Welcome to an exclusive interview with Jossina Mkundi, the General Manager of Jabali Ridge – the distinguished winner of the 2023 Luxury Lifestyle Awards for Top 100 Hotels and Resorts of the World.

Join us as we delve into the intricacies of crafting exceptional luxury experiences in the heart of Ruaha National Park. Jossina shares insights into the unique pillars, personalized services, and the commitment to creating ‘moments of wonderment’ that define the extraordinary hospitality at Jabali Ridge.

Luxury Lifestyle Awards (LLA): Congratulations on winning a spot in Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ Top 100 Hotels and Resorts of the World! What does this prestigious accolade mean to you and your team?

Jossina Mkundi (JM): Having only recently been promoted from my previous as Head Waitress into a management position (less than a year back), I can say that on a personal level, this award means so much to me. The recognition of even being nominated has served as a huge motivator and making it into the Top 100 has reinforced, not only to me but also to my wonderful team of staff, that the hard work and dedication that we have put in over the last few years definitely pays off.

LLA: Being recognized among the Top 100 Hotels and Resorts globally is a tremendous accomplishment. In your view, what sets Jabali Ridge apart from other luxury lodges and resorts, both within and beyond the boundaries of Ruaha National Park?

JM: While Jabali Ridge is situated in the prime game viewing area of Ruaha National Park, only a 40 minutes drive from the airstrip, and the lodge, facilities, and location are all amazingly beautiful, one of the most unique distinguishers would have to be our staff. The energy, enthusiasm, and, most of all warmness of the staff is definitely what sets us apart from other luxury properties. It doesn’t matter whether it’s an early 5 am wake-up call or a 10 pm nightcap at the bar, the staff always have a smile on their faces and genuinely want to go the extra mile to ensure guests have the most amazing stay and leave feeling as if they are a part of the Jabali Ridge family.

LLA: How do your five cornerstones – Our People, Positive Impact, A Pioneering and Authentic Approach, Attention to Details, and Brand Assets – actively shape the day-to-day operations and influence the guest experiences at Jabali Ridge?

JM: As mentioned earlier, our people are one of our biggest assets within the company. Many of us at Jabali started our careers in junior positions within the company, and being recognized and promoted has not only given us the confidence to excel but also serves as a big motivator to our fellow colleagues. The passion and drive are definitely at the forefront of exceeding guest expectations, and it is often the staff who are leading the way and asking if they can do special dinner set-ups, sundowners, etc. They really do want the guests to have a special time at Jabali and not only return, as family, one day, but also to tell their friends and colleagues about us. This is also seen in our communities, as we can now contribute and become breadwinners, creating awareness in surrounding villages about the value of protecting natural areas.

LLA: Jabali Ridge has a strong focus on positive impact and a pioneering approach. Can you elaborate on how Jabali Ridge contributes to the conservation economies and benefits local communities?

JM: For every guest that stays at either Jabali Ridge or one of her Asilia sister properties, proceeds from their booking are contributed towards our positive impact initiatives. This season, a portion of these proceeds went toward sponsoring 812 desks for 20 primary schools in the Ruaha and Usangu wetland region as well as 97 tertiary scholarships for students from communities in Southern Tanzania. On top of that we have been running chef training and mentorship programs in our camp kitchen, and in October this year, 6 students completed their training and have been employed by us and our strategic partners.

Our positive impact program also contributes to various conservation partners such as STEP (Southern Tanzanian Elephant Project), The Honeyguide Foundation, and Frankfurt Zoological Society among others.

Daily camp operations at  Jabali Ridge are managed and staffed 100% by Tanzanian citizens and nearly 50% of our staff complement reside in the Ruaha and Usangu area. 

LLA: The dedication to providing “moments of wonderment” is key to Jabali Ridge. Can you share a specific instance or guest feedback that exemplifies this commitment?

JM: Recent online review received from a guest:

“Jabali Ridge Lodge is an exceptional location surrounded by the raw beauty of the Ruaha National Park but also by the kindness of an incredible and attentive staff. What a change it was for us from our daily routine to be accompanied by such exceptional people who gave us an insight into the beauty of this part of East Africa. We left in tears with only beautiful memories that we will share with our friends and families. Thank you for everything.” –  TripAdvisor, Jabali Ridge, Guest Stay: 29-30 September 2023

LLA: With the evolving landscape of travel, how has Jabali Ridge adapted to changing market conditions, and what steps are taken to incorporate emerging trends?

JM: The past few seasons, during and post-Covid, have been an extremely challenging time for the hospitality industry and Jabali Ridge has not been spared. The staff have however maintained their positivity throughout and it is great seeing the enthusiasm shine through. Asilia has been very dynamic throughout with their approach to this, and a number of learnings have been taken from this. Dynamic discounting, resident specials, and long-stay initiatives are just a few of the steps that have been taken in this regard. We also have a fantastic training team that moves through all Asilia properties introducing and training on new ideas to keep us ahead of the pack. To ensure that knowledge and skills are not lost along the way, we also have a very big focus on internal development and promotion which goes a long way in retaining and motivating our staff.

LLA: The night drives and opportunities for wildlife photography are unique offerings. How do you ensure that these experiences are personalized for the diverse interests and preferences of your guests?

JM: Jabali guides are highly trained by the in-house Asilia guide training team and specialize in different facets of wildlife safaris. Based on guest preferences, guides are then allocated accordingly, whether it be for birders, photographers, first-time safari goers, etc. Private vehicles, as well as a specialized photography vehicle, are also on offer which allow guests to consult with their guide to tailor their schedules and activities around their specific needs.

Ruaha is one of a few National Parks in Tanzania that offer night game drives, and this is highly recommended as it allows guests to see the more elusive, nocturnal species such as genet, civet, bushbabies, or even, for those lucky enough, predators on the prowl.

Walking safaris are also on offer and, if guests are interested, our highly trained and experienced walking guide will meet with guests to tailor walks around their preferences, fitness levels, etc. This gives guests the opportunity to experience the park and animals from a completely new perspective, ensconced in the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world, taking delight in some of the often-missed smaller wildlife species, flora, and tracks while walking along ancient animal paths. The exhilaration and excitement of a walking safari should not be missed, grounding one with nature and making oneself feel more a part of the ecosystem than can be experienced from a standard game drive.

LLA: Jabali Ridge also offers spa services at the Asilia Spa. Can you tell us more about what is on offer for guests looking for a relaxing escape?

JM: The Jabali Ridge Spa is located adjacent to the rim flow pool atop the rocky outcrop where the camp is located, overlooking the baobab forest in front of camp with beautiful views across to the Mwagusi River.

Shani, our talented therapist hails from the surrounding community and has been with us for a number of years, working her way through the ranks from a sculler to our pastry chef and then finally into her current role as therapist. She will happily consult and tailor a package to meet (and exceed) any guest needs, including both mani’s and pedi’s as well as many other treatments and packages.

For those guests looking to soothe away any stiffness or tension after their travels, the Jabali Awakening Massage is a must-do, incorporating coconut oil, lemongrass, ginger, and Tanzanian clove oils to create a perfectly soothing and uplifting experience.

 For those looking for the ultimate pamper, the Waterfalls Package is a combination of coconut oil and coffee body scrub followed by one of our signature massages.

LLA: Jabali Ridge features homemade meals from fresh locally sourced ingredients. Can you share more about the culinary experiences at Jabali Ridge, including any signature dishes or dining events that guests particularly enjoy?

JM: We have a wonderful kitchen team, constantly striving to wow guests with their creations and enthusiastically encouraging guests to visit their kitchen, whether it just be for a walkaround or even for recipes or cooking lessons. We try, as often as possible, to alternate our dining venues – breakfast might be in the main dining area, a private lunch set-up at the rim-flow pool, or a romantic dinner setup amongst the natural amphitheater in amongst the rocks, surrounded by 100’s of lanterns. The kitchen is also very happy to prepare picnic breakfasts or lunches that can be taken along on drives should guests prefer, and there is often a surprise bush breakfast, lunch, or sundowner setup in a riverbed or the beautiful surroundings of Ruaha National Park during your stay.  There is also a big focus on training in the Jabali kitchen, and often we will have up to 6 trainees from local communities being mentored by our wonderful chefs. The most amazingly fresh organic fruit and veg are also all sourced from a supplier outside the park as well. A signature dish that should be tried would definitely have to be the baobab sorbet. Made from the baobab fruit, so abundant around Jabali Ridge, this refreshing sorbet is the perfect foil after a morning game drive. Also, don’t forget to ask the service staff about the cocktail of the day, as they take great pride in coming up with these every evening for pre-dinner drinks!

LLA: Finally, how does Jabali Ridge plan to leverage their Luxury Lifestyle Awards recognition to further strengthen brand awareness and loyalty among potential visitors?

J.M: We have a robust marketing communications plan where we share our new accolades and stories with both our business-to-business and business-to-consumer channels. This heavily weighted award brings to light our great camp, people, and social impact work we do in the Ruaha National Park area as well as greater Tanzania. Sharing these stories with future guests and Asilia followers will allow them to choose their next safari authentically and confidently, knowing that our work and actions align with the highest standards.

Thank you, Jossina!

To learn more about Jabali Ridge, follow this link: https://www.asiliaafrica.com/camps-lodges/jabali-ridge/