Shahida Yousuf says that while growing up in Zambia, every holiday was a safari. “We stayed at so many different lodges and camps. It was such a wonderful time and I just loved being out in the bush.”
Yousuf is at her home in Dubai Hills, but her mind — and her heart — are clearly in Africa. Or, more specifically, in Lolebezi, the new luxury lodge Yousuf and her husband recently opened on the banks of the Zambezi River in southern Zambia. While their successful business makes Dubai a convenient place to call home, this is a family with their roots in African soil.
It was the memory of those childhood holidays that sparked the family’s dream of owning their own safari lodge, and of finding a corner of Zambia where they could celebrate their African heritage while contributing to the economic upliftment of the country.
In 2019, the couple began searching for the perfect site. They wanted a place that would showcase Zambia’s remarkable natural beauty, and where they could build a lodge that would deliver the levels of luxury and service they had discovered in Dubai.
“The South Luangwa National Park is already well established, and we wanted to tap into an untouched wilderness; an area that didn’t already have any other notable lodges,” explains Yousuf.
The Lower Zambezi National Park fit the bill perfectly. Situated only an hour’s flight from the international airport at Lusaka, the park is renowned for its concentration of large game. There are only a handful of other lodges within the park boundary, ensuring a true wilderness experience, with the Zambezi offering an array of water-based safari adventures. Little wonder Time magazine recently included the Lower Zambezi National Park in its list of the World’s Greatest Places of 2022.
So when a five-hectare private concession with a kilometre of private river frontage became available, Yousuf flew out to take a look. “The moment we set foot on this site, there was just no looking back. It was perfect,” she recalls. “The area was untouched, there had never been anything in this area before. It was wild.”
Set on a promontory where the Zambezi splits into a quiet waterway dubbed the Discovery Channel, “it’s one of those game-changing sites in southern Africa”, says architect Jack Alexander from Fox Browne Creative, the highly respected South African studio brought in to develop, design and construct the lodge.
Lolebezi rests within a forest of winter thorn acacia, and the inspiration for the lodge’s design aesthetic came, literally, from the ground up. “On that first visit I picked up a seed pod and was just fascinated by the details and curves of it,” says Yousuf. “I loved the contours. I loved the shape. I realised, this is our story. I wanted this winter thorn pod to tell the story of Lolebezi.”
Today, that inspiration is the golden thread tying the lodge together, with the curled pods informing its circular architectural forms. This is most evident in the striking “circle of light”, a raised circular walkway framing the arrival at Lolebezi, transporting guests into the boughs of a winter thorn to soak up dramatic views of both the Zambezi and the forest.
From this central point, the lodge is spread out along the riverbanks, with gravel pathways linking spacious communal areas to the spa, fitness centre and eight expansive suites. Here, airy bedrooms and bathrooms open out on to spacious private terraces, complete with plunge pools and shaded salas overlooking the Zambezi.
Indoors, beautiful hand-printed bed throws reference the acacias, while organic textures are complemented by detailing celebrating Zambia’s heritage and culture. In the bathroom, copper shimmers above the striking bathroom vanities, in a nod to one of the country’s key exports, while the hand-stitched mosquito net encircling the bed is ringed with imfibinga beads, wooden discs and copper plates.
Throughout the lodge, there’s a celebration of local craftsmanship. Above the main lounge, a swirl of woven grass spanning four metres across comes from the artisans at local project Tribal Textiles, while a striking curtain of curled reeds framing the seating area was hand-stitched by local women.
It’s a space that is rooted in Africa but designed with an eye for global aesthetics. Unlike so many safari lodges, tired wilderness cliches have no place at Lolebezi.
“The result is a fresh take on luxury canvas and glass design, effortlessly combining sophistication and sustainability,” says Chris Browne, co-owner of Fox Browne Creative. The lodge fosters “a dramatic, authentic connection with the mighty Zambezi River and the African landscape”, he says.
Guests at Lolebezi will spend many happy hours making that connection. Activities here include game drives to seek out lions, leopards and elephants, and thrilling bush walks where you may stumble upon a pack of endangered wild dogs. Lolebezi is operated by the experienced team from African Bush Camps, meaning its highly skilled safari guides are some of the best in the business.
Yet, it was the water that truly enchanted me during my stay at Lolebezi. A flotilla of boats and skilled local river guides are on hand for everything from relaxed sunset cruises to exhilarating canoe safaris. Be sure to spend some time casting a line — battling the Zambezi’s razor-toothed tiger fish is a thrill you’ll not soon forget.
For while Lolebezi enchants with its luxurious suites and on-point service, it’s the wilderness of the Lower Zambezi that is the real star here. And who knows? Perhaps, like Yousuf, you’ll leave a little piece of your heart in Africa too.
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
RESULTS
6pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $40,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
6.35pm: Race of Future – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Global Storm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Azure Coast, Antonio Fresu, Pavel Vashchenko
7.45pm: Business Bay Challenge – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Storm Damage, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
20.20pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Appreciated, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O'Meara
9.30pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Meraas, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Pathaan
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Gulf rugby
Who’s won what so far in 2018/19
Western Clubs Champions League: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Dubai Hurricanes
West Asia Premiership: Bahrain
What’s left
UAE Conference
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Hurricanes II v Al Ain Amblers, Jebel Ali Dragons II v Dubai Tigers
March 29, final
UAE Premiership
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Exiles v Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Hurricanes
March 29, final
Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus
The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission: CVT auto
Power: 181bhp
Torque: 244Nm
Price: Dh122,900
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
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THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
