Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia - Sausage Tree Safari Camp

Your Hosts

Jason Mott left Australia and his business degree in 1996 on a one year around-the-world trip.  While surfing the coast of South Africa, Jason was asked to help build a new safari camp in Zambia - Sausage Tree Camp.  During the course of building the camp, Jason fell in love with the beauty and game of the area.  He stayed and became a qualified guide and then manager, finally achieving his dream of making Sausage Tree his own in 2000.  Jason’s business partner is Paolo Solari Bozzi, an Italian lawyer and investment banker with a long-time passion for Africa.

The camp is managed and hosted by Alan and Nicci Bonella. Alan and Nicci joined Sausage Tree Camp in 2008 following 13 years of experience managing safari camps in Botswana and Namibia.  They share a passion for the bush, professionalism and enthusiasm for training that ensures Sausage Tree Camp maintains the highest of standards.


Alan and Nicci Bonella

Alan and Nicci are ably assisted by Gillian Mulenga.  Born in Zambia's Copperbelt, Gill worked in hospitality in Livingstone and Lusaka before joining Sausage Tree Camp.  Currently being trained in the assistant managers role, Gill is also an experienced masseuse specialising in Swedish massage, aromatherapy, reflexology and Indian head and foot massages.


Gillian Mulenga

The Guides

Sausage Tree Camp runs its own very succesful in-house guide training programme, through which the guides gain the experience and knowledge necessary for the Lower Zambezi's stringent guide examinations.

Alan Bonella leads the guiding team and is himself an expert fly fisherman.  Still enthusiastic to learn after 13 years in the bush, Alan recently came first in a 21 day field guiding training programme focused on the ecosystem of the Lower Zambezi.

Moses has returned to STC after a 2 year break studying economics. He rejoins the guiding team and has a keen passion for walking safaris where he can read the bush for signs of recent activities. He is well known for his lion sightings on canoe.

Charles Chanetsa comes from a village close to the Lower Zambezi National Park and has been working at Sausage Tree Camp since the earliest days. His anecdotal stories of the river, the valley, its’ people and the relationships between them are inspirational.  Charles was the first guide in the Lower Zambezi to spot the wild dogs this season.

Tryford Chiawa, Marshall Karafa, Friday Chilikeni and Mike Malako, Sausage Tree's team of boat men, are all from local villages on the banks of the Zambezi, giving them local knowledge of the river that few ever amass. Tryford leads the team of boatmen with composure that comes from his regal lineage - being brother to the local Chieftainess.

James Mweemba and Mike Malako are now the two new trainees. James has worked his way up from a muchinda and Mike used to be the camp chef.

Marshall Karafa was originally a barman and became a trainee guide. He is now qualified for all water activities and is about to obtain his drivers licence and will be qualified in all guiding aspects except walking. He is renowned for his good fishing instincts and his outgoing personality.

Chris Musonda is a fully qualified guide. He enjoys game walks and game drives and is known in camp as the “Leopard King” as he has the most sightings of leopard. He obtained the highest marks in his class in his guide’s exam and passed his canoeing, boating and driving licences in the first year. Known for his calm and quiet nature.

The Muchindas

During your stay at Sausage Tree Camp you will be looked after by your own personal butler or 'Muchinda'  which means 'Attendant to the Chief'. Your Muchinda will go out of his way to ensure your stay is truly special and will be happy to share his experience of life in Zambia and the bush with you.