Safari House Descriptions

Luangwa Safari House

Designed by Neil Rocher, this stunning private house is situated on Robin Pope's Nkwali land, approximately 1 km from camp.  The super structure of the house is twenty five ancient and weathered leadwood trees - powerful and natural.  The entrance side of the house is grand, castlesque and is exquisitely faced with stones from the hills. The massive pivot door opens into the huge main room and instantly you see incredible views through the front of the house - which is completely open.

Built on the edge of a seasonal lagoon and with a backdrop of the Chindeni Hills, the game, including herds of elephants and journeys of giraffe, use this area to feed and water throughout the day.  During the dryer months you can be lunching on the deck with up to forty elephants around you.

So outwardly the house has a traditional feel. However, venture inside and you find that each room has a totally individual and unique style. The sizeable living room is dominated by large comfy sofas and a huge marble dining table. The room stretches up two storeys, some twelve meters, to the thatched roof with wooden staircases rising out of the floor to take you to the upstairs bedrooms. Much of the fittings are hand made metalwork, designed by Matt Peacock, including a huge thirty lamp metal chandelier. The open front of the room leads out onto a quartz tiled terrace with large plunge pool to one side.

From this terrace a magnificent risen walkway leads to a wooden deck surrounding a small group of huge ebony trees in the middle of the lagoon.  There is a large leather sofa, and a hanging chair plus dining table and chairs for al fresco meals.  The waterhole only meters from the deck and sitting quietly you will be close to families of elephant that come to bathe.

Each of the four bedrooms has a style of its own. Extra large beds, both king size or twin fit into each room under one mosquito net. There is a wooden ceiling fan inside each net.  The beds have all been designed differently, from two poster beds to raised futon style.  The materials used in the bedrooms are hand painted and specifically designed, made locally at Tribal Textiles.  Each bathroom has a different theme for the fittings, reflecting the colours of the rooms. From copper for the "Coral room" (including a hand made copper bath) to recycled sandblasted aluminium in the "Blue Agate" bedroom. These fittings have been matched with unusual pieces of Zambian marble hand picked by Jo and Robin.

The upstairs rooms have a suspended wooden balcony, where you can sit out at night with a moonlit view over the bush to the distant hills.  The downstairs bedrooms each have a private tiled verandah with large morris chairs for quiet moments.

The Luangwa Safari House is extraordinary - large and powerful, this castle like house gives you space, luxury with nature on your doorstep.

Robin's House

Robin's House is the perfect place for a family safari, honeymooners and guests looking for a little privacy.

The house set apart from the main camp, Nkwali, on the banks of the Luangwa River with great views of the river and the animals and birds that come to drink and feed.  Set under a grove of shady trees, the meals are served outside.  There are two luxury bedrooms (a double and a triple), each with its own large bathroom (both shower and bath), and a central sitting room and dining area. There is a private kitchen and chef, along with a valet, so meals can be served where and when you like. This is particularly important for families with children. There is also a private guide and safari vehicle for the gameviewing activities so the pace of the safari can be totally flexible.

We take each family as they come - and at the start of the safari the guide and hostess will sit with you and discuss all aspects of the stay from food to bed times.  The hostess is there to ensure that each child has the best safari possible for their age and interests.  She is also able to look after the children if they want to stay behind and miss a drive.  We find that this often happens and there is wide range of activities for the children to do based in camp.