How It Began
Lari and Mike spent most of 1994 travelling around Zambia looking for a beautiful place suitable for conservation and tourism. Thanks to Jeremy Pope they decided that the Mutinondo/Musamfushi catchment area on the Muchinga plateau, west of the Luangwa Valley, was perfect. Their first step was to give a proposal to Chief Mpumba for his consideration. After receiving the Chief's consent, they spent six weeks walking and camping in the area investigating possible lodge sites with a local guide, Paul Saili. It was a magic month with only two decisions to make each day, where to walk and what to eat!
Building in the Bush
Our building has been a long learning process. We have tried to maximise views from the lodge buildings and minimise the view of the camp from the surrounding areas. All the furniture, windows, roofs, almost everything wooden, has been made by our carpenter Dickson Chilufya and his son Peter, both from Salamo. Salamo builders Joseph Chisanga and Harry Kaluba built most of the buildings. The chalets are named after the different woods used for the furniture and fittings.
The Road In
After receiving TAZARA permission to build an embankment over the railway line, we constructed a 25km road, done by hand, axe and hoe in 3 months by 30 workers, completed 23rd October 1996. The trees felled to build the road were used for burning bricks and firewood.
Title & Legacy
The Mpika District Council assured us the Ministry of Lands would issue title deeds, and encouraged us to start developing. 18 years later we received our 99-year title deeds. We feel very lucky to be custodians of this incredibly beautiful and special place. Most of our staff come from nearby villages, some have been with us for over 20 years.
