OUR STORY

Born from a chance meeting, and built on one man’s vision, African Monarch Lodges is the quintessential dream come true.

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OFF THE BEATEN PATH

As the rains fall softly over the dark highland forests of southern Angola, the precious waters erode away at the landscape to form streams. Meandering down the slopes joining into powerful cascades over boulders, it finds its way down the escarpment on a journey southwards, beyond the borders of its origins.

Arriving at the vast floodplains of the Kwando River in Namibia, it spreads out, flowing through natural landscapes and claiming back its rightful purpose as a life-giving source.

It is here where you’ll find African Monarch Lodges.

Our unquenchable desire to create memorable Africa safari experiences takes you on foot, by boat or vehicle, up close and personal with some of the biggest herds of elephants along with plenty of other impressive wildlife and birdlife.

We are in the heart of KAZA (Kavango Zambezi Trans Frontier Conservation Area) and part of the large Peace Park initiative.

Peace Parks About KAZA

WHERE OUR STORY BEGAN

The birth of African Monarch Lodges, like all successful stories, begins with one man’s dream. A vision fuelled by passion.

In 2013 the Government of Namibia released three tenders to develop lodges on concessions in the Bwabwata National Park. Chief Mayuni contacted the late Dusty Rodgers and asked him to tender – and the dream was born.

Dusty and the Chief established a joint venture lodge collection built on the principles of Conservation, Community and Conservancy.

Back in 1998 Dusty had developed the first community campsite at Kubunyana for Chief Mayuni and the Mayuni Conservancy, and thereafter the well-known Susuwe Island Lodge in the same conservancy. It formed one of the first revenue-sharing agreements in the country. As such, Dusty was trusted by the community.

WHY NAMBWA SITE WAS SO SOUGHT AFTER

Due to its remote location in pristine wilderness and the mega-herds of elephants that traverse the area, Nambwa was long one of the most sought-after sites in the region.

Nambwa is part of an area wedged between Angola in the north, Botswana in the south and the Kwando River to the east. This area used to be known as the Golden Triangle. During Namibia’s liberation struggle, Nambwa and the whole area of Bwabwata National Park (previously called Caprivi Game Park) was occupied by the South African Defence Force. When Bwabwata National Park was established in 2007, the Golden Triangle became part of the park.

Where Our Lodge Names Come From

According to the story the Chief tells, Nambwa means ‘place of the dog’. Nambwa once used to be the home of an acclaimed hunting dog that lived here with its owner long before the site became part of a national park. Kazile Island Lodge was referred to by the South African Army as ‘Paradise Island’ and always remained a virgin island until African Monarch Lodges built and opened the lodge on 21 March 2017, on Namibia’s Independence Day.

Dusty Relaxing After Constructing Nambwa Tented Lodge

HOW DUSTY AND CHIEF MAYUNI FIRST MET

Dusty first met the chief by chance while camping in the area in 1995. He was driving with a friend towards Horseshoe Bend when a vehicle approached.

Since Dusty knew the driver, a ranger named Matambo, they stopped to chat. Next to Matambo sat a smartly dressed gentleman with a broad-brimmed hat.

He smiled, looked at Dusty and shouted, “Hello, do you know who I am?” Dusty frowned and asked in the same stern voice, “No, do you know who I am?” They both laughed and the gentleman said, “ I am Chief Mayuni, I am the chief of this area.”

Dusty clapped his hands in the traditional way of greeting a chief, got out of the car and, clapping his hands once again, introduced himself. “Ah, you are Dusty Rodgers from Impalila Island? I have heard about you and I will come to visit you.” Later, during that visit, Chief Mayuni invited Dusty to consider his tribal area for an investment opportunity.

“At every touchpoint we have an opportunity to thrill and to ensure each moment with us becomes a moment to be remembered. We engage from our souls. We make an impact and we do so calmly.”

DUSTY & TINOLLA: THE LOVE STORY

Born in Wales, the late Dusty Rodgers moved to Zambia aged five, and later settled in Namibia. Having spent most of his life in rural areas, he held a passion for building lodges in remote areas, and for getting to know the local communities.

His approach to generating benefits for local communities, and the genuine way in which he respected their values, helped shape the foundation for Namibia’s network of communal conservancies.

Moreover, his ability to develop and manage lodges in areas with little or no infrastructure was not only impressive but had a widely felt social impact as he employed and trained community members.

Coincidentally, Tinolla’s love affair for hospitality started the same year as Dusty’s in 1993.

Born in Namibia, she completed her hotel management training in South Africa and went on to work at lodges in various parts of Africa, including Sir Richard Branson’s Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in Sabi Sands and Elewana Africa in Tanzania. In 2004, she joined Dusty’s portfolio of lodges as General Manager, taking her then-husband and their two children, Keenan and Tyra, along with her.

In 2012, life shifted in a new direction. Tinolla returned to Namibia, parting ways from the father of her children and following her career dream – founding GEM Consult, offering hands-on coaching and training to the hospitality industry across Namibia.

Then, in December 2014, Dusty sent Tinolla a message that would ultimately change the course of her life again...

"I Need Your Help Again."

“Do you still have your training company?” Dusty asked. “I have just opened a new lodge and I need your help once again!”

Tinolla took on Dusty and African Monarch Lodges as a client in January 2015. And then, just before her 39th birthday, the client became her life partner.

Tinolla helped Dusty open the last four suites at Nambwa, and took charge of the interior décor of the main complex and the finishing touches to the guest suites. Then they planned and built Nambwa Lagoon Camp together, which opened in 2016.

Her love for the African Monarch Lodges brand grew, and so did her love for the man who was often referred to as “Captain Caprivi”.

A Close Shave With a Buffalo

Dusty was cautious to not try and persuade Tinolla to give up her business, even though he had dreams of them purely focusing on running African Monarch Lodges together. This transition, however, happened naturally after they had a close shave with a buffalo. While walking around and viewing the island where Kazile Island Lodge would one day be built, they were charged by a fierce old dagga boy (old male buffalo). Tinolla took refuge in scraggly shrubs, watching in horror as the buffalo targeted Dusty. Thankfully he survived but, realising she had almost lost the love of her life, Tinolla decided then and there to give up GEM Consult and join Dusty full time as his life partner and co-owner of African Monarch Lodges.

They opened Kazile Island Lodge in March 2017, Namibia’s Independence Day. Standing side by side with their staff, they watched with pride as their first guests gently cruised down the Kwando River towards them.

The End of an Era, and the Start of a New Chapter

Yet, as fate would have it, their story took an unexpected turn a mere five months after they got married. Dusty was diagnosed with cancer and, almost simultaneously, Covid hit, placing a sudden halt on their business. With the resilience and determination that always defined their partnership, Dusty and Tinolla boldly faced these challenges.

They also used the time to curate healing and wellness retreats at Nambwa Tented Lodge – now a significant part of the lodge’s offering. They also founded The Sijwa Project, a courageous initiative where they recruited community members for a new recycling centre – this, while most others were retrenching.

Three years later, in 2022, Dusty sadly left our world. Forever honouring Dusty’s legacy, Tinolla has embraced African Monarch Lodges as her life’s purpose. Today, as the sun sets over the African wilderness, the story and legacy of Dusty and Tinolla endures – a testament to the transformative power of love and the unwavering resilience of the human spirit.

With Tinolla at the helm – and the support of a dedicated team with a deep-rooted love for the land they call home – African Monarch Lodges continues to thrive, a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come. Because, as Tinolla always says, this is her home, her family, her place of belonging – which includes her son, Keenan, as Lodge Manager of Nambwa Tented Lodge, and her mother, Olga, as the Manager of The Sijwa Project.

In the tapestry of life, Dusty and Tinolla’s story remains a timeless reminder that with love, courage, and unwavering determination, anything is possible.