Wednesday 21 April 2010

Building Bridges

During the wet season (December through to March) the rain can do a lot of damage. This year, the rains were particularly heavy with some lodges sustaining serious damage from flooding. Here in Luambe we were lucky and only had water damage to our dining area which was scheduled for restyling this year anyway. However, each year the rivers and tributaries fill from the heavy rains and do not dry up until May/June time. This is not ideal for a lodge that opens at the beginning of May! It, therefore, becomes our duty to build bridges over the major river crossings so as to open our main road from the lodge to Mfuwe. If we did not do this we would have to divert and drive 13 hours to Mfuwe via Lundazi and Chipata! So, we joined forces with our nearest neighbour and together with plenty of man power and our Unimog, we have since opened up the road. Thank goodness! It is now a mere 5 hours to Mfuwe as opposed to 13.

Saturday 3 April 2010

Solar Success at Luangwa Wilderness!!

2009 proved to be the year the installation of our brand new and high tech solar power system was completed. The lodge is now fully able to run on solar energy including:
  • All fridges
  • Lighting
  • All communication equipment, including satellite, office and radio
  • Water pump
  • All other electrical goods such as fans, chargers and some tools
The system runs on AC and DC with three separate systems running different areas of the lodge, with each operating as a back-up for the other systems. It took both experts from Germany and Tanzania two weeks to complete the momentous task, which included updating our old system and installing new components to expand the existing setup. We had to clear old dead trees in order to protect the new equipment and create room for it at the lodge which was a demanding feat on its own. Transport to the lodge proved to be one of the trickiest tasks with the equipment weighing in at over a tonne!! It is completely out of sight from clients and cuts out the noise issue from generators (which are also kept at the lodge as a back-up). However, many clients are so impressed, they ask to see the system and request a “behind the scenes” tour! We receive many positive comments about the fact a remote bush camp style lodge is able to offer recharging and communication capabilities! There are more than 30 panels and 36 batteries that complete the set up. The energy is stored in twelve 2v 1000amp batteries and other specialist solar cells. We are now all making the most of no generators and silent energy production!