Zambia: Mfuwe International Airport (MFU) gets an upgrade!

The Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) has announced that Mfuwe International Airport (MFU), which serves the tourism industry based on the nearby South Luangwa National Park and other wildlife areas in the Luangwa Valley, will undergo a period of rehabilitation, commencing on 13 June 2024. The scope of work will comprise rehabilitation of the runway, taxiway and apron pavements, upgrade of the airfield ground lighting (AGL) system to replace the current one which is obsolete, re-construction of the inner perimeter fence, and extension of the terminal building. The upgrade of the airport is expected to take 90 days.
The Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) initially planed to close Mfuwe International Airport (MFU) during the rehabilitation period, but the Government of Zambia has directed the ZACL to ensure that the airport remains open as works are being undertaken to improve the infrastructure. According to the Zambian Minister of Transport and Logistics, Frank Tayali, the Government is of the view that the closure of the Mfuwe international Airport (MFU) will cause serious disruptions especially during this peak period in the tourism industry.

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Zambia: Zambia Airways to launch flights to Mfuwe! >>

Zambia: Zambia Airways to launch flights to Mfuwe!

The national airline of the Republic of Zambia, Zambia Airways, is set to launch direct flights to Mfuwe International Airport (MFU) in the Eastern Province of Zambia. The airport is the main gateway for South Luangwa National Park and other wildlife areas in the Luangwa Valley. Effective 01 April 2024, Zambia Airways will operate three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka and Mfuwe International Airport (MFU).

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Wildlife video: Lions vs. crocodile (South Luangwa National Park, Zambia)

Filmed right in front of one of the tents at the Zungulila Bushcamp in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, the video below shows two adult lionesses and five cups on their freshly killed impala as well as an uninvited visitor: a huge crocodile that got attracted by the smell... Enjoy!

Zambia: "Track and Trail River Camp" promo video

The Track and Trail River Camp is located on a spot on the banks of the Luangwa River overlooking the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. The lodge's facilities and accommodation are scattered along the river frontage, and surrounded by bushes, are the more secluded luxury tented accommodation built on elevated wooden platforms.
The camp has currently 4 double storey chalets and 5 en suite safari tents and sleeps 18 guests. Its facilities include a bar & restaurant, a gym in the bush, an on-site spa to relax the body and mind as well as the Luangwa Valley pool located right at the riverfront.



The Track and Trail River Camp is specialised in (photographic) safaris within the South Luangwa National Park in open (4x4) safari vehicles or on foot, accompanied by a professional guide and armed escort scout.

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Guest post: Marula Lodge, Zambia

If you are exploring Zambia, make sure you get to South Luangwa National Park. It is a little known gem slap bang in the middle of Africa!  Both the wildlife and landscape are stunning and rival the bigger more well-known parks in Tanzania and Kenya. 
Marula is a great little lodge at the gate of the South Luangwa National Park that caters for all travellers who are looking for a value-for-money safari.  It has lovely simple en suite rooms and great family rooms. It’s location on the border of the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is exceptional. Elephants, hippo and various other local residents can be enjoyed regularly in the grounds.
The food comes highly recommended everything is reasonably priced.  Prices range from a low season accommodation $30 pppn to high season all inclusive rates of $185pppn in en suite rooms.

It is not always easy for backpackers to get around in Zambia and ‘off the beaten track’ accommodation is often expensive and exclusive.  That is why Marula Lodge has also opened a dorm.  For just $10 you can bunk down at Marula in the pleasant mixed dorm.  You can use the self-catering kitchen and hop onto a game drive as you choose.
Guests often take a siesta at the river bank or a swim in the crystal clear pool between game drives.  The quiet serene setting is perfect for recovery after a spell of hard work on a project, or as a breather for those making their way relentlessly through Africa.

Families enjoy the open spaces and relaxed atmosphere.  Marula is a family run business and the owners are happy to regale you with tales of elephants eating the guests curry, or the night 8 lions were on the lawn at 2am tossing the irrigation pipes around! The staff is as friendly and helpful as any you’ll ever meet.  Check the reviews on Tripadvisor.

All the details and more pictures can be found at www.marulalodgezambia.com.

Video: Crocodile attacks elephant's trunk!

I am not too sure if the video footage was actually taken in Chobe National Park in Botswana (as stated in the Telegraph's desc.) or in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia (other sources), but the following video shows how an approx. 3 m crocodile is attacking an adult female elephant, accompanied by a baby elephant, on the it's trunk at a water source! The whole attack lasted for around 10sec only; the elephant escaped almost unharmed and the croc disappeared... check the footage!