Tongabezi Blog

Newest Staff Member

2012-11-13T12:49:00.003+02:00

We would like to welcome our newest staff member, The Fly Uganda Team to the Tongabezi team.

Bio:
25+ local Ugandan administrative and technical staff now employed across the three companies.

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Newest Staff Member

2012-11-13T12:49:00.001+02:00

We would like to welcome our newest staff member, Zara Rourke to the Tongabezi team.

Bio:
Born in Nairobi, Zara has been involved in the safari scene in East Africa since 1997 managing both lodges and safari companies. Her broad experience in Flying Safaris and customer service plays a vital role in our Operations Department.

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Newest Staff Member

2012-11-13T12:48:00.003+02:00

We would like to welcome our newest staff member, Howard Davenport to the Tongabezi team.

Bio:
Howard is a 19,000 hour CAA approved flight examiner and Company Check Airman. With 21 years of aerial law enforcement, 8 years as an FAA Inspector and a lifetime of display aerobatics he brings a wealth of experience to our operations.

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Newest Staff Member

2012-11-13T12:48:00.001+02:00

We would like to welcome our newest staff member, Milton Purvis to the Tongabezi team.

Bio:
Milton is an IA with 30+ years experience in aviation. From his early days as flight crew and engineer on US Marine Corps and Presidential helicopters this experience now includes general aviation, corporate, helicopter and medevac dedicated maintenance having run a number of facilities across the USA. He and his family have now made Uganda their home.

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Newest Staff Member

2012-11-13T12:47:00.001+02:00

We would like to welcome our newest staff member, Jeremy McKelvie to the Tongabezi team.

Bio:
Jeremy is an old Africa hand with 20+ years in the region and 11,000 thousand flying hours. As former MAF Program Manager and Training Captain he played a vital role in their pioneering days in Uganda. He is the joint founder member of The Aeroclub and also serves as a Company Check Airman.

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Newest Staff Member

2012-11-13T12:46:00.003+02:00

We would like to welcome our newest staff member, Russell Barnes to the Tongabezi team.

Bio:
Joint founder member of The Aeroclub, Russell is Director of Operations and a 7,500 hour fixed and rotary wing Instructor and Company Check Airman. Resident in Uganda for over 18 years his other special interest is the Flying Safari side of the business.

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Newest Staff Member

2012-11-13T12:46:00.001+02:00

We would like to welcome our newest staff member, Captain Gad Gasatura to the Tongabezi team.

Bio:
Gad is a former Member of Parliament, commercial pilot and certified aircraft engineer and also holds a Masters Degree in Air Transport Management from City University, London. His hands-on experience in the aviation industry including 6 years on the CAA Board of Directors brings a unique level of experience and insight to the company.

Meet the staff on tongabezi.com

the thing about a treehouse...

2012-07-26T00:39:00.002+02:00

The best defence against the neighbouring head-hunting tribe? Even in 2012 the Korowai, a Papuan tribe in the southeast of Irian Jaya find a Tree House is just the ticket.

A Tree House or fort is defined as a platform, elevated above tree level that is constructed around, next to or amongst the trunks or branches of one or more mature trees. The structure is supported by stilts, friction and tension fasteners or suspended connections.

A Tree House happens to be eco-friendly by virtue of the fact that forest is not cleared to make space for the new build. Tree Houses have alsofamously been used as a method of defence against deforestation – Julia Butterfly Hill once lived 60 m above the ground for 738 days to save a Californian Redwood and its neighbours!!

Even if you have neither head hunter avoidance, nor deforestation circumvention on your immediate agenda you might still want to consider a Tree House for your next vacation…

Our pick of the most spectacular:

Tsala Treetop Lodge, Garden Route, South Africa

Wheatleigh Hotel’s Aviary Lenox, Massachusetts, USA

Tarzan Tree House Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel Manaus, Brazil

Tranquil Resort,Wayanad, Kerala , India

Hinchonbrook Island Wilderness Lodge

Tree House Lodge, Limón, Costa Rica

And then there is the TONGABEZI LODGE TREE HOUSE….

(our favourite favourite!)

New African Packages

2012-02-15T15:26:00.000+02:00

We are working on new packages across Africa - Wondering what the dream holiday is ... Combining sailing in Malawi with relaxation at Tongabezi or the Great African Adventure that is Botswana and a castaway island on Sindabezi... Air Namibia is planning direct flights to Livingstone starting in April and that opens up a whole new can of dream beans!!!

Guest Comment

2011-03-25T20:31:00.001+02:00

At Tongabezi we felt we were left alone until we needed something, and then magically someone appeared to take care of us.

Auburngirl76 - Tripadvisor March 11
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Guest Comment

2011-02-04T09:47:00.001+02:00

I would like to take the opportunity to thank you and the full Tongabezi Team for - The great service - The very fresh, succulent and innovative food program - The great work of the guides - The overall perfect Lodge

Pierre Thein, January 2011
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Guest Comment

2011-01-10T09:09:00.001+02:00

PRIVATE SINDABEZI ISLAND "As a holiday I don\'t think Sindabezi followed by Luangwa Safari Lodge could be bettered for small group such as we were, wanting a really special time. 5 of our group of 7 had never been to Zambia before and they are all determined to return as soon as possible. I don\'t know what to rave about first - the wonderful position (we never saw anyone else on a boat on this part of the Zambezi during our entire stay bar the occasional local fishermen) the unfailingly helpful and charming people who looked after us as though our happiness and wellbeing was their only concern, the amazing food, the elephant and hippos which came by to visit...................the list goes on and on!!!! We didn\'t really have quite enough time to do it all justice and, another time, I would opt for 3 nights so that we could actually lounge round the island a little more. Never mind, a perfect excuse to return."

Mrs Judy Rylands x 7
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Guest Comment

2010-12-03T10:30:00.001+02:00

I can live here for seven years. Thank you for the most enjoyable stay. This is an amazing spot, we have travelled a lot and this is one of the best. Not only is Africa beautiful but the surroundings and people at Tongabezi are the perfect representation of this land.

Mr & Mrs Matt
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Guest Comment

2010-12-03T10:29:00.001+02:00

The visit was wonderful! We have experienced the luxurious and elegance of some safari lodges (c.c Africa Phinda) but this to us was authentically, pure Africa at its best to be completely out in the open in nature rather than observing it from a house or lodge - is an exotic experience and then with Tongabezi staff\'s pampering is fascinating and fabulous experience of a lifetime! We will be back. Zikomo kwambiri! Chande and Raphael were excellent hosts. Dadu was the quiet essential valet, Brenda was friendly and Helpful as everyone was, staff as well as ambience is what makes Tongabezi amazing!

Mr & Mrs Mitchell
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Guest Comment

2010-12-03T10:28:00.003+02:00

Enjoyed Tongabezi immensely were made most welcome. Special thanks to the choir and to the chef for our anniversary cake!! Very caring and nice of you all. Our stay in the DH was great very relaxing only wish we could have stayed longer. A big thank you to Forbes for a wonderful dinner in our room on our last night with a cosy romantic fire. Felt he did an excellent job of looking after us, we must also say a big thank you for recovering our battery charger that we left at safari camp in Botswana.Overal Tongabezi exceeded our expectations and was the perfect end for our first holiday in Africa.

Mr & Mrs Fyvie
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Guest Comment

2010-12-03T10:28:00.001+02:00

We truly found Tongabezi to be glorious. The setting,architecture,staff and food... thank you very much.

Mr & Mrs Greenberg
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Guest Comment

2010-10-21T06:32:00.001+02:00

Dear Tongabezi, Many many thanks for a fantastic night with you guys. Everything exceeded my biggest expectations. You run a truly fantastic product. The staff are phenomenally friendly and professional. Your dedication to the local community and the Livingstone area is commendable and in my opinion unparalleled. Me and Ange thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were literally blown away. A huge thank you again. I will do a write up for the LTA, it was a truly fantastic experience.

Sean Edington LTA Prize winner
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Guest Comment

2010-09-17T07:56:00.001+02:00

Thank you to all of you. As am writing this am crying. Though am excited for the rest of my trip, am so sad to leave you. This was an incredible few days. I will never forget all of you and will be back one day. Take care of yourselves and your families, be well. A very special thanks to Charles and Brian. I will remember Charles for his kindness, his smile and his laugh. And Brian I will remember him for the nice canoe trip, your stories and you intelligence. Thank you to everyone for the wonderful time on the island. Everything was especially enchanting. The service was exceptional and the experience ever changing. I will always remember my time with the staff at Sindabezi

Mr & Mrs Price
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Newest Staff Member

2010-09-12T21:51:00.003+02:00

We would like to welcome our newest staff member, Dadu to the Tongabezi team.

Bio:
Dadu wanted to be an electrician when he was little and his mother was the greatest influence during his childhood. He met his future wife while working at Sun International and they are planning a traditional wedding to seal their union. They have a son and a daughter. Dadu would love to meet President Obama. He describes himself as cool and down to earth (and jokingly says he would strangle his friends one by one if they dare disagree!) He is always trying to eat a little less sugar, loves that he is constantly meeting new people through his job and he doesn't mind discussing both religion and politics.

Meet the staff on tongabezi.com

Newest Staff Member

2010-09-12T21:51:00.001+02:00

We would like to welcome our newest staff member, Quentino to the Tongabezi team.

Bio:
Quentino is a natural born guide his first memories are canoeing the Zambezi and catching birds in the bush with his young brothere who is still his best friend! A fun loving, easygoing guy he has a strong sense of family and his saddest memory is leaving the family home. Quentino was very frightened on his first day at school and remembers the date ( 1 February 1980) very clearly! His personality soon won over teachers and pupils and the happiest day of his childhood was when he passed Grade 7. He is a traditional chap, married with one son and two daughters not counting six children outside wedlock! He loved guiding Debra Messing and hopes to have the chance to guide Antonio Banderas. He tries to resist eating too much his favourite meal is Nshima with Bream. Quentino believes we are on earth to do good things!

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Newest Staff Member

2010-09-12T21:50:00.001+02:00

We would like to welcome our newest staff member, Miyaze to the Tongabezi team.

Bio:
Miyaze had strict parents and her mother was the greatest influence during a childhood in Kabwe. Miyaze always loved reading and remembers her first day in school fondly. English was her favourite subject and she would love to meet Barack Obama. Miyaze has two little girls and a loving husband who took her to the banks of the Zambezi on their first date. She particularly enjoys the marketing aspects of her job in reservations and her friends often mention her cheerful personality. We are here to live life to the fullest and Miyaze intends to do just that!

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Newest Staff Member

2010-09-12T21:49:00.001+02:00

We would like to welcome our newest staff member, Nyambe to the Tongabezi team.

Bio:
Nyambe fondly remembers coming to Livingstone for the first time. He was born in a military hospital as his father was in the Air Force and Nyambe's childhood dream was to become a soldier. He hero worshipped Peter Zuze who was the first Zambian Air Force commander and President Kenneth Kaunda. Nyambe was a star soccer player and very popular as a teenager. He describes himself as VERY married and has been blessed with four boys. Nyambe's ideal dinner companion is Nelson Mandela, he is very good at keeping secrets and he loves meeting new people through his job.

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Newest Staff Member

2010-09-12T21:46:00.001+02:00

We would like to welcome our newest staff member, Agness Kamwi to the Tongabezi team.

Bio:
Agness Kamwi grew up in a women's world. Raised by her Mum (her parents divorced when she was a small baby) she was very close to her older sister and fondly remembers her childhood. Aggie, as she is known in the Tonga family is super efficient, always perfectly turned out and ready to ensure everything around her runs smoothly.

10 Wacky Aggie facts:

1. She has a cat called NATASHA an auspicious name at Tongabezi.
2. She loved meeting her father for the first time when she was four.
3. She remembers being asked to touch her opposite ear with a hand over her head to prove she was ready for school and
4. Having very serious childhood priorities playing was rated as VERY IMPORTANT and eating was relegated to AFTERTHOUGHT
5. Sister Franca's Science class was her favourite and she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up
6. She met her husband through work in the travel industry and they have the perfect pigeon pair one boy and one girl
7. Her heroine is Oprah Winfrey
8. She strongly dislikes people who take advantage
9. She LOVES meeting new people
10. She finds dealing with difficult guests the least enjoyable part of a day

Meet the staff on tongabezi.com

Newest Staff Member

2010-09-12T21:44:00.001+02:00

We would like to welcome our newest staff member, Rudy Boribon to the Tongabezi team.

Bio:
Rudy Boribon comfortably heads the entire Tongabezi team. He has settled at Tonga following an illustrious career in tourism that included highlights such as organizing the Mauritius wedding for KK and Tina Rosberg. A natural chief, his first memories are of leading his sister by the hand and he credits his father with teaching him the discipline it takes to run a big organization effectively. As a happy little boy he worshiped his older brothers and dreamt of being the Captain of a Cargo ship he followed his vision and briefly did take to the seas but today he is far happier in a small boat on the Zambezi! His fantasy dinner companions would be Che Guevara and Ava Gardner, he is happy to discuss politics and religion and his pet hate is repeating the same instruction 20 000 times!

Meet the staff on tongabezi.com

Guest Comment

2010-08-23T14:42:00.001+02:00

We would just like to say a huge thank you for making our wedding day so magical and wonderful. We were overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness, kindness and effort you went to in order to make us feel so special and make our day perfect. We appreciate all the time, organisation, patience and attention to detail you all went to, we honestly could not have asked or wished for a better day. Special thanks to Nyambe and Myaze for looking after us so well and being there for us on the big day and of course Fabias for escorting us everywhere. We will never forget everything you did for us and you will always have a special place in our memories and our hearts. We are in the process of making a DVD for you with all the pictures and hope to get it in the post soon!! Special thanks and best wishes

Gary & Lisa Chapman
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