By HELEN ZULU –
NORMAN Carr Safaris, in collaboration with African Parks, will this year commence the construction of a luxurious lodge in the Liuwa plain national park in Western Province at a cost of US$1.6 million.
The lodge which will be called Mambeti Camp is being funded by African Parks with the design and construction being implemented by the award-winning Norman Carr Safaris group, which will also manage and market the new facility.
This is contained in a statement released in Lusaka and made available to the Times yesterday.
Norman Carr Safaris chairperson Thierry Dalais said construction of the lodge would start next month and the facility was expected to be officially opened next year.
“We are honoured to have been selected by African Parks to build and run this new safari lodge.
“Over the years, African Parks has shown true dedication and commitment to the development of Liuwa plain national park and we aim to match their passion for the area and deliver an outstanding safari experience,” Mr Dalais said.
He said the building and operation of Mambeti would benefit communities living in and around Liuwa, and that the conservation of its fauna and flora would be the cornerstone of the African parks model.
African Parks chief executive officer Peter Fearnhead said Mambeti Camp would comprise six luxury villas, including a two-bedroomed family villa, with the capacity to accommodate a total of 15 guests.
“We are proud to be driving a venture of this calibre in one of the most beautiful wilderness areas on the continent. We are also delighted to be teaming up with Norman Carr Safaris in this venture.
“Their experience and proven success in operating and marketing high-level lodges is pivotal to the success of what is destined to be the jewel in the Liuwa plain’s crown,” Mr Fearnhead said.
Liuwa is situated in the upper Zambezi flood plains of western Zambia and is surrounded by Luambimba and Luanginga rivers.
Norman Carr Safaris is widely recognised as one of the foremost tour operators in Zambia and operates six award winning camps namely, the wildly luxurious Chinzombo, Luwi and Nsolo.
Others are Kakuli and Mchenja bush camps and Matamanene in the Liuwa plain.
Norman Carr Safaris is also a sister company of Chongwe Safaris in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi and Miavana in Madagascar.