What would we do without the commitment and creativity of teachers? If we had forgotten just how crucial they are, this year has definitely reminded us of how much work they put into developing the minds of our future generations. Now that so many children are having to remain at home due to the pandemic, being schooled by parents or (when possible) by dedicated teachers via online platforms, our appreciation for the teaching profession has tripled.

Like so many other international days of commemoration, it seems that teachers should really be recognised every day. This year World Teachers’ Day celebrates these amazing people with the theme “Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future”. This is a time for all of us to take stock of how far education has come, to draw attention to the voices of our teachers, and to protect the right to education for children across the globe facing brand new challenges this year.

© Gerben van der Waals

When Tongabezi Trust School was opened in 1996, it was a small pre-school that welcomed just 15 children from Simonga, a village outside of Livingstone town. Now, almost 25 years on, over 280 students are enrolled in the school, with ages ranging from three to 17 years old. The building has also expanded, and now includes several classrooms, an art room, library, music room and amphitheatre, sports grounds, and a canteen. And not one Tujatane student pays school fees. Most of them walk to school each day, some from over 2 hours away, in order to receive an incredible education that they would not otherwise be able to afford.

The Trust also supports over 60 children who have enrolled in secondary schools across Zambia and many of the school’s alumni are at universities and colleges all over the world. Throughout the years, the students have gone on to become everything from accountants to engineers, lawyers to clinical officers, pilots to teachers.

© Tongabezi

The school’s other name, Tujatane, is the Chitonga word for ‘let us all hold hands together’. While we may no longer be able to physically hold hands, the name speaks to the spirit of love, care and growth that the school is built upon. Year after year we have watched the students of Tujatane flourish under the guidance of their enthusiastic and dedicate teachers. These are teachers that come to work each day because they are invested in making each child’s future shine that much brighter.

© Tongabezi

Our Teacher Sponsorship programme enables donors to support the dedicated staff of Tujatane, and directly impacts the lives of our teachers and therefore the children they work with. At the end of every term, sponsors receive updates and photos from their teacher so that everyone remains connected despite the physical distance.

Just as important is the Educate a Child programme, which helps with the general running costs of the school and gives sponsors across the world the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to empower the lives of some of Zambia’s most underprivileged children.

© Gerben van der Waals

We hope to see you in the near future and show you the incredible happenings at our school. In the meantime, take a look at the different ways you can support the teachers and children of Tujatane.

The post Talking Tujatane this World Teachers’ Day appeared first on People of Tongabezi.

While you may be feeling guilty for being upset about your honeymoon being cancelled, it is absolutely okay to cry about your special holiday no longer happening this year. We have all mourned the many lives lost and livelihoods ruined across the world and we will continue to do so. That doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the happiness in our lives, no matter how small or big. Perhaps now, more than ever before, we should be taking the time to mark these important moments.

Get lost in endless river views as you unwind together at the Look Out spot © Tongabezi

We know how disgruntled (possibly a euphemism for how you are really feeling?) you are about things not going as planned, but don’t give up! You don’t have to completely rule out ever going on your honeymoon, you may just have to wait a little while longer. It will be so worth it, particularly if yours is a luxury honeymoon in Africa, and even better if it is near Victoria Falls (absolutely no bias, we promise!).

Marvel at the incredible natural phenomenon of Victoria Falls during your luxury honeymoon in Africa © Tongabezi

Throughout the year, we have kept an eye out for reasons to be truly optimistic and even for the odd silver lining or two wherever they have presented themselves. And we think we have found one for the two of you. When you come to think about it, there are a handful of reasons why postponing your honeymoon, whether by choice or – as 2020 would have it – by force, is actually a darn good idea.

You will be ready for the whole honeymoon experience

(Not just the part where you sleep in every morning.) If you managed to get married before travel was shutdown, then congratulations! The day you say ‘I do’ is filled with magical moments that will stay with you both forever. Like all the planning beforehand however, the wedding day itself can also throw some unexpected challenges and added stress on you.

Enjoy the morning glow from the comfort of your Tree House suite © Tongabezi

While a honeymoon is a great way to unwind after all that pressure, it should also be more than just a time to recuperate after the big day. Once you have had enough time at home to recover from all the plans, parties and people, you will then be completely ready to make the most of your first holiday together as a married couple.

You have something incredibly exciting to look forward to

Are you still not convinced? Here is silver lining number two. If you have had to postpone or cancel your honeymoon this year, having these first few months together has probably given you the chance to settle into and enjoy married life. So, when you do go on your honeymoon, all the post-wedding admin will have been done and you can simply lock up and head off without worrying about all the things you didn’t manage to get to.

Dine in absolute privacy on our floating sampan deck in the Zambezi © Tongabezi

While we know being forced to postpone your honeymoon has not been ideal, it has given you both something exciting to look forward to, which after this year will be absolutely necessary. Now, when you come on your luxury honeymoon in Africa, it won’t just be a romantic retreat but also a time to gain a fresh perspective following the past several challenging months.

You will get to enjoy a much longer break

If you are still in the planning stages of your wedding and honeymoon for when things stabilise, this is for you. Honeymooning immediately after the wedding means you will use up a ton (if not all) of your annual vacation days over a short period of time. This is particularly true if you are taking off a few days before the wedding for pre-nuptial planning and parties or for travelling if you are having a destination wedding.

Say goodbye to the worries of 2020 while soaking in a bubble bath in a River Cottage © Tongabezi

It might make sense to break up the timing of these two big events. Then you will have enough leave days to properly enjoy the wedding as well as the honeymoon a little later on. You can make your honeymoon an extended holiday, without the nagging feeling that you are just a few days away from having to return to work.

At Tongabezi, we love celebrations, which is why hosting luxury honeymoons and weddings is absolutely our thing! Being just a few kilometres upstream from the iconic Victoria Falls and enjoying riverfront views of the Zambezi already boosts the romance factor. We then up the ante in your open-plan suite that incorporates a dreamy four-poster bed, bathtub and private outdoor deck,  all private and romantic. Swoon-worthy experiences include the candlelit dinner on our floating river sampan, a boat cruise along the Zambezi at sunset and a laid-back picnic lunch on a sandbar.

So, even though you are feeling cheated out of your special holiday right now, this too shall pass and we hope to see you for your luxury honeymoon in Africa when it does.

The post Disgruntled honeymooners of 2020, this is for you… appeared first on People of Tongabezi.

‘There is great excitement in the Mukuni community where we are currently busy erecting a fence to secure our farmland from the elephants!

We will take a small team with some experience and skills in farming to teach people from this community on how to start their own gardens and also provide the community with freshly grown vegetables! These will be sold at a reduced rate and all funds will go back into the development of the farming project.

Since Livingstone town and community areas rely heavily on tourism, unemployment is on the rise. We will be engaging people in this project, teaching them a skill, providing affordable food, and also keeping them busy and ensuring people don’t slip into petty crime or get depressed.

The long term plan would be to supply lodges and hotels in the area with produce once tourism flourishes again. We look forward to working with the community and developing this project into something long term.’

The Reforestation Project, by Thembi Mibenge 

‘I am so excited to be a part of such a great project where the community will be educated on the importance of trees to the environment and how bad burning charcoal is. We will also introduce them to grass stoves which are much more eco-friendly and teach them how to plant and take care of trees in areas where deforestation is taking place.

We will also be planting fruit-bearing trees that will provide nutritional fruit for the community – especially in these remote areas where the community tends to have a lot of immune deficiencies and have limited food supplies. Working hand in hand with the community towards a greener environment!

Once we receive guests at the lodge we will engage them in this very project and provide exposure to this community which could lead to further benefits.’

The ‘Chicken in the Bush’ Farm, by Agness Kamwi 

‘The community around the lodge is home to underprivileged families in the society.  During this period of the COVID 19 pandemic, most of the breadwinners in the families have lost their jobs as they were mainly employed in the hospitality industry.  This has increased poverty levels in the community.

Through the chicken project, some members of this community will be involved in the project and get an allowance which they will use to sustain their families as well as acquire a new skill that they can at some stage use to empower themselves. Staff members involved in the project will acquire new knowledge that they can use even after retirement.

The production of eggs which will be available to the community at an affordable price will provide for the much needed nutritional value especially to children and the sick and elderly.

The chicken waste will be donated back to the community to use in backyard gardens hence even adding more value to the nutritional benefits for the community as they produce organic healthy vegetables.

The project has already gotten us excited and many people are now dreaming of one day owning a farm.’

The Tongabezi Team needs your support in order to protect and empower our Tongabezi communities. 

If you would like to donate to these incredible causes, there are two possible ways!

1.) Donate securely and directly via Paypal:

2.) Or, please do so to our registered charity bank account below:

NL30RABO 0322 3912 37 (BIC RABONL2U).

Green Safaris Conservation Foundation
Box 301
1400 AH Bussum
The Netherlands

Simply reference Mukuni 1, Chicken 2 or Trees 3 depending on which project you would like to support, and we’ll be sure that your sponsorship goes to the correct initiative.

All funds are 100% committed to supporting our staff and running these initiatives! 

If you have any further questions, have a brilliant fundraising idea of your own, or would simply like more regular updates about the projects then do get in touch with natasha@tongabezi.com

Until we can shake hands again and check in with each other, we hope that you are safe, well, and happy, and that your daily decisions are driven by kindness.

With Love,

Team Tongabezi

The post Why The Tongabezi Handshake Projects Matter, According to their Team Leaders appeared first on People of Tongabezi.

Zuwi is famous at Tongabezi for creating mouth-watering dishes and tantalizing desserts. But the food on your plate is only the final step of Zuwi’s garden to table creation process…

As a chef, Zuwi is also very concerned with using the finest selection of ingredients. He has invested a lot of time in our impressive organic vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens at Tongabezi.

Zuwi is now going to take it a little step further by investing his time and skills, together with a team from Livingstone Island and Tongabezi, to teach the local community of Mukuni how to start-up their own gardens. The goal is to supply the village with fresh produce and in the long term sell to neighbouring lodges and hotels. We foresee a beautiful way to feed the community and enable a long term income for the people of this area.

After all, life begins the day you start a garden.

A ‘Chicken in the Bush’ Farm
by Agness Kamwi – The Mother Hen (and Tongabezi Human Resources Officer).

Agness is no stranger to farm life and villages. Some of her fondest memories involve spending time on her sister’s farm when growing up. Being the Human Resources Officer at Tongabezi, she is also passionate about the wellbeing of our staff and their families and has therefore decided to lead a small team from Tongabezi into starting up a chicken coop on the property and also imparting these skills onto the staff.

We will be producing eggs for the lodge as well as for the nearby community which is quite isolated and far from gaining these supplies.

Let’s not forget that eggs are deemed one of the most nutritional food sources – so let’s get cracking!

The Reforestation Stations
by Thembi Mibenge — The Tree Hugger (and Tongabezi Restaurant Manager).

Growing up with soil underneath her fingernails was not an uncommon occurrence for Thembi, after all, she grew up with Legendary Uncle Ben. Uncle Ben gained fame in Livingstone for planting trees throughout the town, and for then watering and looking after each of them right up to this day!

Thembi has a deep passion for plants and was therefore extremely excited to head the team in a reforestation program in the nearby villages where trees have been chopped down and areas decimated for charcoal production.

A Naturalist guide and a small team of Tongabezi staff have identified 3 areas to focus on, and a selection of indigenous trees as well as fruit-bearing trees will be planted. People from the village will be educated on the environment and the effect that cutting down trees has on Mother Nature.

We will also be introducing more environmentally friendly grass stoves to be used in these communities to reduce the need for charcoal. We are wholeheartedly supporting Thembi being our tree ambassador and keeping Uncle Ben’s legacy alive!

The Tongabezi Team needs your support in order to protect and empower our Tongabezi communities. 

If you would like to donate to these incredible causes, there are two possible ways!

1.) Donate securely and directly via Paypal:

2.) Or, please do so to our registered charity bank account below:

NL30RABO 0322 3912 37 (BIC RABONL2U).

Green Safaris Conservation Foundation
Box 301
1400 AH Bussum
The Netherlands

Simply reference Mukuni 1, Chicken 2 or Trees 3 depending on which project you would like to support, and we’ll be sure that your sponsorship goes to the correct initiative.

All funds are 100% committed to supporting our staff and running these initiatives! 

If you have any further questions, have a brilliant fundraising idea of your own, or would simply like more regular updates about the projects then do get in touch with natasha@tongabezi.com

Until we can shake hands again and check in with each other, we hope that you are safe, well, and happy, and that your daily decisions are driven by kindness.

With Love,

Team Tongabezi

The post Meet The ‘Tongabezi Handshake’ Team Leaders appeared first on People of Tongabezi.

We have been thinking about a Zambian handshake…

Shake once, flip under each other’s thumbs into an inverted shake, then flip back. Then if you really know your stuff, click your thumbs against each other’s on your way out, and finally hold your hand to your heart to show respect.

This handshake is not specific to Zambia but it reflects one truly lovely thing about human interactions in Africa: we don’t rush when checking in with each other, and even a handshake is a sort of hug.

Now, of course, we don’t know when we will be able to shake hands like this again.

However, this is evidence of another incredible thing about Africa: we are always willing to listen, change, and adapt in order to look after the things that really matter. Tongabezi has been almost entirely closed for the last five months and, of course, we are far from the only ones who have been affected. Tourism is the main employment opportunity in and outside of Livingstone, and with no warning at all it has vanished. With the incredible support of Green Safaris and despite few to no guests we have kept our staff employed on half time so far, but not everyone has been able to do so and the impact on our communities has been immense.

However, it is not in the Tongabezi nature to be discouraged!

In fact, our Team members — most of whom live in the Simoonga or Mukuni village areas — have spent the last couple of months doing everything that they can to protect and empower our neighbours during this incredibly difficult time. We’ve been involved in donating sanitizer, food, masks, and other necessities, we’ve implemented Tippy-Taps as well as handing out posters about the Covid-19 virus and how to protect yourself, we’ve held training sessions about the importance of hygiene and isolation for the elderly.

But this is not enough! We can (and should) always do more.

We want to extend a virtual helping hand into our communities in a very real way, and we need your help to do so. Our open-hearted and wonderful team, the same people who have made your stays with us so special for the last 30 years, have little to do with their half days at the moment. They want to be busy, they want to help their families and the local villages, and we want to be able to keep supporting them!

The Tongabezi staff have come up with an incredible plan, with the sort of ‘outside of the box thinking’ that leads to so many little surprises when you stay with us. The Tongabezi Team needs to work, and our communities need food, empowerment, conservation, and support. So our Tongabezi Team are going to do the work that needs doing in their neighborhoods…

Welcome to: The Tongabezi Handshake Projects

Meet the Team Leaders who will be spending their time on vital projects to uplift our vulnerable communities.

A Mukuni Community Farm,

by Zuwi Nawa – The Plant Whisperer (and Tongabezi Head Chef)

Zuwi is famous at Tongabezi for creating mouth-watering dishes and tantalizing desserts. But the food on your plate is only the final step of Zuwi’s garden to table creation process… he is now going to take it a little step further by investing his time and skills, together with a team from Livingstone Island and Tongabezi, to teach the local community of Mukuni how to start-up their own gardens…

A ‘Chicken in the Bush’ Farm

by Agness Kamwi – The Mother Hen (and Tongabezi Human Resources Officer)

Agness is no stranger to farm life and villages. Some of her fondest memories involve spending time on her sister’s farm when growing up. She has therefore decided to lead a small team from Tongabezi into starting up a chicken coop on the property and also imparting these skills onto the staff…

The Reforestation Stations

by Thembi Mibenge — The Tree Hugger (and Tongabezi Restaurant Manager)

Growing up with soil underneath her fingernails was not an uncommon occurrence for Thembi, after all she grew up with her Legendary Uncle Ben. Uncle Ben gained fame in Livingstone for planting trees throughout the town, and Thembi is excited to follow in his footsteps by leading a reforestation program…

And The Teams Need You 

These three projects have been carefully chosen to uplift our environment and communities in the most vital areas during this time.

The Green Safaris Conservation Foundation has set up a Fundraising initiative to drive these projects forwards for the next few months and hopefully well into next year.

Many families in our area are already starting to go hungry, and subsistence farming is a powerful tool when it comes to fighting malnutrition. We also need to ensure that our wild spaces — which always become especially vulnerable during periods of hardship for nearby villages — are protected.

The Tongabezi Team needs your support in order to protect and empower the Tongabezi communities.

If you would like to donate to these incredible causes, there are two possible ways!

1.) Donate securely and directly via Paypal:

2.) Or, please do so to our registered charity bank account below:

Simply reference Mukuni 1, Chicken 2 or Trees 3 depending on which project you would like to support, and we’ll be sure that your sponsorship goes to the correct initiative.

All funds are 100% committed to supporting our staff and running these initiatives! 

If you have any further questions, have a brilliant fundraising idea of your own, or would simply like more regular updates about the projects then do get in touch with natasha@tongabezi.com

Until we can shake hands again and check in with each other, we hope that you are safe, well, and happy, and that your daily decisions are driven by kindness.

With Love,

Team Tongabezi 

The post The ‘Tongabezi Handshake’ Community Projects appeared first on People of Tongabezi.

The post Tongabezi is 30 years old! appeared first on People of Tongabezi.

Miki Ash carries a sweet smile wherever she goes, radiating serenity and strength, which she cultivates through her yoga, meditation, and healthy lifestyle. She most recently nourished her mind and soul in a slightly different way – by going on a bold adventure. Selling up all her belongings and buying a one-way plane ticket out of Los Angeles, Miki set off to travel the world, eventually making her way to Livingstone, Zambia before ending her journey in Cape Town, South Africa.

Visiting Zambia in March meant she was travelling within the context of the virus outbreak that had been spreading across the world and had just reached some African countries at that point. All that she and her partner wanted to do “was get away from the busyness of the cities and the impending doom of crowds and immerse ourselves into nature”, which they found in abundance at Tongabezi.

Finding wellness in the wilderness

“We arrived at sunset to a glass lake, reflecting the pink and orange clouds in a perfect mirror image. The sight was so breathtaking, I was nearly moved to tears.”

© Miki Ash

One of the best ways to truly reconnect with yourself is to take a digital detox, disconnect from the outside world, and tune into nature’s tranquility. The real beauty of Tongabezi is its setting. The experiences and activities are just added bonuses to the beauty of the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls, and the wilderness beyond. Enjoying the sampan dinner floating on the river under a star-studded sky, the boho-chic style picnic lunch or sundowners on a river sandbar, and the massage treatment overlooking the river are all made special due to nature’s effortless splendour.

Building strength holistically

“There’s a fully equipped gym, with a gorgeous view looking out onto a grassy field filled with a variety of African flora and fauna, as well as a pool, which I had all to myself! There’s a yoga pavilion that’s tucked into the treetops, and a huge variety of activities to participate in.”

© Miki Ash

Life is all about finding that happy balance. Staying both rested and active is a part of achieving that and a wellness retreat is a great way to continue (or start!) healthy routines. It might mean working up a sweat at the gym and then dozing on a lounger in the warm sun by the pool; reading a book and taking in the view of the river at The Hangout and then getting onto your mat for a challenging yoga flow surrounded by birdsong.

Gaining a refreshed perspective

“Being in the open air, surrounded by nature was the most nourishing experience I could have asked for. During the drive, you can’t help but be extremely present, and all the anxiety I’ve been carrying with me about travel and sickness completely melted away.”

© Miki Ash

Coming face to face with a magnificent elephant can be a grounding experience; one that reboots your perspective about life and where you fit in it. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park can be explored on a traditional game drive or boating along the Zambezi. And it’s not only elephants that you can expect to see; there are also healthy populations of impala, zebra, buffalo, giraffe and sable antelope, among various other wildlife.

Falling asleep to nature’s lullaby

“Sleeping was a dream, being lulled to bed with the soothing sounds of nature. The water, lapping at the deck. The birds and the insects singing their night songs. Just far away enough from everything and everyone to feel completely at peace.”

© Miki Ash

After a day spent encountering wildlife on a game drive through Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park or taking a dip in Devil’s Pool above the cascading Victoria Falls, a comfortable bed and sweet lullaby awaits back at your suite. The Zambezi River lapping lazily below and the nocturnal sounds of nature make for the dreamiest song that will calm even the most restless sleepers into a deep, relaxing sleep. Switching off those devices and giving your body a chance to really rest is integral to the wellness retreat concept.

So, when safe travel is possible again, take the time to switch off, slow down and surrender yourself to a luxury wellness retreat at Tongabezi that is good for the mind, body, and soul.

Find out more about Miki Ash and her love for all things mindfulness and health-related here.

The post A Luxury Wellness Retreat on the Zambezi River appeared first on People of Tongabezi.

Most governments around the world are emphasising the importance of a few small steps when it comes to fighting COVID-19:

isolation

social distancing

protecting the elderly and the immunocompromised

washing your hands as often as possible

But these are difficult goals in Zambia, where families often live on top of each other in very small mud huts or houses, where community is a vital part of every person’s identity, where the elders are cared for by their children and grandchildren, and where many hygiene products are a luxury rather than a necessity.

Green Safaris and Tongabezi are taking steps to protect our staff and communities with a proactive education initiative and a delivery system for basic necessities.

The Green Team started by identifying the oldest and most vulnerable in the local villages. The goal was to ensure that they have an understanding of the situation and the support that they need.

We embarked on a COVID-19 education programme, distributing flyers and posters in multiple local languages throughout the nearby villages.

The Green team also went out in person to explain (from a safe distance) social distancing, isolation, and simple affordable ways to maintain hygiene standards.

Of course, this has all been done with the support of the Ministry of Health to ensure that the information shared is up to government standards.

The Green Team, led by our wonderful Killian Syalyabonga, also initiated a delivery system to ensure that people in our immediate surroundings have access to basic hygiene and food products without needing to go into town and put themselves or their family at risk.

We donated water buckets, hand wash and laundry soap, mealie meal (a staple Zambian food), cooking oil, and other assorted groceries to 72 disabled and elderly people in Mukubesa, Simachila, and Sitali villages in the Simoonga community.

We also installed washing stations throughout the Simoonga area, to ensure that everybody has access to vital sanitisation.

Finally, the Green Team designed a ‘Tippy Tap’, a simple system where a water bottle, string, and some sticks create sanitizing taps that don’t need to be touched by hand at all. The beauty of the Tippy Tap is that anybody can make one, so they have now spread through the local villages!

Livingstone Tourism Association (LTA) chairperson Rodney Sikumba and the Community leader were extremely thankful and said that Tongabezi GS is the first tourism player in Livingstone to donate towards the fight against COVID-19.

Tongabezi and Green Safaris were born from a desire to empower African communities and protect their wild spaces, and we will continue to do so despite the challenges that our tourism sector is facing at this time.

The most important thing that we can do is to continue to provide employment in a part of the world with few other job opportunities. So we have come up with a wonderful plan to support our Teams, our Communities, Our Wild Spaces, and our Future.

If you would like to support our #CovidKindness initiatives, please do get in touch with any member of the Tongabezi or Green Safaris Team. 

The post Covid Kindness: Supporting our Village Elders appeared first on People of Tongabezi.

Colourful Ankara is proudly African

Ankara fashion is appreciated across the world and is synonymous particularly with West and East African countries, although it has made its way down to and is a firm favourite in Southern Africa too. While the Dutch might have started the mass production of Ankara wax print fabric, it was the Indonesian wax-resistant dyeing technique called batik that made it possible, and Ghana’s stamp of approval that made it Africa’s.

Miriam and Mary in their long-sleeve Ankara tops

Over the decades, Ankara fabric has become more Africa-inspired and -owned, with nuances in the patterns, motifs and names reflecting different countries and regions. Miriam Chirwa and Mary Phiri, two local Zambian designers based in Livingstone, have their hands full kitting out the closets of Zambians with beautiful Chitenge or Kitenge pieces, which is what Ankara fashion is called here. The versatility of the fabric combined with the local ladies’ creative flair results in handmade statement outfits and single pieces for any age, size and gender, no matter the occasion.

The team at Tongabezi met Miriam and Mary at a Tongabezi Trust School Careers Day. The team were so impressed when they saw the Ankara creations, that they began commissioning the pair to design and sew Chitenge outfits for them.

An Ankara collaboration at Tongabezi

Gaby at The Hangout overlooking the Zambezi River © Wanderglider

After an intimate wedding on Namibia’s west coast, Gaby Endo — Brazilian-born model, DJ and the travel blogger behind WanderGlider – chose a luxury Victoria Falls honeymoon at Tongabezi. She fell in love not only with the natural beauty of Zambia but also with its vibrant culture, so vividly expressed through Ankara fashion. After meeting Miriam and seeing her incredible designs using African wax print fabric, the two collaborated on some incredible pieces, including the yellow peacock dress Gaby is wearing below.

Gaby on the deck of The Honeymoon House © Wanderglider

Along with the many memories made while swimming in Devil’s Pool, encountering rhinos on a game drive in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and of course that romantic sampan dining experience in the middle of the Zambezi, Gaby flew back home to New York with her own special bundle of locally-made Ankara fashion pieces.

Take a look at other Ankara creations by Miriam and Mary on their Facebook account: Psalm 37:5 Tailoring & Designing.

The post An Ankara Fashion Collaboration at Tongabezi appeared first on People of Tongabezi.

1. Why is this happening?
2. Will anything be changing operationally at Tongabezi?
3. Will the ethos and quirkiness of Tongabezi (i.e. Ben’s vision) continue?
4. Will reservations still be done through Gary and Mildred?
5. Will we be able to book other Green Safaris properties through Tongabezi?
6. Are there any new discounted packages?
7. Who will make decisions regarding agent rates/ specials/ FAM stays and educational stays? Who will agents need to contact for Tongabezi updates?
8. What happens to the Tongabezi Trust School and the Tongabezi Educare Programme?

Why is this happening? *

*The most important question of all.

Tongabezi and Green Safaris are continually evolving in order to move forwards as the best possible versions of ourselves.

This marriage is happening in order to bring exciting and positive changes that will benefit not only Tongabezi and Green Safaris, but also our wonderful friends, guests and customers from around the world, and most importantly the wider communities we live within and the wild spaces we call home.

So, in short, because it’s a wonderful plan for everyone!

Longer Answer:

Ben and Vincent realised that Tongabezi and Green Safaris have equally quirky personalities and a similar vision for the future, and – and surely this is the best reason for a partnership — we also have things to teach each other.

Whilst the other Green Safaris properties such as Kaya Mawa and Chisa Busanga Camp are entirely unlike Tongabezi in many ways – Kaya Mawa is a leggy beach property with miles of sandy shores and Chisa Busanga Camp is literally made up of human-sized luxury bird nests – they and the other Green Safaris properties share Tongabezi’s playful, friendly presence.

We also both believe that tourism is an incredible opportunity to make positive, sustainable change in the world. We want to commit to running our businesses for the benefit of not just customers and shareholders but for our local communities and for the world that we live in and are responsible for. We feel that this partnership is a wonderful opportunity to create positive, sustainable change for everyone.

Because this is good for Tongabezi:

Tongabezi is about to celebrate its 30^th birthday (we know, we don’t look a day over 21!) and this partnership allows us to move confidently into the next stage of our life just as a wedding might.

We will be joining a family that we already know we’re going to get along with, and who we can learn from and teach in our turn. It is also a great comfort to know that this partnership was originally initiated by our founder Benjamin Parker, and that he would have been incredibly excited by the community, conservation, and sustainability initiatives that Green Safaris is already supporting and enabling at Tongabezi and around other parts of Southern Africa.

Ben always wanted Tongabezi to move towards being a truly eco-lodge, but although we’ve made radical changes in the name of sustainability, we know that we could be doing more. What we needed was a fresh energy and a better understanding of the ways to go about changing not only the face of Tongabezi but the operations, all the way from the back of house to our river cruises, to ensure that we are being as eco-friendly as possible.

Green Safaris has the passion and the know-how to take us to that next vital stage without changing anything that makes Tongabezi so truly special.

Because this is good for our friends and customers:

As a destination, Zambia is vastly underutilized by thousands of travellers from around the world. Even guests looking for exactly what Zambia offers (which is a lot!) often spend little or no time here when they come to our part of the world.

Joining forces allows us to open up itinerary options for our guests, making new transport links and ensuring that current ones become more affordable. As part of the Green Safaris group we will be able to de-complex and remove costs from many parts of the booking process.

We will also continue to develop new activities and exciting experiences for our guests, all under the ultra-eco, travel-with-a-purpose umbrella, such as Green Safaris pioneered with their Silent Safaris.

Because this is good for our community and wild spaces:

For over 30 years at Tongabezi, Benjamin and Vanessa Parker have nurtured and empowered local communities in Simonga and the larger Kazangula area. This has been done through the Tongabezi Trust School – Tujatane – and also through the Tongabezi Educare Programme and through training and zero interest loan initiatives which have enabled Tongabezi staff and local Zambians to improve their own lives.

This work is a vital part of the Tongabezi story. Each individual Tongabezi Trust School student who becomes a teacher or a lawyer or a pilot or a nurse is the Tongabezi legacy, possibly even more so than the 5 star reviews that our guests leave behind after their stay.

Green Safaris is passionate about enabling Tongabezi to not only continue this legacy, but to take our training, eco, and conservation efforts to new heights. Green Safaris have an established training and development focus which is built upon the Lobster Ink platform, and which provides training opportunities both inside and outside the Green Safaris employees.

Will anything change operationally at Tongabezi?

Not really! Rudy will still run Tongabezi, Vanessa and Natasha will still be actively involved and living on site, Gary will still be doing reservations, and our Sales reps are still all in post and available if you have any questions or would like to set up a call.

Safeguarding the Tongabezi Team was one of the main reasons that this partnership was created!

Longer answer:

Operationally Rudy will continue steering the ship, and he will do so with Daniel alongside to provide financial leadership and operational support, much in the way that Ben used to.

Vanessa continues on as a Director of Tongabezi. She will sit on the Executive Committee and provide much needed guidance to ensure that Tongabezi continues on the path that Ben and Will envisioned for this magical spot they discovered on the banks of the Zambezi. Fortunately for Vanessa, she will become less vital to the financial and investment planning side of things, giving her the time she craves to steer the Tongabezi Trust School which has always been her passion.

Natasha will continue to run the marketing and coordinate the smiling face of Tongabezi to the wider world. The family home remains at Tangala, so the Parkers will be living on site in the same way that they always have (which is sporadically, since Tangala will still be available for guests to stay in as they always have. The Parkers prefer living on Sindabezi when there is room anyway, and shall continue to do so).

The Tongabezi Team (the beating heart and gentle soul of Tongabezi) will ebb and flow as their own lives direct, as usual. There are no plans to adjust the structure at Tongabezi or their roles, except to make new training programmes available to all. The Tongabezi Team is very happy together and very excited to become a part of a larger hospitality family, knowing that they are more valued and cared for now than even before.

We are so happy to confirm that our Sales Reps will also remain in their posts as the more regular smiling faces of Tongabezi. Please do send them any questions you might have or drop them a call!

The only real/ new focuses will be completing the Green House as a priority, and identifying a programme to bring Tongabezi up to a carbon neutral position as well as kick starting the Lobster training programme for the staff and the communities around us.

Will the ethos and quirkiness of Tongabezi (i.e. Ben’s vision) continue?

Absolutely! If you ever see anything that makes you think otherwise, then please tell us in the strongest possible terms. Vanessa and Natasha know that they aren’t quite Ben, but they and now Green Safaris want to carry on his legacy in his name as much as they possibly can.

Longer Answer:

We think that the Tongabezi and Green Safaris match makes such beautiful sense because of our existing shared ethos and the fact that our spirits are equally quirky and generous. We look forward to building on the unique attributes of each Green Safaris property whilst also letting some of the best bits cross-pollinate… so we’re just like any other family really!

Alongside this culture and character, one reason why this marriage makes so much sense to us is the desire that Ben always had to take Tongabezi, Sindabezi, and Livingstone Island forwards into a stronger ultra-eco-tourism direction. The Green Safaris’ commitment to solar power, sustainable building, Reducing, Reusing, Recycling, and most excitingly to coming up with countless trailblazing initiatives to change the face of tourism for the better is exactly what Ben and Will always wanted for Tongabezi.

Tongabezi as a character, an aesthetic, a haven, a motion towards a better future for Zambians, and a perfect experience for guests, will never change except to improve according to the new energy and knowledge that Green Safaris brings to the table.

Would reservations still be done through Gary at Tongabezi and Mildred for Livingstone Island?

Yes, in 2020 you will see very little in terms of changes in the day to day. We both plan to live together for a little while before making any changes to the house!

Can we also book other Green Safaris properties through Tongabezi?

Yes! Both Tongabezi and Green Safaris are using ResRequest, and by April 2020 we will have combined our two environments so that you can make multiple property bookings very easily through our reservations teams.

Longer Answer:

Until training can be done, any multiple property bookings will be handled by a single member of the Green Safaris team. But the goal is for you to be able to keep your preferred Reservations contact as your point person and that person will be able to organise bookings for you at any Green Safaris property.

In 2020 we don’t plan on making any large changes to the status quo, so email addresses and contact methods all remain the same.

In the future the plan is that all new bookings made, regardless of country or property, will come through one point in the future which will be our General Sales Agent in Mauritius.

By the end of this year we will have set up payment points in the UK and Holland in order to save you bank fees on international transfers.

Who will make decisions regarding agent rates/ specials/ FAM stays and educational stays? Who will agents need to contact for Tongabezi updates?

Please continue to contact your normal representative, they will remain your go to person, and you have an existing relationship with them!

Are there any discounted packages?

Fabulous question. Naturally there are! Our marriage is very exciting and we want to celebrate with you.

Longer Answer:

Green Safaris operate a Stay 7 Pay 6 Special, which Tongabezi will now be a part of. In addition to this, Green Safaris have initiated a 3-Night Rate at each of their properties, which can be bolted together into packages for even further savings on the day rates. Tongabezi and Sindabezi will be a part of this too.

Green Safaris also have in place heavily subsidised flight routes to bring guests from Livingstone into Kafue and up to the Busanga Plains.

Using the offers above, guests can now get a Livingstone/Kafue itinerary including flights from Tongabezi to Busanga and back to Lusaka (perhaps to go onwards to South Luangwa?) for less than $ per person per day all in!

All other existing Tongabezi Specials will remain available for 2020. In 2021 they are likely to remain the same but this will be confirmed with the 2021 rate sheets.

What happens to the Tongabezi Trust School and the Tongabezi Educare Programme and all of the other Tongabezi community empowerment initiatives?

This is an easy one. With the support, finances, and knowledge that Green Safaris have, they get bigger and better!

Longer Answer:

The Tongabezi Trust School mechanics, finances, and decision making are run completely separately from Tongabezi itself and have been since the school started. Tongabezi will continue to support, donate and empower, and Vanessa will have the time to get back into steering the school that she has nurtured on a volunteer basis for over 23 years now.

Livingstone Island will continue to contribute generously to the wider Kazangula District area through the Tongabezi Educare Programme, building necessary buildings for education and healthcare and donating money and, more importantly, support to and structure to causes vital to improving Zambia for her wildlife and people.

We will also roll in the wider reaching empowerment, sustainability and conservation initiatives that the Green Safaris Conservation Foundation does in so many other parts of Africa.

Finally…

It would be impossible to move forward with an exciting step such as this one without giving special mention to Tongabezi’s founder and father Benjamin Parker. This partnership was his next magic trick, the step he believed would take Tongabezi forward and truly safeguard Tongabezi’s people and legacy.

He had so much respect for the Green Safaris ethos and achievements, and he also wanted a partnership where the Tongabezi way of life might not only be appreciated but learned from and spread a little farther into the world.

For any further information please contact reservations@tongabezi.com

The post Tongabezi and Green Safaris, All You Need to Know appeared first on People of Tongabezi.