A New Chapter at Wildlife Camp
We're almost halfway through the year, can you believe it! But the safari season is only just starting, and we have some exciting news to share. As of the start of this year Herman Miles, who ran Wildlife Camp for more than three decades, has handed over operations to Byron Miles (his son) and Luke Cowan. He is planning to retire "under a mango tree" as he always jokes. For now that means he is back in South Africa's Southern Cape, but not to worry, we expect to see him back at camp enjoying a Brandy and Coke frequently. He's left behind quite a legacy and some big boots to fill!
Byron & Luke - Not So New Faces
Byron Miles & Luke Cowan grew up between Wildlife Camp and Kafunta River Lodge, sharing a childhood that could only really exist in a place like South Luangwa.
Their parents (Herman Miles, Anke Cowan & Ron Cowan) first built Wildlife Camp in 1992 and later started Kafunta River Lodge together in 1998 before the businesses split in 2000. While Herman continued managing Wildlife Camp for all this time, Ron and Anke focused on growing Kafunta Safaris. While two distinct operations the friendship & link between the companies remained through the two boys.
As young adults, life briefly pulled Byron & Luke in different directions. Luke completed his higher education in Australia while Byron kept busy managing at his father’s camp. Then came the first years of professional life which, unexpectedly, reunited them on Australia’s west coast.
While Luke developed his online marketing business, Byron worked in Australia’s mining sector. Perth became a second home for both friends, thousands of kilometres away from the Luangwa Valley where it had all started.
In the end Africa has a strange way of calling people home and now thirty plus years after their parents first started Wildlife Camp, they are now taking the story forward together. Fresh energy and youthful vision, backed by years of experience from their parents, now shape the camp's future.
We are excited to get started and share the place we call home with as many people as possible. This valley is in our blood, and there's nothing better than watching someone fall in love with it for the first time. We have some exciting new ideas in the works, but at the heart of it all we're continuing what has always made Wildlife Camp special, a place that welcomes you with open arms and lets you experience one of Zambia's wildest corners. Rustic, welcoming and wonderfully unpretentious, with what we reckon is still the best sunset spot in the Luangwa Valley.
We can't wait to share it with you.
Kind regards,
Byron, Luke & the Wildlife Camp Team
