We're still in the South Luangwa but it's a big place so we have to charter up to Lukuzi airstrip....the plane is teeny & only takes 1 pilot + 3 passengers so we have to do a relay...the flight is only 15 minutes but it would take 2 hours to do this by road. We draw straws & I'm on the first trip...it is very dry here now but it won't take long after the first rains for the terrain to become emerald green..
A quick transfer by vehicle to our next mode of transport...no roads anymore...from here on in it is all by foot...so I've put a spanner in the works with my cankles & we have to take the short route to camp... We see a few hippo's & crocs downstream but we're old hands now & don't turn a hair...
When I say everything gets taken in on foot...I mean EVERYTHING...this is a seasonal camp as most of Zambia turns to a black sticky quagmire when it rains due to the black cotton soil. These camps are erected (from scratch) every April & then dismantled every November.. There are no roads here at all.....this is prime walking country in the Nsefu sector of the park.
To get an idea of just what we are talking about, here is my home for the night at Chikoko Camp...all the items needed for the construction carried in....blood, sweat & tears, is all I'm going to say.....& perhaps a bit of praying that it doesn't rain before it gets taken out again. This is the ultimate in biodegradable camps....
My bathroom downstairs....the bedroom is upstairs & when I hear the commotion the baboons are making later that evening due to the unwelcome attentions of a leopard, I'm really glad I'm sleeping upstairs!! I did need the facilities during the night but I waited until the baboons were performing, then nipped down some (very) steep stairs with the aid of my solar torch (not very bright but fortunately it was full moon) as I figured Herr Leopard was otherwise occupied. UK Health & Safety would have a hernia if they could see those stairs...
I'm sure a leopard could jump over those basins...not sure if they climb stairs..but there was a little gate at the top???
This is the view from the main area.....a peaceful scene with puku, impala and some zebra...
One more thing...sorry, it's cake again....Patson made the most delicious marble (of sorts) cake for tea....he cooks all the meals over an open fire and a clay hole in the ground is his oven....I kid you not....& the man makes better cakes & bread than most people living with all the mod cons in first world countries...
Here's Patson explaining how his clay oven works.....thanks to Priscilla Macy in Washington DC for the photo...yours truly didn't take her camera on the tour of the kitchen....big mistake..
And the rest of our meals were as delicious as the cake - thank you, Patson!
I'm really enjoying this trip of yours. The animals! ... The cake! ... The interesting info! ... The fun info! ... Did I mention the animals? ... Did I mention the cake? And I can see how tempting those mats were!
There's something so atmospheric about the photos, too - you can just feel the heat, and savour the peace and quiet.
Posted by: Danya | 04/12/2010 at 15:39