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LIFESTYLE

Hugo takes us 26 years back, right before the very inception of from materials naturally sourced, designed and chiselled, by Hugo
the Redcliff Zambezi Lodge, post his relocation to Zambia from his himself, aided by locals he earnestly trained. A chalet, crude as it
country of origin South Africa. A time the forest was dominated could be, untouched, seats amidst others of its kind. There is an
by animals; vastly lions. He maneuvered through the woodland, openness on the inside of these rooms that keeps one in tune
always with a gun in hand. with nature. “You don’t get to find a skyscraper here in the middle
of the forest, like you would in Dubai, it is simply unnatural.” Chad
is first build, was a chalet made of sheer reed mats; you vehemently says, and indeed we could all agree. In fact, that is
Hknow, the kind you buy from a momma along the main the very rationale behind the entire establishment: detaching
road… Mpasa. Two reed chalets, one boat and a mouth bent on from the hustle and bustle, reconnecting with nature. The peace
marketing – business was in session. that Hugo Erfmann sought out for in his coming, is found here in
abundance.
During the day, Hugo took on the role of guide, taking guests
out on the boat to explore, before retiring to his evening position The Redclliff Zambezi accommodates a minimalistic threshold of
of bartender. On the river, you see the animals roam free in guests, so as to maintain the serene ambience. They believe that
their natural habitat, hippos in a bunch, floating crocodiles and to a greater extent, privacy is synonymous with peace.
frolicking elephants, all unbothered. Even as the natural forces
of Mother Nature take their course, opening the floodgates, and It is no wonder fishing is a highly sought out activity amongst
you curiously ask: “What do animals do when it rains?” “They many the lodge has to offer, it brings with it an incomparable
keep eating.” Chad Gomm, manager and Redcliff Zambezi Lodge calmness.
host says. Surely, it is a sight worth savouring. Getting back to
the old days, during the inception of the lodge: Beside him, Hugo’s Down river, you ride against the seemingly calm current of the
girlfriend at the time, played chef. Tiekie cooked up a storm and Zambezi, passed the hippos, the elephants, passed the crocodiles
did the needful by doubling as a cleaner. and even the birds, the boat finally comes to a stop, you proceed
to a picnic area overlooking a unique part of the river. A table is
Heaven is served on a plate; it is a signature luscious pudding set, roasted boerewors served - sandwiches, the leaves in the
dessert, the kind to make you shake your leg unknowingly with trees dance over you, you watch the river flow: Could anything be
every mouthful. The thought of it, makes your mouth water. Every more perfect?
meal here is a delicacy. The head chef is a pleasant woman with a
warm aura, trained by Tiekie herself, before her passing 2019. At In such a fast paced world, a chance to recharge is invaluable,
the Redcliff Zambezi, every employee is a local, empowered and and to do so surrounded by nature and all her beauty, here, at the
trained by the lodge. Redcliff Zambezi Lodge is a dream. How satisfying is it to watch
a phenomena as recurring as the sunset, without the distraction
“I wanted to build little mud-huts, my coming here was to get of modern architecture or skyscrapers? The Redcliff Zambezi,
away from the violence in South Africa. I didn’t really intend on sparks in you a hunger for the raw beauty of the earth.
building a lodge.”
But now, before you, is a revised predominantly rustic build. Like You could never get enough of it.
all the other structures on the lodge, the chalets are developed

STAFF WRITER

79 The Africa We Want