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Norman Carr MBE
1912-1997

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home > About Us > Norman Carr

Norman Joseph Carr MBE

1912 - 1997

1912

Norman was born in Chinde on 19th July 1912. Chinde was a British concession in Portuguese territory in southern Africa used for transit of goods from ocean going ships into the Zambesi River and paddle steamers for Nyassaland (now Malawi).

1919

He was sent off to school in England to, by his own admission, unremarkable academic acclaim.

1930-39

He returned to a varied career in Nyassaland including the hunting of garden raiding elephant and, on the basis of this experience, was appointed Elephant Control Officer in the Luangwa Valley. This was to replace the legendary Charlie Ross whose own career had been terminated by one of his quarry.

1940

Norman served with the Kings African Rifles in the Abyssinian campaign, attaining the rank of captain.

1944

On his return he was absorbed into the newly formed Game Department as one of their first Game Rangers in the Luangwa Valley.

1950

Norman initiated a far-reaching, even visionary concept by involving the local people in wildlife conservation, and by their benefiting financially therefrom. He encouraged Senior Chief Nsefu to set aside a portion of his tribal land as a Game Reserve. Nsefu Camp was built which was the first game camp open to the public in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). Revenue from the camp was paid directly to the Kunda Native Authority.

1951

Norman was instrumental in organising the first formal professional Hunting safaris, which were run by the Game Department.

1956

He retired as Chief Ranger for health reasons after a spinal operation resulting from a buffalo injury.

1957

He was recalled from retirement as Warden to develop the Kafue National Park.

1958

Norman acquired two orphaned lion cubs, the raising of which resulted in the book and subsequent film "Return to the Wild".

1960

He was transferred back to Luangwa to evaluate the wildlife and tourism development potential and he was able to live with the lions, teaching them to hunt and fend for themselves.

1961

The two lions, now mature males, were released into the North Luangwa National Park where he saw them a year later, thus concluding a successful reintroduction into the wild. He finally retired from government and started a private safari operation at Lion Camp in the north of the park. These were the first conducted game viewing tours in Northern Rhodesia. He also initiated guided walking safaris, which became known as wilderness trails. These were very popular and have since been emulated throughout southern Africa.

1962

In partnership with Peter Hankin, Norman started Luangwa Safaris, the first hunting operation in Luangwa, from the "old" Mfuwe Lodge.

1964

Zambian independence. He moved to "new" Mfuwe Lodge.

1968

He operated walking safaris out of numerous bush camps in the northern areas of the park.

1971

Norman established the original Chibembe camp in the park.

1975

He built the new Chibembe Safari Camp.

1977

Chinzombo camp was started as a green season extension to Chibembe.

1979

Norman initiated and devoted two years to the "Save the Rhino" campaign in an effort to combat the rampant poaching that was sweeping through the Valley.

1981

He worked as a freelance tour guide while building Kapani Lodge which was opened in 1986 by His Excellency Dr. K. D. Kaunda. Norman worked hard to establish Kapani as a prime tourist destination.

1993

His last few years were spent largely on welfare and charitable projects. He assisted a great many children in primary, secondary and further education through the Kapani School Fund and devoted himself to awakening in young people an awareness of wildlife conservation and its importance to their future.

Norman died on 1st April 1997, aged 84.

View the Norman Carr History Video

Publications:
Return to the Wild	Collins 1962
The White Impala	Collins 1969
Some Common Trees and Shrubs of Luangwa Valley	1978
Valley of the Elephants	Collins 1980
Guide to the Wildlife of the Luangwa Valley	Collins 1987
Kakuli	CBC 1996