Tongabezi Lodge
Tongabezi is an exclusive lodge situated on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River about 10 kilometres upstream from Victoria Falls.
Tongabezi is a long-established lodge that has always been exclusive and upmarket, but in recent years has become a very refined and special place to stay. The luxury lodge is nestled into the steeply wooded bank of the Zambezi, affording lovely views across the river. The lodge retains a lot of character and African feel in its architecture and furnishings. The management, food and service is all excellent, whilst Tongabezi also take guiding seriously and has team of wonderful guides and safari vehicles to help you experience the local area. All the accommodation is lovely, but some of the houses are exquisite with high levels of privacy and fantastic views. There is a long list of activities available, many of which are inclusive during your stay, so it is easy to spend three or four days at Tongabezi and if anything two nights is too short!
Rooms
The rondavel style River Cottages are light and airy and have either twin or double beds. They are kept cool by air-conditioning and both ceiling and standard fans. Built-in wardrobes make excellent use of the space and the plumbed en suite bathrooms include flush toilet, double vanity unit, freestanding bath and shower. The cottages all have a spacious deck with comfortable furnishings and a small semi-outdoor seating area.
The Houses are all individually styled. Garden House is the only accommodation with no river views but it offers great privacy with a private garden and pool. Garden and Dog House each have two bedrooms making them ideal for families, or in the case of Dog House, for two couples travelling together. Dog House also comes with a plunge pool and for four or more guests a private guide is also included. Tree House is, as the name suggests, built around a large tree and is completely open fronted towards the river. Nut, Bird and Honeymoon Houses all have elevated views over the river (and plunge pools) and are accessed by quite a few steps.
Additionally, Tangala House is a four bedroomed family home that is booked on an exclusive basis. With spacious living spaces, a private garden, gym and 12 metre swimming pool, it offers extra exclusivity and privacy for families. The house comes with a chef for private meals and one or two guides for private activities.
Central Areas
Tongabezi’s main areas are spread across the riverbank with several different ‘hubs’ where you can relax or enjoy meals. For meals there is a central dining room and a large deck overlooking the river with a sunken firepit area which is perfect for sundowners and pre-dinner drinks. For relaxing there are two swimming pools, one built into the rock face and a larger lap pool set back from the river and adjacent to an impressively equipped gym. Just along the riverbank from the main dining area are ‘The Lookout’ and ‘The Hangout’ – each offering relaxing spaces furnished with comfortable sofas, perched overlooking the Zambezi River.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for charging – Yes
Swimming pool – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
Victoria Falls – one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. David Livingstone was the first European to ‘discover’ the falls when he visited them in November 1855. He later wrote, “no one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England. Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.” He named them after his Queen, for the first and only time deviating from his practise of naming places and features after their local native names, in this instance “Mo ku sa tunya mosi” (nowadays shortened to mosi-au-tunya – ‘where there is always smoke rising’).
Spanning a width of some 1700 metres, the waters of the mighty Zambezi actually plunge down five distinct waterfalls, separated by islands which account for just over 300 metres of the total span. The average height is just less than 100 metres. During the peak flood season (April and May), the flow increases to some 33,750,000 cubic metres a minute. At this time, the spray makes viewing of the falls from the ground almost impossible and it is advisable to take an aerial view on what is commonly referred to as a ‘flight of angels’. By September, the waters of the Zambezi have dropped significantly to allow views of the individual falls. This remains until March when the river starts to rise again.
Activities
A number of excursions are included while staying at Tongabezi (but all park/entrance fees will need to be paid direct). On the river, enjoy sunrise/sunset cruises, fishing and an island picnic lunch. A trip to Livingstone Island is also included. Away from the river, guided walks on the property (including a tour of the organic garden), mountain bike trails, game drives in Mosi oa Tunya National Park, and visits to the local village are also available. Further afield, a visit to the famous Victoria Falls and time to explore the town is included. Visits to Tongabezi’s community projects are also included (see the conservation and community section for further details).
Beyond the included activities, some of the many optional activities which can be undertaken during your visit to the Victoria Falls region include the following.
‘Flights of Angels’ – helicopter or microlight flights of various duration over the falls and along the Zambezi River. Should be pre-booked, especially if travelling in high season.
Lunch or drinks on Livingstone Island – a firm favourite and highly recommended when water levels allow – usually from mid-July through to January. Enjoy drinks or lunch on the edge of the Falls as water plunges around you. You may also be able to swim in a natural rock pool on the edge of the falls!
Elephant interaction at the Elephant Cafe – morning or afternoon excursions. Interact with elephants for an hour in Mosi-au-Tunya National Park. Early pre-booking essential.
White water rafting – experience some of the finest white-water the world has to offer. Full and half day rafting excursions below the Falls run from around mid-late July to March (dependant on water levels). Half day a.m. involves a stiff climb out of the gorge. Minimum age 15, parent/guardian to sign indemnity for under 20.
Canoeing on the Upper Zambezi: Half day or Full day with qualified guide. Min age 12.
Fishing (catch and release) half and full day with professional fishing guide.
Mists of Time – for those interested in culture and history, then the exceptional ‘Mists of Time’ excursion (half day) is not to be missed.
Other Excursions include breakfast, lunch or sunset river cruises; horse-riding; game drives in Mosi-au-Tunya National Park; game walks in Mosi-au-Tunya National Park; half day and full day canoeing on the Zambezi; quad-biking; bungee jumping; jet boating (30 minute extreme); gorge swings; flying fox; half or full day cultural and/or historical tours; village visits; tours of Livingstone town or the Railway museums; swimming under the falls; or possibly going across to the Zimbabwe side to view the falls (you will need to purchase day visas unless you buy a UNI Visa on arrival into Zambia).
Seasons
Tongabezi is open all year round though it is the rainy season between November and March.
Tongabezi is a fantastic five star option for families, especially staying in the two bedroomed Garden or Dog Houses. For larger family groups, and those seeking exclusivity, Tangala House is perfect. Tongabezi offers the chance to both relax and explore, with the range of activities including community interaction too.
Tongabezi Lodge is involved in an ever-growing number of conservation, community, and environment initiatives in the local areas. All projects aim to ensure the greatest creation of jobs with the smallest carbon footprint, minimal environmental impact, and maximum social impact. During your visit to Tongabezi, be sure to ask the team about these projects.
In May 1996, Vanessa Parker, the wife of one of Tongabezi’s founders Ben, started the Tongabezi Trust School (Tujatane) to help provide primary education to family and friends of the Tongabezi staff. The school began as a preschool class of 15 students and today the school provides over 300 students with a free, holistic education and vital nutritious meals. The school is engaged in promoting an active respect for the environment in the students, but most importantly it provides the support and opportunity to enable the students to empower themselves, and therefore to empower their communities and uplift their environment. Guests at Tongabezi are welcome to visit the school.
The Tongabezi garden supplies the lodge with fruit, vegetables, and herbs which are grown organically, with their own natural pesticides and home-made fertiliser (food is never wasted at Tongabezi, it ends up as compost). The lodge is also developing a Reforestation and Regeneration Project with the Simoonga and Sinde communities. The aim is to populate the villages with fruit and nut bearing trees, nitrogen-fixing trees, and indigenous trees, which all play their important part in the local ecosystem.
Some of the staff at Tongabezi are members of the Aids Council of Zambia and Share which oversees HIV and AIDS related projects within the accommodation sector of Tourism in Livingstone. The programme has lessened the taboo in talking about HIV and AIDS, working through both group activities and one on one discussions. The staff welfare committee at the lodge have funds which they are able to use to assist staff members with should they require it due to ill health.
The Mukuni Community Farm is founded by the Green Safaris Conservation Foundation (managers of Tongabezi), together with Chief Mukuni and the NGO By Life Connected. The farm is sustainable, organic, and has the goal of providing fresh produce to the community and nearby lodges whilst generating income for the local people. The farm also provides free training about organic, healthy farming techniques. Guests can visit the farm en route to Victoria Falls.
