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.

12 Night Itinerary

Combining Nkwali 2 Nights, Nsefu 2 Nights, Kutandala 4 Nights, and Shiwa House 4 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 benefits from a 14 metre swimming pool so you can work off Shanie’s cooking calories or bask on a sun lounger at your leisure.

NKWALI CAMP

Day 3 An early morning start with tea and toast on the river bank prior to a wonderful game drive transfer to Nsefu Camp which also includes a brief river crossing to reach camp for brunch. Enjoy and relax in the bush until the afternoon activities.

NSEFU CAMP

Day 4 Soak up more of the atmosphere of this wonderful part of the bush with both morning, afternoon and evening game viewing activities. Being the last whole day at Nsefu you may want to visit Kawaza village as an option to meet local people and experience life in a real Zambian village.   If you wish to visit then it is best to mention this when booking your holiday or with Robin Pope Safaris on arrival.  

NSEFU CAMP

Day 5 Transfer by vehicle to Mfuwe Airport to fly to Lubonga Airstrip (45 mins). On arriving, a 1 hour game-viewing transfer by road through the Park to Kutandala Camp. Lunch Kutandala, afternoon walk.

KUTANDALA CAMP

Day 6 Morning walk, Lunch, afternoon walk - sundowners, night drive back to camp.

KUTANDALA CAMP

Day 7 An option is for a full day trip to the Chipopma falls.  This would be after breakfast and a 1 hour game drive to the drop off point followed by a 2 hr walk to scenic Chipopma falls at the foot of the Muchinga escarpment, where there is a good opportunity of seeing mammals and birds particular to the escarpment.   BBQ lunch at falls, swim in pools, walk down and night drive back.

KUTANDALA CAMP

Day 8 Morning walk from camp - Lunch Kutandala, pm walk - or drive to Luangwa/ Mwaleshi confluence - fossil sites, night drive home.

KUTANDALA CAMP

Day 9 After breakfast at Kutandala, you will be driven through the valley and up the escarpment on your way to Shiwa House. At the top of the escarpment a stop for tea and snacks and time to take in the awe-inspiring views of the Valley. 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 10 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 11 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 12 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 13 Hearty breakfast before departure for flight 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

NSEFU CAMP

NSEFU CAMP - On a sweeping bend of the river, 12 kilometers north of Tena Tena, lies Nsefu. Nsefu was the first game camp in Zambia and dates back to the early fifties. The Nsefu Sector was recognised then as a phenomenal area and it still is. We reopened the camp in 1999, in keeping with the original style, and so operate the only 2 camps in the Nsefu Sector of the park.

The view of the river is superb and includes a terraced area where game grazes during the day. The bar, tucked in beside a huge extinct termite mound, overlooks a waterhole that is very productive for game, especially leopard at night. The original rondavels have been extended, with a spacious bathroom added. Each room has a clear view of the river, through large windows and from the new wooden verandah. The camp lies in the heart of the undeveloped Nsefu sector and so offers charm and total comfort in remoteness and seclusion.

  • 12 guests
  • en suite bathrooms
  • open late May - October
  • walking, drives, night drives

KUTANDALA BUSH CAMP

KUTANDALA BUSH CAMP is set on a stunning site on the banks of the Mwaleshi River in the heart of the North Luangwa National Park; Kutandala Camp offers the ultimate walking safari for those who seek true wilderness. The camp is home to Rod and Gus Tether who own and run the camp. With a capacity for only six guests exclusivity is guaranteed and you can walk for days without seeing another soul. The North Luangwa is renowned for its superb wildlife in a pristine environment. Safaris at Kutandala are primarily undertaken on foot but for excursions further a field, such as the scenic Chipopma falls, which involve some driving there, in a game-viewing vehicle. The guest rooms all have an unrestricted view of the Mwaleshi river and its floodplain - each have an en-suite flush toilet and hot shower and are built entirely of reed and grass. Lighting is by rechargeable solar lanterns and paraffin hurricane lamps. [ Kutandala web site]

  • 6 beds
  • reed and thatch chalets
  • open 10 June to 05 November
  • walking only
  • nearest Airstrip – Mwaleshi (40 mins flight from Mfuwe and 1 hour from camp)
  • 220v battery charging possible – 3 pin square plugs
  • no credit cards

 

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”