The Bushcamp Company

Andy Hogg
Andy Hogg founded The Bushcamp Company in 1999, having grown up in Zambia's Copperbelt he developed a relationship with the Luangwa while still at school. After studying in South Africa and having gained experience in the hospitality industry there, Andy returned to the Luangwa to work alongside Phil Berry at Chinzombo Lodge, where he eventually became General Manager. Having set up The Bushcamp Company Andy took over Chinzombo's two bushcamps – Kuyenda & Chamilandu – (which are today still part of our portfolio) and built the company up to the six bushcamps and Mfuwe Lodge it operates today. Andy helped design and develop each of our camps and runs The Bushcamp Company with a loyal team of staff he has built up over the past decade. A qualified guide and very keen photographer, Andy is also responsible for our marketing and spends several months a year travelling the globe visiting tour operators and enjoying a few quieter moments fishing.

Ian Salisbury
Originally from the north of England, Ian first visited South Luangwa in 1978, on holiday from his teaching job in Zambia's Copperbelt. After a 5-day walking safari, the safari bug had well and truly bitten, and in 1983 he said goodbye to the classroom and joined the original Chinzombo Safaris as a new, but enthusiastic guide. Since then he has worked mainly in the South Luangwa, Kafue and Lower Zambezi National Parks as a guide, lodge manager and trainer of local guides for a variety of safari companies, and for the 'Save the Rhino Trust'. He considers himself fortunate to have worked alongside, and learned his trade, from such guiding "legends" as Norman Carr, Phil Berry and Vernon Baillie...and to remember the days when South Luangwa still had a large black rhino population. During his years in the African bush he has guided, and worked alongside, some of the worlds top wildlife photographers and film-makers. Although his present position as our General Manager keeps him busy, he still enjoys living with, learning about,and photographing the incredible wildlife of the Luangwa Valley.

Phil Berry
Phil Berry is one of Zambia' s most prominent naturalists & guides. Having grown up in remote areas of Southern Africa, he always planned to spend his life involved with wildlife. He started working in the South Luangwa in 1960 and in 1973 he started to establish the Zambia National Tourist Board's walking safari camps in Luangwa. He then went on to run the anti-poaching field operations for Save the Rhino Trust and later ran Chinzonbo Lodge for them. Phil, along with his partner, Babette Alfieri, now runs the beautiful Kuyenda bushcamp (which Phil founded in 1991) from where he leads walking safaris. For the last 40 years Phil has been at the forefront of various aspects of conservation in Luangwa; having been documenting the behaviour of leopard and the endemic Thornicroft's giraffe for the past 35 years he is a recognised authority and has published scientific papers on the giraffe.

Babette Alfieri
Babette Alfieri has been living half-yearly in Zambia's magnificent Luangwa Valley since 1986, where she runs Kuyenda bushcamp, with partner Phil Berry. Babette grew up in the USA and began working in the travel industry in 1971 for international airlines in New York, until she left to join the prestigious tour operator, Abercrombie and Kent where she specialized in tailoring travel programmes to Southern Africa for American Zoos and Museums. In 1989 she founded Africa Calls, a small boutique travel company specialising in tailor-made safaris to Southern and East African countries. The company is now run by her daughter Christina with its permanent base of operation in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Babette also co-founded the WISDOM Foundation (originally the Foundation to Save African Endangered Wildlife) to raise funds for conservation in Africa.

Manda Chisanga
Manda Chisanga spent his formative years following his construction-worker grandfather as he travelled round Zambia. This fuelled Manda's interest in his own country and, after a brief spell working in a bank and as a veterinary assistant, he became a safari guide. Manda mainly guides at Bilimungwe Bushcamp and has spent most of his guiding career in the southern area of South Luangwa National Park. Although he currently lives with his wife in Mfuwe, he has lived in all Zambian provinces and his compassionate nature means he is not afraid to address sensitive issues such as HIV/AIDS and is as comfortable discussing world politics as he is sharing amusing anecdotes about his time as a guide. His knowledge, respect and compassion earned him Wanderlust magazine's inaugural Paul Morrison Guide Award in 2006; Manda used the bursary money he received from the award to set up the Mfuwe Solar Cooker Project.

Gilbert Njobvu
Gilbert Njobvu grew up in the Malama Chiefdom outside the park on the other side of the river to our camps. He went to school in Mfuwe and Lusaka and worked for a mechanic before becoming a safari guide. Gilbert's father was a ranger and he still remembers when there were rhino in the Luangwa Valley and accompanying Norman Carr and Phil Berry on patrols. Having guided in most parts of the park and at many of its camps over the years Gilbert's favourite camp is the one where he currently guides – Chamilandu – where he says "the winds and wildlife always keep safaris exciting". Gilbert lives in Mfuwe with his wife and 4 kids.

Peter Milanzi
wildlife began at an early age. He moved to Mfuwe, with his father and twin brother, Misheck - who is also a guide for The Bushcamp Company - in 1994, but completed his schooling in Lusaka, where he enjoyed Maths and science. Upon graduating he worked as a bartender at several safari camps in the Luangwa Valley. Inspired by his father and spurred on by his twin brother, he became a guide in 2003 and passed his grade 1 walking exam in 2006. Peter mainly guides at Chindeni, which he describes as being "great for aquatic birds and brilliant for leopard!" Having travelled to the UK in 2009 Peter would love to further his knowledge and explore some of Africa's other parks. Peter is married to Diana, who is a teacher, and they have two daughters, Chimwemwe and Orient, 8 and 5 years respectively.

Mishek Milanzi
Mishek Milanzi grew up in Lochinvar National Park, near Livingstone, and having lived in all the game parks in Zambia, he naturally developed an interest in wildlife. He moved to Mfuwe with his parents and twin brother, Peter - who is also a guide for The Bushcamp Company - in 1994, and completed his schooling in Chipata, where he enjoyed maths and biology. Before becoming a guide, he worked as a voluntary teacher. Mishek became a guide in 2002, later passing his Grade 1 walking exam in 2005. Mishek usually guides at Zungulila Bushcamp, but his most memorable walk was at Kuyenda Bushcamp one morning when he and the guests saw two prides of lions, a leopard, and a huge herd of buffalo! In 2008 Mishek visited the UK and was shocked by how well it preserves its art and culture. He lives in Mfuwe with his wife Alice and their young daughter, Grace.

James Chabuka
James Chabbuka grew up in Sinazongwe District in Zambia's Southern Province, he came to Mfuwe in 1991 and completed high school in Kafue. Before becoming a safari guide in 2000 James worked as a game scout for the Zambia Wildlife Authority, where he gained enormous experience of the bush and its wildlife. James was the guide at Chindeni for many years, but is now one of the relief guides and also guides at Mfuwe Lodge. He enjoys animals and birds and has aspirations of becoming an ecologist. James visited the UK in 2007 and has fond memories of the London Eye and West Midlands Safari Park. James has five sons who live with him and his wife in Mfuwe.

Steve Mvula
Steve Mvula spent the first half of his life on the Copperbelt before moving to Mfuwe in 1980. He completed his schooling at Mambwe High School – half way between Mfuwe & Chipata. Steve developed his love of nature when he was a teenager and worked for several other safari companies before joining The Bushcamp Company in 2006. Steve is one of our relief guides, mainly guiding at Kuyenda and Kapamba. In the future Steve hopes to have the chance to explore the World and also to pursue further studies in conservation. His wife Idah and sons Gerald and Xavier live with him in Milliot Village in Mfuwe.

Fannuel Banda
Fannuel Banda was brought up in Mfuwe by his grandparents. His passion for wildlife developed early in life and he was encouraged to pursue his interest by none other than Phil Berry, amongst others. Fannuel gained experience in the safari industry by working for several other safari companies in the area – he even appeared on the BBC programme "No Going Back" when working as a foreman for a lodge that was being built. Fannuel started working as a transfer driver, but soon passed his guide's exam and the following year qualified as a walking guide. Currently he mainly guides at Kapamba and Zungulila, but you may well find him at any of our camps. He lives with his wife and two young sons in Mfuwe.

Peter Zulu
Peter Zulu is the Head Guide at Mfuwe Lodge. He is from Mfuwe where he studied at Chiwawatala School. Peter briefly worked for the Roads Department before joining the safari industry in 1975 after being encouraged by the late Norman Carr. His uncanny knack of finding big cats and making every guest smile, must come from his years of experience. Peter has travelled to both the UK and Italy, where he was so impressed by the beauty of their old buildings he decided to build a traditional Kunda village at Mambwe Village in Mfuwe , where he is Head-man and lives with his wife and six children. The village is about a 20 minute drive from the Lodge and can be visited by guests.

Patson Phiri
Patson Phiri was born and grew up in Mfuwe and went to school in Chipata, but was not able to complete his studies, as his family were unable to afford it. He started working in the Game and Wildlife Department as a firebreaker and later moved into the tourism industry, where he worked at Chinzombo and Kapani Lodges with Norman Carr and Phil Berry. Since becoming a guide in 1991 his proudest moment was guiding wildlife artist David Shepherd, and in 2009 he had the chance to see Amur leopard at the zoo, on a visit to the UK. Patson is keen to use his 20 years of guiding experience to help our spotters to move up the ranks and become guides. He is married, with four children; one who lives in Mazabuka, one in Chipata and two in Mfuwe.

Onecious Kamwendo
Onecious Kamwendo grew up in Lusaka and came to Mfuwe in 1987, where his father inspired him to pursue his interest in wildlife. Onecious worked at Chinzombo Lodge with Phil Berry, as a tea porter and house keeper, and later worked for him at Kuyenda Bushcamp. He passed his grade 2 guide exam in 1999 and now mainly guides at Mfuwe Lodge, which he enjoys as it is inside the park. Onecious has travelled widely in Southern Africa to Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Malawi. He says the most memorable sighting he has had as a guide was when he watched a lioness, that was swimming across the Luangwa, get taken by crocodiles. Onecious is married to Kapanda, they have four children, who attend Chiwawatala School, and live in Mfuwe.

Charles Nkhoma
Charles Nkhoma was born in Kabwe, Central Zambia, but grew up in Chipata and came to Mfuwe when he was ten. At school Charles was a member of the school Wildlife Club, and with his favourite subjects being biology and geography, and encouragement from friends who were already guides, he passed his grade two guide exam in 2005 and grade one exam in 2008. After working for a few other safari companies, Charles came to work for The Bushcamp Company in 2010, where he guides at Mfuwe Lodge and as a relief guide at our Bushcamps. He says "working for one of the biggest companies in the valley means he is always busy, but he still hopes to find the time to study more and expand his knowledge in wildlife management" and "enjoys the fact that, as a guide you never stop learning". Charles lives in Mfuwe with his wife and two children.

Jason Kalimi
Jason Kalimi grew up in Mfuwe and attended secondary school in Mambwe. After finishing grade 12 Jason became a primary school teacher, and vice chairman of the Kakumbi Community Resource Board, working in the tourism sector. With a keen interest in wildlife, developed during school trips into the park, and as chairman of the school Wildlife Club, the Bushcamp Company sponsored him through his guide training and he passed his grade 2 guiding exam in 2006. He spent two years as a transfer guide, before working full time at Mfuwe Lodge; his most memorable experience was when he spotted six different leopard on a night drive down to one of our Bushcamps from the Lodge. Jason is married to Monica, who is one of our receptionists, and live in Mfuwe with their son, Jason Jnr, and daughter, Veronica.

Alick Kakumbi
Alick Kakumbi grew up in the Copper Belt, and moved to Mfuwe when he was 15. After finishing school, Alick worked as a waiter and spotter at Chinzombo Lodge from 1996 to 2003, with Andy Hogg & Phil Berry, and later at Mfuwe Lodge, where with help and encouragement from senior guides, he passed his grade 2 guide exam in 2008, and joined The Bushcamp Company guiding team as a transfer guide, he is now based at Mfuwe Lodge. Since working as a guide, his favourite memory was when he watched an impala giving birth and says it was "a great privilege to meet Jonathan Scott" when he first visited Mfuwe Lodge in 2007. Alick is keen to learn more about the bush and hopes to become a walking guide in the future. He is married to Wendy and they live in Mfuwe.

Kelvin Zulu
Kelvin Zulu was born in Mfuwe, where he attended Chiwawatala Primary School and Mfuwe Day Secondary School. With a fondness for wildlife Kelvin started working as spotter at Mfuwe Lodge in 2008 and with help from his guide Steve and sponsorship and support from Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust Kelvin passed his grade 2 guide exam in 2010; after two years as a transfer guide, Kelvin is now based at Mfuwe Lodge. Having once been told by a guest on a transfer drive "you are very lucky living in a beautiful country, with plenty of wildlife… but do not take it for granted", Kelvin one days hopes that he will be able to study Botany at university. He is married to Josephine, and lives in Mfuwe, close to Chiwawatala School.

Suzyo Zimba
Suzyo (Masuzyo) was born in Chingola in the Copper Belt and raised in Chipata. In 1996, at age 8, he joined the Chongololo (Millipede) Club, run by the Wildlife and Environmental Consercvaion Society of Zambia. The following year, his chapter won a tree-planting competition, and the prize was 3 nights in South Luangwa at Wildlife Camp. This was the beginning of his interest in becoming a guide. Suzyo finished his schooling and joined the Society, working his way toward a career in wildlife, and eventually working at the same camp he'd visited at age 9! He worked first as a barman and then as a cook. He passed his Grade 2 (driving) exam in 2010 while still a cook, and then his Grade 1 (walking) exam in 2012. As Suzyo puts it, "from that day my life has never been the same – I enjoy every day I am out in the bush. The highlights are all walks and drives, because you don't know what to expect; every day is different!"

Francis Mbewe
Francis Mbewe was born in 1981 in a remote area near Mfuwe. His father was a game scout when Francis was young. After he lost both parents, Francis lived with his grandmother. The Bushcamp Company sponsored Francis in his schooling, allowing him to complete his secondary education. Francis has worked for The Bushcamp Company in many different capacities – as a groundskeeper, kitchen porter, storesman, housekeeping, and spotting. Spending time in the bush and meeting so many different people led Francis to become interesting in guiding in order to promote the importance of nature. He took the initiative to study for and take his guide exam, and he had the highest score of his group on the written exam. Francis is married with three children.

John Mbewe
John Mbewe was born in 1984 in Chipata. At a young age, he moved to Mfuwe, due to his father's work with the national parks and wildlife. He joined The Bushcamp Company in 2005, first as a camp guard when the camps were closed, and then as a permanent member of staff at Kapamba Bushcamp. He began as a rooms attendant, then became a waiter, and the following year became the spotter/tea bearer. Spending time with guides and guests on game-viewing activities spurred an interest in becoming a guide. He transferred to Mfuwe Lodge, where he participated in the in-house training program, and in 2013 he became a licensed guide. He is based at Mfuwe Lodge but is often found taking guests to and from our Bushcamps.

Thomas Mwanza
Thomas Mwanza grew up in the village of Chiumbu on a rice and cotton farm with both his parents. He says they were most influential in his life and were intent on sending him to school. In 2007 Thomas first worked as a kitchen porter for Robin Pope Safaris before getting a job for seven years as a waiter. During that time, he also had the opportunity to go out on game drives as a spotter and thus gradually got closer to the bush. He became fully exposed to the African wilderness while working as a tea bearer on walking safaris from 2012. He decided to train on his own and focused on absorbing as much information from the other experienced guides as he could. In 2013 Thomas passed his safari guide exam and in 2014 he started guiding in the Mfuwe Area for various safari operators. In 2015 he qualified as a walking guide and joined The Bushcamp Company in May 2017. When he is not guiding Thomas enjoys reading safari books, watching soccer and sharing his passion for nature and animals with his three rapidly growing boys.

Shadreck Njobvu
Shadreck was born in Mfuwe in 1975 and grew up locally. He first worked as a gardener until 2001 and then did a short course with Chipata Trades and became a Welder. He then gained experience as a plumber and in 2005 obtained a craft certificate in Plumbing Sheet Metal. This enabled him to work for many safari camps between 2006 and 2009 before joining the Mfuwe Lodge construction team full time. As a child, Shadreck had always been fascinated by conservation, especially while he was at school. Working in a wild setting helped fuel his passion for wildlife even more and in 2011 he got a job as a laundry man and tea bearer at Bilimungwe Bushcamp. All that time he was studying to become a grade 2 safari guide. He successfully passed the exam in 2013 and in 2015 also became a walking guide. Shadreck loves being in the bush and being able to show guests, in particular people who have never been on safari before, the African fauna and flora. Shadreck’s main motivation in life is to give his family as much support as possible and to encourage his four children to grab all kinds of opportunities in life.

Mulenga Phiri
Mulenga was born in Lusaka in 1987. His father, who was working as a driver for the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, brought him to Mfuwe when he was only two years old. He would take him out with him during the weekends and whenever he was doing transfers out in the bush. Mulenga fell in love with the bush and while in Grade 10 at school he became an active member of a club dedicated to conservation. He first worked as a tea bearer and spotter at Chamilandu Bushcamp in 2008, while also training to be a guide. He sat and successfully passed his guiding exam in 2013 and in early 2017 also became a walking guide. Mulenga's million-dollar-smile never shines brighter than when he is out in the wilderness, sharing his knowledge and passion for wildlife with other people. He is also actively engaged with educating people in the community about the need and benefits of conserving the local wildlife. While he knows how to track and find the animals, Mulenga also enjoys acting intuitively and letting them come to him. One of his most memorable moments was when he was out with guests who really wanted to see a leopard. As they were sitting for sundowners, a leopard came out of the bush and walked right past them!

Thomas Njobvu
Thomas Njobvu grew up in Mfuwe village and has always been in awe of senior guides who would share their experiences with him as a young man, and later on took him under their wing while he was working as a spotter and tea bearer until 2008. In 2009 he started doing transfers between various Bushcamps and qualified as a guide in 2013. Thomas loves being immersed in nature and sharing his knowledge with fellow guides and guests from around the world. One of his most unforgettable memories is when he was mock charged by an elephant but managed to accurately read the animal’s behavior. Since then he has been passionate about educating others about the need to respect animals. In his spare time Thomas can be found gardening and spending time with his family.