Mozambique
Niassa Exploration
FRASER GEAR, ANDERSON EXPEDITIONS
Richard Anderson, founder of Anderson Expeditions, has guided and travelled through Africa and South America and his passion for tailor-made private safaris and expeditions into these continents knows no bounds. John Stevens is especially excited about this Niassa offering in Mozambique, which is guided and led by Richard’s friend and colleague, Fraser Gear.
MEET YOUR GUIDE
Anderson Expeditions has an established and close relationship with Keith and Colleen Begg of the Niassa Carnivore Project, which has done incredible work in the region. Anderson’s access to the project’s 60,000-hectare concession on the Lugenda river means that only expedition guests are on the concession at any one time, offering exclusive and unique access. The Mpopa Island Trails Camp and operations here are run by the Mbamba community. The Niassa Expedition we’ve selected for the John Stevens Expeditions Africa portfolio is a “conservation tourism” initiative – by staying here you are making a direct and significant contribution to conservation and community initiatives run by the Niassa Carnivore Project.
Niassa Special Reserve is Mozambique’s largest protected area and one of the most important wilderness areas left in the world today because of its size (42, 200km2; 16,000 ml2) and the important miombo habitat and wildlife it protects, including lion, buffalo African wild dog, sable, elephant, hippo and leopard. This is a wild and dramatic area, perfect for walking, canoeing on the Lugenda River and incredible starlit fly-camping nights on the riverbank or on top of the inselbergs.
“Sleeping under the stars with no light pollution is an unforgettable experience and you will really appreciate being the only guests in this special wilderness.” Fraser Gear
ITINERARY
Wild Mozambique
ANT KASCHULA, PRIVATE GUIDED SAFARIS
Private Guided Safaris is a small family business founded in 2000 and is owned and operated by Ant and Rawana Kaschula. All Private Guided Safaris’ trips are personally tailored to specific needs and are guided by Ant who ensures an extraordinarily personalised experience. This expedition through two different parts of Mozambique is no exception.
MEET YOUR GUIDE
For true nature and wilderness connoisseurs, Niassa Special Reserve is one of Africa’s most understated destinations and a place that takes many visits to come anywhere near close to scratching the surface of this vast wilderness. There are few places in Africa that can compare with being as wild or scenically beautiful as Niassa and when visiting certain parts of it, one needs to constantly pinch oneself to make sure you aren’t in a Jurassic Park film set.
Owing to our close relationship with the concession owner, whilst in Luwire our guests will have the opportunity to spend as much or little time as they wish, gaining a deeper understanding of what it takes to manage a 4500 km2 protected area. This may involve a tour of their command centre, central workshops and HQ base and the opportunity to interact with members of their law enforcement team.
“To manage expectations, one must not expect to see huge herds of wildlife all day long; however, that said, there is typically always a wild animal of some description in view. Wildlife is inherently shy and whilst all major species are well represented here, one needs to search for them and it is more a matter of the quality of sightings than the overall quantity of sightings.
I look forward to sharing a wilderness experience that is beyond compare.” Ant Kaschula
ITINERARY
