Norman Carr Safaris Opens Wildly Luxurious Chinzombo

It is the first camp of its kind in the region, constructed from recycled or recyclable materials, and honors its history: conservationist Norman Carr promulgated experiencing the bush while respecting both the natural landscape and local traditions.

Designed by acclaimed South African architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens (RECH + CARSTENS), CHINZOMBO represents the continuing evolution of the couple's bush camp design philosophy – a combination of modernist architectural forms, organic geometry, regional materials and indigenous Zambian building methods.

CHINZOMBO comprises six villas – five private villas and a larger family villa – as well as a dining, lounge and library structure complete with tree-shaded pool and deck, all constructed with an attention to detail not often associated with bush-camp architecture. “Silvio and Lesley have created a sense of luxury and sophistication using materials unique to traditional Zambian buildings and with sensitivity to the environment. There is no other bush camp like it,” says Christina Carr, Director of Norman Carr Safaris.



Each steel-framed modernist villa forms a platform shaded by msikzi trees, and each is set generously apart from the next. Within, the circular bedroom – opening out onto the villa's deck, outdoor lounge and private pool – was built using local thatching techniques and features a rectangular en-suite bathroom with canvas walls. Both rooms are suspended within the space and afford views through the tree-line to the Luangwa River. New “green” Evening Breeze air conditioning, used for the first time in Zambia, keeps the bedroom pleasantly cool, while the shaded villas are designed to catch the river breeze.

CHINZOMBO is set within a canopy of ancient trees on a ridge which follows a C-shaped loop in the Luangwa River. A winding foot path connects the villas and lounge/dining area. The camp embodies a distillation of the many luxury lodges and island resorts RECH + CARSTENS have designed throughout the world. Rech says, “We have refined the form for the bush-camp down to its most essential elements. This, combined with building techniques learned from local craftsmen and the intention to push the boundaries of bush-camp architecture, means we have been able to create a camp that is both architecturally innovative and ideally suited to the landscape in which it finds itself.”

Additional photos on request. Rates High Season: July 1 – October 31 Double or Twin: $875 per person per night.

Contact: Christina Carr: Kapani@normancarrsafaris.com or Visit: www.normancarrsafaris.com