Luxury safari operator Ker & Downey Zambia, a newly opened subsidiary of Ker & Downey Botswana, has taken over marketing and management of the premier King Lewanika Lodge in Zambia’s remote Liuwa Plain National Park.
The operator takes over the reins of the lodge, which features six expansive luxury villas, from Time + Tide. The lodge is due to open in March 2025 after a refurbishment.
“We are honoured to take on the stewardship of King Lewanika Lodge and to continue the legacy of this extraordinary destination,” said Glenn Evans, the Group’s Business Development Manager.
Situated in western Zambia, the 336 900ha Liuwa Plain National Park is managed by African Parks, in partnership with Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife, and the Barotse Royal Establishment. Featuring grasslands, seasonal wetlands and woodland habitat, the park is home to Africa’s second-largest wildebeest population, herds of plains game and predators such as wild dog, hyaena, cheetah and lion. Liuwa is classified by Birdlife International as an important bird area. It is a significant breeding ground for grey crowned and wattled cranes.
“Our aim is to enhance the appeal of this seldom-visited wilderness gem to travellers and, in doing so, contribute to the conservation of the area and its wildlife for the immediate and future benefit of local communities and the people of Zambia,” said Evans.
Liuwa Plain National Park Manager Deon Joubert described the partnership as a testament to shared values of conservation, sustainability and promotion of Zambia’s natural heritage areas.
“We are thrilled to partner with like-minded operators such as Ker & Downey Zambia and believe that their reach will further support tourism efforts in Liuwa Plain National Park – an icon of conservation history. It is partnerships such as these that contribute to local conservation economies through employment and revenue generated by tourism while simultaneously nurturing an appreciation of the importance of this landscape.”
The park boasts one of the oldest conversation histories in Africa, dating back to the late 19th century when the King of Barotseland appointed his people as custodians of the reserve.
