Ilala Lodge Backend

Category: News

  • Celebrating Decades of Dedication at the Palm Hospitality Group

    Celebrating Decades of Dedication at the Palm Hospitality Group

    At Palm Hospitality Group, we take immense pride in our team of dedicated professionals who have been the driving force behind our success. Their unwavering commitment, hard work, and loyalty have been instrumental in shaping our organisation into a renowned name in the hospitality industry both at Ilala Lodge Hotel and the Palm River Hotel.

    During an in-house ceremony held at Ilala Lodge Hotel, we commemorated the incredible journeys of a few of our longest-serving employees who have been with the group for more than 20, 25, 30, and even 35 years.

     

    20-25 Years of Service: Paving the Way for Growth

    Tendai Ndlovu, Dainocious Zula, Ranganai Shumba, Reggie Ncube and Qhubani Ncube and Tracy Baard have served the company for an impressive two decades. While Cephas Ndlovu, Patson Ndlovu, Thando Ncube, Patience Mpofu, and Jane Masamba have each dedicated a quarter-century of their lives to the Palm Hospitality Group. Their stories are a testament to the incredible growth opportunities that our company offers.

    Cephas Ndlovu’s journey began as a bouncer at what used to be the hotel’s nightclub and has evolved through various roles, including a kitchen porter, head gardener, and his current position as a laundry hand. Patson Ndlovu has been a dedicated gardener for the past 25 years, nurturing the beautiful landscapes that define Ilala Lodge Hotel.

    Thando Ncube’s career has been a remarkable ascent, starting as a waiter at Ilala Lodge Hotel and progressing through roles from a switchboard operator, receptionist, reservationist, through to becoming our esteemed Debtors Clerk.

    Patience Mpofu’s culinary expertise has been honed over the years, as she climbed the ranks from a Commie Chef to her current position as Senior Sous Chef, ensuring our guests experience the finest dining experiences.

    Jane Masamba’s journey is a true inspiration, transitioning from a curio shop attendant to in-house activities consultant, then onto the activities consultant manager and then the hotel’s Deputy General Manager. From here Jane continued to progress as she seamlessly filtered into her current role as the Hotel General Manager, overseeing the operations of our iconic Ilala property.

    30 Years of Service: Pillars of Dedication

    Dumisani Lunga, Kanyeka Muleya, Charles Ndlovu, and Dingumuzi Masuku have each devoted three decades of their lives to the Palm Hospitality Group, showcasing their unwavering loyalty and commitment.

    Dumisani Lunga’s journey began as a laundry hand, and he now serves as our esteemed Head Front Porter, ensuring a warm and welcoming experience for every guest.

    Kanyeka Muleya’s versatility has been a significant asset, as she has held various positions, including a laundry hand, bedroom hand, wine steward, receptionist, reservationist, night auditor, debtors clerk, and now serves as our Group Revenue Controller.

    Charles Ndlovu’s career started at the Zambezi Leather Workshop as an assembler, and he now plays a vital role in our security team, ensuring the safety and well-being of our guests and staff.

    Dingumuzi Masuku’s journey began in our kitchens as a porter and has since spanned roles such as a barman, head barman, acting bars manager, and bars/stock manager, before transitioning to his current position as a storeman.

    35 Years of Service: Unwavering Loyalty

    Siyatimba Muleya’s exceptional dedication to the Palm Hospitality Group spans an incredible 35 years. He joined us as a stores clerk at the Zambezi Leather Workshop and has since held positions as a storeman and now serves as a valued member of our security team.

    At the Palm Hospitality Group, we are immensely grateful for the extraordinary contributions of these individuals and the countless others who have chosen to grow with us. Their stories are a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional learning and development opportunities, fostering an environment where talent can thrive, and recognising the immense value of our team members.

    As we celebrate these milestone achievements, we reaffirm our dedication to creating a workplace where every individual can unlock their full potential and be a part of our ongoing journey of excellence.

    Nurturing Talent, Fostering Growth

    The remarkable journeys of our long-serving employees are a direct reflection of the Palm Hospitality Group’s unwavering commitment to nurturing talent and fostering personal and professional growth. We firmly believe that our people are our greatest asset, and investing in their development is key to our continued success.

    Through customised development programs tailored to each individual’s strengths, aspirations, and career goals, we have empowered our team members to unlock their full potential. The organisation actively promotes internal career progression, enabling employees to explore diverse roles and responsibilities across its two luxury properties, fostering a culture of continuous learning and job satisfaction.

    The remarkable success stories of Cephas Ndlovu, Thando Ncube, Patience Mpofu, Jane Masamba, and many others are a testament to the transformative power of our development initiatives. Their journeys serve as inspiration for our entire team, reinforcing our commitment to investing in their growth and empowering them to reach new heights in their careers.

  • The Palm Hospitality Group Paves the Way for Holiday Travels and Marches for Reforestation

    The Palm Hospitality Group Paves the Way for Holiday Travels and Marches for Reforestation

    The holiday season is a time for giving and sharing joy. This December, the Palm Hospitality Group (PHG)  Foundation embraced this spirit through impactful corporate social responsibility initiatives that gave back to our community.

    Paving the way for Holiday Travels

         

    The most wonderful time of the year brings a welcome influx of visitors to Victoria Falls eager to experience our vibrant town. But after last year’s heavy rains wreaked havoc on local roads, we faced a different type of storm – how to make infrastructure repairs in time for the seasonal boom in tourism.

    That’s when the Palm Hospitality Group rolled up their sleeves, grabbed their gravel and rocks, and got to work alongside the Ministry of Roads Department on priority repair operations. Our crew of 7 men worked away at the road before the Masuwe Bridge leading up to the airport route – rebuilding damaged mitre drains, clearing blocked culverts, and stabilizing eroded edges threatening the roadbeds.

    12 additional helpers from the Ministry of Roads department arrived with a 7-tonne truck to assist! Six 20-tonne loads of gravel and 22 seven-tonne truckloads of rocks were used and strategically placed, to reinforce the most vulnerable stretches. The combined teams also added drainage features called “swales” to capture silt on steep inclines and slow down the speed of water drainage.

    Alongside the Ministry of Roads Department, the Palm Hospitality Group Foundation continues to pave the way for holiday comforts and convenience in Victoria Falls.

     

    Palm Hospitality Group Marches for Reforestation

    While visitors flocked to Victoria Falls for the start of peak tourist season, our team laced up their boots on December 2nd for a very different type of adventure. The Palm Hospitality Group rallied our conservation-minded staff for the annual Friends of the Environment (FOTE) walkathon – a 10km march to raise awareness and support reforestation efforts across Zimbabwe.

    As employees from local hotels and lodges kicked off from the town centre, crowds cheered seeing tourism operators shining a light on ecosystems. 90 participants donned matching t-shirts to emblemize a united front as environmental stewards.

    Breathless but buzzing with inspiration, we finally reached St. Bakhita School to great fanfare. FOTE organizers then presented us shovels to commence officially planting over 100 saplings in honour of National Tree Planting Day. From managers to housekeepers, our team dug deep to root hope for the country’s 2026 goal of 500 million trees.

    By getting sweaty for the cause, we grew community spirit while nurturing mother nature. Our efforts offered just a sprout of possibilities for restoring Zimbabwe’s delicate ecosystems. But days like the FOTE walkathon plant seeds of change in hearts and minds. As Palm Hospitality’s guests enjoy Victoria Falls holidays, they can rest easier knowing we march alongside advocates like Friends of the Environment. Because true hospitality means caring for both the people and the lands that welcome us.

     

    The PHG Foundation

    Formed in 2022, the PHG Foundation combines Ilala Lodge Hotel‘s community projects with the passionate staff of Palm River Hotel. Such community efforts are part of the PHG Foundation’s broader mission to aid the local Victoria Falls community.

    Other PHG Foundation initiatives include monthly litter clean-ups throughout designated sections of the town centre, recycling programmes, wildlife protection, cultural heritage preservation, and local fundraisers.

    The group is dedicated to sustainable tourism and minimising environmental impact. Their efforts endeavour to make Victoria Falls a better place to live and visit for all!

    If you’d like to stay up to date with the latest news at Ilala Lodge Hotel, consider following us on Instagram or Facebook.

    Alternatively, subscribe to our newsletter and receive updates directly to your inbox!

    SUBSCRIBE HERE

  • New Baboon-Proof Bins in Victoria Falls

    New Baboon-Proof Bins in Victoria Falls

    Tackling the Local Litter Issue

    The Palm Hospitality Group (PHG) Foundation has unveiled a new community initiative to address an ongoing issue with baboons raiding and emptying public litter bins in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

    The Problem: The Litter-Bin Raiders

    Placed as it is within a wildlife national park, the community of Victoria Falls faces mild human and wildlife conflict, one of which includes the rummaging and overturning of litter bins throughout the town centre by baboon troops.

    The baboons dig through the bins, emptying the contents and spreading them across the town centre. Not only does this create an unsightly mess, but more worryingly poses a threat to other wildlife who might stumble across the litter (much of which is plastic) and ingest it.

    Previously, the PHG Foundation attempted to deter the primates by installing tall, narrow, metal bins with small deposit openings. Unfortunately, the mischievous baboons were able to tip these bins over and pry them open in search of food scraps.

    A Clever Solution: Primate-Proof Litter Bins

    To combat this, the PHG Foundation has introduced a new series of specialised baboon-proof bins throughout the Victoria Falls town centre. The 15 new bins are made of durable material and feature a closed deposit section with a rotating wheel that allows contents to fall in, but keeps baboons out. The bins are also significantly larger than previous bins and are weighty enough to prevent being tipped over easily.

    This week the PHG Foundation handed over the specialised bins to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority at the entrance to the iconic Victoria Falls Rainforest. Guests are encouraged to dispose of their litter correctly in aid of preserving our Natural World Wonder. Other bins can be spotted throughout the Victoria Falls town centre for ease of access.

    This initiative supports the efforts of the Pristine Victoria Falls Society, a local community organisation working towards making Victoria Falls a clean, green city in Africa by creating a litter-free and sustainable environment.

    The PHG Foundation

    Formed in 2022, the PHG Foundation combines the successful track record of Ilala Lodge Hotel‘s community projects with the passionate staff of Palm River Hotel. The baboon-proof bins are part of the PHG Foundation’s broader mission to aid the local Victoria Falls community.

    Other PHG Foundation initiatives include monthly litter clean-ups throughout designated sections of the town centre, recycling programmes, wildlife protection, cultural heritage preservation, and local fundraisers.

    The group is dedicated to sustainable tourism and minimising environmental impact. Their efforts endeavour to make Victoria Falls a better place to live and visit for all!

    If you’d like to stay up to date with the latest news at Ilala Lodge Hotel, consider following us on Instagram or Facebook.

    Alternatively, subscribe to our newsletter and receive updates directly to your inbox!

    SUBSCRIBE HERE

  • Inspiring the Young Girls of Lupinyo Village

    Inspiring the Young Girls of Lupinyo Village

    We recently had the privilege of hosting a group of young girls from Lupinyo Village for lunch and a tour of Ilala Lodge Hotel. The tour was arranged by the Managing Director of Africa Travel Tours, Leana as well as her husband Lovemore Machipisa. Together the pair are involved in selflessly helping transform the lives of underprivileged girls and orphans from Lupinyo Village in Victoria Falls.

    The Girls of Lupinyo Village visit Victoria Falls with Travel Africa Tours

    Ranging in age from 10 to 14 years old, the girls attend various different schools – Jabulani Primary School, Jabulani Secondary School as well as Mosi Oa Tunya High School. Their tour included a visit to the Natural World Wonder, Victoria Falls as well as lunch and a visit of Ilala Lodge Hotel, as part of an inspiring, motivating, and engaging opportunity that most young individuals living in the town are never afforded. The group of girls visited the waterfall for the very first time. Needless to say they were blown away by what they saw and experienced.

    Experiencing a World Wonder for the very first time!

    Following the tour of the falls, the girls were treated to lunch at Ilala Lodge Hotel and arrived full of stories of what they had seen and done; their eyes were dancing with delight.

    It was also their very first visit to a hotel and they couldn’t contain their excitement. They were astounded at just how luxurious Ilala is and it was so wonderful to witness the sheer joy on their faces as they did their walk around the hotel.  For many, the bathrooms created much excitement, to see both a bath and a shower in one room, a sight they are not familiar with.

    An inspiring tour of Ilala Lodge Hotel 

    It was a heart-warming experience to witness these intelligent and humble young girls on their tour around the hotel. Absolutely everything was a completely new experience for them, and each little element from the chocolates in the mini bar, to the patio to the number of towels turned into sheer delight.  There was much laughter, shrieks of joy and lively chatter on seeing the different room types.

    When they sat down for lunch at the Cassia Restaurant and had their lunch served to them, one could see that this too was an alien yet delightful concept for them.  They dutifully bowed their heads to pray and give thanks before starting to eat.

    A hearty lunch and refreshments enjoyed by the girls at Ilala Lodge Hotel’s Cassia Restaurant

    These girls come from an array of different family backgrounds – each with their own challenges; however, under the guidance of Leana and Lovemore, they are being exposed to so much more of what life can really entail.  Leana has instilled in them a burning desire to yearn for more, to excel in all areas of their lives (especially education) and to not necessarily have to settle for what traditionally is expected of young girls in Zimbabwe.

    Leana feels very passionate about this as she too came from a rural village similar to Lupinyo yet she didn’t let that stand in her way and through hard work, sheer determination and incredible focus she has gone on to become the Managing Director of Africa Travel Tours.

    Leana sets a great example and is a superb role model for such a great initiative as she personally knows exactly how hard it can be to be born a girl in Africa.  She assists in providing school stationary for the girls, helps to provide sanitary ware and ensures they have ample clothing and education. We wish all these girls everything of the very best for their future and look forward to following their journey along the way.

    If you would like to find out more about the work that Leana and Lovemore do for these young girls, or to support them. Please email info@africatravelvicfalls.com.

  • Ilala Lodge Hotel celebrates 30 years!

    Ilala Lodge Hotel celebrates 30 years!

    Our family hotel in the heart of Victoria Falls has bloomed into a popular accommodation choice for tourists from across the world, amounting from decades of combined expertise, passion and determination.

    To honour 30 years of Ilala Lodge Hotel, we hosted an intimate event at the hotel on Monday 4th October, to share our appreciation to our travel industry partners who have kept Ilala flourishing over the decades.

    The evening event saw the Ilala Lodge Hotel pool side lounge decorated with 60 of our long-standing travel partners made up of agents, Destination Management Companies (DMC’s) and industry providers who have been part of the hotel’s great journey. Guests travelled from locations across the region including Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Livingstone, Maun, Harare and Victoria Falls to join the celebrations.

    Opening the event, hotel owner Jim Brown expressed his gratitude to guests for their contribution to the on-going success and longevity of the establishment, in particular for their loyalty in the past 18 months during Covid-19.

    Jim continued to express his appreciation to the commitment of the Ilala Lodge Hotel staff, as he commented, “Our most important cog in the machinery of a successful hotel is its staff. Hospitality is a people business, but the staff and management are by far the most essential ingredient in making for a prosperous hotel.

    During the event, two of the hotel’s longest serving members of staff were praised for their loyal service, having been with the company since it began in 1991. Peter (Front of House) and Basil (Barman) have worked at the hotel and watched it develop through the past three decades overcoming good times and bad. In recent Covid-19 times, the pair showed admirable willingness to adapt and diversify their job positions, taking on new roles as builders assistants, gardeners and painters during quieter times of Covid last year.

    An evening of networking and reconnecting with fellow colleagues unfolded and guests expressed their excitement to Ilala for providing the opportunity for industry partners to be reunited after months of separation due to travel restrictions.

    In addition to delicious canapes and drinks, the evening was filled with much laughter and joy – in honour of the grand milestone Ilala has achieved in the past 30 years. And on that celebratory note, we thoroughly look forward to entering the next chapter of the Ilala Lodge Hotel legacy.

    30 years of Ilala Lodge Hotel

    The hotel’s history dates back to 1991 where it first began as a boutique hotel with 16 rooms, owned by the Brown family. Since then, the hotel has grown from 16 rooms to 32 in 1994, and then in 2015 it expanded to a total of 56 rooms with the newest Deluxe wing. In 2018 we welcomed the latest expansion bringing the hotel to a total of 73 rooms made up of standard, deluxe rooms and suites.

    Front of Hotel – THEN
    Front of Hotel – NOW

     

    Due to a global social media blackout, the livestream shared with travel colleagues around the world was interrupted, however we were able to capture the joy and excitement of the event in the images included here.