*
In 1911, a young British Officer, Stewart Gore-Brown, was appointed to the
Anglo-Belgian Boundary Commission to determine the border between Northern Rhodesia and
the Belgian Congo. He developed a great fondness for the surrounding countryside and
determined that when his work was finished he would return and settle in this part of
Africa. He was back in 1914 and set off on foot from Ndola on the Copperbelt with 30
carriers looking for a piece of land to buy.
"We suddenly came upon what I thought was the most
beautiful lake I had ever seen. I was surrounded by hilly country, and along its shores
were groves of rare trees, of kind sacred to Africans. Friendly folk inhabited the one big
village on the lakeshore and there were a dozen herds of different wild game. The
surrounding land seemed to be reasonably fertile judging by the crops that were ripening
there. I knew at once that I had found what I was looking for."
Legend has it that the local tribe, having arrived from the
Congo onto the north eastern plateau, came across a dead crocodile. They thought this an
excellent omen and since the name for crocodile was Ng’andu, they called themselves
Bena Ng’andu - ‘The people of the Royal Crocodile’ and settled around the
Lake. The Lake became known as Ishiba Ng'andu - ‘The Lake of the Royal Crocodile.'
Gore-Brown purchased 10 000 acres of land near the lake for
2 shillings an acre and called it Shiwa Ng’andu. The First World War necessitated a
return to England but six years later he returned as a retired Lieutenant Colonel and set
about building the estate with an army building manual, single minded determination and an
indomitable energy. Using local materials, recruiting and training builders, carpenters
and blacksmiths, he built cottages for his workers, a school, a chapel, a hospital, a post
office, a workshop complex and later an airstrip. Eventually, the elaborate manor house,
overlooking the Lake was completed in 1932 and the appropriate furnishings, paintings,
cutlery and crockery was shipped from England and transported on dirt tracks by ox wagon.
His wife Lorna took an active interest in the local culture and environment, encouraging
research and carrying out anthropological studies.
They experimented with various crops, essential oils,
cattle and timber on the farm and at the same time, Gore Brown was very active in politics
contributing to the creation of an independent Zambia. He died at the age of 84 in 1967
and his elder daughter and her husband Major Harvey took over management. They began Shiwa
Safaris, which was for many years the only safari company taking visitors to the estate
into the wild North Luangwa National park. They also continued with the community
development projects started by Gore-Brown. They were sadly murdered in their other home
near Lusaka in 1992, but the estate still remains with the Harvey family. The farm as well
as the safaris continue to operate. The estate maintains a central role in the development
of local farming, providing the resources and expertise allowing local farmers to
diversify their output.
On the vast estate of Shiwa Ng’andu is
Kapishya, an exquisite
natural hot spring surrounded by lush tropical
vegetation and tall raffia palms. The hot water bubbles out from the white sands of a
crystal clear pool and flows into the Manshya River. The Harvey’s have built four
small thatch chalets there and serve meals in the old farmhouse. A very beautiful setting
and well worth a stop over.
Chusa Falls: Some 10kms downstream from where the
Manshya runs past the hot springs. The falls are made up of a series of three steps, each
three or four meters high. Rafting can be done here over the many rapids.
Nachipala Bareback Hill. This 3 hour walk to the
summit gives a magnificent view of Lake Shiwa Ngandu. Dr David Livingstone took his
bearings from here back in 1867.
Shiwa Lake Boat Trip: A full or half day boat trip
on rubber rafts is offered, cruising around the lake, birdwatching and taking in the
spectacular sunrise or sunset. The full day trip takes guests from the lake down the
Manshya river over some small rapids and back to Kapishya Camp. Fishing trips are
also available on the Lake.
The Harvey’s also run
Shiwa Safaris to the
North Luangwa National Park
leaving from Shiwa Ng’andu and entering the park from the Western escarpment.
SHIWA
NGANDU
