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About Kalimba Farm |
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Kalimba Reptile Park, just a short 20 Km north east of Lusaka, is a
premier day excursion resort – one of the best around Lusaka. There’s so
much on offer. A great day out especially for families and school trips.
A place that suits all kinds of people - whether in search of knowledge,
fun, excitement, or just relaxation!
Giant crocodiles, deadly snakes, fishing, crazy
golf, volley ball, swimming, pool side rest, trampolines, food...
Kalimba Reptile Park nestles in the lush basin of the Ngwerere stream,
an extension of Kalimba Farms that specialises in pig, fish, dairy - and
crocodile farming.
Kalimba Farms has a large fishing operation that supplies Tilapia
(Bream) to the city and its surrounds, and breeds crocodiles for the
crocodile skin export market. Part of the farm has been opened up to the
public and this forms the Kalimba Reptile Park.
Here you’ll experience giant Nile crocodiles, a large variety
of indigenous snakes, tortoises and other reptiles. It is also one of
the few places left in the world where you can see the rare and shy
slender-nosed crocodile.
Kalimba Reptile Park is open every day of the year. Specially
trained guides are available to take you on informative tours. (When the
Best of Zambia team visited, our guide was Levy Banda who has been a
tour guide there for four years. Levy has learned all about reptiles,
from personal observation and from reading. He clearly loves his work! )
Kalimba is a very popular destination for school trips and
group day trips. There is well displayed information about the reptiles
in the park and visitors will go away having had a real life experience
with these potentially deadly creatures – creatures you really wouldn’t
want to encounter in their natural habitat!
Fishing - One of the most popular activities at Kalimba is
fishing in the ponds that are open to the public. Many people spend the
whole day fishing here. Visitors can hire fishing tackle (rod, line,
hooks and bait) and braii (BBQ) their catch for a picnic on the farm.
But if you wish, you can take your catch home. Note that catches need to
be weighed and paid for at reception. Visitors can also buy fresh fish
on the farm at fantastic farm prices!
We operate on a ‘mono-sex’ culture, which means that we only
keep the male fish as they grow faster than the females. The small
female fish are fed to the hatchling crocodiles. The large crocodiles
seen on touring Kalimba are the breeders. Kalimba Farm is now
self-sufficient in egg production. The laying season is temperature
determined and usually takes place in Sept. / Oct. The eggs are then
removed to be incubated. They hatch out in December.
Activities - As well as reptile tours, there are plenty of other
activities to fill your time, or to entertain the kids of you’d rather
relax by the pool! Challenge your friends to a round of crazy golf or to
reeling in the biggest fish. There's also a volleyball court, a
trampoline, a pool table and table tennis facilities. Or simply choose
to lounge by the pool!
The grounds are well laid out with many beautiful spots for
picnics and relaxing - in the sun or in the shade.
Refreshments and braiis - Ever sampled a ‘Croc’ burger? Here is
where you can - it’s very popular served piping hot, irresistible to
those with an adventurous palette – though they say it tastes just like
chicken!
Other tasty grilled (BBQ) food is available such as beef,
pork and fish - all of which are farm-reared right next door. Drinks are
available at reception and include soft and alcoholic beverages. You can
also buy ice cream – is any day out complete without it?
For picnics, bring your own ingredients (or fish for them)
and use the braii stands that are scattered across the grounds.
(Charcoal is sold on the farm).
Kalimba Reptile Park first opened its doors to
the public in March 1995 in response to the many requests received from
the public to view the crocodiles brought to Kalimba Farm in 1985. The
farm was the first in the world to integrate crocodile farming with
aquaculture - the natural waste from pigs is used to improve the
plankton in the water that makes up the normal diet of some of the
Tilapia species of fish. These fish, called Bream in Zambia, are then
grown on the farm.
Source:
Kalimba in the site of "The best of Zambia" (2009)
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