Norman Carr to open luxury lodge in Luangwa Valley

Zambia-based tour operator Norman Carr Safaris will open the first luxury sustainable lodge named Chinzombo in Luangwa Valley, Zambia, designed by the architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens.

Constructed with low-impact eco design, Chinzombo is a sustainable development which has used sustainably sourced materials as well as local building methods and craftspeople. Combining modernist architectural forms, organic geometry and regional materials of indigenous Zambian building methods, the designers have created the luxurious bush camp.

Located on the site of one of Norman’s original camps, Chinzombo features six WiFi-equipped spacious villas, one with capacity to accommodate a family of five. The villas, which appear to float over the landscape, are nestled within the shade of ancient trees on a ridge which follows a loop in the Luangwa River.

Constructed with minimum design lines, the villas feature a steel-framed structure, which creates a contrasting design with the décor and interiors. To facilitate the comfort and luxury elements of the guests, the villas feature large, cooled bedrooms, luxurious bathrooms and private plunge pools on shady decks overlooking the Luangwa River.

The materials which are used in the development are natural, including locally-produced leather, reed-work and canvas while floors are made of recycled composite timber. There is little concrete or brick, with the décor also featuring raw linen, timber, copper and hand-made crockery. 

The interiors feature local art pieces from local weavers, pottery makers and carvers.

To add more beauty to the place, the new bush camp features a winding foot path shaded by mahogany trees, which connects the accommodation and lounge/dining area. Apart from that, it also features a yoga and exercise area and spa facilities.

Featuring vast tracts of landscaping, game fences, roads or other man-made installations, the Chinzombo is located in a place where both wildlife and natural vegetation flourish.

Chinzombo is scheduled to open in March 2013.

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http://www.worldinteriordesignnetwork.com/news/norman_carr_to_open_luxury_lodge_in_luangwa_valley_121108/

Astronomy Finds New Popularity in Africa Where the Stars Are Brighter

Today, 50% of the world’s population can no longer see the stars because of pollution. An outstanding exception is the remote and pristine South Luangwa Valley in Zambia where the air is light and the moon and stars are bright. Here, you can re-discover the beauty and wonder of the night sky with Norman Carr Safaris’ “Return to the Wild” sleep-out safari .

With famed guide Abraham Banda at the lead, you’ll wend your way to the spectacularly beautiful Luwi dry river bed where you’ll spend the night on a bedroll with a mosquito net. You’ll marvel at the Southern Cross and the vast black hole beneath it, known as the coal sack, as Abraham points out all the constellations of the glittering Southern sky and explains how the stars influence the daily activities of the Zambian people.

You’ll also experience the tranquility and beauty of the orange moon as it reflects on night waters. And when the stars come out — and you’re there in the right season — so do the fire flies until you are surrounded with thousands of points of light above and below.

Christina Carr, daughter-in-law of the late Norman Carr, believes that it is the night sky that is the spiritual side of Africa – that opens up your soul. She says: “When I first came to Zambia, I could not get over what an important role the night plays in African life. Everything is alive and vibrant and the stars really do appear brighter. Coming from an urban area where electric lights are paramount, this was a real awakening for me.

“Our most successful dinners in the Bush are given under the full moon. The light is so bright it keeps away the predators. And I am always amazed at the sight of the moon lining up with Venus and Mars. “

On your night under the stars, once the camping site is selected and a camp fire lit, the game ranger will prepare dinner with your help. After dinner, adventure stories are told around the fire until it’s time to bed down under the magnificent African sky while your guide and scout keep watch until morning.

The rate per night per person for the Return to the Wild sleep-out safari, for a maximum of four guests, is $200. This may be combined with a stay in one of Norman Carr Safaris Bushcamp sites or at the Kapani Lagoon House.

Norman Carr

For more information, contact kapani@normancarrsafaris.com or visit

Return to the wild

What Makes A Safari in Zambia Unique?

Zambia is Africa’s best kept secret. It is the sleeping giant of African safari. It also has friendly people and peace that the country safeguards and continues to enjoy. That’s what makes the country a haven for refuges from civil strive. …And Zambia is a hub of African travel.

Zambia is located in south central Africa with eight neighboring countries. There are 19 national parks and 34 game management areas. Thus a whopping 30 percent of the country’s 752,614 sq kms. The country has the largest water resources in southern Africa. There are large empty tracts of land in pristine state and a large wildlife estate. Zambia’s unique natural resources include minerals such as copper, precious stones and lumber; both native hard wood and soft exotic pinewood timber.

The population to land ratio is one of the lowest in Africa. At less than 15 people per sq km it is one of the lowest in the world. The sparse population has left a large portion of Zambia unspoiled in its natural state. You get to see teeming wildlife in pristine wilderness. Some of the animals have had little or no contact with humans. So the national parks present wildlife in its natural habitat.

The National Parks

Of the 19 national parks South Luangwa is Zambia’s premier game reserve. The South Luangwa National Park has probably the largest variety and concentration of game in Africa and perhaps in the world. Experts consider the 9,990 sq kms park to have some of the finest game-viewing areas anywhere. It is rated one of the top game reserves in the world with a profusion of wildlife. Some animals are only found in this reserve. An example is the Thornicroft giraffe.

Another game reserve is the Kafue National Park. The sprawling 22,400 sq kms is the second largest national park in the world and is about the size of Wales in Britain and twice the size of Yellowstone National Park in the USA. The park is located in the central-western Zambia and boasts excellent game viewing, bird watching and fishing.

The park has two unique wetlands. The Busanga Floodplain in the northern sector is special. The emerald green Lunga, Lufupa and Kafue Rivers crisscross it. Here are found multiple species of animals and birds. The Busanga plain is antelope country. The endemic lechwe fill its plains. The park’s southern limit also breaks into another wetland the Nanzhila Plains. The plains are next to Zambia’s newest lake at the Itezhi-Tezhi Dam.

http://www.fundednfree.com/africansafari.html

Both good and bad news for rhinos has been reported from Zambia this week.

Starting with the positive, WWF is working to re-introduce Black rhino into the country’s wildlife areas after an absence of 30 years.

Until the 1970’s, Zambia was a black rhino stronghold with a single Luangwa National Park providing sanctuary for around 20,000 animals alone. However by the end of the 1980’s they were all gone - shot for their horns which were sold to ornamental dagger makers in Yemen and traditional Chinese herbal practitioners in the Far East.

However, a small group of Black rhino were recently re-introduced into Luangwa from South Africa and WWF now plans to expand the re-introduction programme with animals from Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

James Phiri from WWF said: “We are supporting the re-stocking and sustenance of the Black Rhino to make sure that the population of the Black Rhino is raised.”

However, whilst this is hugely positive news, there was also bad news yesterday as a group pf poachers were arrested in Kafue National Park with 5 rhino horns and 72 elephant tusks.

Zambia Wildlife Authority’s, Dr Saiwana, suspects that the animals were killed in neighbouring countries not Zambia: “The 23 black rhinoceros in North Luangwa national park are safe”.

However, the incident highlights the continued threat to rhinos across Africa and the need for continued conservation efforts to ensure the species full recovery.

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