About Shenton Safaris
Derek Shenton, a third generation conservationist, built Kaingo in 1992 and later created Mwamba Bush Camp. He continues to run Shenton Safaris with his wife Jules.
Derek Shenton represents the third generation of his family to work in the fields of safari guiding and wildlife conservation. A natural guide, he has a particular interest in tracking and observing the big cats.
Passionate about providing his clients with the ultimate safari experience, Derek’s camps are continually evolving. Mwamba Bush Camp was the first addition, after which he developed the now famous hippo, elephant, carmine and last water hole hides. These photographic hides, sited and designed by Derek, have been used by the BBC, Discovery Channel and the National Geographic in their filming.
The high standards of the camps, calm and friendly atmosphere, and unusually high number of repeat clients are a further reflection of this unassuming man.
Derek is on the board of the South Luangwa Conservation Society (SLCS) .
Jules Shenton: Jules, a trained zoologist and wildlife photographer, has recently moved back to the Shenton residence in Lusaka with the girls, Saphire and Jayabella, and she remains an integral part of the operations. Jules is on the Board of Trustees of Project Luangwa.
Our team
Patrick Njobvu: Pat has been with Shenton Safaris since Kaingo was built and was originally trained by Derek in 1992. He is a fabulous guide, fantastic story teller and a firm favourite amongst new and repeat clients like.
Pat is superb at bringing the bush alive with his encyclopedic knowledge of its inhabitants and a passion for all things wild, particularly the birdlife.
Meyam Njobvu: Meyam started working in the safari business in 1999 and gained a variety of experience within South Luangwa National Park, becoming a qualified guide in 2002. His love of the bush led him to continued study and in 2004 he passed his walking exam.
Meyam is a keen birder and enjoys showing guests the different aspects of nature one can see on foot. His intuitive, sensitive guiding style is greatly appreciated by all guests who safari with him.
Ian Friend: Ian, although born in England, grew up in Malawi and it was there that he got his thirst for nature and the wilderness of Africa. Following a biology degree Ian trained and subsequently qualified as a chartered surveyor working for Strutt and Parker in the UK for over 5 years. However in 2010, he decided to swap his office in Exeter Devon for the outdoor office he now occupies as full time guide at both Kaingo and Mwamba.
Ian brings with him his passion for the African bush and has recently qualified in the driving guide in the South Luangwa National Park, arriving only one month prior to the stringent exams, he passed with flying colours. An excellent host at Mwamba ini 2010, Ian will be guiding full time for Kaingo and Mwamba this new season.
Kennedy Nkchoma: Kennedy completes our tema of Grade 1 guides (this means licensed to guide on drives and walking safaris). He joined us in 2011, bringing along 8 years of experience in South Luangwa.
Izzy Defourny: Born in Belgium, Izzy, a French-speaking native, has over 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry mostly in Europe and in the USA. But it is here in Africa that she can fully express her love for the wildlife and the great outdoors. Her degree in Business Administration and Hotel Operations along with her international experience in the luxury market, make Izzy ideally suited for her role as Marketing and Reservations Manager. You will see her at Kaingo, hosting and taking care of the logistics. During the rains, Izzy roams the world to promote Shenton Safaris and fill the reservation book.
Debbie Gadd: Debbie was born in Ndola when Zambia was still Northern Rhodesia. After living a settled life as a housewife for 19 years, Debbie let her adventurous side take over and trained as a tour guide in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. Her varied experience in the tourism industry includes leading overlander and private tours, in South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique, along with managing a 4-star lodge in South Africa. Debbie is now joining Shenton Safaris in Zambia, finally living her passion which is the bush. For Debbie nature is magic, the way everything is so intricately linked and it works so well without interference. She loves the bush, loves learning new things, loves meeting people from around the world and loves to laugh. Debbie’s motto in life is “Adventure before Dementia”!
Debbie is our “one of a kind” Caterer and Host at Mwamba Bush Camp.
Lisa Peake: Lisa was born at her family farm in Chipata in Zambia’s Eastern Province in which South Luangwa is also situated. Growing up on the family farm she became fluent in the local language Chinyanja. In her late teens she left Zambia for 10 years to run a cattle ranch on the edge of the inhospitable Kalahari Desert, Botswana. She returned to Lusaka Zambia in 1995 to raise a family. In the last few years she has felt the urge to return to her roots and satisfy her love for the bush. Lisa has hosted at the largest Lodge in South Luangwa and managed 4 of the associated bush camps so she joins Shenton Safari’s as a “Home Grown Expert”. Her preference is for bush camps, rather than larger lodges, where she feels you get much closer to ‘The real Africa’ and better get to know your visitors requirements and expectations. In her own words “My role at Kaingo is to provide the perfect backdrop to your ultimate wilderness experience”.
Lisa is our devoted Caterer and Host at Kaingo Bush Camp.
We have a large team of friendly local staff who take care of you whilst you’re in the camps.
Our plot team at the vegetable garden outside the park supplies the camps with fresh fruit, vegetables and eggs.
