Destinations > Zambia > Locations > Shiwa Ng'andu Estate

Shiwa Ng'andu Estate

In 1911, a young British Officer, Stewart Gore-Browne, was appointed to the Anglo-Belgian Boundary Commission to determine the border between Northern Rhodesia and the Belgian Congo. He developed a great fondness for the surrounding countryside and determined that when his work was finished he would return and settle in this part of Africa. He was back in 1914 and set off on foot from Ndola on the Copperbelt with 30 carriers looking for a piece of land to buy.



"We suddenly came upon what I thought was the most beautiful lake I had ever seen. I was surrounded by hilly country, and along its shores were groves of rare trees, of a kind sacred to Africans. Friendly folk inhabited the one big village on the lakeshore and there were a dozen herds of different wild game. The surrounding land seemed to be reasonably fertile judging by the crops that were ripening there. I knew at once that I had found what I was looking for."

Legend has it that the local tribe, having arrived from the Congo onto the north eastern plateau, came across a dead crocodile. They thought this an excellent omen and since the name for crocodile was Ng’andu, they called themselves Bena Ng’andu - ‘The people of the Royal Crocodile’ and settled around the Lake. The Lake became known as Ishiba Ng'andu - ‘The Lake of the Royal Crocodile.'

Gore-Browne purchased 10,000 acres of land near the lake for 2 shillings an acre and called it Shiwa Ng’andu. The First World War necessitated a return to England but six years later he returned as a retired Lieutenant Colonel and set about building the estate with an army building manual, single-minded determination and an indomitable energy. Using local materials, recruiting and training builders, carpenters and blacksmiths, he built cottages for his workers, a school, a chapel, a hospital, a post office, a workshop complex and later an airstrip. Eventually, in 1932, the elaborate manor house overlooking the lake was completed and the appropriate furnishings, paintings, cutlery and crockery were shipped from England and transported on dirt tracks by ox wagon. Gore-Browne’s wife Lorna took an active interest in the local culture and environment, encouraging research and carrying out anthropological studies.

They experimented with various crops, essential oils, cattle and timber on the farm and at the same time Gore-Browne was very active in politics contributing to the creation of an independent Zambia. He died at the age of 84 in 1967 and his eldest daughter and her husband Major Harvey took over management. They began Shiwa Safaris, which for many years was the only safari company taking visitors to the Estate and into the wild North Luangwa National Park. They also continued with the community development projects started by Gore-Browne. They were sadly murdered in their other home near Lusaka in 1992, but the estate still remains with the Harvey family. The farm as well as the safaris continue to operate.

Shiwa Estate is open to day visitors. Within the surrounding 12,000 hectares there are a great many things to see and a number of activities are available to visitors. Outdoors, there is plenty to keep one busy with game viewing, boating on the lake, fishing, superb bird watching, horse riding for the experienced, river walks, historical drives and walks, meeting the people on the estate, visiting the schools and hospital and on going projects.

Guided tours of Shiwa House can be arranged, although access is limited to the lower floors.

It is also possible to arrange to stay at Shiwa House as a resident houseguest. All rooms are simple with original hardwood furnishings and paintings. Fireplaces are lit every night and the atmosphere at Shiwa is unique. Guests have a complete run of the house and many spend a lot of time enjoying the library, amongst Sir Stewart’s book and record collections and in the archives.

Shiwa Ng’andu was immortalised in the book “The Africa House” by Christina Lamb; highly recommended reading in advance of a visit to this historic Estate.