Day 66: Mfuwe – Kamukonzo Community Camp

The first section of the route through the Luangwa Valley from Mfuwe via the Nsefu Sector and through the Luambe National Park to the Kamukonzo Community Camp.

We easily cross two rivers with some water and others with no water at all – the "most difficult" part is actually the sometimes steep elevation gain to the riverbeds.

We pass several gates and checkpoints and are allowed to cross the two parks free of charge. This also means, however, that we have to stay on the main road. The whole landscape is exciting, but there isn't much "game" to see.

Along the way, we pass Yakobe, a village that stretches for many kilometers along the road. Cotton is grown there, along with vegetables for subsistence. We also see a few elementary schools, but otherwise no infrastructure.

A few emergency stops for mopeds coming towards us, and many cyclists who dive into the bushes to avoid getting in our way. That's really all there is to it.

Overall, the road is much better than expected. Recently smoothed by the crater, there are only a few tricky spots. However, it also becomes clear what the track could be like in a worst-case scenario, when the mud and animal tracks harden after the rainy season and turn into bumps as hard as concrete. But we make it through safely and are back at camp for afternoon coffee. Great. Totally relaxed.

We meet Iris and Stefan and chat for a very pleasant evening.