There is nothing like a trip down memory lane to tug at the old
heart strings and bring on the waves of nostalgia! We had lived in
Chisamba in the early eighties, had our first two children there and
despite the odd dose of dreadfully annoying morning sickness (mine),
been happy as pigs! (there are some happy pigs around, we kept a
very happy Fringilla pig as a pet for ages). We were looking
forward to catching up with dear old friends, who we’d seen
spasmodically over the years, and checking out the changes in the
area.
We ventured back up the once dangerously potholed Great North Road
from Lusaka to Chisamba, and Ibis Gardens, that for the last ten
years has operated as a conference centre, and weekend getaway. The
road, as many of you know, is now in great shape and it only took us
45 minutes to get to Ibis, owned and run by the ever hospitable
Doyle family.
A
conference centre and guest retreat on a cattle ranch?? We had no
idea what to expect. Visions of a large ungainly jumble of concrete
stuck out in the middle of the bush came to mind. There is, however,
nothing ungainly about Ibis. It resembles a beautifully laid out
village. Each chalet nestles in its own well maintained, little
indigenous garden. Lemon, banana and fig trees abound to give the
chalets the perfect home from home atmosphere, and adding a wild
touch, flocks of guinea fowl cluck happily as they scuttle along the
roads and pathways. The entertainment area is another great
surprise. The open plan dining area and the bar look over a
stunning, massive swimming pool with its own little oasis in the
middle. Perfect for beginners as it is has a “sit and chill” side,
but also ideal for those who want to do some serious training as it
has a 25 meter deeper area. . A jumping castle beside the pool is a
great attraction for children over the weekends, and so too is the
Ibis Pizza : the oven is situated in the open plan dining area.
There is also a gym and volleyball court on the property and plans
are afoot to build a small golf course and tennis courts. The
substantial bar area has a pool table and darts corner.
Ibis can accommodate 66 people in the apartments and the two and
three bedroom chalets. Each of the chalets has self catering
facilities (if required). The conference centre caters for up to 100
people and there is a self contained business centre offering
internet and secretarial services. Being on a farm has massive
advantages for this type of facility as all the produce is locally
grown, from the delicious wild honey to the sumptuous salads,
cheeses and the meat. Sally, the doyenne of the Doyle family, has
always had an affinity with plants and she’s responsible for the
landscaping and gardens at Ibis. She also has a little nursery on
site so guests can buy one of their favourite plants before they
leave.
Chisamba
lends itself to the “getaway from the city and commune with nature”
concept as it’s just down the road from Lusaka, but in one of the
most productive farming communities in Zambia. Evidence of this is
right on the roadside with the lush, rolling maize, soya and
vegetable fields. On the accommodation front, apart from Ibis,
there’s also the well known Fringilla Lodge and butchery. They also
have the facilities to handle large conferences and have a pleasant,
well shaded restaurant in the grounds. Fringilla arguably produces
the best boerewors, and T bone steak in Zambia, and, as well as
being a conference centre, the Lodge has become a popular venue for
weddings and other family celebrations. Relatively new on the block
is Arulussa Farm and Guesthouse. Situated across the road from Ibis,
they grow a variety of herbs : rosemary, lemon grass, rose scented
geranium, lemon verbena, thyme, that are the basis for their own
Chisamba Valley Natural Body Care range of products.
There is great potential in Chisamba from the “weekend tourist”
perspective (as well as the extremely well priced and affordable
lodges and guest houses mentioned, there is also the Protea Lodge).
A marvelous concept would be to get all the lodge owners together
with the craft workers, cheese makers, nut growers et al to form a
“Chisamba Meander” Association. We’ll be back in five years time to
try it out!!
March
2007
A
conference centre and guest retreat on a cattle ranch?? We had no
idea what to expect. Visions of a large ungainly jumble of concrete
stuck out in the middle of the bush came to mind. There is, however,
nothing ungainly about Ibis. It resembles a beautifully laid out
village. Each chalet nestles in its own well maintained, little
indigenous garden. Lemon, banana and fig trees abound to give the
chalets the perfect home from home atmosphere, and adding a wild
touch, flocks of guinea fowl cluck happily as they scuttle along the
roads and pathways. The entertainment area is another great
surprise. The open plan dining area and the bar look over a
stunning, massive swimming pool with its own little oasis in the
middle. Perfect for beginners as it is has a “sit and chill” side,
but also ideal for those who want to do some serious training as it
has a 25 meter deeper area. . A jumping castle beside the pool is a
great attraction for children over the weekends, and so too is the
Ibis Pizza : the oven is situated in the open plan dining area.
There is also a gym and volleyball court on the property and plans
are afoot to build a small golf course and tennis courts. The
substantial bar area has a pool table and darts corner.
Chisamba
lends itself to the “getaway from the city and commune with nature”
concept as it’s just down the road from Lusaka, but in one of the
most productive farming communities in Zambia. Evidence of this is
right on the roadside with the lush, rolling maize, soya and
vegetable fields. On the accommodation front, apart from Ibis,
there’s also the well known Fringilla Lodge and butchery. They also
have the facilities to handle large conferences and have a pleasant,
well shaded restaurant in the grounds. Fringilla arguably produces
the best boerewors, and T bone steak in Zambia, and, as well as
being a conference centre, the Lodge has become a popular venue for
weddings and other family celebrations. Relatively new on the block
is Arulussa Farm and Guesthouse. Situated across the road from Ibis,
they grow a variety of herbs : rosemary, lemon grass, rose scented
geranium, lemon verbena, thyme, that are the basis for their own
Chisamba Valley Natural Body Care range of products.
