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| | | "Rhino SIghting In North Luangwa by John Coppinger"
29 August 2010 00:00 | | | read more... |
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 | Meet our Team | |
John Coppinger
John Coppinger was born and raised in Zambia, educated in Zimbabwe, and worked his way round the globe from the diamond mines of Namibia to the oilfields of the North Sea and Iran. He returned to Zambia in 1984 to pursue his lifelong dream to work with wildlife.
After 12 years of working in the Luangwa Valley he and his wife Carol, created Remote Africa Safaris in 1995. John's innate understanding of the bush, his dependability and impressive engineering skills have led to his reputation as a highly respected guide and operator in the Luangwa.
John converted his commercial pilot's licence to a microlight pilot's licence in 1994 and shares this experience with guests at Tafika. John and Carol's daughters were both raised in the Luangwa Valley and Tafika remains their home.
| | | | | Carol Coppinger
Carol Coppinger was born and raised in South Africa. She is a qualified Radiographer and subsequently attained a Computer Science degree.
First introduced to the bush in 1981 when she joined John on an extended safari through the region, Carol moved to the Luangwa with John in 1984. Their children were born and raised in the Valley where Carol home schooled them until 2001 when they entered boarding school.
Carol is responsible for the company accounts and manages the Mkasanga School Fund, which supports the local community, school and clinic.
She has recently qualified as a teacher for the Diana Cooper School of Angels and Ascension and offers workshops and retreats at Tafika.
| | | | | Bryan Jackson
Bryan Jackson, a New Zealander by birth, came to Africa for a visit in the seventies and never left. An audiologist by training, he set up his own practice in Durban until he joined the Coppingers in the Luangwa in 1989. He is highly regarded as a wildlife guide, known for his friendly, easy going nature.
His Photographic Tips and images used throughout the website (images with BJ on the label) are very much appreciated.
Bryan is based at Tafika as the Safari Manager, but travels worldwide during the off season months of December to May, turning his hand to tasks as varied as guiding on the glaciers in New Zealand, managing camps in Gabon or teaching art to Christine and Jenny Coppinger during their days of home schooling!
Click here to read Bryan's Photography Tips
| | | | | Stephen Banda
Stephen Banda, a local Zambian of the Ngoni tribe has worked in the safari business since 1984. A sense of humour, excellent wildlife knowledge and observations, combined with his insight into local customs and folklore, make him a valuable and popular member of the team. Stephen guides at both Tafika and on the Chikoko Walking Trails.
| | | | | Isaac Zulu
Isaac Zulu is one of the most experienced guides in the Luangwa Valley. He schooled in Zimbabwe and then moved to Lusaka in Zambia with his parents, where he trained as an Agriculturalist. Whilst working in Lochinvar as an Assistant Ecologist he met Norman Carr who persuaded him to join Norman’s safari operation in the Luangwa in 1974.
Isaac guided at Chibembe in South Luangwa for 15 years, then moved to the Zambezi Valley, worked and guided at Tongabezi for 6 years, spent time in the northern Kafue and finally returned to the Luangwa in 2001. He has a wealth of knowledge and is an extremely personable character.
| | | | | Rona Leppens
Rona joined Remote Africa in 2002 and is responsible for the excellent cuisine and purchasing throughout the camps. She has many years of experience running safari operations in Zambia as she set up Lunga River Lodge in the Kafue with her ex-husband in 1992.
Prior to life in Zambia, Rona taught Biology at Durban Girls High in South Africa. Her knowledge of the night sky is endless.
| | | | | Alex Phiri
Alex Phiri is a Remote Africa Safaris trained guide, who has worked through the ranks since 2003, learning bush skills as a tea bearer on the walking safaris until he successfully completed his Luangwa Valley guiding exam at the start of 2007. In 2010 he graduated as a walking guide.
Alex, born a member of the Bisa tribe in Mkasanga Village, has a buoyant personality. His father, Anderson Phiri, worked as an electrician and Mr. Fixit for John at Chibembe for many years, and it is with pleasure that we welcome the next generation as a promising safari guide.
| | | | | Mukupa Chisoni Zulu
Mukupa is an enthusiastic, newly qualified driving guide. He has spent the last 3 years studying and came out tops in the written exam. Previously he trained as an electrician, funded by the Tafika Fund, and now assists John with electrical maintenance around all the camps.
He is an active member of the village drama group producing educational plays for entertainment, highlighting issues of poaching, alcohol misuse and the importance of education for the development of the Village.
| | | | | Heather Mansfield
A Malawian by birth, Heather spent 24 years in Australia before returning to Africa to work at Tafika. Previously she was Western Australia’s State Manager for Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
She joined Remote Africa Safaris in 2007 as a reservations and marketing consultant. During the season Heather is also responsible for hosting, house keeping at Tafika and assists with logistics.
For any booking requests and queries please contact Heather on:
tafika@remoteafrica.com
| | | | | Linda Shenton
Linda Shenton joined the Remote Africa Safaris team in June 2008 as a reservations consultant.
Born and raised in Zambia, Linda lived in Lusaka until 2007 when she emmigrated to Sweden with her husband and family of four children. She is therefore based in Sweden and communicating with us through cyberspace on a daily basis.
Lindas parents had strong connections with the Luangwa and the Wildlife Department, so she was a frequent visitor to the Luangwa as a child. She herself worked at Kakuli and Mchenja camps in 1988 with her husband Rolf. They later owned and operated Bridge Camp on the Luangwa River, just two hours drive from Lusaka.
Linda also assisted the Zambian Tourist Board for a time. Her knowledge and love of Zambia is a great asset to her position in reservations.
Linda may be contacted by email : reservations@remoteafrica.com
| | | | | Gerard Fagan
Remote Africa welcomes Gerard Fagan back to the Luangwa Valley. Gerard has lived in Zambia all his life and has always been a keen naturalist. Gerard managed Nsefu Camp from 1991 to 1995, before moving across to Tena Tena for a year. He brings his impressive experience and talent for guiding in the Valley to Mwaleshi Camp in North Luangwa, where he will be the manager/guide for the rest of the 2010 season. We welcome him to the Remote Africa Safaris team, it is a great pleasure to be working together again.
| | | | | Remote Africa Staff
Remote Africa Safaris employs approximately 90 general staff from the local village of Mkasanga. We are the major employer in the area.
During the operational season Tafika has over 65 staff running the kitchens, the garden, the guest and staff rooms, the workshop, the stores, producing building materials such as bricks and cutting grass etc.
Each of the Walking camps have a chef, a waiter, a bedroom attendent, 2 general workers in addition to the scout and tea bearer accompanying each walking group.
Mwaleshi has 7 permanent camp workers and a resident manager/guide. The National Parks scout is provided by the park authorities.
In addition to the camp staff the Tafika Fund pays the salaries of 4 teachers and a school watchman to assist the smooth running of Mkasanga Basic School. The Tafika Fund assists the Mukusanga Village Health Post by paying the wages of a lady assistant for the medical officer.
Thanks to Frans Lanting for this image of all our staff gathered in the Tafika Sitenje. .....and many thanks to our staff!
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