Sam's Zambia Experience: Kalimba Reptile Park, Lusaka, Zambia

With the world focusing on the activities following the presidential “elections” in Iran, I wonder how many people will take time to read this post. I certainly spend pretty close to 100% of my “free” and “not so free” time following events as they unfold. However, given that people from over 25 countries around the world have stopped by to read this blog, I decided to take a few minutes to write a post.

Last Saturday we visited the Kalimba Reptile Park aka Crocodile Farm, which is about half an hour outside of Lusaka. We had a chance to get very close to some of the world’s most feared predators. We were lucky that one of the employees volunteered to give us a tour. John (rightly) figured out that this group of “muzungus” - Translated this means “white people”; Here we fall under this group - would be willing to tip well for a good experience. Either that, or we arrived at a very good time, as I noticed that several groups behind us did not have a guide.

John started by letting us – Ketsia and me (Azadeh suddenly disappeared ;) - handle a Brown House Snake. Following that, we enjoyed playing with a Chameleon, before getting to the highlight of the day: Handling a Python, the largest African snake. The snake was very heavy, and its skin was surprisingly soft. When we were done playing with the Python, we moved on to see the following snakes as well: Black Mamba, Green Mamba, Boomslang, Puff Adder, Gaboon Adder, Black Necked Spitting Cobra, Mozambique Spitting Cobra, and Forest Cobra. John tried to feed a small chick to the Gaboon Adders, but all three of them passed on the meal, and had mercy on the little creature – at least at the time. In a separate part of the park, we also saw two other, less known but still poisonous snakes (sorry, I didn’t note down the names). Given that the Adders did not seem to be hungry, and John was determined to show us a snake “in action” he aggravated one of the snakes with a stick, until it struck.

After seeing, and learning about snakes, we saw giant lizards (the same kind we saw in Livingstone, but we got a better look this time around), and tortoises, before getting to the crocodiles. The crocs were divided into three age groups. The “Minis” – cute,… well… kind of…, I got to hold one of them, the “Mediums” – These are the unfortunate animals that turn into burgers and handbags, and the “Giants” – these are kept for reproduction.

Before visiting this farm, I was a very big opponent of “luxuries” such as hand bags, wallets and shoes made of animal skin. I am still not comfortable with the idea, but am I being a hypocrite? How is this crocodile farm different from a cow farm or a chicken farm? I certainly enjoy a good beef burger, and I also enjoy chicken tikka masala. Should I become a vegetarian now or should I think it’s OK to buy crocodile hand bags? John quoted the skin of a croc to be sold at about 800 pin, local lingo for 800,000 Kwacha, which with today’s exchange rate equals about $160.

Although it was truly amazing just to see the “Giants” inches away, John once again, took the extra step. He bravely grabbed a stick, and poked one of the giants, which in turn vocally expressed its displeasure, and then even snapped at us. SCARY! Even from behind a fence. I was surprised that the croc did not have many teeth, but we were told that it doesn’t really need teeth, as it has enough force in its jaws to tear any victim apart.

We finished the day, by enjoying crocodile burgers, which to me tasted like chicken burgers, with way too much garlic. I’m not sure if I would choose crocodile again, if beef was available, but now I can check another item off my list of things to do.

If, after enjoying the pictures below, you’d like to read about a (much) more serious topic, please visit Azadeh’s blog at: www.Azadehstravels.blogspot.com.

Playing with the Brown House Snake