How quickly the festive season passed by and here we are already nearing the end of January.

 

Thank you so much for your support in 2007. 2008 is already looking like a fantastic year for Tongabezi and we look forward to working with you.

 

Have a look at our new and improved WEBSITE. Lots of information there… Please also remember to use our on-line availability to help you and you can also contact us through skype as well with any quick questions.

 

Work continues this year with many training programmes for our staff as well as the ongoing refurbishment in the lodge. Most notably this year will be the opening of the NUT HOUSE. Our 11^th room at Tongabezi. We are also refurbishing the Garden Cottage and converting our old laundry into a day room for those guests connecting on the evening flight to Lusaka.

 

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

SPEND MORE TIME THINKING: over sundowners on the deck ….

CULTIVATE A GARDEN: or enjoy ours …. the entire Garden cottage is having a spectacular make-over

GO ON A DIET: but skip the boring talk about calories instead we will insist on serving ridiculously fresh food to indulge and inspire.

DO MORE EXERCISE: and do it at the top of the Gorge … in 2008 we will swim a minimum of 7 000 laps in the Devil’s pool and walk at least 10 000 people across Victoria Falls … all at a leisurely pace

 

And finally….

 

INCLUDE MORE NUTS: We want to invite everyone to come and be simply mad about our brand new Nuthouse – imagine a private plunge pool, dazzling cliff-top views of the Zambezi and enchanting glass bricks.

 

MARKETING

 

I (Honour) am leaving Tongabezi and Zambia at the end of January to set up my own marketing company in Europe called Honour Way. 

I am very pleased to announce that I will be taking on Tongabezi as my first client and I will look after their marketing in Europe.

If you have any questions at all or need any information you can contact the lodge direct on ben@tongabezi.com or you can continue to contact me for marketing issues on honour@honourway.com.

 

TONGABEZI IS PROUD TO SOON PRESENT...

“THE NUT HOUSE”

 

Dazzling cliff top views of the Zambezi sweeps in through the large picture windows of the Nut House - the latest addition to the innovative Tongabezi collection.

 

As is tradition at Tongabezi, convention is abandoned with glee and our new house has a character all its own, incorporating diverse elements of Africa as reflected by the multitude of seeds, pods and nuts we find on the banks of the Zambezi.

 

This house begs to be discovered. A haven from the elements, it is entirely enclosed and has a jet master fireplace. Light streams in from every wall, with subtly coloured glass tiles charmingly reflecting African patterns onto the wood and stone floors. Folding doors push back to extend the indulgence to a private garden and the elevated position also lends itself dramatically to a private infinity plunge pool.

 

For almost two decades we have carefully listened to every guest wish and now we have brought them to reality in the Nut House - Quite simply it is our dream house.

 

We will be sending out photos as soon as the house is completed which we hope will be in May 2008 in time for the high season.

 

SINDABEZI

By Peddy

 

Sindabezi had a fantastic 2007. This year we had rain almost every day for the entire December. Sindabezi dressed in vibrant green truly is a lush island paradise and of course Victoria Falls was spectacular. On Christmas day all the Tongabezi and Sindabezi guests had lunch together but for Christmas and New Year the Sindabezi guests were treated to a private show with Namalwa performance and singing by the staff.

 

Speaking of tradition during the festive season Horace (our resident island hippo) usually decides to have another go at finding that special girl … or seven. He has been entertaining guests in the evening with his magnificent singing declarations of love. … His new years resolution is generally to stay away from the ladies and any minute now he will be tired enough to remember that!  

 

 

 

ACTIVITIES
By Quentino

 

December marks the end of our fishing season. The biggest catch during the 2007 season was a 2.5 kg Tiger fish. Fishing will recommence in March following our annual three month break to allow our fish to breed and grow.

 

To prepare for 2008 our seven fishing guides have followed an extensive training course led by an expert fishing guide. New fishing techniques were learnt and everyone brushed up on the fish species found in the Zambezi, care of equipment and of course making every trip even more interesting and exciting for our guests.  

 

In season fishing excursions are run daily from Tongabezi, Sindabezi and Tangala House.

 

 

NEW ARRIVAL AT TONGABEZI

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Bella as Camp Manager at Tongabezi. We have stolen her away from Livingstone Island where she has looked after our guests for years and is now taking up this challenge at Tongabezi. She will be the lady looking after your guests during their stay with us along with all Tongabezi staff. Here she tells us about herself.

 

My full name is Isabella Lubona Lloyd. I was born in Livingstone on the 13^th of July 1980. I am the fourth born in a family of five, two boys and three girls.

 

I was educated in Livingstone. Primary at David Livingstone Primary and my secondary education at St Mary’s Secondary. After school I went straight into work, my first job was at New Fairmount Hotel. I had the responsibility of organizing activities for guests and helped in the set up of conferences and functions. Thereafter, I worked for what was then called Del-Air & Batoka Sky which is now called United Air Charter and Livingstone Adventures. I worked in reservations and guest relations.

 

Thereafter, I had the opportunity to go and live in England. I lived in Southampton and got a job with HSBC. I was trained by the bank in direct financial services. Whilst working for the bank i studied finance by correspondence and obtained a certificate in financial advising. I then worked for an independent mortgage broker called UK Homebuyers. I also made the most of my time in the UK to enrol at college and studied Psychology, sociology, mathematics and polished up my English.

 

I returned to Zambia in July 2004 and started looking for a job. So when I heard that Tongabezi was looking for a host at Livingstone Island I did not hesitate to apply. I was called in for the interview and what can I say, “The rest is history!”

 

I worked at Livingstone Island for three years and to be quite honest I don’t have an idea how the time passed by so fast. Well you know what they say, “time flies when you are having fun!” I just found myself so very comfortable with what I was doing. I enjoyed it very much. It was so nice to work in the tourism industry again. I felt, “this is where I belong!” I am a people’s person and therefore enjoy dealing directly with guests. Tourism is very “out there and in it.” That’s what I love about it. I decided to make myself a career in the tourism industry. I had the most amazing office at Livingstone Island and every person who visited the island thought I had the best job in the world, which I did and I really loved my job but I had to start looking on how to expand my horizons, do something different and more challenging. But I was very hesitant to move to another company because I really enjoy working for Tongabezi. So, when the vacancy of camp manager came up I literally jumped for it and here I am.

 

Oh!! And somewhere in-between all that time I got married and I have a beautiful baby boy! Mweene is his name. The biggest perks of this new job is I get to live with him here on site so he is never far away from me……..

 

Watch this space…….