Mfuwe is a small village in the Eastern Zambia, known as a gateway to South Luangwa National Park.
Mfuwe isn't so much a village as a long strip of road connecting the airport to the Mfuwe Bridge over the Luangwa River. The center of Mfuwe, in the loosest sense of the word, is around the BP petrol station.
Informally there are at least 5000 people living there — go and explore the side streets, visit the health clinic, or Mfuwe basic school (ask someone), have a wander! There will be no hassle and people will be glad to chat, especially the kids who will no doubt say "How are you" "I'm fine".
Mfuwe International Airport (MFU) has been upgraded with an all-weather bitumen runway. Scheduled services run to Lusaka and Chipata. Flights are twice daily (to Lusaka) in the high season but sporadic (or stopped entirely) in the low season. Charter flights allow access to Lilongwe (Malawi), Mwaleshi (North Luangwa), Shiwa Ngandu, Kasanka and other domestic airfields. The airport is about 25 km from Mfuwe Bridge, transfers should be arranged in advance with your accommodation.
Mfuwe is about 3 hours by car from Chipata (123 km) in the dry season, but the road is not tarred and travel is more difficult, occasionally even impossible, in the wet season. From Chipata, it's 2-3 hours to Lilongwe and 8-10 hours to Lusaka.
Pickup trucks lurch down the same road in 5 hours on a good day.
There is no public transport as such. Safari lodges typically throw in free airport transfers, but charge around $20-30 for other trips.
If you want your own wheels and know how to bash about the bush, 4x4s can be rented from Personal Touch (tel. +260 6 246 123,or 0978-459965 ben@tptouch.com) at prices starting from US$125/day, airport transfers included. The Personal Touch can also be contacted for general transfers to community projects or Kawaza village
Mfuwe has one shop of significant interest:
Mfuwe is the Zambian version of a cowboy town. There is a main strip road but on either side of the road there are bars. If you want to meet local guys then stop by for a drink - people are very friendly. You won't find a menu either but just ask for some barbecued chicken and it will turn up ! You can play pool and you'll find music, drink Mosi beer (delicious) and dancing on Friday and Saturday nights. If you're staying at a lodge ask a driver to collect you from the bar - easy to arrange.
Safari lodges in and around South Luangwa National Park are listed separately in that article.
Mobile network coverage in Mfuwe is spotty at best, so the primary means of communication is radio. Every lodge, tourist-oriented shop and not a few vehicles have radios for fast, reliable communication.
Mfuwe is regularly raided by wild animals, particularly elephants, after dark. Stay indoors.
Primary administrative division