Shackletons - Tiger Fishing Lodge - Zambia

Guest post from Mama Vernon

2011-11-30T11:24:00.003+02:00

Today we have a special post written by one of our long-time guest's, Joyce... or as the locals call her, Mama Vernon. Over to you, Mama Vernon...

July 2007
"I discovered Sooka Community School on an overnight stay at Shackleton’s Fishing Lodge… what a find, it has changed my life. The Lodge built this great little school at the request of the community and with some help from a friend in USA. The school opened in May 2007 and was originally built for 35 children. By July 2007 there were 65 children and two teachers. With support from family and friends I began posting items from Australia to equip the school, as it did not receive any Government support. Parents pay fees for their children to attend and this is a great sacrifice in a community with few opportunities for employment. It is such a privilege to attend school and the children love it."

October 2009
"A friend and I visited again in October 2009 and there was an obvious need for another classroom, as the numbers were increasing and the children divided into 4 groups per day and receiving less hours per group. A very kind family from Tamworth (Australia) donated the funds for another classroom, which was completed in June 2010. Between 2007 and 2009 a ‘feeding hut’ and kitchen were built in the African style of mud walls and thatch roof. The mums would make a porridge from a corn and soya blend, provided by the World Food Programme, for all the children each day. The children ate every last drop of the porridge, which was for some children the only meal of the day. We also had the honour of meeting Chief Inyambo Yeta in Mwandi and discussed the school and other matters of importance in Zambia. It was a very sad day when the children sang a farewell song to me and I had no idea when I would next be back."

September 2011
"I couldn’t wait any longer and made an unexpected trip back to Shackleton’s Lodge and the school. During the three weeks I was there I spent a lot of time at the school and in meetings with the teachers, community members, school committee and Deputy Sooka (who reports matters of importance to Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta in Mwandi). Whilst at the school I did three art classes, joining 2 grades at a time and having up to 40 students in one class room. Both the kids and teachers appeared to have fun. The school now has 3 teachers and 120 children. In 2012 the school will have their first Grade 7 (their final primary year) and the framework for a temporary African style classroom was up to cater for this group. Unfortunately the porridge has stopped, as the corn & soya blend is no longer being delivered . We are investigating if that was an oversight or if it was thought there were more needy communities. As there are many orphans and vulnerable children at the school this needs to be continued. And yes, it was another emotional morning when the older children and teachers sang a beautiful farewell."

You go girl!!

2011-09-30T11:37:00.000+02:00

Not only does Hugh Cumming play blue grass guitar .... magnificent personal best Nembwe... Beautiful fish....

You go girl. Tiger nearly as big as Mel. Congratulations on a magnificent fish. Lovely to have Hugh and Mel Cumming back at Shackletons. Great company, great fun and warm hearts..... lots of love everyone at shackletons

Staffie pup TOGO joins the team

2011-09-19T15:39:00.000+02:00

TOGO

TOGO at camp

Our newest little addition to the camp. Togo arrived on British Airways to start his new life on the Zambezi.

Our thanks to the Schoeman family for their incredible care and professionalism. The most wonderfulStaffie breeders in the world. Check out Kavuki Frank Schoeman on facebook....There were 3 brothers and 3 sisters.Gonna have fun ....

Togo's Mum

Togo's Dad

Togo's Sisters and Brothers

Fantastic catch in September - Tiger Fish and Cat Fish - Congratulations to the Coetzee boys!

2011-09-19T15:28:00.000+02:00

Wonderful feedback from a recent guest:

2011-09-01T14:29:00.000+02:00

"Thank you again for all you did to organize what turned out to be an awesome trip.
The lodge was great, set in a stunning part of the world and my guide, Orbit, was top notch. I landed over 60 fish including one of 4 kgs. Though I have to admit I worked hard and worked Orbit hard to achieve this, fishing from before sunrise to after sunset (6:30am to 6:30pm).

I tried a wide range of flies but found Jan's weighted orange and black tiger fly probably the most productive fly including landing the 4kg specimen.

Next most productive was probably a black and red weighted tarpon fly. The gummy minnows were probably the next most successful and I found these worked well whenever we sighted a mass of bait fish.
As requested, attached are a few pics, plus as of interest a few pics from the TdT ride I participated in before going fishing.
Many thanks again"
Keith

Local Fisherman rescued on the Zambezi River by Shackleton’s guests

2011-08-22T10:33:00.000+02:00

Our thanks to Remi and the Clements fishing team who rescued a desperate fisherman from the top of the reeds after his mokoro had been attacked by a hippo. Whilst out fishing, with Mathew Clements, our most senior fishing guide, Remy heard the cry for help and immediately took the boat to search around the island. They managed to get one of the fishermen to safety but sadly the second fisherman had drowned along with the mokoro they were fishing in.

Mathew Clements - Tigerfish - 14lbs

Ian Walker - Tigerfish

Howard and Neil Shackleton

2011-08-16T11:13:00.001+02:00

Recent catch of Tigerfish on the Zambezi River

2011-08-16T11:08:00.003+02:00

Tribute to Kingsley Muyeye

2011-08-08T14:53:00.000+02:00

Many of our guests knew Kingsley well, and will be deeply saddened to hear that he passed away tragically in Mwandi. The staff, the community around us, Howard and Sherie and their families and friends would like to pass our deepest sympathies to his loved ones.

Kingsley was an incredible person. He worked diligently and helped build Shackletons to what it is now. You were a wonderful young man!! Kingsley was loyal, kind, helpful , friendly, intelligent, caring, hard working who always went the extra mile with the brightest smile. Always trying to please, a perfectionist and someone that Howard could rely on no matter what. You were strong when you needed to be with great compassion for everything around you. During Howard’s illness you never left his side and ensured that the camp kept going until his return.

A great young man.We will all miss you and you shall always be part of Shackleton’s history and in our hearts. We have some wonderful and special photographs of Kingsley to share with you.

A big welcome to the new Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge blog

2011-08-08T14:21:00.002+02:00

A big welcome to the new Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge blog. We hope to share some wonderful images of great fishing, friends and of course the mighty Zambezi River with you. During the next few weeks we will update lots of new fishing photographs as well as share what’s happening in and around the camp.

Daytrips from Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge

2011-08-08T10:59:00.002+02:00

Victoria Falls - Zambia

Birding on the Zambezi River

2011-08-08T10:54:00.000+02:00

African Skimmers on the Upper Zambezi RIver

African Skimmers can be seen in great numbers from July onwards.

Fishing on the Zambezi River - Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge

2011-08-04T10:16:00.002+02:00

Martin - Largemouth thin face Bream of 4.4 lbs

Grant - Nembwe of 6.6lbs

Tiger Fishing on the Zambezi - Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge

2011-08-04T10:11:00.004+02:00

Tigerfish - 8kgs - Caught on the Zambezi River

Record Tigerfish caught at Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge on the Zambezi

Calvin - Tigerfish - 5kg

Dion - Tigerfish - 6kg

Dion - Tigerfish - 8,8kg

Kyle- Tigerfish - 3kg

Stewart - Tigerfish - 10lbs

Martin- Tigerfish - 19lbs

Shackletons Tiger Fishing Lodge - Mwandi - Zambia

2011-08-03T15:21:00.001+02:00