Welcome to the
January 2009 issue of Tonga Tales Tales

 


Rock the Riverdance in 2009!



“Think of the magic of that foot, comparatively small, upon which your whole weight rests. It's a miracle, and the dance...is a celebration of that miracle.”
Martha Washington


We have decided that the best way forward is to dance! New Years Eve was celebrated with the local Maramba Culture club. To see New Years Eve celebrated in a different culture was so exciting for our guests. There were a lot of energetic dances, each telling a little stories and the bright and colourful attire of the dancers and drummers had our guests riveted!

When heavy rains made out door activities next to impossible later during January our staff, from management to valets, waitresses and guides pleasantly surprised our guests by having a spontaneous dance competition. The battle started outdoors and moved inside when the rain intervened as expected. The enthusiasm and excitement was so infectious that some of our guests couldn’t help but join in.

While you do not HAVE to be at Tongabezi to experience the joy of movement …. we can highly recommend it!

For some extra inspiration remember to have a look at our SPECIALS section…



In our Kitchen


So many nice things were said about our food this month we couldn’t pick just one comment! We are therefore offering you a BUFFET!

The food was fabulous. A good variety and the lemonade and cookies at "afternoon tea" were amazing.
LimerickOonie on Tripadvisor

Thank you for the fantastic food
Candice Bradley

Food was excellent! Clever and creative menu choices, we all loved it.
Clough - Mills Tourism

All food was well prepared, beautiful presented and clearly made with good quality, fresh ingredients.
Galligan - Turqouise Holidays

Indian lunch was amazing! (Chicken tikka, okra and corn)
Wortosky - Africa in Style

So much excellent food, service and friendliness.
Green - Africa in Style

It is quiet now but the Tongabezi kitchen team is having a fun time preparing for the busy season just around the corner. We get to try new recipes and of course examine the results closely as well… in fact just ONE slice of pie is often not enough to make a full and final decision on the suitability of a recipe!

During our high season we typically offer a set menu for every day of the week. At the moment our guests have the benefit of our undivided attention and (whenever we can draw ourselves away from trying out our latest experiment) we are available to cater for your hearts desire. We have been serving a lot of local Zambian dishes on special request like our popular Nshima with Beef or Chicken and Okra/Rape with groundnut powder.

Hope to see you soon,

Chef Zuwi

January recipe for long lazy lunches…

Lentil Dip:

2 cups cooked lentils drained and cooled
2 cloves garlic
1 table spoon chopped mint leaves
100mls Olive oil
Salt and pepper

Blend together in the machine until smooth, season with salt and pepper serve cold with bread

Also try our Chicken Curry Which Apparently is Famous Throughout Cyberspace!



Our Comment Corner


Tongabezi gets top marks for...

Being Astonishing


“We did things we never expected we would do!”

Riegel x 2 - Adventura Tours


And Effortless

“We would choose Tongabezi any day; it has the most stunning river view. And the peace and quiet is a welcome change. We loved the fact that the activities centre goes to guests and chats with them about what they would like to do, instead of guests having to go to the front office what a very pleasant surprise”. Mrs. Ferguson was delighted to go home with all her clothes washed and pressed, she commended our laundry service.

Ferguson x 2 - Holmes Travel


And Tranquil


E mail from: Sharon Holmes – Director of Native Escapes Ltd
Subject: RE: Fernie x2

I spoke with these clients in some detail and they absolutely LOVED Tongabezi. They were actually upgraded to a house from a cottage – all I can say is, well done – these people were absolutely enthusiastic about Tongabezi. They were sorry they didn’t spend a bit longer there, there was so much to do and they had the highest of praise for the staff.

Likewise feedback from Dr English who visited in November – also thoroughly enjoyed their stay at Tongabezi and thought it an ideal place to end a Botswana safari for relaxation.


And just Not Enough!!!


Asked how we could improve their room at Tongabezi TRUFFLEPIG’s Lawson x 4 said: “With a longer stay!”



Featuring In House Motivation


Someone once said that while money isn’t everything it is a close second...

This might be true but there sure are better lessons to learn during tough times.
2009 is a great year to have a close look at in house motivation.

While a solid compensation plan is essential for any business it can be a costly exercise to believe that cash is the only thing that will make your employees happy. The rewards that really count do not depend on the health of your cash flow.

Recognise great service privately and publicly! While a bonus check is often confidential a round of applause or a new job title will build confidence.

Coach your staff personally. Teaching is a fantastic way to reinforce your own skills and look at your business from a fresh perspective. There are many ways to encourage and support education.
- Michelle Kuwani is currently completing a Tourism course through Tongabezi – building loyalty, giving structure to a career path and promoting in house.
- Gary Mungandi is busy picking out an IT course to ensure that our technical problems can be sorted out in house – and ultimately saving exorbitant call out fees.
- Arthur Sekute is financing his own studies but receiving support from Tongabezi by having a flexi time work schedule.

Give achievers more responsibility! This is very useful for both employers and staff; you will get to see who can handle what … without too much pressure.

And if all else fails… Throw a Dance Off!



New at Sindabezi!


Momo has been busy! The foundations are complete and the serious building is well under way. We are very excited about our fabulous new star gazing deck that is being built near the dining area. This deck will hold ten people comfortably (which is also the maximum number of guests allowed at one time on Sindabezi Island) Another even more exclusive private dining deck will allow only a maximum of four guests …The new Sindabezi is slowly sculpted into being (in spite of heavy rains and comical building material shortages!) and with each passing day the excitement is building.

 

News from Livingstone Island


We have now closed the swimming on Livingstone Island’s ‘Devil’s Arm-Chair pool’ as from the 22nd January, 2009 due to higher water levels.

Swimming on the island usually takes place between August and December depending on the rains and river level.

For now, the Island is still open for normal visits without swimming, and we hope to remain open until around the end of March - we are still waiting to find out how much the Zambezi is rising upstream.

We are so thankful for all your wonderful support!


Zambian Immigration dos and don’ts


Please advise all guests to make very sure of their immigration status well before their departure to Zambia. There have been a number of occasions recently where nationalities from a couple of countries were assured that they could purchase a visa from the embassy at home – only to find out that they could NOT on arrival!!!

While zambiaimmigration.gov.zm has most of the current information this is one situation where it really is better to be safe rather than sorry!

 

Tongabezi In Cyberspace


www.sawdays.co.uk


blog.nileguide.com

 


Special Offers!

 

Calling all agents….

 

Have you heard about the super special….

Zambia’s Classic Camps Special Safari” ???

  • 10+ nights – with savings from USD $1000 per person.
  • Any combo of Robin Pope Safaris South Luangwa, Chongwe River Camp, Tongabezi, (note CRC is closed mid Nov-March)
  • Minimum 2 guests
  • Minimum 3 nights per camp
  • Minimum 10 nights
  • Minimum 2 of the destinations must be included
  • Valid for travel period 01 Jan – 30 June 2009  
 

Tongabezi Lodge & Jaci's Lodges Madikwe 2009 Special

Costs are per

double room

per night **

Jaci's &

Tongabezi

Cottage

Jaci's &

Tongabezi

House

Jaci's &

Tongabezi

Nut House

Jaci's &

Sindabezi

Chalet

Jaci's &

Sindabezi

Honeymoon

Chalet

January US$ 879.50 US$ 979.50 US$ 1079.50 US$ 844.50 US$ 879.50
February US$ 809.50 US$ 909.50 US$ 1009.50 US$ 774.50 US$ 809.50
March US$ 879.50 US$ 979.50 US$ 1079.50 US$ 844.50 US$ 879.50
April US$ 879.50 US$ 979.50 US$ 1079.50 US$ 844.50 US$ 879.50

Transfer Oliver Tambo international – Jaci’s US$ 250 per person per transfer.

Transfer Livingstone International – Tongabezi/Sindabezi US$ 35 per person per transfer

International flights depart daily from Oliver Tambo to Livingstone International.

** Please note that the published Terms & Conditions of Jaci’s Safari Lodge and Tongabezi Lodge AND ALL AGREED COMMISSIONS apply.

Rates for Singles and Children are available on request.

 

Tongabezi Lodge & Sausage Tree Camp April & May 2009 Special

10 Night Safari

Sausage Tree

6 nights

2995

Tongabezi Cottage

4 nights

1350

Total*

4345

8 Night Safari

Sausage Tree

4 nights

2450

Tongabezi Cottage

4 nights

1350

Total*

3800

* Please note that the rates are in US$, are per person sharing and the published Terms & Conditions of Sausage Tree Camp and Tongabezi Lodge apply.

Return flights between Lusaka and Sausage tree ARE included
Flights between Lusaka and Livingstone are NOT included.
Rates for Singles and Children are available on request.


LUNAR RAINBOWS IN FEBRUARY


The next lunar rainbow viewing will be on the  9th February 2009. Join us at eight in the evening on the 8th, 9th and 10thth of February for a trip including wines, soft drinks, beers and spirits served at The Falls

 

For all the Lunar rainbow dates for 2009 & 2010 please have a look at our website



Hopefully these lines will offer better communication links with Tongabezi.
Please note these are in use with immediate effect.

Lodge +260 213 327450   •   Fax +260 213 327483

Direct Reservations number +260 979 312766   •   UK Number 0871 4081258


SKYPE username is “Tongabezi”.

HIGH RES IMAGES
High Res images can be downloaded from our website by going to
the following link - http://www.tongabezi.co.za/hires/