Chinzombo, the wildly luxurious camp opened last year as the latest addition to legendary Norman Carr Safaris in Zambia, is celebrating its win as Best New Camp in Africa at the annual African Safari Awards with a Stay Three Pay Two special, available until 31 May 2015.

Recently the camp made headlines through an amazing battle of nature between local bull elephant, Hercules, and fourteen attacking lions, all of it captured on location by visiting UK photographer Steve Baker. (Please ensure photo credit to Norman Carr Safaris / Steve Baker)

Established in 1950 as the original Zambian safari company, Norman Carr Safaris was also the winner of both Best Safari Experience and Best Walking Safari in Africa, and is extending thespecial deal to all its camps in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia: - Kapani, Luwi, Nsolo, Kakuli Mchenia and Chinzombo.  (Guests are required to stay for three nights in the one camp, with park fees and a conservation levy required for the third night).

About Chinzombo: In the 1950s Norman Carr dreamt of a unique way to experience the African bush; a way of interacting with the environment while respecting the natural landscape and local Zambian traditions - conservation through tourism. Norman Carr Safaris was born.

Last year another dream was realized when Norman Carr Safaris opened its newest camp – wildly luxurious Chinzombo, designed by Silvio Rech & Lesley Carstens, the award-winning architects behind North Island.  Chinzombo represents another step in the continued evolution of Norman Carr Safaris' luxury bush-camp design philosophy. 

Here, for the first time, modern architectural forms are combined with the organic geometry and regional materials of indigenous Zambian building methods creating an entirely new type of bush camp on the site of one of Norman's original camps.

Six spacious villas – one of which is designed to accommodate a family of five - are nestled within the shade of ancient trees on a wildlife-rich ridge which follows a C-shaped bend in the Luangwa River. The Chinzombo villas appear to float over the landscape, with a winding footpath connecting the villas and communal areas through the shade of the surrounding Msikzi trees. The simplicity of the contemporary, steel-framed structures contrasts with the natural materials used in the décor and interiors to complement the surroundings in a unique and interesting fashion.

Spacious living areas comprise large, cooled bedrooms, luxurious bathrooms and shady decks overlooking the Luangwa River. Each villa is equipped with WiFi and a private pool. The design is ground breaking as the natural materials, locally produced leather, reed work and canvas, the lack of concrete or brick and the recycled composite timber floors complement the wilderness perfectly and allow the bush to speak for itself.

Décor is simple and minimal, using raw linen, timber, copper and hand-made crockery within a simple, authentic shelter that offers a respectful nod to Chinzombo's past history and Norman's legacy.

To add to the grandeur, in-camp spa treatments are now being offered under the leadership and direction of Putu Ari who ran North Island's spa for many years. She has trained a team of local women who will astound the most discerning guests with their massage techniques using oils, scrubs and essences created onsite, from all natural ingredients and local plants and leaves. 

Chinzombo's signature treatment is a two-hour pampering. It combines a body scrub and polish handmade using healing herbal plants from the area. This is followed by a splendidly-soothing, full-body massage designed to balance the body's meridians and energise body, mind and soul.

Guests will delight in Ari's professional, 'homemade' scrubs, oils and facial cleansers comprising ingredients such as neem leaf, lemongrass, almond and peppermint. She believes in keeping things simple and effective. All treatments are offered in the privacy of the guests' individual 150sq metre villas. The new spa in Chinzombo's ebony grove on the edge of a lagoon is Norman Carr Safaris' piece de resistance!

The camp was designed to allow wildlife and the natural vegetation to flourish in and around the structures, unhindered by vast tracts of landscaping, game fences or roads.

Stay tuned for more news about Norman Carr Safaris and Chongwe Safaris.

Special packages available: www.normancarrsafaris.com

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Jane Corbett-Jones Communications   

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