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.

Saphire, Derek, Jules and Jayabella Shenton. January 2013.

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.
Sylvester Mbaama After guiding for numerous years for other camps in the park, Sylvester joined us in 2012, and quickly found his marks at Kaingo and Mwamba, to the great satisfaction of our guests. “Sly” is qualified for game drives and bush walks, he is always read to help and is a great host. He is also very involved in the local community having created his own foundation to assist local projects.	Andrew Mweetwa Andrew passed his guiding exam in 2006, followed by his walking license the following year. For the past three years, he was guiding at the Norman Carr Safaris camps. He joins us this 2013 season, delighted to keep busy with our third daily game viewing activity! He loves learning new languages, and looks forward to practice his skills.
Vickson Also native of Mfuwe, Vickson joins us this 2013 season after several years of free-lance guiding in the Luangwa Valley. Vickson enjoys taking guests on long game drives and night drives, in search of the little things as much as the big ones.	Yolam Ndhlovu Yolam trained as a guide at Norman Carr Safaris, and obtained his guiding license (game drives) in 2011. After guiding for two years in the Kafue National Park, Yolam was longing to come back to his native South Luangwa, and he is joining us to complete our experienced guiding team at Kaingo and Mwamba
Izzy Defourny Born in Belgium, Izzy, a French-speaking native, has over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry 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 meet 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.	Yvonne Price Originally from the UK, Yvonne brings 12 years of hospitality experience  to Kaingo. She first visited Africa 10 years ago, and fell in love with the bush and developed a true passion for lions. For the past 3 years Yvonne was managing a lodge on the banks of the lower Zambezi, and is now looking forward to see what South Luangwa has to offer. Yvonne is joining us  to supervise operations at Kaingo Camp. Working closely with our local staff, she is overseeing the rooms, restaurant and kitchen, and spends a lot of time with our guests organizing activities and looking after their needs.
Johan wessels Johan joins us this year as Kaingo’s Back of House manager, supervising all the maintenance operations and staffing. Based in Lusaka for the past 10 years, Yohan is delighted to relocate in the African bush and he will be a great help for Derek and the team.”	Lorraine Van Der Merwe Lorraine comes from South Africa where she has been teaching at various universities and hotel schools, subjects such as Afrikaans, German, Library Science, Home Economics, Professional Cookery, Hotel services and managements etc. Now in early retirement, Lorraine and her husband plan on running a small guest house from their home in Langebaan. In the meantime Lorraine has joined us for the 2013 season as the Mwamba Camp host and caterer where she will be able to live her passion: wildlife, outdoors and food!”

Our large team of friendly local staff can include up to 40 members when we are busy with camp construction, and in full swing of the season.  From our waiters, chefs, and housekeepers to our boiler men and mechanics, they will take great 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.

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