03 November 2012, 03:12
MARK H. YOUNGMuchinga Adventures Sept '12 Continued (PIX ADDED)
In my initial report on this safari I really didn't take time to write much on Muchinga Adventures except to relay the story of the successful lion hunt. Now I'd like to touch on some additional details.From arrival in Lusaka to departure the safari went super smooth. We had just hit customs in the Lusaka airport when Teresa Muchinga's meet/greet person found us saying she had our guns and luggage and would meet us in the baggage area. We cleared customs, met Teresa, went through the gun permit registration and were on our way to Muchinga's Guest house in about 45 minutes. Teresa OWNS that airport.
Here I should say it has been 12 years since I was in Lusaka and things have changed for the better. The airport has had a facelift and the city is far less drab. There seems to be far more traffic on the streets and new high end hotels have been built.
Teresa got us to the guest house and we were very pleasantly surprised. Everything was new and of good quality making for a very comfortable stay. Meals were taken in Johnny's home and were excellent. It was nice to arrive late at night and just feel taken care off from minute one. Also there is no extra charge for this service.
Muchinga's guesthouse in Lusaka.
The next day we picked up my friend from his flight, chartered out to the Luangwa and once again all went smoothly.
The next 21 days were for me the most relaxed safari I've ever been on. We got all the game we came for and just had a great experience. Lions, leopards, elephants, hyena and other besties were in or around the camp nightly making for a great serenade or horrible cacophony depending on how you look at it. Someone early on slept with their rifle.
The only problems I had was the shower nozzle was too low and that got fixed. Johnny's seat in the back of the Cruiser was the most uncomfortable I have experienced but it gave me something to bitch about so I was happy. Oh! One more thing. It was hot 38-40 centigrade. Imagine that! I actually had a client seriously complain about that once. like I had some control over that.
Johnny and his crew worked hard everyday to find the game but it never seemed frantic at all. Everybody knew their job and just did it. I never heard Johnny even raise his voice to one of the crew. We never left the camp before 6:30 AM and all but one day we got a midday nap at camp. We still checked baits, shot other trophies, replenished baits and hung knew baits everyday. I think the abundance of cats, years of experience in the same area and some talented people made for very successful safaris.
If you hunt here do not expect the cat hunts to be conducted as you see on TV. There will be no walking into the blind in the dark, clearing the path so you can walk in soundlessly on bare feet, building the blind 75-100 yards from the bait etc etc. You'll drive upto the blind if possible, get out and sit in the blind or machan. Now here you need to be quiet but not completley motionless. It works nicely! We had a cat on the bait 15 minutes after the Cruiser left.
Accommodation were rustic but comfortable in the traditional reed huts you find on the Luangwa. They are much cooler than tents as the season heats up. Sadie actually prefers these huts to any safari accommodations we've stayed in. Personally I wouldn't mind a little AC.
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Muchinga's Nyaminga camp and view of the Luangwa.
Leaving was once again simplified by the smooth handling of details and knowledge of the airport this time by Laura Du Plooy. She walked us through everything and handled the BA cashier that wanted us to pay for the gun handling in Kwacha rather than using our CC.
If you want a no hassle 21 day cat hunt or a 7 day buffalo safari I just can't recommend Muchinga more highly.
Mark
