Our Mission

Conservation Through Stewardship

Mutinondo Wilderness is a privately owned and carefully managed conservation area, dedicated to protecting one of Zambia's most ecologically rich landscapes. Recognised as a Key Biodiversity Area and an Important Bird Area, it sits firmly within a wider network of protected wilderness regions that includes the nearby Mutinondo Falls National Monument and national heritage designations that reflect the global significance of its environment.

Situated at its boundaries, Mutinondo plays a critical role in maintaining ecological connectivity between the Luangwa Valley and the protected areas to the west, including Lavushi Manda National Park and the Bangweulu Wetlands. This corridor is essential for the movement of wildlife and the long-term resilience of the region's ecosystems.

Every guest who stays here contributes directly to this work. Your visit helps fund the people, patrols, and habitat management that protect this place, and we warmly invite you to experience it as home.

Protecting the Wilderness

A dedicated anti-poaching team patrols the property, continuously working with neighbouring partners and government authorities to safeguard the areas wildlife and natural resources. Wildlife crime on Mutinondo is now at its lowest level in living memory.

Managing the Ecosystem

A carefully curated ecological management plan keeps Mutinondo in pristine condition. Well timed burning across the property keeps it healthy and resilient - a long-standing rhythm of fire that maintains biodiversity and reduces the risk of uncontrolled wildfire.

Monitoring Wildlife

Continuous effort goes into gathering data year-round, to build an accurate picture of how wildlife is responding to increased protection. There has been a resurgence in the once ultra elusive or altogether absent species on Mutinondo, such as Leopard, African wild dog, Sable and Sitatunga, to name a few. The goal being to see Mutinondo again a stronghold for species that once resided here.

Working in the Landscape

Mutinondo is the cornerstone in a wider conservation area and wildlife corridor. We work alongside neighbouring communities, conservation partners, and government authorities, to safeguard this critical wilderness area.

Biodiversity & Heritage

Mutinondo's extraordinary natural history has attracted researchers from around the world, resulting in new species to science, 374 species of bird, and a deeper understanding of Central African biodiversity.

Research

Research at Mutinondo

Mutinondo's extraordinary natural history has attracted researchers from around the world, resulting in new species to science, a deeper understanding of Central African biodiversity.

Ornithology

Birds of Mutinondo

An Important Bird Area with 362 recorded species. Globally renowned for the Chestnut-headed Flufftail and Bar-winged Weaver. Includes a downloadable bird list and birding map.

Mammals

Mammals of Mutinondo

Free-range, unfenced, and truly wild. Rich vegetation and land provides very large mammals, and tall trees highlight what's guaranteed here, an encounter that may truly stop you in your tracks.

Invertebrates

Butterflies & Lepidoptera

234 butterfly species including one Charaxes never recorded anywhere else on earth. A lepidopterist's dream destination in the heart of miombo woodland.

Botany

Botany & Wild Flowers

Over 1,600 plant and tree species confirmed, including wild orchids, resurrection plants and new species to science. Pristine miombo largely undisturbed for nearly a century.

Herpetology

Smaller Wildlife

Over 700 insect species in a single preliminary survey. Monitor lizards, endemic frogs, ornate beetles, dragonflies, giant millipedes, slowing down reveals a teeming world.

Archaeology

History & Archaeology

Ancient Mutinondo rock paintings. Stone Age artefacts, storage kilns, and the rich history of the Bwana Bay peoples, Mutinondo landscape holds centuries of human story.

Geology

Inselbergs & Geology

Billion-year-old granite inselbergs rising across the plateau, host to many plant and animal communities, over 2,000m above sea level with far-reaching horizon views.

Citizen Science in Action

Become part of our conservation story. We use iNaturalist to document the incredible biodiversity found within the Mutinondo Wilderness. Explore our latest sightings of rare orchids, butterflies, and mammals, or upload your own discoveries during your stay to help our ongoing research.

View Our Biodiversity Map

Publication

Photo-Rich Miombo Woodland Field Guides

Describing 1,634 plant species from the Mutinondo area, including over 20 new species to science. Available from Mutinondo Wilderness, Bookworld Zambia, Mike Parks Books UK, NHBS UK, and Silverhill Seeds and Books RSA.

learn more

Heritage & Landscape

Each landmark at Mutinondo carries a name, some from local Bisa tradition, some bestowed by Mike and Lari in memory of friends, family or the first ascents they made together. Every name tells a story about this place and the people who love it.

Mutinondo

The name of the wilderness, after one of the rivers that runs through the area, which runs closest to where the campsite and lodge were first established. The Musamfushi runs by the now main lodge. The river itself is a local tribal name.

Mayense & Little Mayense

Local names, after a man whose vehicle broke down at the foot of this highest inselberg. The engine is still in a gully at its foot.

Kankonde

Means "banana", as there are wild (inedible) banana plants growing at its base.

The Caterpillar

So named in reference to its wavy, rolling spine.

Mbeya

A local term for grandmother, named in honour of Lari's mother who climbed the rock accompanied by her husband and Quentin's parents, when they were in their late 70s.

Quentin's Rock

Named after renowned artist Quentin Allen, who accompanied Mike and Lari the first time they climbed to its peak.

Big Chipundu Dambo

Named for a tree that grows there in abundance.

Vicky's Rock

First climbed by Mike and Lari, accompanied by their daughter Vicky.

Charlie's Rock

First climbed by Mike and Lari, accompanied by their son Charlie.

Kabasano Dambo

Over a hundred years ago, the wives of a local chief used to gather at this site. Kabasano is the local collective word to describe the tribal chief's wives.

Kapinda's Rock

Named after a local hunter who died close by, when attempting to cross the Musamfushi River.

Paradise Pool

Lari named this very beautiful part of the river in reference to the abundance of Paradise Flycatchers, a colourful migratory bird, that are sometimes seen there.

Julian's Rock

Named after a friend of Mike and Lari's, with whom they first climbed this inselberg.

Ndubaluba Waterfall

Ndubaluba is the local name for the Ross's Turaco, which frequent the area. The word is onomatopoeic for the birds' raucous call.

Klipspringer Rock

Mike named this rock after the Klipspringers that are often seen on this inselberg.

Choso Waterfall

Choso is a local name for waterfowl, which inhabit the river there.

Camper's Rock

Close to the Mayense campsite with spectacular views, and one of the few spots within the wilderness area where you can get a good cell signal.

Leopard Rock

Leopards are occasionally seen on this rock; Mike first spotted one up here in the 90s.

Kite Rock

Mike and Lari first climbed this inselberg with their nephews on a windy day, and flew kites with them.

Biobo Dambo

Named after a local hunter who previously hunted extensively at this dambo.

Peter's Dambo

Named after the late Peter Kabanshi, who used to poach game at this site.

Hyrax Hill

Named for the rock-dwelling hyraxes, sometimes called dassies. These are small (30â€“70cm long), thickset, short-tailed, furry herbivorous mammals weighing up to about 5kg. They are distantly related to elephants, but more closely resemble large rodents.

Kansansala Rock

The local name for sable antelope, often seen on this rock, is kansansala.

Mafoni Dambo / Mafoni Hills

Mafoni is a local pidgin for headphones, in reference to a mines surveyor who, many years ago, spent time walking around the area wearing headphones.

Confluence Rock

Overlooks the confluence of the Musamfushi and Mutinondo rivers.