Lavushi Manda National Park

Topography and Hydrology

Lavushi Manda lies on the plateau area of Mpika District between the Muchinga Escarpement and the alluvial flats of the Bangweulu Wetlands. The scenery is dominated by the spectacular 47 km long Lavushi Manda mountain range in the southern half of the park. This range reaches up to 1811 meters altitude, forming one of the highest points in Zambia. Vertical cliffs characterise parts of the eastern slopes. The western slopes are rocky but typically vegetated, while there are substantial rocky plateau areas on top of the range.

Away from this range, the park is dominated by undulating or rather flat terrain, covered by vast stretches of miombo woodlands interspersed with large seasonally wet grasslands and valleys (dambo’s) feeding into numerous seasonal and perennial streams. Evergreen riparian forest lines much of the banks of the perennial streams.

Lavushi Manda contains a high number of large dambo plains which form the headwaters of numerous seasonal and perennial streams. Perennial rivers which drain the park are, from southwest to northeast, the Lulimala, Lukulu, Lumbatwa (including the Lubweshi) and Mufubushi. All of these streams form part of the boundaries and, with the exception of the Lukulu, have their sources on the boundaries of the park. These streams all flow directly into the Bangweulu Wetlands. The streams draining Lavushi Manda are of critical importance for the ecologically extremely rich Bangweulu Wetlands. The inner delta’s of the Lukulu and Lumbatwa rivers are among the richest parts of the Wetlands.

There are numerous rocky pans and flat plains throughout the park which form seasonal lakes. Although there are no truly permanent lakes in the park, the Chibembe Plain and Lake Mikonko keep a substantial surface of standing water well into the dry season.

Habitats

Lavushi Manda falls within the Central Zambezian Miombo Woodland Ecoregion (WWF Global 200 Ecoregions). The ecosystem can be considered typical for the plateau areas of central and northern Zambia, with a mixture of Zambezian elements and Congo Basin elements. The key habitats and with that core ecological qualities of the park are the fairly isolated Lavushi Manda mountain range, large seasonally wet dambo grasslands, vast tracts of pristine woodlands and long combined length of highly diverse streams and rivers and associated (seasonally) wet habitats.

Deciduous “Open Forest” or woodland covers approximately 80% of the park. Miombo Woodland is the principal type, characterised by a dominance of trees from the genera Brachystegia, Isoberlinia, Julbernardia and Uapaca.

Riparian Forest occurs as a narrow evergreen strip following the perennial streams or as a deciduous or semi-deciduous strip fringing the seasonal streams. A typical feature of the riparian forests in Lavushi Manda are the frequent presence of Raphia farinifera (Raphia Palm),which is absent in the nearby Kasanka National Park and most of Bangweulu Game Management Area).

Grasslands cover no less than 17% of the park. Seasonally wet headwater dambo grasslands include the larger part of the grasslands in LMNP. Bog grasslands are common especially near the mountains where seepage water creates year-round wet conditions.

Mammals

Since 2008 a total of 50 large mammal species has been recorded in Lavushi Manda. Of these, six species are listed as threatened by the IUCN: Straw-coloured Fruit Bat (NT), Leopard (NT), Lion (VU), African Elephant (VU), Hippopotamus (VU) and Puku (NT).

Protracted poaching led to serious depletion of all larger mammal populations prior to 2011. With the involvement of the Kasanka Trust in park management, improved law-enforcement efforts have been possible since 2011. These seem to have already lead to significant recovery of several large mammal species. Densities however are still very low. The only ungulates which are currently fairly common are Common Duiker, Reedbuck and Sable. There are small herds of Puku. The most common (diurnal) large mammal probably is the Kinda Baboon. Warthog are also frequently sighted.

Birds

Lavushi Manda is recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) on account of the presence of a large number of biome-restricted species and threatened species. To date 349 bird species have been recorded.

Eleven (near-)threatened bird species have been recorded in the Lavushi Manda. Of these, Bateleur, Crowned Eagle, Martial Eagle and Southern Ground Hornbill occur in good numbers. The rare and enigmatic Shoebill breeds in the adjacent Bangweulu GMA.

Interestingly Lavushi Manda is home to rock-associated species - these are basically absent from other parts of the Bangweulu system and also not easily seen in the nearby Luangwa system. The presence of Verreaux’s Eagle is notable. Other specials are mainly species of dambo grasslands such as Locustfinch, Streaky-breasted Flufftail, and Blue Quail; miombo woodlands such as Anchieta’s Sunbird, Anchieta’s Barbet, and Böhm’s Flycatcher; and rivers with associated evergreen forest such as . Finfoot, Purple-throated Cuckooshrike, and Böhm’s Bee-eater.

The park holds large numbers of several Palaearctic migrants. Collared Flycatcher occurs in particularly high densities. The Lavushi Manda mountain chain forms a regionally important flight path for among others raptors, bee-eaters and swallows.

Fish

Some 30 species have been recorded in Lavushi Manda to date. Although this number is thought to constitute only about half the number of fish species present. Species diversity in catches downstream from Mumbatuta Falls has been higher than further upstream, suggesting that these falls are a barrier for fish migration.

The Bangweulu Killifish, a Zambian endemic with restricted range (from Mansa to Lavushi Manda), is listed as Endangered occurs in the park and Greenhead Tilapia is listed as Vulnerable. Several species that are sensitive to high fishing pressures are common, notably the Yellowfish Labeobarbus trachypterus. Tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus) occurs in the Lukulu River.

Development and Management

Prior to 2011 resources available to be committed to Lavushi Manda National Park had dwindled such that there was no effective management. Poaching within the park was rife,with all large mammal numbers being almost completely wiped out. The Kasanka Trust, who for many years had been successfully operating the nearby Kasanka National Park extended its operations to Lavushi Manda with assistance from the World Bank. This program saw the establishment of park infrastructure such as administrative buildings, a road network and a basic conservation centre. Work also began to work cooperatively with communities who had begun to illegally settle within the park boundaries. By 2016 all illegal settlers within the park had voluntarily resettled outside park boundaries.

The Kasanka Trust now manages the park under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). The Trust continues to develop the road network at the site while working with the DNPW on combating illegal poaching. The effects of the increased anti poaching efforts at the park are being seen in increased mammal populations.

The not for profit Kasanka Trust generates revenue to operate Lavushi Manda mainly from its tourism operations at Kasanka National Park, however it is still reliant on external funding in the form of grants and donations to fund part of its operations. It works with various partners to achieve conservation outcomes.

Tourism

Tourism at Lavushi Manda is still in its infancy, and it could be considered one of Zambia's last 'undiscovered' gems. There a three rustic campsites that have been developed: Mumbatuta, Kapandalupilli and Peak. Another campsite at Chibembe is no longer maintained but is still in existence for adventurous campers.

The Kasanka Trust is opening a tented camp in 2017 on the Lukulu River. This will feature 4 permanent canvas tents and be a base for anglers, bird watchers and hikers and nature lovers.

The mountain range through the park offers excellent potential for hikers, as well as good possibilities for rock climbing although to date there have been no routes mapped. Recreational angling is possible in the park with a permit. With its dramatic landscape Lavushi Manda also offers excellent photography options.