Philosophy

Both Amanzi Restaurant and Amanzi Lodge are owned and run by the husband and wife team of Andrew and Julia Mama.

Julia has applied her interior design expertise throughout Amanzi Lodge. Each lodge is imaginatively themed in the décor of a different African country. Her extensive African art collection features throughout.

Redesigning the gardens and giving them the Amanzi touch, was a priority for both Andrew and Julia, who having successfully created something similar in Nigeria, again wanted their clientele to enjoy the gardens as much as the food. Andrew teamed together with Alan Barbour, one of the leading landscape architects in Zimbabwe, noted for his highly original water features. The project took a year to design and has employed many of the principles of Feng Shui to give a feeling of tranquility and harmony. A spectacular waterfall now greets visitors on arrival. Andrew has been collecting rocks for a year and rock formations have been extensively integrated throughout the gardens, bringing strength and energy to the landscape. A rare collection of cycads gives the grounds a truly tropical feel and mature trees and abundant water have resulted in a vibrant increase in bird life.

At the lodge's restaurant, Julia and Andrew again felt the need to introduce new and exotic tastes to the Zimbabwean palate, rather than limiting the menu to conventional cuisine. Andrew's passion for Thai and African foods, together with Julia's more European palette, have combined to offer an inspired selection of fusion food, which now includes Fusion Tapas.

The couple's latest project has been the renovation and refurbishment of two new lodges, Pevensey and Orange Grove Lodge. These two lodges work on a more informal basis than Amanzi Lodge and provide a home-away-from-home for those wanting accommodation that allows them to self-cater. Once again, these properties have been given new life in true Amanzi style.

Amanzi Transformations