STEVE & ANNA
TOLAN
Chipembele Wildlife Education Centre,
a remarkable place deep in the bush, is
proving to be such an asset to the local
community. The centre is run by Steve and
Anna Tolan. They shared their story with
Andrew Muswala
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TRAVEL & LEISURE ZAMBIA
When did you come to Africa?
It was in 1988 and we first came to Zambia in 1994. We
realised that Zambia was a country we loved and finally
settled here in 1998.
Did it live up to your expectations?
Well, more than. We were told a lot of negative things
about Zambia. It still has that African feel which we didn’t
expect.
How often did you visit Zambia after your first trip?
A few times. We migrated in 1998 when Steve retired. We
had fallen in love with wild Africa. We didn’t want to work
for a lodge, but wanted to run an organisation that teaches
the importance of wildlife.
Why did you choose Zambia?
We found it had that African feel, no fences, comfortable
with local people, politically stable, English-speaking; fell in
love with trees. Just felt the right place for us.