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'Tis the season of festivities, families and friends (socially distanced of course)!

Office Africa - Christmas 2020

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Wherever you are on the map, our thoughts are with you and your families as we enter this most unusual festive season. 

The Luangwa Valley, this place of Eden that indelibly connects us all, is well into its wet season. So far however, there have only been sporadic showers in the valley. Enough at least to bring the verdant greenery back and allow the streams and rivulets to start flowing. 

Kaingo and Mwamba are closed and packed away until April with just our trusty three watchmen, RB, Aisha and Max holding the fort until then. I will boat up to resupply and check on things as soon as the Luangwa is full - perhaps by late February and I hope to have some nice imagery for you then. 

Looking back over a season that disappeared like smoke in the wind, we were blessed to make it through relatively intact.

We managed to support our full contingent of staff and upgraded our anti-poaching presence in our area. Once again our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed for the support we received this year that enabled us to protect our very special area. Because of each one of you, you will find our area and her wildlife to be in even better shape than when you were last with us. 

Just recently we were advised by DNPWS (National Parks and Wildlife Service) of some concessions on our lease commitments for 2020 which will help enormously as we enter 2021 and we thank them for this. We also thank CSL who tirelessly send out anti-poaching patrols to safeguard our wildlife.

Despite the human travesty we have all witnessed this year, 2020 was a great year for the wildlife in our area. Due to the good rains it was noticeable that our animals had thrived and most of the game numbers were up. There were more plains game, more elephant young than ever before and by October there were 9 new lion cubs in the Hollywood and the Mwamba-Kaingo prides. The Kapanda pride also had 4 new cubs with a couple of females also close to giving birth as we closed. 

The familiar leopards in the area, Kuweeta, Shy Girl, Chipazuwa and the males, Tyson and Kudeka were all very visible all season. A BBC film crew were out with us during September and October filming leopard. The combination of their industry leading cinematographers, highest tech equipment and the extraordinary access to leopards that only our area could provide has led to spectacular footage. We can’t wait to be able to tell you more, but for now it’s all top secret and this is as much as we can say! 

While the filming was a highlight for us in terms of camp activity, we also hosted 6 intrepid international guests over the season who somehow made it through the sticky Covid screen. The hides (elephant, Carmine, hippo, mobile and Mwamba Last waterhole) were open as usual and produced unforgettable ‘get close’ experiences together with the walks and drives hosted mainly by Patrick and Yorum this year.

Kaingo Hippo Hide - Hippo Fight.
The Giffords, August 2020
We really hope that everyone who is booked to come out to Kaingo and Mwamba in 2021 perseveres with the new vaccines and improvements in travel arrangements. It will be possible and will prove to be a classic safari in every sense.  We look forward to hosting you!

Return to old watering holes for more than water; friends and dreams are there to meet you.
 ~ African proverb

We have a new management team evolving for next season. We are very happy to have Liz Wilson back. She was based at Kaingo with her husband, Garth in 2014/15 and has taken over the reservations role from Agata who is leaving the bush for a grown-up life with just about to be husband, Paul in Dubai. 

Tom Roper, who replaced the wonderful Anna Mansfield in the social media role has already started to prove himself. He has compiled some photographic highlights in our "12 sightings of Christmas" and our new Shentons calendar after the latest news, keep scrolling to find them. You won't be disappointed. 

Like the young leopardess that she is, Agata is making her way out into her own new territory having linked up with her ‘male’ Paul. They will make a fantastic couple and will always be part of the Kaingo extended family or alumni.

Over the past five years, Agata has devoted her life to Shenton Safaris and has taken our product to new heights. In the off season, Ag raised the Shenton Safaris flag representing us at travel shows and reinforcing travel agent relationships the world over. Her natural charm and warmth together with her love for our unique way of safari-ing has connected thousands of guests with Kaingo and Mwamba. Never shy to throw herself at any task she developed her skills over the years from being the perfect hostess, a gifted marketing representative, camp manageress, photographer and in the final moments of this season our own cinematographer.  

The shadow that lives

Lioness on the banks of the Luangwa River

The Mwamba-Kaingo pride in action!

Round up at Kaingo corral

Before her departure on her honeymoon, Agata wrote a few words for us, reflecting on her time as part of the Shenton Safaris' Family
"On to a new chapter.

Every time a newsletter was due, Jules would laugh and encourage me as I struggled to get my thoughts into words. This time around was no different, especially with all of the emotions I am swimming in at the moment.

For the last five safari seasons, I was given the opportunity to be part of the Shenton Safaris Family. I had the privilege of living in the South Luangwa National Park for six months a year, and then travelling around the world for the other six months, marketing the company.

I've had the honour of spending time with many of you in camp, either at Kaingo or occasionally at Mwamba Bush Camp. The good fortune of seeing your excitement after every game activity, watching your eyes sparkle in awe and delight at the amazing wildlife sightings you had just witnessed. Then many a time those same eyes, damp with tears, said farewell and "see you next time".

There is so much that I am grateful for. The wonderful extended family of all of our fantastic guests, the incredible beauty of the South Luangwa Valley, the amazing wildlife moments. And my wonderful safari family. Living in such close quarters with your team for half a year binds you in a unique way. I have learnt so much from each and every member – about the bush, human nature, and myself. Saying goodbye to my safari family is truly one of the most difficult things I will ever do in my life.
 
I'll forever be grateful to Derek and Jules Shenton. For taking a chance on me, and giving me the opportunity to grow within the company. I never backed down from any task, and the pleasure in progressing from a hostess to my final role within the company was beyond satisfying. I'm sure many of you will remember that I used to be a guest of Shenton Safaris as a child. Every moment out at Kaingo, I got to relive cherished childhood memories of when my father was with us. There are so many pieces of my heart that will always be connected to Shenton Safaris, Kaingo, the extended safari family and the Shentons themselves.

So why end of this incredible chapter of my life? Well, to start a new one. On the 28th of December this year I'll be marrying the man I love, if Covid-19 allows! I’m embarking on a new adventure with Paul, who I only met because of Derek and Jules, (it was they who persuaded me to go to the wedding at which we met)! Derek told me “you could meet a man" and Jules said she had a lucid dream about me meeting "THE” man at that wedding – all of which sounded ridiculous at the time! Paul and I will begin a new chapter of our lives together in Dubai, which I am incredibly excited for! If any of you make it out here, I’d love to meet up.

So how to close the chapter? As I've always said to everyone as they drive out of camp, “It's never goodbye in life.

It’s `See you next time.’"
Agata with Paul, Jayabella and Fire- October 2018. 
Paul’s all-important first “interview” in the valley, for the role of Agata’s future husband. He looks pretty happy to have been given the thumbs up by her Shenton Safaris’ family! 

12 Days of Sightings 

A Safari Christmas tree 

Even the bush couldn't help but feel festive this year

Stand off 

Lion vs Elephant 

The queen

Striking pose from Chipadzuwa

The first light 

Gathering at the opening 

Hold your breath 

The MK's take over camp 

To me, to you

Safety in Numbers

Almost got it!

Putting every inch of that neck to use

African love story 

The strange encounter that lead to a strange friendship

This is my good side

Posing puppy shows off their good side

Reach for the skies

The vibrant colours and energy every year 

Keeping an eye on you 

A picture perfect moment from our Hippo Hide

Resting in the treetops

Backlighting masterclass

There is not much more to say other than have a great festive season and we look forward to escorting you to your rooms from the chitenge after an amazing game activity next season!
 
We wish you as festive a time as possible with the best memories of this famous year of 2020 and every success for 2021.
 

 

Safe travels until we meet again where the heavens meet the earth...

 

Salani Bwino

 

From myself, Jules, Jayabella, Saphire and the Shenton Safaris' Family 

Shenton Safaris Calendar

Every month we will be putting out a desktop calendar for you to download. So keep an eye out on our blog for your next instalment. Click the image for your download

Feel Good Safari News


- The Walk Luangwa team covered 350km in 17 days crossing into 3 national park. An outstanding effort raising money for conservation and community projects. They raised and impressive 11,015 dollars.

-  A frequent guest to our camps, Andrew Silent and friends, set up an E-book called "Tatenda" meaning "Thanks" helping to raise conservation funds.

- A final huge thanks to all our guests and extended family who helped us stay afloat by donating and funding continued road works for anti poaching teams throughout the season.
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