Meet the Kafunta Family

Directors and Owners: Ron and Anke Cowan and their son Luke

We, the directors of Kafunta Safaris, met in 1988 in Australia. After travelling together in Asia and Europe we started our trip to Africa in 1990 and ended up in Zambia. We instantly felt at home and decided to stay. Our son Luke was born 1999 in Africa. To read up on our travels and how we ended up in the Luangwa Valley go to Kafuntas Story.
We both work at the lodge and you will meet us during your stay. We used to take out the Safaris, as we both hold a Safari guide license, but these days most of Anke’s work is in the office taking care of reservations and marketing and Ron looks after the maintenance of the Lodge. Next to his normal business Ron is very involved in setting up the local soccer teams and organizing donations. Our son Luke goes to school in Kafunta, a real bush school. It certainly is special for a child to grow up in such a wonderful but also dangerous surrounding. With elephants and lions around, just playing outside or riding a bike is not possible for Luke. But he, like us, loves the bush and is very” bush wise”. We frequently join Kafunta’s guests for drinks or dinner. Make sure to ask us about the beginnings of Kafunta, we sure have a story or two to tell about starting a lodge in remote Africa and living in the bush!

Lodge Manager: Mario Voss

Mario was born in Germany. He spent part of his early childhood in Ghana, where his father was posted as a doctor. It must have been then that his passion for Africa was planted deep into his heart.
Mario has a keen interest in nature and wildlife and enjoyed many family holidays to Africa, where he “discovered” Kafunta River Lodge in 2001 during a family trip to Zambia. He returned and lived with us many times as a volunteer during his summer break from University and after he finished his degree in Biology, he joined us in April 2009. Mario is well liked by staff and visitors and has long ago become part of the Kafunta family. His keen interest for the African bush and friendly nature make him a great host. He makes sure the lodge is running smoothly and you have the best experience and relaxation there is! You can be sure: he usually knows before you what you wish for next.

Safari Guides

Our guides that take you into the bush are extremely well trained and knowledgeable. They have all passed the high level Grade 1 safari exams and are qualified to escort walking and driving safaris. They will ensure your trip is both safe and interesting. With their extensive knowledge they can provide insight into the complex and fascinating world of the African wildlife and habitat as well as local traditions, beliefs and bush remedies as only a traditional, local guide can. On the right hand side you can find out more about each one.

Reservations: Wilson Malambo

Wilson was born 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. He is in charge of the Reception and reservations and will welcome you upon arrival. Wilson is passionate about soccer and regularly organises soccer matches for the Kafunta team. Besides that he is the one to ask if anything goes wrong with a computer. Somehow he always finds a solution.

Kitchen: Cathie Chape

Cathie Chape joined us at the beginning of 2012. Originally from Australia she has been in the valley for the last 4 years and has worked as a chef for the last 15 years.
In Luangwa she is known for her famous homemade ice cream. Cathie knows the valley like her right pocket spending every free minute in the park. Besides knowing the park she certainly knows the surrounding area and purchases 90% of our fresh fruit and veg from local markets and knows were to get the best.

Bush Camp Manageress: Marisa Sammut Gatt

Marisa will be our Bush Camp Manageress in 2012. Her passion for nature shows in her great qualifications and engagement during the last years. She is a field guide of the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) and has worked as a volunteer in conservation projects in Southern Africa. At Island Bush Camp she surely will share her passion for the African Bush with you.

Staff

We are proud to say that a high number of the local staff that helped us build Kafunta are still working at the lodge. Many of them have had the opportunity to train in professions like room attendants, barmen, waiters and cooks.

We employ more then 30 permanent workers and many more during the season. Most of our staff are from the local tribal villages in the area and we are always happy to offer young Zambians the opportunity to train in different professions and further their careers.