Le Kafunta Safaris Éuipe
Directeurs et Propriétaires
Ron et Anke Cowan
The directors of Kafunta Safaris met in 1988 during a trip to Australia, they spent some time traveling in Asia before they crossed into Africa from Europe in a Land Rover in 1990/1991. Their love for the bush and the challenge of an adventurous lifestyle made them settle in Africa.
They first worked in Malawi as tour guides and during this time they made their first trip to the Luangwa Valley and fell in love with the area and its wildlife. In June 1993 they had the opportunity to move to the Luangwa Valley and helped build the Wildlife Camp which they managed for several years. Ron and Anke got married in the valley in 1995 in the open wild under a large Acacia Tree and went on to build their own lodge in 1997 called Kafunta River Lodge were they reside to the present day.
Their son Luke was born in 1999.
Ron and Anke both work at the lodge and you will meet them during your stay. Ron has a great passion for the bush and, in the many years guiding in the Valley, has accrued a vast knowledge of the flora and fauna with a special interest in raptors. Anke used to take out the Safaris, as both Ron & Anke hold there Safari guide license, but these days most of Anke’s work is in the office taking care of reservations and marketing.
Lodge Manager
Mario Voss
Mario Voss was born in Germany in 1984. He spend part of his early childhood in Ghana, where his father was posted as a doctor.
Mario had a keen interest in nature and wildlife and enjoyed many family holidays to Africa, where he "discovered" Kafunta River Lodge in 2001 during their trip to Zambia. He returned many times as a volunteer during his summer break at the University and after he finished his degree in Biology, he joined us in April 2009.
Mario is well liked by all staff and has become part of the Kafunta family, his keen interest for the African bush and friendly nature make him a great host at the Lodge.
Bush Camp Manager
Bret Charman
Bret was born in the UK in 1988, he finished this studies in England before he followed his dreams to return to Africa.
During his studies he had the chance to spend some time working at the Inwenkwezi Game Reserve in South Africa and traveled in Namibia and Botswana.
Bret is a keen wildlife photographer and he is often seen with a camera as he does not want to miss a photo opportunity.
Bret has joined our team until the end of the season at the Bush Camp.
Head Chef
Irwin de Vries
Irwin has a great passion for cooking. He studied in Durban, South Africa and then moved to Johannesburg. Whilst working at Ten Bompas Hotel, he had an opportunity to became a head chef for a game lodge and fell in love with the bush and has been working in game lodges ever since. His last position in South Africa was for Sir Richard Branson's private game reserve - Ulusaba.
Irwin has joined Kafunta River Lodge for the 2010 season.
Nos guides de Safaris
Nos guides locaux ont tous bénéficié d´une formation solide et ont énormément de connaissances. Ils ont, tous, été reçus au plus haut niveau des examens (Grade 1) pour être guide de safaris. Nos guides sont donc qualifiés pour accompagner des safaris à pied ou motorisés et leurs vastes connaissances leur permettent de vous initier à la magie complexe et fascinante de la vie sauvage africaine avec leurs différents habitats, les traditions locales, les croyances et aussi les remèdes locaux que seul un guide local traditionnel peut partager avec vous.
Reservations
Wilson Malambo
Wilson was born in 1981 in the southern province and belongs to the Tonga tribe.
After completion of his tourism studies in 2001, he worked in different sectors of the tourism industry before joining Kafunta River Lodge in 2005. Wilson is in charge of the reception and front of house as well as reservations.
Staff
Nous pouvons être fiers de dire qu´un grand nombre de nos employés locaux qui étaient à nos cotés quand nous avons construit Kafunta sont restés à notre service à la loge et plusieurs d´entre eux ont même eu l´opportunité de recevoir une formation en tant que valets de chambre, barmen, serveurs et cuisiniers.
Nous employons, en toutes saisons plus de 30 employés permanents, mais ce nombre augmente pendant la pleine saison. La plupart de nos employés sont natifs de petits villages des tribus locales des alentours et nous sommes toujours heureux d´offrir aux jeunes Zambians la chance de recevoir une formation dans différents métiers de leur choix et de favoriser leur carrière.
Au Sujet de Nous
Nos Guides
Josephat Msoni
Né en 1964 au village de la tribu des Ngonis, Josephat s´est joint à notre compagnie avant même la fin des travaux de construction de Kafunta River Lodge et y a travaillé en tant que guide dès le jour de l´inauguration. Il y est encore. Sa longue expérience et ses vastes connaissances dans le domaine des safaris apportent une valeur certaine à notre équipe et fait de lui un hôte de choix pour nos visiteurs.
Martin Mbewe
Martin est né en 1965 et est issu de la tribu des Kunda. Martin a réalisé son rêve de toujours de devenir un guide de safaris. Martin et son épouse Lydia se sont joints à nous à Kafunta en 1997. Le caractère agréable de Martin et son amour du travail bien fait lui ont valu une excellente réputation en tant que guide de safaris et nos visiteurs l´apprécient beaucoup.
Charles Nkoma
Charles Nkoma est né en 1978 à Kabwe au Copper Belt mais est issu de la tribu locale des Kunda. Après son retour à sa tribu d´origine, il a commencé à travailler comme Barman à Kafunta River Lodge et s´est bien vite pris de passion pour la nature sauvage. Travaillant dur et avec détermination il prit des examens pour devenir guide professionnel, examens qu´il réussit brillamment en mai 2005. Dès lors et jusqu´aujourd´hui, il a exercé son métier de guide de safaris Sa connaissance de la brousse aussi bien que son aimable caractère font le bonheur de nos visiteurs.
Kennedy Nkhoma
Kennedy Nkhoma a rejoint Kafunta en 2007. Né en 1979 dans le village de Kasyaioka dans la région de Mfuwe, Kennedy a été initie à la vie sauvage dès ses années de scolarité et il s´est joint au Wildlife Conservation Society de Zambie. Durant ses années comme employé d´une des loges de safaris, il a eu l´occasion de faire des études pour devenir guide de safari. Il a obtenu sa licence en 2003 et, depuis, exerce son métier de guide.