Microlighting over Luangwa
Camilla from our Africa team recently returned from exploring South Luangwa in Zambia, where she tried out a new way to spot game in the National Park – from a microlight!
18 July 2011
As the night noises surrendered to the sounds of the morning and the dawn chorus started to filter through the air, I joined John Coppinger, Tafika Camp’s owner, and his wife Carol, to a grass airstrip just outside camp.
John originally bought his microlight to help with game counts and monitoring, but now offers 15-minute flight experiences for his guests, just as the sun rises.
After a safety briefing, I climbed into the microlight – surprisingly comfortable – and John positioned himself in the pilot’s seat.
And then we were off! The microlight is an amazing invention – able to soar into the sky within a few seconds of acceleration, it can reach a height of some 1500 feet, or swoop down low over game.
Our flight was an exciting one – we buzzed low over hippos, sweeping along the bends of the river, flew high to see a huge herd of buffalo, and, most exciting, tracked a pack of wild dog as they headed out from the den on a hunting reccy.
The flight was smooth and bump-free, and John has a two-way radio fixed up to the safety helmets, meaning you can listen and talk. I loved my microlight trip – the only downside was that I couldn’t stay up longer! It’s a totally new way to view the world that you will have previously only seen on foot or from the back of a game viewing vehicle.
As we glided smoothly back down to earth I thought I just HAVE to recommend this to guests!
