Hello, I’m pleased to make your acquaintance! My name is Kim Middleton (Hubbard) and we at Owl Safaris are passionate about making your safari travel dreams a reality. We look forward to being of service!
I’m proudly South African and having studied tourism, I entered into the wholesale travel industry in the early 90’s and worked for TFC Tours owned by Mr John Foggett and founded in 1955. (Pioneer of Travel Operators and Wholesale Tourism in South Africa)
Some of my first safari travel memories were shortly after I completed my studies. I was flown by small charter aircraft to Maun, Botswana where I had the incredible opportunity of visiting the Okavango Delta. After this trip, I became fascinated with Hippo’s which to this day are still one of my favorite mammals.
I’ve always loved travel and from a young age had the privilege of travelling and living abroad. They say once the travel ‘bug’ bites there’s no turning back!
No matter which country I visit, I am always drawn back to my roots, deeply planted in Africa.
In the late 90’s I entered the fly-fishing Industry and it was over that time that I was introduced to one of Africa’s most wonderful countries... Zambia. The great Zambezi River where the ferocious tiger-fish can be found. This is truly a bucket-list species for many adventurous anglers looking for an African fishing adrenalin rush.
Tour groups, were hosted by yours truly and the wonderful warm and friendly Zambian staff at some amazing bush camps and safari lodges on the upper Zambezi River.
Thrilling boat trips up the majestic Zambezi River at sunrise to reach the best fishing spots were enjoyed by the enthusiastic anglers and their guides. Some guests opted to stay in camp and enjoy scrumptious breakfasts on the wooden deck enjoying the plentiful bird life and overlooking hippo’s happily wallowing close by. Many activities were planned, including; guided walking safaris, nearby cultural village visits, game drives by safari vehicles or by boat including birding safaris up river. Sunset cruises were always a highlight, where the breath-taking African sunset could be enjoyed while sipping a safari drink on ice.
In 2022 I had the opportunity of working with an exclusive safari company in Zambia in the most special area called the South Luangwa Valley, often referred to as the leopard capital of the world. This region is found on the Eastern side of Zambia not too far from the Malawi border. To a large extent it’s still wild and untouched compared to many other popular African safari destinations, where much fewer safari vehicles can be seen at any of the wildlife sightings and the bush experience still feels extremely remote...There are species of animals only found in this region including the Masai Giraffe (previously Thornicroft’s), Cookson’s Wildebeest and Crawshay’sZebra’s.
Just 1 hour flight from Lusaka, Pro-flight touches down at the Mfuwe Airport, where you are greeted by a sincerely warm safari staff member and welcomed with a big Zambiansmile.
Driving through the rural area of Mfuwe, Zambian people young and old are going about their day and it feels like another world driving on the back of the open safari vehicle. Cicada beetles humming in the background, the warm Africanbreezeflowing through your hair and the smell of African bush fires used for cooking in the rural villages.
It’s not uncommon having to stop for a passing herd of elephants en-route to your bush camp once you leave the main road through Mfuwe. This area is also know for seeing packs of wild dogs and has one of the biggest hippo populations in the world.
So, let’s pause for now... amazing wildlife encounters and bush camp hospitality await you! We look forward to hearing from you! Let’s do this!
Current role