Well, hello there. I do hope that you are well after a fabulous weekend of fun. Here in the Luangwa as the waters run high and the scenery is simply magnificent, we are all enjoying absolutely everything that this time of the year has to offer. Willie has headed up to Nsefu Camp with his team to start getting the camp open and ready for River Journeys. Kanga is making the most of the down season and is out in the park doing some training with our junior guides and at Luangwa Safari House and Nkwali Camp our maintenance teams are in full swing painting, sawing, fixing, tiling as we have a small gap to spruce things up for the season ahead. However, this week we are heading over to Liwonde National Park, Malawi where we will hear from Mike and Jenn.
“As the season comes to a close, the canvas tents of Kuthengo stand in stoic solitude, now empty and awaiting the return of the avid safari adventurers. In this temporary hiatus from the usual safari fervor that would usually bring mornings filled with hustle, bustle, and anticipation, now brings a more ethereal feel as the mornings are now filled solely with the sounds of nature.
The distant roar of lions and the rhythmic footsteps of the elephants while they munch on the bushes, are a delight for those of us still in camp to hear and see. The antelope remain undisturbed on the floodplain in front of camp, the birds tweet in earnest singing about whatever it is they think about, and the call of the African Emerald Cuckoo can now be heard, much to Jenn and Eneson’s delight!
It is in these times that the camp staff get to truly experience the park in all its peaceful glory. The absence of guests and lack of full staff compliment transforms the camp into a quiet place, revealing the smaller creatures and allowing time for us to appreciate them more. We have been treated to a few sightings of a pair of leopard tortoises, each one waddling around as if they are the camp’s official inspectors on a mission!
This time has allowed the guides to fine tune their skills and knowledge, the chefs to review recipes and management to sip their coffee a bit slower in the mornings before the work of the day starts.
On the occasions that it has not been raining, we have managed to see a few of the animals close by camp. Jenn has been learning photography and is now as addicted as Mike is to photography – she is still trying to get a photo of the African Emerald Cuckoo though! We have also managed to see the new lion cubs hiding in the mopani woodland, what a treat to see the curious little cubs!
Walking around camp, we have bumped into a few elephants wanting to see where all the guests have gone, or just wanting to try the new branches of freshly green goodness!
This close of season marks the end of Mike and I’s second season here at Kuthengo. It has been 2 years of much excitement and many adventures; the entire team is looking forward to the 2024 season and all the new memories that it will bring.”
Wonderful, thanks so much Mike and Jenn for sharing with us as you continue to enjoy Liwonde and the gentle morning coffee. After such a wonderful story I shall not bore you with too much more except to bid you a very fond farewell for this week. Have a fab time with plenty of smiles and laughter and we look forward to catching up with you next week with more stories of all the happenings in the bush. Have fun and don’t forget to look after one another.
