SHENTON SAFARIS
Shenton Safaris is the smallest independent safari operator in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. Kaingo Camp and Mwamba Bush Camp are the creations of the Shenton family, which has a proud history of three generations of wildlife conservation in Southern Africa.
Derek Shenton, who built these camps in 1992, is the second son of Barry Shenton, a former Parks Ranger in Luangwa and Warden of Kafue National Park. Derek has become fluent in the local language, Nyanja, and has developed Kaingo and Mwamba into camps that are well known for incredible game-viewing and an honest and relaxed atmosphere. Derek and his wife Juliet both continue to own and operate the camps.
A significant advantage Shenton Safaris has over most other operations is that its camps, Kaingo and Mwamba, are located in probably the most game-intensive area inside the South Luangwa National Park. This area, opposite the Nsefu sector, allows visitors to experience this ancient valley without interference from human settlement. As the National Park lies on both sides of the Luangwa River, wildlife is able to follow its natural migrations undisturbed by fishing or hunting from humans. Visitors to this area also enjoy the solitude of being away from other safari vehicles as there are no other camps in the immediate game-viewing area.
Kaingo Camp
This well established lodge opens each dry-season from May to October, and consists of 6 brick and thatch chalets. Overlooking the Luangwa River in one of the most prime areas of the South Luangwa National Park, Kaingo's relaxed, personal and friendly atmosphere offers its guests fantastic game-viewing opportunities within an area of stark beauty and varied terrain.
The large centrally located open-sided sitting room includes a dining area, library and Kaingo's renowned lead wood bar.
Accommodation comprises of 6 chalets, renovated in 2012. All the rooms have en-suite facilities, are well ventilated, mosquito-proofed and silently lit by solar power. They also all have an outdoor bathtub, tucked under ebony trees. They are set discretely apart, each with a private deck overlooking the Luangwa River. From these relaxing vantage points one can view game coming down to drink, basking hippos, water birds fishing, and daily elephant crossings.
Game-drives, walks from Kaingo and visits to one of the observation hides provide exciting photographic opportunities for its guests.
Mwamba Camp
In addition to Kaingo Camp, Shenton Safaris operate Mwamba Bush Camp, providing an opportunity for those of a more adventurous spirit to explore the parks heartland.
Wonderfully remote and peaceful, the site is a relaxed 3-hour bushwalk (6 km) from Kaingo. Set on the banks of the Mwamba River, a tributary of the Luangwa, the camp enjoys shady views of perennial water-holes.
The chalets are uniquely designed with two large skylights (protected by mosquito gauze) allowing you to experience sleeping under the stars. These three reed and thatch en-suite bungalows also have solar lighting, flush toilets and outdoor hot showers. The accommodation reflects a thoughtful balance between back-to-nature simplicity and essential comforts.
Meals are of the same high standard as Kaingo, and the bush-style dining/bar area or "chitenge" is set under the deep shade of huge ebony trees. A spectacular sunset viewing-point on top of a large termite mound and a glowing campfire under the stars completes the camp's friendly and personal atmosphere.
The game around Mwamba is excellent; large herds of buffalo, eland and Cookson's wildebeest are frequently followed by the "Mwamba pride".
Good leopard sightings are also common due to the large numbers of impala and puku in the area. Elephants use the Mwamba's waterholes regularly and there is a large bull which frequents the camp. Spending some time at the photographic hide set within camp is definitely a must.
Another appeal of Mwamba is the surrounding terrain. The land varies tremendously from wide open plains such as Lion Plain and Eland Plain, interspersed by shady mopane/crocodile bark woodland with short grass, and bordered by Combretum thickets along the Mwamba river. The area is excellent for walking safaris and game drives.
