NCS - 2010, what a year - and Happy 2011.

60 YEARS...........

“Bwana! The hippo has broken the wall and entered the swimming pool area to eat the grass again”;
“David!! The scout at Luwi has had his foot bitten by a hyena while he was sleeping – it has stolen his boot and a kitchen pot!!”;
“Dave, could we get 3 more tins of strawberry jam, the honey badgers ate all the others and we are doing scones today”.

It's 2010 and we are celebrating our 60th anniversary. The beautiful irony is that not much has changed in the bush since Norman first started his walking safaris in 1950.

Wild dogs in the Luwi
Luangwa leopards

The South Luangwa continues to amaze everyone year on year and this year has to have been one of the best in recent times. There have been so many amazing sightings, too numerous to mention however a handful do stick out. A couple staying at Kakuli saw 6 different leopard in one night drive. Another couple transferring from Nsolo to Kakuli observed the wild dog hunting in the morning, arrived at Kakuli to watch a Batleur eagle tackling a large snake in camp and then enjoyed a half hour date with a leopard drinking at sunset as well as everything in between.

Luangwa leopards
Gionata's memorable lion pic

Our “Return to the Wild” sleep out safari had some spectacular success this year with guests walking into the overnight camp site witnessing a hyena towing a large male puku through the sand with 6 wild dog chasing behind. On another sleep out up near Luwi camp guests watched lion pull down a buffalo before waking up the next morning with a herd of elephant, 70 metres from their bed rolls, having a sand bath! The lions were on top form this year with more sightings than ever.

Two episodes worthy of mention included a group of guests who were suddenly surrounded by a pride of lion on the move – a quick withdrawal to the vehicle with G&Ts firmly in hand, they proceeded to watch the pride kill not 1, not 2, but 3 separate buffalo from one herd. The other, probably never witnessed anywhere else before was a pride of lions seen attacking a buffalo cow. She escaped into the Luangwa river where she stood chest deep having been severely mauled on both her nose and rump; whereupon a couple of huge catfish suddenly came out of the water in an attempt to feed off the buffalo’s mauled face! Not particularly pleasant for the buffalo but nevertheless fascinating behaviour.

Nature; red in tooth and claw
Return to the Wild - pic by Tim Hearn

What a year it has been and being part of this significant milestone has been a tremendous privilege for me. Highlights of the year include our guiding team being recognized as one of the top guiding teams in Africa by an independent panel of safari judges in the Good Safari Guide Awards; of course our Abraham Banda receiving the silver medal in the Wanderlust World Guiding Awards and getting the chance to appear on BBC Radio 4’s “Excess Baggage” and Aubrey's trip to Canada. In addition it was a privilege for us to host Zambia’s First President Dr Kenneth Kaunda for 5 days. Such a charismatic gentleman who is widely regarded as one of Africa's elder statesmen. Dr Kaunda very kindly opened our indigenous tree planting project at Yosefe School.

It is not often that a safari company can tick the 60 year figure off the proverbial age chart. Given the extreme highs and lows, trials, tribulations and triumphs of operating a safari company in the heart of Africa, it is none other than a complete miracle to have weathered so many tropical storms and still be standing to deliver those unforgettable moments to so many guests over the years. Or is it?

First President plants a tree
Abraham with Bill Bryson

The answer is no – its not a miracle, it’s the people. The NCS staff have without question done an outstanding job this year, testament to the incredible feedback we have received from our guests. From Christina, Collins, Mindy and Paul in the Marketing and Sales department to our Bushcamp Managers, Guides and all the staff from Directors through to old man Typin in the vegetable garden (who has been working with the Carr family for 40 years). It truly has been a team effort in every sense and one of which I am very proud to be a part.

Aubrey canoeing in BC
Dave and the puppies

To our guests, friends, school fund sponsors, agents, journalists and supporters, a huge thank you from me for all your advice, support and feedback over the year. I can promise you more excitement and adventure this year with the Norman Carr Family and it goes without saying there will be more of the same immersion in an Africa that hasn’t changed for millennia. Here’s to the next 60 years!

• 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