History of the Company

Norman Carr established the Luangwa's first safari camp in 1950.  Back in the days when an African safari was a hunting experience Norman developed the pioneering idea of taking people to look at animals and photograph them rather than to shoot them.

This first safari camp was set up in partnership with the then Paramount Chief Nsefu and his people.  This idea of involving the local people in the management of the wildlife was way ahead of its time.  It was almost 50 years later that conservationists started developing the principles of "Community Based Natural Resource Management", in other words encouraging the traditional owners of the natural resource to take responsibility for its usage.  Norman Carr's pioneering approach proved to be the forerunner to a cornerstone of modern day conservation policy.

The first 35 years of the company saw Norman set up and establish a number of safari camps across the Luangwa Valley, some of which are still in existence.  In 1985 whilst running his safaris out of Mfuwe Lodge, Norman started construction on what would be his final safari camp, Kapani Lodge.  He selected an elevated site overlooking the Kapani Lagoon.  He knew well the unpredictability of the Luangwa River and that this site would never flood and would never fall into the river.

Nick Aslin, the current Managing Director, started training under Norman Carr in 1992. His interest in the bush ran hand in hand with his understanding of the ways of business and Norman, at the age of 79, was able to take "early retirement".

Everyone associated with Norman Carr Safaris is immensely proud of the heritage of the company.  The principles of conservation and community responsibility established by Norman over half a century ago still run strongly through the company.  The management and general staff were recently tasked with creating a company mission statement. We feel that this statement summarises our company ethos very well.

We have been leading the way in responsible tourism in Zambia for over 50 years and we intend for that to continue. You can read more about the community and conservation projects that we are involved with.

• 10 Nights South Luangwa Safari
• The Luwi River Trail - Exclusive Adventure
• Luangwa Lion cubs - Family Safaris
• A Week on the Wildside
• Luangwa Forever - With Norman Carr Safaris
• Rivers & Rainbows
• Green Season Birding
• Sleep-out Zambian Safari
• 12 nights Falls Bush and Beach
• 12 nights Exclusive Zambia and Malawi
• Best of Zambia
• Zambia in a Week
• A Zambian Honeymoon

• View our visitors book