This is a 4-night, 5-day walking trail in which the participants carry all their own kit, including food (which is supplied by the reserve and included in the very reasonable cost). They also provide backpacks, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, cooking equipment and eating utensils, although you can take your own if you prefer. All you need to provide is your clothes and toiletries.
I was invited by a group of guys from another forum I am a member of, guys I had never met and only knew on-line.
One is supposed to report at Mpila camp at 09h30 on the morning in question, in this case Tuesday the 12th of May. Because I had to work on Monday, I had to leave home around midnight on the morning of the 12th. The good thing is, at that time of day the roads are quiet and I arrived at the entrance gate shortly after sunrise and could take a leisurely game drive to Mpila. Game was a bit scarce though.
![Image](http://www.africawild-forum.com/images/ext/6bebbc63858cd821f1ef6a84511b5260.jpg)
![Image](http://www.africawild-forum.com/images/ext/e944e4c5e403b87a17b073791d476fe5.jpg)
Arriving at Mpila, I outspanned in the day visitor's picnick sight, got dressed in shorts and organized my (mostly borrowed) kit.
![Image](http://www.africawild-forum.com/images/ext/116d70f1055a7d322176c3ff1613fc89.jpg)
![Image](http://www.africawild-forum.com/images/ext/490d7d6f91bb61269c82ff8d5f237463.jpg)
Back to reception at 09h30, I met up with the other guys who would be doing the trail, as well as the two guides, Sibelo (an ex-Birdlife SA guide) and Magnifficent (Maggie for short).
![Image](http://www.africawild-forum.com/images/ext/a2e775d854d041391ee41b96baaba8aa.jpg)
We then headed off to the trails base camp. Before we got there, Sibelo spotted a pride of lion on a far hilside.
![Image](http://www.africawild-forum.com/images/ext/a78c99810254da0664d0ceafb29a8f06.jpg)
A bit further up the hill, another group of trailists could be seen looking at some Zebra.
![Image](http://www.africawild-forum.com/images/ext/f809fe27ac618af02221e55c8fdae7ea.jpg)
At the base camp, we all got issued kit and food to carry, then had a cold lunch before heading into the bush.