to a metre in length and weigh over ten kilos.
It is reported that the fruit/sausage is edible and tasting a bit like pineapple. The sausage is a nutrient to several local animals (incl. elephants, hippos, giraffes, baboons, warthogs and other.) Besides being a sought after nutrient, it has quite a range of proven medicinal applications. Its has pretty bloodred flowers which open at night attracting various nocturnal animals including bats.
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African innovation, 18 may 2015
'Low-hanging-fruit', at least for giraffes and elephants .........
A pretty flowering plant grows at the Nsolo bush camp in between the cabins.