Mr Gwango

Sep 18, 2025

Spend a day at Gwango and you will certainly cross paths with the man everyone fondly calls Mr Gwango. His real name is Monias Kufa, but the nickname fits. He has a way of showing up just when you need him. It might be at the front desk, a quiet chat with a guest over coffee, or an impromptu conversation with a team member.

With over 30 years of hospitality experience across Seychelles, Durban, Botswana and Zimbabwe, he could easily lean on his résumé. Instead, what you notice first is his energy. He is genuinely happy doing what he does. There’s a warmth in how he asks about your journey, or how quickly he remembers a detail you mentioned in passing. It just feels natural and genuine.

A typical day for him begins long before most guests are awake. He reviews occupancy, checks in with teams and makes sure everything is moving smoothly. It is the smaller moments that reveal the most about him though. Meeting guests, listening to feedback, making sure someone feels heard or welcomed… those are the parts he enjoys most and you can tell. His motto is simple: happy guest, happy staff and everything else follows.

One of the traditions that carries his personal touch is the new Gwango signature welcome drink. The Chaya leaves, picked from the estate, are brewed into a refreshing glass that is now part of every arrival at Gwango Elephant Lodge. The recipe was his idea, and to this day he is often the one handing it to guests with a smile. To him, it is more than a drink. This is his way of reminding you that you have truly arrived.

It is not unusual to see Mr Gwango walking through the grounds. One moment he might be on his way to a staff briefing, the next he might stop to admire elephants moving in the distance. That mix of attentiveness to the smallest detail and awareness of the bigger picture is what makes him stand apart. In many ways, he is the spirit of Gwango itself… attentive, present and always welcoming. And for the guests, that presence is felt from the moment he says hello.