The North East, Zambia
Shiwa Ng’andu Estate
Wildlife, adventure and historic activities await
Located in fairly wild and remote area of north-eastern Zambia, where the Great Rift Valley tails off, and amongst 22,000-acres of private wildlife sits this very comely English manor and landscape gardens that seem straight out of the home counties.
This is the estate and manor house built in 1914 by the Englishman Sir Stewart Gore-Browne. He bought the land and lake (already named Shiwa Ng’andu meaning Lake of the Royal Crocodiles) from a local chief, building himself almost a ‘little England’; in the Zambian bush and a large farming estate to sustain itself (it once had a school, hospital and the workers cottages are still there). Gore-Browne became a prominent figure in both the colonial administration of Africa and in Zambian history (he was mentor to Zambia’s first president in 1966), helping to effect a very smooth and peaceful transition of independence for this country.
Today the red brick gatehouse with clock tower, Tuscan courtyard, stables, library, heavy wood furniture, tapestries, paintings and rugs echo its inception as an English stately manor house and been kept as such, converted to a hotel (currently run by Sir Stewart’s eldest grandson Charlie and his wife Jo) giving guests who stay here both a very unique, historical and comfortable stay. The delicious food served here at Shiwa comes straight off the farm, and taking high tea on the lakeshore is a must.
Still very much a working farm, there is plenty of game, wildlife, adventure and historical activities keep you both busy and entertained at Shiwa make it well worth the journey here.
Highlights
4 Manor House rooms
4 Farmhouse rooms
Library
Nature drives
Guided walks
Boating and rafting
Swimming pol
Trip Inspiration
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Places to combine Shiwa Ng’andu Estate with
Liuwa Plain National Park
Largely untouched by crowds and paved roads, Liuwa Plain National Park boasts one of the oldest conservation histories in Africa; it was proclaimed a protected area by the lodge’s namesake, King Lewanika of the Lozi tribe in the early 1880s.
The camp is a beautifully modern take on the traditional safari camp, retaining features and simple materials such as canvas drops, leather and wooden decks overlooking the wilderness with local thatch and grass in the main area in a refreshingly simple, sustainable, and meaningful way.
There are just six spacious tents here sat on platforms which open up dramatically to the surrounding plains and feature both indoor and outdoor showers. One is a family suite which features one double and one triple room. The communal thatch building has lounge, dining and bar areas, with stairs leading down to a fire pit.
King Lewanika Lodge has experienced guides for intimate safari excursions with unrivalled access and absolute exclusivity to this unspoiled region. Unique wildlife experiences include witnessing hyenas hunt in packs of up to 50, the second biggest wildebeest migration in Africa, rare birds, a growing cheetah population and its famed lion pride. Explore on guided walks as well as day and night game drives, with boating and canoeing possible between December and March, depending on water levels.
