The First Journey - Africa Summer 2008

Topic: Permaculture as a Solution for Self-Sustainability in Rural Africa
Dates: May 19 through June 18

Film Topic: “Agricultural Sustainability in Rural Africa”

Synopsis: Three women create permaculture gardens to feed their families in remote Zambia, in hopes of turning it into a fruitful business for other locals, passer-byers, and tourists in the future. Now, a team of students, filmmakers, travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts record the process in ensuring agricultural sustainability, to help implement these women’s vision by gathering the necessary tools along their journey to the village.

Day 1 May 20

Arrival: For your convenience accommodations can be provided at Mufasa Backpackers in Johannesburg for any number of nights before we are scheduled for departure. Today the drivers/crew meet at Johannesburg International Airport and prepare to hit the road. We will spend the day driving to Botswana and camp near the border at Martin’s Drift.

Evening: Trip briefing and general overview of the project and the areas we will be visiting.

Overnight: Campsite Itumela, Palapye

Tel: +267 492-0228

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Distance traveled: 460 km

Day 2 May 21

After breakfast we travel to the border town of Kasane. We set up camp at the banks of the Chobe River.

Overnight: Campsite Toro Lodge

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Distance traveled: 650 km

www.torolodge.co.bw

Day 3 May 22

This morning we take the early morning ferry across the river to the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls. The Victoria Falls are one of the natural wonders of the world and also known as ‘Musi-O-Tunya’, ‘The smoke that thunders’.

Afterwards we continue our journey to the town of Lusaka, the geographical and political heart of Zambia. Lusaka started life in the early 20th century as a village and railway siding and was declared capital in 1035. Today it is a big city, part traditional and part modern, where dusty markets sit alongside shiny high-rise office blocks.

Overnight: Campsite Pioneer Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Distance traveled: 530 km

www.safarinow.com/go/pioneercamp

Day 4 May 23

After breakfast we drive to the small town of Chipata for an overnight stop.

Overnight: Campsite Mama Rula’s Guesthouse

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Distance traveled: 550 km

www.mamarulas.com

Campsite includes dining room, bar, and swimming pool.

Day 5 May 24

After breakfast we cross the border into Malawi and drive to Lilongwe, one of the major cities in Malawi. Set up camp at Kiboko Camp Site. This will be our base for the next 9 days.

Overnight: Campsite Kiboko

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Distance traveled: 295 km

www.kiboko-safaris.com

Mandala Road 4/278, Old Town
Lilongwe Malawi
Tel: +265 (0)1 751226
Fax: +265 (0)1 752682
Mobile: + 265 (0)9 828384
Campsite includes beautiful gardens, restaurant, bar and internet cafe

Day 6 to Day 10 May 25-29

Filming at Freedom Gardens and surrounding farms.

Overnight: Campsite Kiboko
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11 May 30

Today we pack-up camp and move to the highlands of Malawi at Livingstonia. One of the oldest mission stations in Malawi. We settle-in at Lukwe camp site.

Overnight: Lukwe Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

www.lukwe.com

Day 12 to Day 17 May 31- June 4

Filming at Lukwe Permaculture farms and surrounding farms.

Overnight: Lukwe Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 18 June 5

Time to start heading towards our next filming location, the Makumba Village in Zambia, just outside the Mfuwe Airport. We will set-up camp at Flatdogs, bordering the South Luangwa National Park, to spend the next few days working in the small-scale gardens put into production through the aid of international students.

http://www.flatdogscamp.com

info@flatdogscamp.com

Phone: + 260 (0) 216 246038

+ 260 (0) 6246038

Campsite includes: Swimming pool, lakeside access, internet, pool table, bar and restaurant

Day 19-21 June 6-8

These days will be spent filming and socializing with locals of the Mathias Makumba Village, assisting them in their gardens with tools and knowledge obtained along the trip so far.

Day 22 June 9

Today we depart from Flatdogs and begin the trip back to Johannesburg.

First stop- Mama Rulas in Chipata (Zambia) for overnight stay.

Overnight: Mama Rulas Camp site

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 23 June 10

Travel to Lusaka.

Day 24 June 11

Travel to Kasane in Botswana.

Overnight: Toro Lodge

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 25 June 12

This morning we will have an early wake-up call and board open 4x4 vehicles for a game drive through the renowned Chobe National Park. The Chobe National Park covers an area of 10698 square km, which makes it the third largest Park in Botswana.

We return to the lodge for breakfast at around 10:00. There is time to relax around the pool or do some fishing before boarding our boat at 3:00 for a sunset cruise along the mighty Chobe River, where herds of elephants, buffalos, hippos and various other animals drinking and bathing in the river can be observed.

Overnight: campsite Toro Lodge

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner