Since we went to Sodwana for the first time 18 years ago Roger has spoken about a desire to fly low-level along that stretch of coastline. It was therefore a natural inclusion in our ‘list of things to do’ while planning this trip. Things have changed since those years though and true low level flying is no longer allowed. It is a Parks Board stipulation that one has to remain 2500’ above the highest point in the IsiMangaliso Wetland Park, except while landing or taking-off from a recognised airfield. Not willing to be put off that easily Roger made all sorts of inquiries. After calling Francois who does scenic flips with his microlight in the Sodwana area, we decided to go. After all, if one lands at the Sodwana Bay Microlight Field one has to descend for landing and climb out again after take-off, right?
Our route took us from Phinda across the wetlands towards Jesser Point, up the coast line past Lake Sibaya to Rocktail Bay and back again. It was absolutely beautiful! The ocean was clear and we could even make out the reef structures on the ocean bed. There were lots of diving and fishing boats out and the whole scene was simply idyllic…
Lake Sibaya falls within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage and Ramsar Site. It is a relatively shallow lake with more than 100Km of shore-line.
As mentioned earlier, one of the contacts that Roger made was with Francois from ‘Come Fly’ in Sodwana. He and his wife run a small business where he takes passengers for scenic flights in a weight-shift micro light while she does the bookings and prepares DVDs of each flight. What a life! We landed at their airstrip for a chat and a stretch of legs.
Roger was hoping to take our friend Francois from ODI for a flip but sadly that did not work out as he missed our sms the night before, and had left for Pretoria that morning. The route back was via Mbazwana, across the R22 and back over all the reserves.
Back in Phinda I got a good aerial view of our camp, which we pass over just before coming to the airstrip.
Nick, a game guard who also lives in the camp, has an Alsatian patrol dog called Nadia. Nick has been complaining about a resident Water Monitor that comes into the kitchen (which has no doors) and steals the dog food. Needless to say Roger and I were both very curious to see this thief. Then, over the hottest period of the day, when everyone was inside the huts hiding from the heat, I looked out of Ufudu’s window and there he was, just outside the kitchen. What a specimen; he must be in excess of 1,5 metres!
We were at Phinda for 12 days and our time is up now. The next Bateleur pilot arrives tomorrow (6th) and we will be moving on to new destinations. Just as well! Roger has been complaining about his right arm being painful ever since we were at Florence Guest Farm. Initially he blamed it on the incident where they got stuck in the mud and they had to push, dig, collect rocks, etc. However, the pain did not go away but instead got worse. Then the penny dropped: we are now not dealing with flying a Boeing with an autopilot but a very manual Bathawk! Buzz requires constant control inputs and corrections through the rudder pedals and joystick in turbulent, low level conditions. The total flying time in Phinda was 28 hours in 9 days, so there you have it….
After Roger flew a final patrol with Innocent, the two of us flew to Hluhluwe were Buzz will be hangered at the ZAP Wing (Zululand Air Patrol) hanger for the foreseeable future. Just for good measure there was a 20Kts cross-wind and that arm was working overtime! Dirk came to fetch us in Suzi and we will be spending our last night in Phinda.
Below are a few more aerial photographs that Roger would like to share:
