Shenton Safaris - Your Hosts

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) .

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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.

Alison Cockerell: Al fell in love with Africa at the age of 6. Five years ago her dream came true and she moved to work in South Luangwa. As well as being an excellent photographic safari guide, Al takes care of communications for Shenton Safaris - she's always just an e-mail away!

Al is also involved with the fundraising for Shenton Safaris Hanada Orphanage project and is a keen photographer in her spare time.

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.

Retief Barnard: Retief joined us in 2008. Retief was comes to us from South Africa where his passion for the wild was born and developed. It was here he first studied and sat for his guiding exams. Later he journeyed to Tanzania where he gained more experience as a guide. Retief passed his South Luangwa Driving Guide Exam this year.

Retief enjoys the remoteness of the South Luangwa in comparison to the other parks in which he has worked. His own passion for photography makes him particularly suitable as a specialist photographic guide.

Mwila Zulu: Mwila started his training in the Luangwa as a mechanic and spent his spare time pursuing his interest in wildlife and studying to become a guide. In 2005 he passed his South Luangwa driving guide exam. He has worked as a guide in both the Luangwa and Liviingstone.

Mwila joined Shenton Safaris in 2008. With his excellent knowledge of the flora and fauna of the Luangwa and his cherry personality Mwila is a great addition to our guiding team

Gayle Olivier: Born in Joburg, family ties and a catering job lured Gayle to Botswana. There she developed an appreciation for Africa’s wilderness and wildlife.

Gayle joined Shenton Safaris in 2008 and with her great experience in bush kitchens and outstanding organisational skills she is a real asset to Shenton Safaris.

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.

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