Image credit: Conservation South Luangwa

We’ve always believed that going on safari is about more than seeing wildlife – it’s about being part of something much bigger. In South Luangwa, that “something bigger” is one of Africa’s most hopeful conservation stories – one that continues to gain strength through the combined efforts of local communities, conservation organisations, and guests like you.

Over the last decade, this region has been transformed. Snaring incidents are down. Elephant poaching has dropped dramatically. African wild dogs, once barely seen, now roam confidently through the valley. And it’s all thanks to consistent boots-on-the-ground protection, smarter approaches to human-wildlife conflict, and the steady presence of responsible tourism.

Ten years ago, the story was different. Poachers were pushing deeper into the park, and lions were regularly found caught in wire snares. Wild dogs were so rare that many guides would go entire seasons without a sighting. But today, we’re witnessing the resilience of nature in real time.

Lions are thriving in complex pride structures. Wild dogs are not just surviving, but rebounding – with the Luangwa Valley now home to Zambia’s largest population. Elephant numbers have stabilized, with fewer carcasses found each year and herds moving more freely, a testament to effective anti-poaching efforts and growing trust between humans and wildlife.

Much of this progress is thanks to organizations like Conservation South Luangwa (CSL), the Zambian Carnivore Programme, and Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife. These teams work year-round, removing snares, patrolling from the sky and on foot, and responding to human-wildlife conflict incidents, often within hours. Their work, supported by tourism funding, is helping to create a safer, healthier landscape for all.

Barry Shenton (left) ans Bert Schultz (right)

Long before Shenton Safaris was born, Barry Shenton – father of current owner Derek Shenton – was already making a name for himself as a dedicated conservationist in South Luangwa. Barry moved to the valley in the early 1970s, drawn by its remote beauty and rich wildlife, and quickly became involved in the challenges facing the area.

At a time when resources were limited and poaching was rife, Barry stepped up. He worked closely with the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife (then Game Department), often using his own vehicles, fuel, and time to help with anti-poaching patrols and wildlife monitoring. He assisted in tracking and immobilizing snared animals, maintained crucial access roads into remote areas of the park, and provided logistical support for rangers. These weren’t one-off gestures – they were part of his everyday life in the bush.

He also played a critical role in early fire management, helping establish some of the first planned firebreaks in the area to prevent uncontrolled wildfires from damaging key habitats. Barry’s farm near Mfuwe became a hub of conservation activity, where scouts and game department staff could find support, resources, and guidance.

More than anything, Barry believed that conservation had to be practical and local. He mentored young Zambians in bushcraft, wildlife tracking, and sustainable land use – many of whom went on to become guides, rangers, and conservation leaders in the Luangwa Valley.

His deep connection to the land, and his commitment to protecting it, shaped the philosophy of Shenton Safaris. Today, Derek and Juliet Shenton continue that mission with a hands-on approach to conservation – from supporting anti-snaring units and fire management to community-based projects that create lasting change.

When you visit Shenton Safaris, you’re not just supporting a safari camp – you’re joining a multi-generational effort to protect one of Africa’s most remarkable ecosystems.

You might not always see it from the back of a game vehicle, but every stay at Kaingo Camp or Mwamba Bush Camp contributes directly to the protection of the wildlife you come to see.

Through your visits, we help fund monthly anti-poaching patrols and keep scout teams fed and equipped.

Even during the pandemic, when camps across Africa closed and tourism dollars dried up, we kept our tractors running and teams in place. That continuity mattered. When poachers tested the park’s silence, they found it wasn’t silent at all – not here!

Image credit (2, 3, and 5): Conservation South Luangwa

We’re proud of the behind-the-scenes work that often goes unseen. Our support has helped fund community boreholes, organic farming projects, and sustainable vegetable gardens near Mfuwe. We partner closely with CSL’s veterinary team, assisting with rescues and treatments of snared or injured animals, from elephants and leopards to hyenas and wild dogs.

And when it comes to fire prevention, we’ve led the charge in replacing old back-burning methods with year-round graded firebreaks – a move that has saved countless trees, small mammals, and bird nesting sites from being lost to uncontrolled burns. We also maintain over 120km of graded roads each dry season, roads that not only guide guests through the park but also serve as vital firebreaks and rapid-access routes for ranger teams.

Image credit: Conservation South Luangwa

Wildlife doesn’t live in isolation, and neither does conservation. One of the most exciting shifts we’ve seen is how communities around South Luangwa are now more involved than ever in protecting what surrounds them.

From chilli-farming cooperatives that keep elephants out of fields without harm, to clean-sweep snare removal campaigns involving hundreds of volunteers, local people are stepping forward as custodians of wildlife. When we all work together – camps, NGOs, chiefs, scouts, and farmers – real, lasting change happens.

Image credit (1 and 5): Conservation South Luangwa

We’ve come a long way, and the data backs it up: fewer snaring injuries, stronger populations of predators, and a real sense that conservation here isn’t just surviving, it’s gaining momentum.

But numbers only tell part of the story. What truly matters is what we see every day: a pack of wild dogs trotting confidently across a floodplain, a herd of elephants lingering peacefully near a village, a young scout proudly explaining to a guest why he joined the anti-poaching unit.

Those are the moments that tell us this work matters. And they’re only possible because of people like you, travellers who choose to visit with intention, who ask the right questions, and who care about what happens after the safari ends.

When you visit us, you’re not just observing conservation – you’re directly supporting it. You help fund rangers, rescue injured animals, educate children, and empower communities. Every drive, every photo, every cup of tea around the campfire helps keep this ecosystem alive.