OUR STAFF
To ensure that the area benefits from us being here, most of our staff come from Salamo village 20km west of the lodge. The quality of craftsmen in the Mpumba area and the cheerful, hospitable nature of Zambians is a very big bonus for Mutinondo Wilderness. All the furniture, windowframes, roofs, toast racks, window and door latches -almost everything wooden has been made by our carpenter Dickson Chilufya and his son Peter (apprentice). Most of the buildings were built by Salamo builders Joseph Chisanga and (the late) Harry Kaluba. In 2002 we employed their two sons and sponsored them on a building course to work with their fathers.
The staff take pride in what they have helped to develop and are pleased to be asked about the lodge, the history of the surrounding area, local uses of plants etc. If they don't know the answer they will try to find you someone who does. We employ 14 people involved in both the running and building the camp. Many of the major jobs such as thatching, grass cutting and combing, brick making and roadwork are done by groups from the villages on a contract basis. Our head groom Clement was sent to stables in Lusaka to learn to care for horses, ride and file hooves, he has since taught 7 other staff these same skills. The only skilled people we employ from outside our area are our 2 chefs, Bonnie and Christopher, who have worked extensively in other bush camps around Zambia and are training local assistants.
Our wonderful chefs, Bonnie & Christopher