The stories behind naming of sites and rocks (inselbergs)

Mike and Lari, the owners of Mutinondo Wilderness, gathered local names given to some of the dambo wetlands and landmarks; others have been named by them.

  • Mutinondo is name of the wilderness, after it is one of the rivers that runs through the area, which runs closest to where the camp site and lodge were first established (whereas the Musamfushi runs by the now main lodge). The river itself is a local tribal name. 
  • Mayense inselberg and little Mayense are local names, after a man whose vehicle broke down at the foot of this (highest) inselberg; the engine is still in a gully at its foot. 
  • Kankonde means banana as there are wild (inedible) banana plants growing at its base.  
  • The Caterpillar is so named in reference its wavy, rolling spine. 
  • Mbeya is a local term for grandmother, and is so named in honour of Lari`s mother who climbed the rock accompanied by her husband and Quentin’s parents, when they were in their late 70`s. 
  • Quentin’s Rock is named after renowned artist Quentin Allen, as he accompanied Mike and Lari the first time that they climbed to its peak.
  • Big Chipundu Dambo is named for a tree that grows there in abundance. 
  • Vicky`s Rock was first climbed by Mike, Lari accompanied by daughter Vicky. 
  • Charlie`s Rock was first climbed by Mike, Lari accompanied by son Charlie. 
  • Kabasano Dambo: over a hundred years ago, the wives of a local chief used to gather at this site. Kabasano is the local collective word to describe the tribal chief’s wives.  
  • Kapinda`s Rock is named after a local hunter who died close by, when attempting to cross the Musamfushi River. 
  • Paradise Pool: Lari named this very beautiful part of the river in reference to the abundance of Paradise Flycatchers - a colourful migratory bird - that are sometimes seen there.  
  • Julian`s Rock is named after a friend of Mike & Lari's, with whom they first climbed this inselberg. 
  • Ndubaluba Waterfall: ndubaluba is the local name for the Ross`s Turaco, which frequent the area. The word is onomatopoeic for the birds' raucous call. 
  • Klipspringer Rock: Mike named this rock after the Klipspringers that are often seen on this inselberg. 
  • Choso Waterfall: choso is a local name for waterfowl, which inhabit the river there. 
  • Camper`s Rock is close to the Mayense camp site with spectacular views - and is one of the few spots within the wilderness area where you can get a good cell signal. 
  • Leopard Rock: leopards are occasionally seen on this rock; Mike first spotted on up here in the 90`s  
  • Kite Rock: Mike & Lari first climbed this inselberg with their nephews on a windy day, and flew kites with them.
  • Biobo dambo is named after a local hunter who previously hunted extensively at this dambo.  
  • Peter`s Dambo is named after the late Peter Kabanshi, who used to poach game at this site.  
  • Hyrax Hill is named for the rock-dwelling hyraxes - sometimes called dassies, these are small (30-70cm long, weighing up to about 5kg) thickset, short-tailed, furry herbivorous mammals distantly related to elephants, but more closely resembling large rodents. 
  • Kansansala Rock: the local name for sable antelope, often seen on this rock, is kansansala. 
  • Mafoni Dambo  / Mafoni Hills: mafoni is a local pidgin for headphones, in reference to a mines surveyor who, many years ago, spent time walking around the area wearing head-phones. 
  • Confluence Rock overlooks the confluence of the Musamfushi and Mutinondo rivers.