Quick visit to Mkuju Mining Camp in Selous Game Reserve – day two

This morning we had the opportunity to see more of the mine prospecting area. The landscape is definitely not what I had expected. Such steep, rugged topography, yet not a rock in sight. Only remarkably deep sand, which is covered by dense broad-leaved woodland on the slopes and crests, and dense, forest-like thickets in the narrow valleys. We could see quite a bit of evidence of elephant moving through along the sandy riverbeds, and the habitat looked ideal for buffalo. Fortunately, we did not have any harrowing encounters while crashing through the tall riparian vegetation. Time passed too quickly and before long we were heading back to camp to get our bags. The bumpy ride back to Likuyu seem to pass quicker than on the way in. As expected, my camera was nowhere to be found at the airstrip. And, of course, no one knew a thing about it. Frustrating, but entirely my fault. The pilot and co-pilot prepared the plane and we climbed aboard. Overhearing the pilot mutter about how this particular strip scares him spitless didn’t help! The take-off was interesting, as always on these short bush-strips. Accompanied by loud bleeping alarms as we neared the end of the strip, the liftoff seemed to be none to soon and it felt like the trees were going to tickle the underbelly of the aircraft. Don’t you just love Africa travel?!

Quick visit to Mkuju Mining Camp in the Selous Game Reserve – day one

Quite a bit of excitement this morning. We met at Lanseria Airport at 3h30….no that’s not a typo! Brief introductions and coffee were followed by a quick walk out onto the runway and settling into our luxurious 6-seater plane. Departure was around 04h30, headed north. We landed at Songea around mid-morning where we cleared Tanzanian customs. Then it was a short flight to the bush-strip at Likuyu, where we experienced the obligatory bumpy landing. After a bit of a wait, where I got a chance to wander through the surrounding woodlands and get acquainted with the flora, the Mkuju Landcruiser arrived and we were off on a 3-hour bone-jarring ride into the Selous Game Reserve, one of Africa’s largest wilderness conservation areas. One serious setback though ……………. I left my camera bag on the runway! Will it be there on our return tomorrow??

We met the staff at the mining camp and then headed off on an orientation drive through part of the area to be mined. It was soon obvious that the Mkuju staff were not experienced in taking a group of specialists into pristine wilderness! Lesson One: keep the specialists chained to the vehicle, otherwise they disappear within seconds after the vehicle has stopped and doors have been opened. Gary Marneweck could hardly contain himself with the excitement of all the riparian wetlands we were seeing, while I was lost in a magnificent, species-rich flora with many species that I had dreamed of seeing for years. And then of course, were the birds…..which vied for my attention as much as the plants did. It was a fascinating and magnificent day.

We returned to camp in the evening. Mkuju Mining Camp is set on a high ridge overlooking a vast wilderness of tall, park-like miombo woodland, dense thickets and dark swamp forests. A viewing platform at the edge of camp looks out over one of the most stunning landscapes I have ever seen from a prospecting camp! The camp itself is very comfortable, ablutions include hot-water showers, and the meals produced by the kitchen are impressive indeed. This could prove to be a memorable project!