Flying Adventure: Southern Africa – Day 8 (FLBA – FLMF):
Today is half way into our tour around Southern Africa. Time to route southwards. We are heading back to Mfuwe and from there by road into the South Luangwa National Park for some game viewing.
Isanga Bay to Mfuwe
The day starts with a early morning boat ride back to Mpulungu, and from there by road up to the Mbala Airforce Base.
As we get to the airfield, Niner Juliet is already on standby with our 200 liter drum of Avgas. We do not expect, that fuel is re-stocked in Mfuwe. So we fill to the maximum we can. Tanks ramp full, and two 20 liter canisters equally full into the back of the aircraft. Our aircraft is fully loaded for take-off today. At almost 5500 feet above sea level with high temperatures, this means mixture leaning for maximum power and a slightly longer take-off run.
We climb out towards the shores of the lake and then set course for Mfuwe. It is an amazingly beautiful day for flying over this largely untouched part of Zambia. The senses of adventure and freedom get stimulated.
On route we fly over Kasama to see what we would have faced, if we had to re-fuel there, as per the initial plan. Two of the runways are clearly not usable, but the new runway currently under construction and officially closed, would have had a sufficiently prepared stretch to land in an emergency (as we would have encountered it).
As we park the aircraft back in Mfuwe, we inquire from the tower if there was fuel available. Answer, as expected: Negative Avgas. We check our fuel remaining, add the fuel from the canisters in the back and conclude that we have enough for our next leg to Kariba. Just to be sure, we call Kariba to confirm fuel availability, which they do.
South Luangwa National Park
Our bush guides from Mfuwe Lodge are already waiting for us, so we are on our way right in time to settle in and get out for a sundowner game drive.
We are staying at Mfuwe Lodge. The lodge is situated inside the South Luangwa National Park and offers excellent accommodation in beautiful surroundings. And best of all, there is no fence around it. Game can therefore roam freely between the chalets. A stay at Mfuwe Lodge is definitely all about game viewing and exploring the unspoiled wilderness of South Luangwa.
Besides the very common impalas, giraffes and hippos we also spot a pride of lions and a baby elephant who could barely walk yet but was brave enough to charge our vehicle. The really amazing highlights were however a group of wild dogs hunting down a little impala who was brave – or in hindsight, stupid – enough to separate out of the larger group; and of course the two leopard cubs waiting for their mother on a tree.
Day 9 is also dedicated to some great game viewing experiences, and of course to relax and take it easy.
