"The Hunting Report has just learned today that six of the most important hunting areas in Zambia are still in legal limbo, nearly a month after the hunting season there has officially opened. We have that directly from a government lawyer involved in the matter, Butler Sitali.
"The areas in question, of course, are Mumbwa, Nyampala, Sichifulo, Mwanya, Chifunda and Upper Lupande. They are among the best hunting areas in the country. All were allocated months ago to various operators, who have booked the areas full for this coming season in anticipation of a successful resolution of the legal claims other operators have made.
"Here at The Hunting Report, we believe the claims against these areas will be dismissed shortly, but we are simply not sure of that, especially in light of the continuing delays. Our concern is heightened by Sitali's reaction to our question this morning about outfitters proceeding to build camps in the aforementioned areas. 'I would advise them not to do that,' he said.
"The next concrete step toward resolving this matter, according to Sitali, will be a court hearing on the 11th of June. You can be assured we will file an update at that time. In the meantime, our advice to clients booked into (or considering a safari to) one of the contested areas is - be careful...!"
By the time you read this, E-Mail Extra subscribers will already have the latest news on Zambia. If you are not an E-Mail Extra subscriber and you are booked into that country, call us (305-670-1361), or e-mail (info@huntingreport.com) us for the latest news. The continuing delays in Zambia, in our view, are cause for genuine concern.
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