ROBBIE CHAZANGWE

WILDERNESS TOKA LEYA CAMP MANAGER

Robbie brings with him several years of hospitality experience, having held various positions in lodges across Zambia. Passionate about delivering the ultimate guest experience, he looks forward to growing and empowering his team whilst positively impacting the local community and inspiring young people to work hard and focus on their life aspirations.

Born on New Year’s Eve in Mfuwe, Zambia, Robbie grew up in a family of seven, and was inspired by nature from a young age, as his village was located near Zambia’s prolific South Luangwa National Park. Robbie attended a nearby primary school, with his secondary schooling sponsored by Jo Pope of Robin Pope Safaris.

After completing his schooling in 2001, Robbie embarked on his hospitality career as a waiter at Nsefu Camp. He was then appointed Assistant Restaurant Manager at Flatdogs Camp, where he also enjoyed helping out in the kitchen. Keen to progress, he studied Stores Management in Lusaka and was later promoted to Stores Manager at Flatdogs Camp in 2006.

Driven by a passion for the wild, Robbie went on to study guiding. He participated in the Luangwa Safari Association’s bursary examination, which sponsored one of 36 trainees. Upon scoring the highest marks in both the practical and theoretical exams, Robbie received the well-deserved sponsorship.

Robbie put his guiding knowledge to use when he became a guide at Flatdogs Camp in 2008. He continued to advance his qualifications and progressed to Safari Manager in 2010.

Robbie’s career highlights along the way include being appointed as an examiner for the Luangwa Safari Association in 2011, travelling to the USA in 2012 to present to key audiences in seven states, and in 2013, being selected for a Zambian Government Youth empowerment initiative to train and assess safari guides from Nyamaluma Wildlife College. Robbie also holds a Zambia Institute of Human Resources Management certificate.

Robbie moved to Lusaka to further his business studies. He joined Latitude 15º Hotel in 2015 as a Cost Control Manager and was later promoted to various managerial roles within the business, including Duty Manager, Procurement and Stores manager, and Project and Maintenance Manager.

In 2021 Robbie graduated from the Copperbelt University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and a year later joined Classic Zambia Safaris where he managed Chula Island Camp.

Robbie’s Wilderness journey began in August 2023, and he is thrilled at the opportunity to manage Wilderness Toka Leya. “Having grown up in one of the local communities, I look forward to sharing my Wilderness experience and bringing hope and confidence to young people who are faced with similar challenges growing up. Through Children in the Wilderness we can spread the word that even during hardship there is a solution”, says Robbie.