STORY OF THE FAMILY
From our family to yours. Welcome to Sungani Lodge and Kulandila Camp. This is the culmination of a dream, hard work and a family affair.
E 31°24'14.86"
STORY OF THE FAMILY
From our family to yours. Welcome to Sungani Lodge and Kulandila Camp. This is the culmination of a dream, hard work and a family affair.
E 31°24'14.86"
A passion for Africa and each family member’s unique set of skills have wrought Sungani Lodge and Kulandila Camp. Transforming this area of the South Luangwa National Park from a state of neglect into something quite extraordinary.
The journey kicked off early in 2019. A father and son, along with a few local people, arrived near nightfall and had to spend the night in what were the old ruins of the site. The first few months had them sharing their accommodations with bats, snakes and various other creatures! Cooking on a fire, bread freshly baked in the ground, the story of Sungani had begun in this untouched corner of Africa.
By April the project was underway and many people from the local communities were employed again, or for the very first time. Everything: from the architecture and interior design down to the last detail on each scatter cushion has truly been a family collaboration and much of what you see has been created on site.
With Zambia being regarded as one of the last true wildernesses, we are deeply grateful that we have the privilege to call Sungani our home.
Every visitor helps to contribute towards the Sungani promise as we embark on this journey to become custodian and keeper – enabling us to give back in the years to come.
We are not one voice; we are a family that will continue to grow.
From Paul, Lynne, Darryl, Carly, Michael, and Jordan.
I am a mother of four and my family and I have learnt and taught each other that it is only through deep respect for the beautiful wilds of Africa and its people and cultures that we can leave a small legacy of good work. Keeping these precious spaces safe is at the heart of our family’s intention and in time and with much effort, we know our contribution will manifest in positive ways. The story is not new, but as it continues to unfold, we look forward to being able to share some of this magic with you.
At the end of 2019 tragedy visited our family. We lost our daughter and sister Carly in an accident. Carly was passionate about Africa and she touched many lives, sharing her culinary skills and her kindness and generosity to all who knew her. A message that we all treasure for its genuine care and simplicity was sent to me from a man that worked with Carly. It simply read: “Hi madam so sorry madam for funeral you have sorry too bad, please.” We are grateful to those who continue to reach out to remind us that they too miss her and so her memory lives on in the wilds of Africa. I am deeply grateful to my husband Paul and to my children for their commitment.
READ LESSTo say we were overwhelmed when we arrived in October 2017 to the site is an understatement. The area was gorgeous and teeming with wildlife – but it had been neglected and the evidence of poaching was all around us.
This made us all the more resolute. With all our combined experience in Africa, none of us had seen a place so truly wild, a place that truly captured what we believe to be the essence of the African experience.
This is a special place. It is our home, and it is our greatest pleasure to share it with you. I look forward to sitting at the campfire one evening and sharing our story with you.
READ LESSAfter completing my tertiary education in the UK, it was time for me to pursue my love of Africa. I joined Robin Pope Safaris under whose guidance I completed my guide training in the South Luangwa and Malawi. I then joined the family on an adventure of a lifetime - Sungani.
For me it is a place that encompasses us all as a family, our individual characteristics, a place we set out to conserve and ultimately share with you. I look forward to sharing my passion for the wilderness of Africa and the South Luangwa. I look forward to sharing Sungani.
READ LESSEven though I live in the south of England, Africa will always be special to me and I am very fortunate to visit frequently. For me, there is nothing quite like rising early and hopping into the cruiser with coffee packed and heading out to see the bush waking up. The African Elephant holds special meaning to me, and I would be honoured to share why with you. So come and unwind in nature with us.
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