Spurwing Island - Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

Spurwing Island continues its tradition of catering for wildlife enthusiasts and boasts the highest number of Professional Guides in the Matusadona area. Spurwing's location on an island off the Matusadona shoreline on Lake Kariba is considered to be the most accessible point of entry into the National Park and provides magnificent views of the Matusadona escarpment and Sanyati Gorge.

The island itself has resident herds of buffalo and impala with a healthy population of bushbuck and duiker. Spurwing's easy access into Matusadona lends to its attractiveness as a prime wildlife destination with an abundance of large game including elephants and lions in the park (cheetah, leopard and black rhino are seen on occasion). The area is renowned for its birdlife and is a favoured haunt for anglers.

The lodge prides itself on its reputation and the high service standards that it has achieved over the years. Spurwing is managed by a dynamic and long-standing management team.

Meet the Spurwing Island team...

		Simon Mugabe - Executive Chef
	Simon began as a chef at Victoria Falls Hotel in 1972, gaining a wealth of experience over the years that included service at various hotels and restaurants in Harare. Simon joined Spurwing in 1994 as Executive Chef and recently won the Zimbabwe Chef's Association Salon Culinaire (Kariba area) award.

 

		Gordon McMaster - Food and Beverage Manager
	Gordon trained in the Food and Beverage Industry in London and gained subsequent experience at some of Harare's best restaurants. Gordon has been Spurwing's "F and B" Manager since 1996.

		Lynne Thorniley - Front Office Manageress
	Educated in South Africa, Lynne returned to work for a few years in Harare before joining Spurwing in 1994. Lynne has found her niche in the Spurwing front office system which she manages very efficiently.

 

		Jenny Kriedemann - Accounts Manageress
	Jenny graduated from Rhodes University in South Africa before returning to work for an accounting firm in Harare. Jenny joined Spurwing Island in 1995 to take charge of the accounts department. Jenny also holds a Learner Professional Guides Licence.

		Sonya Webb - Marketing Manageress
	Sonya joined the safari industry in 1983 when she took responsibility for Guest Relations at Bumi Hills. Sonya then joined Spurwing Island in 1989 and has worked in all departments at the lodge and currently heads the marketing team and is a director of the Safari Section.

 

		Andy Webb - Safari Director
	Andy began his safari career at Bumi Hills in 1983. Andy qualified as a Professional Guide in 1987 and held the position of Estate Manager at Bumi Hills when he left to join Spurwing Island in 1989. Andy is now a director of the safari section and assumes responsibility for all safari activities. Andy is well known for his role at Kaingwe, one of Matusadona's most exclusive safari camps.

		Doug Macdonald - Manager
	Trained at the Hotel School in Bulawayo and Hilton Hotels Group in England, Doug gained subsequent experience at several hotels and restaurants in Zimbabwe before joining Spurwing Island as Assistant Manager in 1994. Doug was appointed as Manager in 1995, qualified as a Professional Guide in 1997 and heads the management team at Spurwing Island today. Doug is Chairman of the Matusadona Operators Association.

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