Press Reviews 2006
Creatures, and creature comforts, on Pope safaris |
Jan Aaron, on a recent trip with RPS found two worlds sometimes colliding -- but more often than not peacefully co-existing -- during an intriguing adventure. |
Walking with pride |
Julie Davidson explores the "lonely Nsefu sector" with Deborah Tittle. |
In Zambia, Safaris With a Penthouse Touch |
Luxury Destination of the Year, By Gisella Williams "... It’s a different world in Zambia, and not only because its game reserves are as yet unspoiled by mass tourism. This is the home of Africa’s best walking safaris, and instead of driving for hours in search of the big five, you explore the bush on foot." |
Small spectator, big game in Africa |
Every child has a favourite cartoon animal: this is the real thing. Daisy Crump, 12, stalks leopards in Zambia with dad Vincent. |
African Safaris: A guide for the uninitiated |
David Swanson discusses the myth that Safaris aren’t suited for families. "Robin Pope Safaris, in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, designs programs for children age seven and up. On guided nature walks, they are taught how to identify animal paw prints and droppings and they learn to use spotlights at night to track game. And on a visit to a village school they meet Zambian children and more." |
Private enterprise |
In Zambia, Michael Woods samples four safari houses, available for private occupation and with individually tailored activities on offer. |
50 people to know in travel |
Cath Urquhart, Travel Editor of The Times, reveals who you need to know in travel on the eve of publication of her book, The Times Holiday Handbook "ROBIN POPE: Zambian-born Pope leads walking safaris in South Luangwa, Zambia, where he is reckoned one of Africa’s most gifted guides. With his wife Jo he runs one of the continent’s most assured camping operations, plus a support programme for schools." |
Interview - Giving Something Back |
"Jo Pope of Robin Pope Safaris has made Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park her home for the best part of two decades. A born organiser, her many successful co-ventures – from impeccably designed bush lodges to much-improved schools – bear testimony to her commitment both to the future of Zambian tourism and to the general welfare of the local community. Last year she received a prestigious international Responsible Tourism Award for her achievements." Huw Williams reports. |
A luxury safari with a green accent |
Doc Holiday: 'We want a luxury safari, but it’s got to be eco'. A luxury safari with a green accent for a 40th-anniversary holiday is this week's challenge for the Doc - "First to the South Luangwa National Park, where Nkwali Camp and Tena Tena Camp — both with chalets overlooking a magnificent stretch of the Luangwa River — multiply their charm by raising £35,000 a year for schools, teachers and bursaries." |
The Away Game |
Why stick with Tuscany when you can rent palatial pads in India, Australia and Africa? Susan d’Arcy explains. Safari Villas are the next big thing and in Zambia this year Luangwa Safari House opened and South Luangwa and Chongwe River House on the banks of the Lower Zambezi. |
Falling for the Zambezi... |
Sandra Howard was overwhelmed by the majesty of Victoria falls... "At Nkwali we stayed in spacious Robin's House, on the grassy bank of the Luangwa River, with appealing solid furniture like an old-fashioned vicarage. ... There are also six double guest rooms at the camp, with en suite, open-air bathrooms, as well as a stunning new movie-star-style mansion with four double bedrooms and a fabulous private viewing deck, high on stilts and overlooking a salt lick." She also visits Kawaza School. |
Stalk on the Wild Side |
Michael Gebicki enjoys a walking safari and superior bush camping in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley |
Reserves of luxury |
Lodges have come a long way since the early days of safaris, says Lisa Grainger as she selects the best high life amid the wildlife. Of Luangwa Safari House she says " Robin Pope Safaris is not about fancy soaps, Frette sheets and helipads - it's about good old-fashioned ecology. But even Zambia's leading guide has had to give a little, hence the building of Luangwa Safari House on his private land in the South Luangwa National Park." |
Salvation safari to Zambia |
Jo Pope, a Responsible Tourism Award winner last year for her work in Zambia, tells Cath Urquhart what it takes to gain an accolade
|
My family and other animals |
Adriaane Pielou takes to the Zambian bushveld with her daughters and discovers the secrets of a successful family safari. |
Highlife |
Chongwe River House is given a full double page spread photo. |
Tatler, June 2006 |
Jo Foley writes: "It may be the furniture, all made from one fallen winter-thorn tree... it could be the night-time glow from 2500 tiny bulbs set amid river pebbles in the ceilings... Chongwe River House is the most extraordinary thing in Africa since the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge... it's organic, ergonomic, enchanting, zany... this is the way forward." |
Wild Ride |
Robin Pope Safaris, one of Zambia’s foremost safari operators, owns Tena Tena…… |
A Walk on the Wild Side |
Experience Wild Zambia – on foot if you like. By Margaret Shakespeare |
"We nearly tripped over a sleeping crocodile". Wendy Gomersall spots some of Zambia’s smaller – but no less bewitching - wildlife on a walking safari in remotest Africa. |
|
A place of your own in Africa |
If you want to have the game to yourself, avoid the big camps and head to one of the new private 'safari houses', with designer decor and your own guides. Michael Woods reports from Zambia. |
Vanity Fairground – the best guides in the world |
Africa, Zambia – Robin Pope – the walking king of the South Luangwa Valley. "Pope has three camps and runs mobile walking safaris….his knowledge is awesome, and to experience the bush without the sounds of the internal- combustion engine is sensational." |
Africa Safari with style and substance |
Nkwali Camp, Zambia. Owned by Robin Pope, one of Africa’s foremost safari guides, Nkwali Camp sits on a stunning stretch of the Luangwa River in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. Shaded by giant mahoganies, the camp has sundowner views of hippo and elephant in the river below — three years ago, a bull elephant trapped guests inside the bar. Good for you: comprising six thatch-and-bamboo ensuite chalets, with meals taken together in an open dining room overlooking a water hole, Nkwali Camp feels less like a lodge than a house party. |
Rivers of Change |
|
Close Encounters |
In the safari world, Zambian naturalist and guide Robin Pope is a legend. Lisa Grainger joined him the bush. |
The Sunday Times hot list for 2006: Thriller Villas |
"The home-from-home concept has finally reached the African outback, thanks to Robin Pope’s collection of beautifully designed safari houses in Zambia. The first, Luangwa Safari House, opened last month, near Nkwali Camp, in southern Luangwa. It combines rustic chic — all whitewashed walls and tree trunks as wall supports, and a cool private pool where elephants saunter by — with the space and privacy that families, in particular, covet. And, even with private chefs and guides who tailor activities to your whims, it’s not hugely expensive." |
