Our Croc Valley campsite, by the Luangwa River in Zambia, may look peaceful but things were turned upside down when the vervet monkeys decided to rummage through our campsite kitchen and then get into the truck to steal snacks. (Oct. 25, 2024)

The baboons getting away after the sling shot or catapult warden showed up and was able to chase the smaller vervet monkeys and bigger baboons away with his slingshot. It was an eventful and beautiful morning between 5:00 and 6:00 am during which the vervet monkeys were stealing from us and the baboons were stealing from them. Good thing I went to sleep early and had a great night’s sleep before the shenanigans began. (Oct. 25, 2024)

I was also told, since I was sound asleep, that a herd of elephants came through our tent site and 30 minutes a bloat of hippos also made their way through. Laban, our Intrepid leader, said one passed right in front of my tent. I did not hear a thing until the vervet monkey ruckus started this morning at 5:00 am. (Oct. 25, 2024)

The vervet monkeys, after raiding our overland truck for snacks, are still waiting around close to our Croc Valley campsite by the Luangwa River in Zambia. (Oct. 25, 2024)

The Mulberry Mongoose jewelry shop on Mfuwe’s main tar road and a 15-minute drive from the South Luangwa National Park main gate in Zambia. (Oct. 25, 2024)

The display of necklaces inside the Mulberry Mongoose jewelry retail shop and workshop in South Luangwa, Zambia. “We turn this brutal snare wire into meaningful jewellery. Our most celebrated collection mixes snare beads with semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, local vegetable ivory seeds and hand carved wooden beads. With every piece of jewellery sold we make a donation to essential anti-snare patrols,” according to Mulberry Mongoose. (Oct. 25, 2024)

Phelida, the Mulberry Mongoose shop manager, introduces us to the two young men whose job it is to hammer the steel alloy snare wire down so it lays flat. (Oct. 25, 2024)

Phelida, the Mulberry Mongoose shop manager, demonstrating how to tightly curl the steel or metal alloy snare wires to make their small coiled jewelry. According to Mulberry Mongoose, “many men can’t create our snare coils and yet our courageous ladies have learned to coil and flatten snare wire into one-of-a-kind beads.” (Oct. 25, 2024)

Inside the Mulberry Mongoose jewelry shop and workshop in South Luangwa, Zambia. The front portion of the building is the store where the necklaces, bracelets and rings are displayed for sale. And the back portion is the workshop where the supplies are stored and the jewelry is designed and made. (Oct. 25, 2024)

The display of necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings inside the Mulberry Mongoose jewelry retail shop and workshop in South Luangwa, Zambia. “For each sale made, a donation is given to anti-snare patrols dedicated to the conservation of the region,” according to Mulberry Mongoose. (Oct. 25, 2024)

The workshop where the women design and create the necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings for sale at the Mulberry Mongoose jewelry retail shop, at the entrance, in South Luangwa, Zambia. (Oct. 25, 2024)

The wires and other supplies at the Mulberry Mongoose jewelry retail shop, at the entrance, in South Luangwa, Zambia. (Oct. 25, 2024)

A close-up of hammering the wire at Mulberry Mongoose in South Luangwa, Zambia. That’s a lot of loud noise to hear everyday without protection. (Oct. 25, 2024)

The workshop where the women design and create the necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings for sale at the Mulberry Mongoose jewelry retail shop, at the entrance, in South Luangwa, Zambia. (Oct. 25, 2024)

We’re all trying to get photos of the coiled snare wire that Phelida, the Mulberry Mongoose shop manager, demonstrated. She said it took her time to develop the strength and accuracy to create the coils. (Oct. 25, 2024)

On the overland truck for a 6:30 am departure and a six hour drive, from our one night in Petauke, Zambia, to the Eureka Camping Park just outside the city of Lusaka in Zambia. (Oct. 26, 2024)

A quick stop in the city of Chipata, Zambia, to hit the ATM machine for some Zambian Kwacha and snacks at the grocery store before heading to our Croc Valley campsite in Mambwe, Zambia. I took about 400 Zambian Kwacha, about $15 USD. (Oct. 23, 2024)