Project Luangwa

02/09/2026

For the last couple of weeks, our Foundation Programme students have been working on Community Based Research (CBR) projects - this year’s theme was public health. Last Thursday the students had an opportunity to present their findings to their fellow classmates as well as the wider Project Luangwa team. We were amazed at the professionalism and the seriousness at which our students tackled such important issues in their communities:
🍼 Teen pregnancies and early marriages
💧 Seasonal water insecurity and sanitation infrastructure
🌽 Climate change and the views of local farmers
🏥 Epilepsy conditions and associated stigma

The purpose of the CBR is to apply and continue to develop essential skills - research, data gathering, presentation, public speaking and many more. Nonetheless, this project aims to further connect our students to their surrounding community and look for solutions to such critical issues together.

We are extremely proud of each student and their chosen topics, and we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each community member that participated in this research. Together, we are empowering the next generation of change-makers!

28/08/2026

Road trip! 🚙⚽️🚙

Ade from Flatdogs Camp and Ian Project Luangwa took time out last week to visit the DK Stadium in Chipata. Following the exciting news of Project Luangwa's FIFA Global Citizen Grant, Ade and Ian were kindly shown around the grounds of the stadium to learn more about drainage and pitch maintenance in our challenging climate.

As a trustee of Project Luangwa we are very grateful for Ade's input and can't wait to get started on the new pitch in Mfuwe, bringing safe sporting opportunities to our communities in Mfuwe.

26/08/2026

Once a Project Luangwa’s Youth Club member, always Project Luangwa’s Youth Club member!

Since starting Youth Club Alumni sessions back in March of this year, we have been covering a variety of topics ranging from financial literacy to professionalism. Recently, we have been focusing on building essential digital literacy skills amongst our former members. The session was designed to strengthen participants’ ability to navigate technology confidently, focusing on practical skills such as using computers, understanding basic software applications, and practicing safe online behavior.

Beyond technical knowledge, the initiative aimed to foster confidence and inclusiveness. Alumni were encouraged to explore tools that enhance productivity, communication, and information management, while reflecting on the importance of responsible digital citizenship. Many expressed how valuable it was to revisit foundational knowledge while gaining new insights into emerging digital trends.

The interactive nature of the training allowed alumni to share experiences, ask questions, and practice by doing hands-on exercises that reinforced learning. Hosting the session at the Project Luangwa’s Clubhouse provided a supportive environment where participants felt comfortable engaging with technology. The outcome was inspiring: Youth Club alumni left with renewed motivation to apply digital skills in their personal, academic, and professional lives. This effort reflects our ongoing commitment to empowering our alumni with tools that prepare them for opportunities in today’s connected world. 🌐

21/08/2026

Education isn’t preparing someone for just one job.

At Project Luangwa, we support education from first grade through to young adulthood with our Foundation programme. The aim isn’t to train people for a particular career, but to give young people the knowledge, confidence and skills to find their place in a changing world.

Take a safari lodge. It takes a surprisingly wide range of skills to keep one running: filling reports on a computer, fixing a roof, preparing 40 meals, welcoming guests, counting stocks, driving a grader, growing vegetables, keeping rooms spotless and making sure everything works as it should.

Our member lodge Kafunta Safaris is a good example. Behind every safari experience is a whole team of people with different skills, many of them learned and developed locally.

Because education isn’t about preparing someone for one particular job. It’s about giving them choices when the opportunity comes along.

20/08/2026

Yesterday, our Foundation Programme students had a privilege to visit Mambwe General Hospital. We are grateful for the time dedicated by Senior Doctor George Banda and Doctor Kabwe for giving us a tour of the facilities. 🏥

Our students had an opportunity to meet amazing doctors and nurses that provide necessary care to all the patients who cross the hospital's doors, and ask a million questions that were answered with great detail. Field trips like these allow the students to get insight into what it is like to be a medical professional, the dedication and fortitude required to run the hospital, take care of its facilities and patients, as well as the challenges that come with it.

The aspiring medical professionals among the Foundation Programme cohort confirmed feeling inspired and motivated to pursue their chosen career paths, while their peers expressed feeling humbled by and grateful for this learning opportunity.

On behalf of Project Luangwa and Foundation Programme, we would like to thank all medical professionals and staff at Mambwe General Hospital for the amazing work and care that you provide. Together, we are inspiring young generations and empowering local communities. 🤝🏿

17/08/2026

A few weeks ago, Project Luangwa’s Foundation Programme Students together with our volunteer Archie, successfully hosted a Touch Rugby tournament at the JK Centre. A great new addition to the variety of sports already played at the Centre! 🏉

Foundation Programme Students and the wider community have only started playing Touch Ruby four weeks before the event. The main objective of the tournament was to promote discipline, teamwork, unity and most importantly to learn new skills.

The tournament was conducted under the leadership of ‘Head-Coach’ Archie, in collaboration with his assistant ‘Coach’ Dickson, our current Reading Assistant, and our very own Education Coordinator, Leticia, who served as a ‘Chair Person’ during the event. The matches were played in a friendly but yet competitive manner with all teams displaying commitment, team work and sportsmanship.

The positive attitude and excitement of the players and spectators contributed to the smooth running of the event and made an exciting atmosphere for everyone who was present. To appreciate the participation and commitment every participant was presented with a memorable t-shirt donated by Stamford School as a token of recognition, leaving the players with a lasting reminder of the event.

We are looking forward to seeing further Touch Rugby games taking place at the JK Centre led by the ‘Coach’ and our Reading Assistant Dickson. 💪🏿

(Reported by aspiring journalist and Foundation Programme student Lyson Mbewe. Pictures taken by the Foundation Programme student Gift Phiri.)

14/08/2026

Roads with a Double Purpose

Our member lodge, grades an extensive network of roads across South Luangwa, work that does more than smooth the drive for guests. These roads double as fire breaks in the dry season and give anti-poaching teams fast access through some of the park's most remote terrain. It's one more way Shenton Safaris' day-to-day operations tie directly into protecting the wider valley.

07/08/2026

A big thank you to our Member Lodge, Robin Pope Safaris , for donating football shirts for children at three rural schools - Chisengu, Chilongozi and Katemo.

The shirts were distributed as part of a wider donation day, alongside football strips for a further 25 schools across the area. It was wonderful to see so many young people receiving new kit and sharing in the excitement of the occasion. As always we are indebted to the work of and W***y Malambo for all of their work in organising these events and for shipping.

Football plays an important role in bringing children together, encouraging teamwork, confidence and participation. Donations such as these help schools provide more opportunities for their pupils to get involved and enjoy the game.

We are very grateful to Robin Pope Safaris, and all of our Member Lodges and donors for their continued support of Project Luangwa and the local community.

05/08/2026

600 stoves, 300 trees and unmatched impact!

Our Eco-Stoves team has achieved their mid-year goal of building 500 stoves across Mnkhanya and Jumbe Chiefdoms. This means:
🧱 6,600 bricks were moulded
🏡 300 new families are now using sustainable cooking methods
🌳 300 new trees were planted

As the new month approached, our field team has now moved to Nsefu Chiefdom where we are aiming to further expand our outreach to the communities in need. This year we are committed to achieving a total of 1,000 new stoves built, 500 new households and planting 500 trees. The remainder of the year will be spent by expanding our outreach and impact across Nsefu and Kakumbi chiefdoms.

None of this would be possible without the generous support from Expert Africa and Elephant Charge. Together we continue to reduce Co2 emissions, provide safer cooking methods to many women and children, and improve livelihoods across Mambwe District.

If you would like to learn more about how our eco-stoves are built, see this short video that was put together by our current volunteer Archie.

Today, Freddy, Emma and I went into the village of Mfuwe to build s...

31/07/2026

Creating local opportunities through tourism 🐘

Our Member Lodges, Puku Ridge and Chichele Presidential , do much more than offer exceptional safari experiences. They also provide valuable employment, training and professional opportunities for people from the local community.

The teams working across both properties bring a wide range of skills and experience to their roles, helping to deliver the high standards for which South Luangwa is known while building sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families.

Through their support of the Luangwa Conservation and Community Fund (LCCF), Puku Ridge and Chichele Presidential also help Project Luangwa deliver education and gender equality programmes across the wider community.

This is one of the strengths of tourism in South Luangwa: creating employment directly, while also investing in opportunities for the next generation.

Zikomo kwambili to the teams at Puku Ridge and Chichele Presidential for everything you do.