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 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: a trained zoologist and wildlife photographer, also lives in the camp with Derek, along with their daughter Saphire. She is on hand to help all their wildlife enthusiast guests with new cameras, helping the budding photographers to make the most out of their safari experience.
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 alike.
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.
Michelle: Born in Kenya and raised in Malawi, Michelle has many years experience working and living in Africa. Her deep love and appreciation for the bush was instilled by frequent family safaris across east and southern Africa—Kaingo and Mwamba camps have been annual family favorites since 1996. These experiences sparked her lifelong dream of working in a safari camp. With a background in Education and Hospitality Management, Michelle is passionate about the park, wildlife, travel, meeting new people and cooking (and eating) delicious food. As the Hospitality/Food & Beverage Manager, she will ensure that each guest leaves wanting to come back again and again!
Brian: Michelle’s fiance Brian grew up as a native Floridian and sportsman with a love for the outdoors and travel. His degree in Business and Marketing coupled with many years as a business owner, make Brian ideally suited for his role as Marketing and Reservations Manager. With over 12 years of business and management experience between them, Michelle and Brian make a formidable addition to the Shenton Safari team – they are excited to share their knowledge and experience with visitors from around the globe.
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 the last 5 years. However, he decided this year to swap his office in Exeter Devon for the outdoor office he now occupies as our manager at our bush camp 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
Freya Reder: Born and raised in Southern California, delights in showing the natural wonders of the Africa bush with others, she has background in Anthropology and Horticulture. Freya fulfilled a childhood dream in travelling to Africa, she has lived and worked as a professional safari guide in South Luangwa National Park since 1995, becoming one of Zambia’s first women to qualify as a walking guide. Fascinated by all aspects of wildlife, nature and photography, she brings great enthusiasm and exceptional knowledge to the wilderness experience.
Muluta Gondwe: Gondwe started his career with a course in International Tourism and Hotel Management in Livingstone where he also studied International tour Guiding under the City and Guilds of London Institute.
After his studies he started a job which involved both serving as a booking agent and guiding guests through Mosi-O-Tunya Zoological park. He enjoyed the safari aspect of his work so much his manager advised him to travel to the South Luangwa National Park to undertake the extremely difficult guiding training offered here.
Gondwe was sponsored to do his guiding training by Deb Tittle, who began her guiding career in the valley with Derek in Kaingo’s early days. Deb became Gondwe’s tutor which was instrumental in helping him pass his exams. Gondwe passed his exams in 2007 and therafter worked at Wildlife Camp. Becoming a guide was a fulfilment of a lifetime dream.
Gondwe joined Shenton Safaris at the beginning of 2009, he thinks this area is wonderful with the intensity of game and lack of other vehicles and is being mentored in his guiding by Derek, Patrick and Meyam.
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.