Chaminuka Nature Reserve

The community, history, art and nature are all wrapped up in one special package, and presented as the 10,000 acre Chaminuka Nature Reserve.

Visitors from around the world, seeking excellence and style and a chance to commune with the 'real Africa', will not be disappointed. Chaminuka Lodge is a fusion of "the old Africa in all its magnificence; and the new Africa – self-confident, self-reliant and taking charge of its own destiny". Chaminuka is a popular choice for weddings.

The Chaminuka restaurant offers a superb international cuisine that uses organic, locally grown ingredients wherever possible. Spread around the Lodge are a number of 'insakas' – village style lounge areas – where you can relax in private, enjoying the glorious panoramic views across the 'African Eden' melting into the wilderness beyond. Enjoy a sundowner at the Lupili insaka and deck, overlooking Lake Chitoka, and watch some of the most glorious sunsets of Africa. Revitalise and relax around the swimming pool. As a guest you have access to all Chaminuka's facilities including the libraries.

Chaminuka became the home of Andrew and Danae Sardanis in 1978 and they have since cherished it, making the entire property a Zambian Nature Reserve and opening it up to the public in 1998. They have created an eco paradise built in the style of a Zambian village, the miombo woodland, savannah and the wetlands remaining untouched. Thousands of trees have been planted and dams have been built to conserve water. It is now the habitat of 72 species of Zambian mammals, reptiles and amphibians, not to mention the prolific bird population. Chaminuka safari tours are a rich and rewarding experience.

Accommodation

Chaminuka Lodge's 30 suites, each with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning, are elegantly decorated in a fusion of contemporary and traditional African themes. In addition, separate from the Lodge itself, there is Makondo House – a fully furnished self-catering villa in the Kaposhi village within the Chaminuka Nature Reserve. The villa has four rooms (including two twin rooms), with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. The villa comes with a fully fitted kitchen, DSTV and its own housekeeper, making it the perfect place to take the family.Chaminuka special facilities

• Three extensive libraries
• Terraced restaurant
• Elegant dining room for private functions
• Billiard room with full size snooker table
• Pool table and table tennis table
• Floodlit tennis court
• Swimming pool
• Jacuzzi Art and artefact shop
• Nanny and babysitting service
• TV, mini bars, safes and hair dryers in every room
• Complimentary valet and laundry service
• Broadband internet access

Chaminuka rates

• High season (Jun to Oct, and over Christmas)
• –Full board: $400 ~ K2,000
• –B&B with dinner: $350 ~ K1,750
• –Single supplement: $40 to $50 ~ K200-250
• Emerald season (Jan to May, Nov to Dec)
• — Full board: $300 ~ K1,500
• — B&B with dinner: $250 K1,250
• — Single supplement: $40 to $50 K200-250
• Transfer fee: $50 ~ K250
• Children between 3 and 11: half price (except over Christmas)

Just 20 minutes drive from Lusaka International Airport and 40 minutes from central Lusaka, visitors looking for a base from which to explore nature and culture will find a rich variety of Zambia safari opportunities at Chaminuka Nature Reserve. For business events and private functions, Chaminuka also provides unique conferencing and wedding facilities. Chaminuka is a perfect getaway from Lusaka. A day trip gives you the chance to commune with nature and relax in beautiful surroundings. Day trips include an extensive buffet lunch, beverages, activities and use of all Chaminuka facilities. And transfers to and from Lusaka can be arranged.

Activities and Zambia wildlife

Thousands of trees have been planted to rehabilitate the forest that had made way to farmland. Dams have been built to conserve the waters of the Kasenga stream. The Chaminuka Nature Reserve is now the habitat of 72 species of Zambian wildlife including mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Morning, afternoon and evening game drives in open top safari vehicles are conducted by qualified guides conversant with the wildlife, bird life and trees of Zambia. You can also enjoy the sights, sounds and feeling of wide open spaces on a horseback safari. On a bush walk, in addition to spotting wildlife and birds, you can learn about the vegetation and local medicinal values of the plants and trees. The lakes at Chaminuka Nature Reserve are stocked with bream, catfish and nchenga (similar to whitebait). You can fish from the banks or from the floating pontoon, or just relax and enjoy a boat ride. And the diversity of the habitat at Chaminuka makes it a premier bird watching location.

Birdlife

The Chaminuka Nature Reserve, the first private Wildlife Park in Zambia, was licensed in 1979. It has now matured and the animals of the Zambian bush have settled in and adapted, making Chaminuka their natural habitat as if they had been there for centuries. Chaminuka is also a designated Important Bird Area (IBA) due to the variety of bird habitats – from savannah to forest, to lakes with marsh and reed-beds, making it a perfect destination for bird-watchers. Some 300 species of birds have been recorded there – many native and some rare species unique to Zambia, and others visiting the Chaminuka lakes and wetlands for a well deserved rest during their long haul annual breaks. In the 1980s Chaminuka re-introduced the blue-necked ostrich to Zambia. It had become extinct in the 1940s.

Community and cultural tours

The people that make Chaminuka a success also breathe life into it. This is a thriving all-Zambian self sustaining enterprise that gives livelihoods to the 130 families (more than 700 people) who live and work on the estate. Chaminuka is not just a luxury safari lodge and game reserve but a whole community – with 3 villages, 2 schools, a church, a clinic, a pig farm, organic gardens and the Kaposhi Cheese Factory. And Chaminuka also offers support to the local Kasisi Orphanage.

The art collection at Chaminuka Lodge and Nature Reserve houses a huge private collection of African contemporary paintings, sculpture and traditional artefacts. There are over a thousand pieces from all over Africa over a 50 year period! The collection, which highlights African culture and way of life over the centuries, is spread throughout the main house, the guest suites and the gardens. Special arrangements can be made for visitors to meet many of the artists in person, allowing a unique opportunity to learn about their experiences, motivation and inspiration. The works of many of Zambia's greatest artists feature in the Chaminuka collection including Henry Tayali, Godfrey Setti, Patrick Mumba, Patson Lombe, Shadreck Simukanga, Enock Ilunga, Raphael Mutulikwa, Stary Mwaba, Mulenga Chafilwa, Stephen Kapata, Peter Maibwe and Flinto Chandia.

At Chaminuka you also have the opportunity to visit local villages, schools and churches, to meet the local people and appreciate the importance of self sustaining enterprises like Chaminuka. Kaposhi Cheese Factory is nearby and this tour ends at the 'Cave' with wine and cheese tasting. A comprehensive tour of life in Lusaka can also be arranged. The tour covers the main historical, government and cultural sites including the main markets.

Kasisi Children's Home is run by dedicated Catholic nuns. The orphanage provides a home for children of various ages whose parents have died of AIDS. Chaminuka does not charge for a visit to Kasisi – instead donations made to the orphanage are appreciated.Chaminuka's safaris

• Game drives
• Horseback safaris
• Walking safaris (bush walks)
• Fishing and boat rides Bird watching

Game-viewing at Chaminuka

• A variety of cats (including lions)
• A variety of primates
• Elephant
• Giraffe
• Burchell's zebra
• Spotted hyena
• Porcupines
• Puku (exclusive to Zambia)
• Kafue Lechwe (exclusive to Zambia)
• Roan
• Eland
• Sable
• Blue Wildebeest
• Hartebeest
• Tsessebe
• Buffalo
• Impala
• Bushbuck
• Warthog
• Buffalo
• Reptiles

Bird-watching at Chaminuka

• Blue-necked ostrich
• Helmeted guinea fowl
• Francolin
• Partridge
• A variety of ducks and geese
• Wattled crane
• Hammercop Saddle-billed stork

Chaminuka's cultural tours

• Chaminuka art collection
• Visit to the local community
• Kaposhi cheese factory
• Lusaka city tour
• Kasisi Children's Home

Vegetarians and those with special dietary needs are catered for on an individual basis. Day trips to Chaminuka Nature Reserve include an extensive buffet lunch at the Chaminuka Restaurant.Chaminuka Nature Reserve restaurant, Lusaka

• Indoor and alfresco dining
• Varied international cuisines
• Variety of game meat served
• Vegetarians catered
• Special dietary requirements catered
• Buffet lunches

Chaminuka Nature Reserve caters for all kinds of functions including business events and weddings, with purpose-built conference rooms and an elegant dining room for private functions.

A wedding at Chaminuka is truly elegant and romantic, with the splendid pristine setting transforming the day into a very special ceremony. For business events there are two main conference rooms that seat 25 and 75 delegates respectively. The conference facilities are fully equipped with broadband internet, mobile and landline telephone access, DLP and LCD projector screen, flip charts writing pads, markers and pens.

Chaminuka Nature Reserve provides a comprehensive range of services for visitors – accommodation, restaurant and safari and cultural activities.Chaminuka conference facilities

• Conference room 1: accommodates 25 delegates
• Conference room 2: accommodates 75 delegates
• Elegant dining room for private functions