Robin’s House

Outwardly quaint, Robin’s House is located on the banks of the Luangwa River and is spacious, authentic and comfortable. Perfect for a group of friends or a small family, the house offers all the home comforts one could wish for. A large master bedroom, complete with a double bed, sits at one end of the house. Decorated in a neutral colour palette, character is added through exposed beams on the ceiling and light fills the room through traditional wide muntin windows. Mosquito netting hangs behind the bed so guests can enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep bug-free. This bedroom has its own ensuite which comes complete with a flush toilet, a hand basin, a shower and a bathtub.

In the centre of the house is a homely lounge/dining area. This is the perfect space for families to gather and unwind together, as the sofas are squishy and comfortable, overlooking the expansive verandah and sparkling river. Dinner can also be eaten here if the weather is rainy or cold, and a small library offers a relaxing way to spend your evening.

The other side of the lounge is the second bedroom. This can come arranged in either a twin or triple configuration and is perfect for children. Beds are covered in colourful bedding and mosquito netting is draped over the top. Bright, natural light fills the room through wide windows and reflects off the white-washed walls. This bedroom comes with its own ensuite which also includes a toilet, hand basin, shower and bathtub.

Unwind and spend some family time on the expansive verandah in front of the house. Here dinner can be eaten, if the weather permits, allowing guests to dine with a unique and beautiful view of the Luangwa River and tree-lined riverbank in the distance. On a warm afternoon escape the heat with a refreshing dip in the private plunge pool before enjoying a siesta on the comfortable sun loungers.

As Robin’s House is self-contained, guests can choose when to enjoy their meals. Your private chef will be happy to cook to your preferences, and guests can enjoy dining around the indoor dining table or out on the verandah, in the fresh Zambian air. Ask your personal valet for a cooling cocktail which you can enjoy whilst gazing over the river at sunset.

Day and night game drives are offered from Robin’s House and guests can adventure through South Luangwa National Park in privacy with exclusive use of a 4WD safari vehicle. This is a traditional safari experience, and guests can keep their eyes out for herds of elephants, galloping zebras in the distance, or prides of lions. Every game drive is unique, and on a night game drive guests may see some of the more elusive species of the park, such as leopards.

There is no better way to immerse yourself and explore the national park than on foot. A friendly and knowledgeable guide will be more than happy to impart their wisdom on the area, and will be able to point out the smaller things in the bush that an untrained eye might miss. Breathe in the fresh air and really appreciate the beauty of this biodiverse national park.

When water levels allow, guests can gain a unique perspective of the stunning surroundings while gliding down the glistening Luangwa River. Keep your eyes focused on the riverbank where you may see thirsty animals gathering for a drink, lazy pods of hippos, or a sly crocodile lurking in the shallows.

If an authentic and unique souvenir is something you wish to take home with you then a trip to the local tribal textiles company can be arranged. Here you will find handmade arts and crafts which embody Zambian culture. A tour to the local Kawaza Village can also be arranged where guests can meet and speak to locals and visit the local school and Wildlife Education Centre which educates local children and guests about the importance of conservation. Spending the day in the company of the locals is the perfect way to understand the local culture and leave feeling enlightened, with a deeper understanding of the area which you visited.

As well as making sure that ‘wildlife and their habitats are not disturbed’ by their operations, Robin Pope Safaris supports a variety of initiatives which all have the conservation and protection of nature at their core. For example, all the guides at Robin Pope Safari camps are trained ‘to the highest possible standards’ and have received professional qualifications. Robin Pope Safaris supports important anti-poaching activities of Conservation South Luangwa (CSL) to help protect the area and keep it clear of illegal poachers. Another anti-poaching initiative they support is the ‘Zambezi Elephant Fund’ which works in partnership with local authorities and alliance partners ‘to maintain a strong anti-poaching presence.’ To help protect and preserve the wild dog population in Zambia, as well as the lion population and leopard populations, there are carnivore research programmes which are supported and conducted by Robin Pope Safaris.

To help aid them in their conservation efforts, Robin Pope Safaris understands the vital importance of education in their efforts. They aim to change ‘hearts and minds’ of the local communities, to create a more peaceful co-existence of humans and wildlife. To help aid conservation efforts Robin Pope Safaris ‘supports the conservation efforts of the Zambian, 3Malawian and Zimbabwean governments’ by paying levies which go towards conservation programmes such as ‘promoting the protection of fish species along Lake Malawi National Park and by assisting their operations with vehicles and resources when needed.’

Working in remote and rural areas, Robin Pope Safaris offers employment and opportunities for local people who otherwise may not have any employment. Not only do they provide employment for the local communities they also make many other positive impacts. The ‘Luangwa Safari Association Medical Fund’ was founded by Robin Pope Safaris which helps to provide healthcare for more than 20,000 people and ‘contributes to the upkeep of the government’s rural Kakumbi Health Centre.’ To help break the cycle of poverty, Robin Pope Safaris puts a large emphasis on providing and augmenting the education of the local children.

To help support the local community, Robin Pope Safaris purchases ‘as many locally available supplies as possible to stimulate local trade.’ They also support local businesses by contracting local craftsmen to help build and refurbish their buildings and sell handcrafted goods in their gift shops. By supporting the local Kawaza village, the first ‘authentic cultural tourism enterprise’ has been set up. Robin Pope Safaris is the main supplier of their guests and trade with this village is positively encouraged as much as possible.

As well as employing members of local communities they ‘ensure high standard treatment, fair wages, and good working conditions as well as access to education and training.’ Promotions through the ranks are available, with training and support throughout the whole process. Staff are also encouraged to ‘further their education’ and employees are sponsored for the opportunity to ‘develop themselves to senior management levels.’

Robin Pope Safaris understands the importance of working in an environmentally friendly way in order to protect the environment, local wildlife and people in the areas which they operate. They take ‘proactive steps’ to ensure that this happens, including using green technologies in their camps, such as ‘solar energy systems, natural air-cooling and non-fired bricks’, they also promote the conservation of water and the recycling, re-use or responsible disposal of water.