Shiwa Ng’andu, the Africa House Safari

Combine eastern and northern Zambia and follow in the footsteps of Dr. Livingstone and Sir Stewart Gore Browne on an historic trail.

The LUANGWA VALLEY

The LUANGWA VALLEY, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, is one of the last unspoilt wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. It covers an area of over 9000 sq. km. through which the meandering Luangwa River runs. The oxbow lagoons, woodland and plains of the valley host huge concentrations of game - including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, hippo - and over 400 species of birds.

After you have thoroughly enjoyed your wildlife experience in the Luangwa Valley, you can now travel on further north in Zambia to experience the well-known Shiwa House which is truly a most amazing piece of African history. This is the former Estate of Sir Stewart Gore Browne built in 1928 against all odds. The house has recently been restored and offers guests a chance to put the experiences they may have enjoyed in the “Africa House” book by Christina Lamb into reality. An opportunity of a life time.

10 Night Itinerary

Combining Nkwali 2 Nights, Tena Tena 3 Nights, and Shiwa House 5 Nights

Day 1 On arrival at Mfuwe International Airport a guide from Robin Pope Safaris will meet you.   The drive to Nkwali Camp is 1 hour through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as bush.  Nkwali Camp has a wide view of the Luangwa River.   On Robin’s private land, and overlooking the South Luangwa National Park, Nkwali is ideally situated for the start of your safari.  The six rooms all look out over the river and have open air bathrooms. Depending on your arrival time in the day you will enjoy a lunch looking out over the lagoon to the back of Nkwali or if in the afternoon for tea and the afternoon and night game drive. 

NKWALI CAMP

Day 2 Relax and enjoy camp with game activities both in the morning, afternoon and evening.

NKWALI CAMP

Day 3 After an early breakfast, a  transfer game drive through the park takes you to a crossing point on  the Luangwa River.  The Tena Tena staff will meet the party, cross the river by boat, and then a 45 minute drive to your camp , game viewing on route. On arrival you will be shown to your tent and then lunch will be served followed by a well deserved siesta before the afternoon and evening game drive

TENA TENA CAMP

Day 4 Relax and enjoy camp with game activities both in the morning, afternoon and evening.

TENA TENA CAMP

Day 5 On this third day at Tena Tena Camp as an alternative or in addition, we can organize a visit to the Kawaza Village project where guests can spend a day at the village for a cultural experience with local people by request in advance. Back to Tena Tena

TENA TENA CAMP

Day 6 Early morning breakfast before your transfer to the Mfuwe Airport. The drive is about 1.5 hours and you will get to do some game viewing on the way. You will arrive at Shiwa House just in time for lunch. After lunch you will be taken on a guided tour of the house while also exploring the history of Sir Stewart Gore Browne and the family. The afternoon will be filled with more exploring of the estate, a history walk will take you to the saw and essential oil mills, traction engines, and old farm buildings. 

SHIWA HOUSE

Day 7 Early morning rise for a game walk to seek the sitatunga and blue duiker. After the walk it s back to the house for a full farm breakfast made entirely of produce from the farm. The morning will be spent perusing the archives and photos, and then it is off for a visit to the grave site of Sir Gore Browne and a spectacular view of the lake. The afternoon holds time for relaxing and a late afternoon game drive to see the 22 species stocked on the estate.

SHIWA HOUSE

Day 8 After a light early morning breakfast, you will head up Nachipala Hill, where David Livingstone took bearings on his last journey some weeks before his death. Breathtaking views from 6000 ft. The climb is not too difficult and takes about three hours. After the hike you will return to the house for lunch and a siesta. The afternoon will be spent birding and game viewing on the lake, where you are likely to see palmnut vulture and crocodiles. You will also get to boat through the serene papyrus swamps along the Mansha River.

SHIWA HOUSE

Day 9 Early breakfast, followed by river walk along Katete river to see the ice age rapian forest and ancient palms. Nesting ground to palmnut vultures. Swim in the icy spring river (For the brave - Summer only). Depart for lunch at Kapishya Hot Springs and afternoon visit to Machusa Falls. Return late afternoon to Shiwa House

SHIWA HOUSE

Day 10 Today its time to relax and clients are able to choose how they would like to spend the day either relaxing at home or a day boating in dugouts down the river. Should clients wish to do some Fishing or riding on these last couple of days then we would require prior notice and both these activities are an extra.

SHIWA HOUSE

Day 11 Hearty breakfast before departure. Flying to Mfuwe and then connect on to Lusaka.

 

CAMP INFORMATION

NKWALI CAMP

NKWALI CAMP is located on Robin's private land, overlooking the National Park. The land is superb gameviewing country, with a beautiful area of ebony woodland and open grass plains. Elephants often cross the Luangwa, seen from the bar, or come to the waterhole near the thatched dining room. The chalets are cool and spacious, overlooking the river. Access to the park is through the main entrance over the bridge, by boat or by our nearby pontoon. The area is famous for leopard and giraffe sightings.

  • 12 guests
  • en suite bathrooms
  • open all year
  • walking, drives, night drives

TENA TENA CAMP

"TENA TENA CAMP ... is altogether beyond superlatives, and must be one of the best safari camps in the whole of Africa", The Times, London. This remote and small camp lies within the National Park and enjoys a stunning location on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River. A grove of mahogany trees shade the large custom-made tents. From the thatched dining room and bar, guests can watch the elephants, hippo and antelope on the riverbank. Nearby there is a spectacular lagoon, Buca Buca, where a whole morning can be spent quietly sitting while the game comes down to feed and drink. With the camp being remote and small, we have these scenes to ourselves.

  • 8-10 guests
  • tents
  • en suite bathrooms
  • open late May - October
  • walking, drives, night drives

SHIWA HOUSE

SHIWA HOUSE is located in the heart of Northern Zambia and the house (Africa House) overlooks the famous Shiwa N’gandu “Lake of the Royal Crocodiles”. This has to be one of the most photographed houses in the whole of Africa. The house has recently been restored in keeping with the style and your hosts Charlie and Jo Harvey (Charlie is great grandson of Sir Stewart Gore Browne who built the house in 1928) are now taking in guests in four double rooms with ensuite facilities.

The Estate boasts a 10,000 hectare game ranch with 22 mammal species, fishing and birding on the lake, historic walks around the estate, horse trails, river walks and day trips to the Kapishya Hot Springs. The house is steeped in history and the library remains the manor’s heart and guests have access to archival material and one of the largest private collections in Zambia. Dr Kaunda wrote his book here and befriended the late Sir Stewart Gore Browne and indeed when he died he was the only white African ever to be honored with a State Funeral. There is a 1200m airstrip at Shiwa where guests will be flown back to South Luangwa and on to Lusaka. The end to a memorable and historic safari. To quote an inscription above the grand fireplace in the Library:

“Ille terrarum mihi super omnes anculus ridet”

“THIS CORNER OF THE EARTH, ABOVE ALL OTHERS, SMILES ON ME”