THE TEAM
Your South Luangwa safari experience has been crafted by Grant & Lynsey Cumings who own and operate Chiawa Camp & Old Mondoro in the Lower Zambezi National Park.
They are supported by many familiar faces from Chichele and Puku Ridge and are building a formidable team to take Puku Ridge on its onwards and upwards journey to new heights.
CAMP MANAGEMENT
CLINT + SARAH MURRAY
Clint and Sarah Murray, with a passion for conservation tourism and having made a successful career in high end hospitality have put down roots in the South Luwangwa. The new GM couple for Puku Ridge and the much awaited Chichele Presidential Lodge bring with them the experience they have gained from some of the most remote and beautiful protected wildlife areas in Southern Africa. With a keen eye for detail, a love of great food (Sarah is a highly skilled chef) and a passion for creating unforgettable memories for their guests, we look forward to experiencing their carefully curated hospitality first hand.
THE GUIDES
ABEL BANDA
HEAD GUIDE
Abel was one of the original guides at Puku Ridge when it first opened in 2003; it is somewhat ironic then, that he has returned to star in its next chapter. Now reputed to be one of the Luangwa Valley’s most respected guides – not only does he have a degree in African Wildlife Management but he is also a certified TEVETA Safari Guide trainer. Abel’s interest in guiding started at school via the Chongololo (millipede) Club, his favourite bird is the Lilac-breasted roller because of its beauty and his favorite mammal is the elephant.
ANDREW MWEETWA
PRO GUIDE
Although Andrew’s home is the South Luangwa, his demand as a guide has taken him from East Africa to South Africa. And little wonder as his knowledge, photography and tracking skills are first class. Andrew knows the South Luangwa like the back of his hand and has documented just about every lion, and many leopards, in the park. Andrew is a certified TEVETA Safari Guide trainer. Growing up in the bush, he learnt to track and appreciate wildlife as a child. He loves everything about nature, believes there is a lesson to be learned from every creature, and that the earth is all we have so let’s be kind to it and each other.
FRED PHIRI
PRO GUIDE
Fred was born in the Luangwa Valley and in his 22 years of experience worked his way up from porter to chef and ultimately to guiding and camp management. His passion however is guiding, learning new things about the bush and meeting new people from different places every day. Fred’s favourite creature is the woodpecker, citing its perfect, specialised design that allows it to cling very effectively on tree branches whilst pounding away with its beak in its quest for food and to communicate.
PIUS ZULU
PRO GUIDE
Pius was born in the Luangwa Valley and been in the tourism industry for 18 years but before then was a teacher which brings an added dimension to any outing guided by Pius, especially those with kids involved. He also played a role in the filming of the famous “Olimba the Leopard”. He loves the job because it gives him an opportunity to meet different people with different ideas in all walks of life and his favorite animal is the baboon because they are full of drama. Every single minute they are doing something different.
THE OVERSIGHT
GRANT + LYNSEY CUMINGS
The Puku Ridge safari experience has been carefully crafted by Grant + Lynsey who are proud to work with this amazing team, delivering what they feel is the most refined South Luangwa safari available.
The customer service is really second to none. The staff go above and beyond at every opportunity. The game drives are phenomenal.
This was the most wonderful three days we have ever had. The location and setting were perfect. The welcome and service we received could not be faulted. The food was delicious. The accommodation was “glamping ” at its best. And then there was our safari experience - sensational!
This is the most exceptional travel experience I have ever had. The grounds, accommodations, and food are just exquisite and the service is even better than all of that combined.
We have stayed at Puku Ridge 3 times now and each time we leave determined to return. It's a magical place, as much so for the care and warmth received from the Puku team as for the South Luangwa landscape and wildlife
The view from this special place is absolutely sensational, right across a huge open plain, with the bush in the distance. The staff at the camp are unfailingly warm, friendly and incredibly helpful.
