Zambia

Tentative Dates: July 5th to August 18th
Expedition Cost: $6700
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Who are we?
Ethical Expeditions is a non-profit school without walls that works to conserve our natural world by taking small groups of students on eight week educational expeditions. We believe that helping to conserve our environment is not a spectator sport. Working with international organizations and local communities in environmentally sensitive areas around the world, students have the opportunity to make a real and lasting impact. Through field work, community discussions, research, and time in nature, our expeditions prepare students to lead environmentally ethical lives.

Why Zambia?
Zambia has been labeled “the real Africa,” and for good reason. Offering wild and remote
places, Zambia is a perfect destination to sample the biologically rich African continent.
Ethical Expeditions believes in the importance of getting students into nature and experiencing wonders of the natural world such as watching a chimpanzee care for her baby, seeing a herd of elephants bathing in a river or even the simple wonder of watching the sun set on the Zambezi River. These magical moments are life changing events and will help instill in students an environmental ethos needed to create the conservationists our planet so desperately needs. Zambia is filled with friendly people and inspirational individuals who are devoting their lives to conserving the natural world. Students will have the opportunity to work alongside these inspirational individuals and learn what it means to care for and protect some of the most unique animals on the planet. Zambia is a stable and safe country, making it a perfect destination for our expedition with students.

Why Ethical Expeditions?
Ethical Expedition's innovative educational vision and commitment to real world learning provides
students with an opportunity that cannot be found inside the classroom. By studying and working directly with experts in the field, students will have the chance to become personally involved in conservation and help to save unique African wildlife. Ethical Expeditions has developed relationships with local conservation groups such as Conservation Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa Conservation Society and Chimfunshi Wildlife Trust. These partnerships provide access and opportunities for students that are not available outside of our expeditions and will continue long after students return home.


Chimfunshi
Founded by David and Sheila Siddle in 1983, Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage is the perfect place
to begin our expedition. Students will learn what it is like on a daily basis to care for chimpanzees in a sanctuary. They will observe the chimps in their natural habitat, as well as have the opportunity to work with them up close when they come in each day for feeding. The opportunity to work closely with another primate teaches us not only about wildlife, but also about ourselves. Students will work hand in hand with the chimp keepers, learning about chimp care and conservation, and also about rural Zambian life and culture. Students will have the opportunity to work directly with school children from surrounding villages as part of Chimfunshi’s educational outreach program. Students will stay at the education center where we will hold daily class discussions and activities as well
as experience life without indoor plumbing and participate in group meal preparation.

North Luangwa National Park
This remote park is said to offer “one of the finest wilderness experiences in Zambia, if not Africa itself.” Classified as a wilderness area and not open to the public for thirty years, North Luangwa is remote, wild and void of tourists. Students will experience wildlife not habituated to humans and will take daily walking safaris with armed rangers. Camp-fires, storytelling and night safaris will provide unforgettable opportunities to learn about nature as well as ourselves. We will stay at Buffalo Camp, owned and operated by a family who has been integral in the Zambian conservation movement for decades. Daily discussions about conservation and wildlife will enrich students’ experience of this magical wilderness area.

Mutinondo Wilderness Area
Mutinondo offers the opportunity to experience the vast landscape of Africa. Celebrating
nature through hikes, swimming and canoeing, students will continue to spend time immersing themselves in the beauty of Africa. From here, we will take a three day hike with armed rangers into South Luangwa National Park. This field experience will focus on the importance of wildlife corridors between North and South Luangwa National Parks. We will be picked up at the north entrance to South Luangwa NP and travel to Flatdogs Camp.

South Luangwa National Park
The concentration of wildlife at South Luangwa National Park is overwhelming. Elephants,
lions, zebras and hippos are everywhere, leading to human/wildlife conflicts. Students will work with the the South Luangwa Conservation Society to learn about and participate in programs designed to help villagers and wildlife peacefully co-exist in this unique area. From chili fences to anti-snaring campaigns, students will experience the realities and complexities of saving some of Africa’s most notable mammals.


Lower Zambezi National Park
Nestled between a mountain range and the Zambezi River, Lower Zambezi National Park is
a beautiful place to end our expedition. Ethical Expeditions is partnering with Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) to provide a truly unique experience. Lower Zambezi National Park and CLZ are desperately working to protect the magnificent animals of this park. Working closely with the Zambian Wildlife Authority, students will have the opportunity to meet scouts and learn about anti-poaching efforts. Education is an important component of CLZ’s work and students will spend time with local school children educating them about conservation. Students will have the opportunity to experience this national park by boat on the majestic Zambezi River, as well as by land.