My interview this week was with Malemia Banda who is the General Manager Tongabezi Lodge by Green Safaris. It was very apparent that this homegrown Zambian talent is very passionate about Tongabezi Safari Lodge. He has taken the golden opportunity given to him at Tongabezi safaris and holds a high level of service for his guests.
It seemed to me during our discussion that he leads by example when it comes to marshalling his troops around their duties at Tongabezi Safari Lodge.
RJZ: Why should overseas visitors come to Tongabezi Lodge and Sindabezi Island Camp by Green Safaris in Victoria Falls?
MB: Well, overseas visitors should come to Tongabezi Lodge and Sindabezi Island camp because we offer a true, unique, and intimate connection with both nature and our local culture. We are also located on the banks of the Zambezi River, just upstream of the iconic Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
What really sets us apart is our personalized luxury service combined with authentic Zambian hospitality. From private river cruises and island picnics to sunset dinners on a floating sun pan.
RJZ: What problems do you think that you solve for people that are coming to Tongabezi Lodge and Sindabezi Island camp?
MB: So usually, our focus Tongabezi Lodge and Sindabezi Island camp is attention to details because I think that is where some of the problems lie. If you do not focus on the attention to detail, you can end up having issue. So, from our side, from the moment our guests arrive, we make sure their needs and preferences are understood.
Every guest has a personal of valet who is dedicated to making their stay comfortable and seamless. Everything from unpacking luggage to organizing activities. We also take time to understand our guests’ interests, whether they want more adventurous experiences like bungee jumping or a quiet moment, like a private sunset cruise.
By maintaining an intimate relationship with our guests, we ensure they feel cared for, and that their stay is exactly what they envisioned. Our staff are trained to be both professional and approachable, adding to the feeling of being home whilst being in a luxury environment like Tongabezi Lodge and Sindabezi Island camp.
RJZ: What is your personal favourite destination and why? Where else would you suggest people might want to visit in Zambia?
MB: So, Zambia has quite a few places where you can visit beautiful National Parks, but following your questions, “where else do I think people should visit within Zambia or outside Zambia.” So, I come from the eastern part of Zambia and I grew up there and the park is called South Luangwa National Park. I have also travelled outside Zambia, been to Lower Zambezi, which is another beautiful National Park that we have in Zambia.
I just did my four years of managing a camp in the Kafue National Park, which is also very beautiful. So, to answer to your question, I would recommend that every visitor that comes through into Zambia to see Zambia, they should add on a safari into South Luangwa National Park. It is so beautiful out there.
RJZ: Can you give me a fun fact of a personal experience that you have had, and I am sure there must have been many, that a personal experience that you have had either with a guest or with some wildlife or some kind of interaction while you have been working in the tourism industry?
MB: Again, like you said, there has been quite a few of them, but trying to pick one recent one was here at Tongabezi. A guest asked us to arrange a proposal for him and it needed to be kept so that the lady should not know. So arranged for this and we set up a sun pan for them where the guests went to dine.
This is a floating platform which is right in front of our lodge, and while they were seated there, we also organized our staff choir to sing for them, and the gentleman did propose.
Everything worked out so nicely, and it was moments like this that makes us feel like we are part of the guest’s troubles, and we are helping..
RJZ: Let me end off by asking you to give me a brief bio of yourself. You can go back as far as you want, who you are, where you have come from, what position you hold, etc.
MB: Yes, so speaking about myself, I have been fortunate enough to grow up in an area, which is the South Luangwa National Park, an area of natural beauty and wildlife. My career started way back in 2001, when I joined the Safari Lodge that just opened in Zambia.
Then worked for the presidential lodge in South Luangwa. From there, the lodge did change hands to one of the subsidiaries for Abercrombie and Kent and I left there in 2018 and joined the Green Safari. My first posting was into the Kafue National Park, where I spent four years. Later, I transferred to Tongabezi in 2023 as the general manager and been here ever since.
So, my role here at Tongabezi is general management, where I oversee two properties, which is the Tongabezi Lodge and Sindabezi Island camp, both accommodation and excursion, just making sure that all our visitors or guests that come through have a memorable guest experience with us.
Interested in finding out more about great deals to Victoria Falls, please feel free to email me: rael@wildsunsets.travel or check out some of our specials at www.wildsunsets.travel
