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Community
The lodge was completed in 2009. From the beginning of the project we wanted to involve the local community to develop a lodge that limited its impact on the environment and supported the communities living near to the National park.
In the construction of the lodge we only employed laborers from the local communities; almost a year’s work for a variety of skills, from builders to plumbers and carpenters. The furniture including beds, tables and chairs were not bought from Lusaka but locally made by carpenters. Our lodge is truly Zambian made and while not ‘5 star’ it has charm and a feeling of simplicity that is in touch with the natural surroundings.
For every guest through Responsible Travel we will make a donation to the Luangwa community project to help support community and conservation programs being run by South Luangwa Conservation Society and North Luangwa Conservation Project.
Environment
In a challenging location we have tried to design with environmental saving in mind. The lodge is self-sustainable with a plentiful water borehole and means to properly dispose of rubbish and wastewater. As we are new we have been able to incorporate the latest eco water saving taps and showerheads that reduce the flow and usage in to our chalets. Towel and linen washing is done on site and only when required. We have secure waste facilities to keep wild animals (especially baboons) out and to make sure our impact of the surrounding environment is minimal.
The lodge is owned and run by like minded individuals who are committed to the protection of the wildlife and habitat of the Luangwa Valley and also believe in employing and assisting the local communities: The Lodge team include:
- Godfrey Shawa; a local and brought up in Luangwa valley, he has a great knowledge of the area and over 10 years experience leading safaris in South Luangwa
- Mark Sprong; Chairman of Lilongwe Wildlife Centre protecting and rescuing primates and other African animals, owner of a safari company, he has been operating safaris to South Luangwa for 20 years
- Mike Waterland; a wildlife consultant who has worked on numerous projects for the Born Free Foundation, including recently the construction of Malawi’s first Lion sanctuary, and has developed a wildlife guide of South Luangwa especially for our guests
- Mary-Anne Bartlett; renowned wildlife artist and writer, author of Bradt Malawi and operates ‘Art Safari’ – painting and photography holiday’s for the creative and adventurous. Mary-Anne has a love for Africa and has been coming to Luangwa for 10 years
- Menno Witteveen; Lodge manager and your host during your stay. His passion for safari has turned a life long dream to reality, running his own safari lodge in the African bush
Zambia went through a very bad patch of poaching with hundreds of elephants being killed for their ivory in the 80’s and 90’s. With the tourism trade booming, the local communities can see the benefit of keeping these animals alive. South Luangwa National Park is one of the finest in Africa and all entrants to the park are paying significant fees but this goes towards the upkeep of the park and management and protection of its wildlife.
The Lodge and its owners are dedicated to wildlife conservation and through our close links with Lilongwe Wildlife Centre in Malawi and the Born Free Foundation we have had opportunities to sponsor and actively participate in wildlife conservation in Southern Africa, keeping wildlife in the wild.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
