Tongabezi Lodge
CEDARBERG RATING
Luxury
Overview
- Stunning river setting on an open expanse of the Zambezi river near the Victoria Falls, Zambia
- The Houses are very romantic and wild, completely open to the river views
- Each house has an evocative huge sunken bath, some have private plunge pools
- Perfect for honeymooners
- African textures, colours and spirit
- Range of inclusive activities – boat cruises, canoeing, guided trips to the Victoria Falls
- Perhaps combine with Sindabezi island, its sister camp
Tongabezi Lodge is an ultra-romantic retreat which lies on a sweeping bend of the Zambezi river, facing west toward the sunset. It is situated some 18 kilometres upstream from the Victoria Falls on the Zambian side. Here you can enjoy open expansive views over the river and a wild, romantic feel. Privately owned and run, Tongabezi combines romance and exclusivity with warm and attentive service. You choose between one of the luxurious houses or river cottages. Each has its own valet who acts as a private concierge.
Accommodation
The Houses at Tongabezi Lodge are furnished with local Zambian materials and designed with romance and indulgence in mind. Tongabezi is proud of their crazily indulgent reputation! Dominating each house is the huge, king-size bed. Plus each house is completely open to the front affording superb river views and sounds. Your private balcony overlooking the river is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner under the African stars. Or you can choose to dine with other guests on the main deck. Honeymoon House was the first but now you can choose between the equally romantic Bird House, Tree House, Dog House and the most luxurious, Nut House.
Dog House offers a fantasy retreat for families or two couples. Elevated walkways connected the three separate decks. The central deck is ideal for relaxation with sitting area, double-sided fireplace, dining area and bar opening on to it. Outside is an infinity pool merging into the river below. Two dreamy bedrooms feature stunning bathrooms and offer the perfect retreat.
Along the river bank lie five expansive and enclosed river cottages. So they are ideal for people who aren''t comfortable with the open-sided aspect. Each has a large double bed or two singles, mosquito net, en suite bath and shower, and a terrace for relaxing, dining and enjoying the idyllic Zambezi River views.
The Garden House is the family villa. It has a secluded garden setting where all the members of the family can spread out. There are two double en suite bedrooms and a large lounge with dining area where private meals are served. Whilst outside there's a garden to run around in and a private plunge pool. Please note that, as the name suggest, this House does not have a river view. But it has lots to offer instead.
Facilities at Tongabezi Lodge
Tongabezi’s public areas have a stylish African vibe. They include an open air bar, sitting area and dining area. However, dining is usually alfresco on one of the river decks. The Lookout is another lovely, indulgent idea – the ultimate chill zone jutting out over the river where you can feel at one with nature. Hidden behind is a high-tech room for when you have to stay in touch. Whilst the Hangout is naturally a cocooning spot to relax and read. The main swimming pool is landscaped into a rock face. There's also a private spa sala for massages or reflexology.
Activities
Inclusive activities at Tongabezi Lodge include a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, canoeing on the Zambezi River, boating to a desert island for a picnic, private candlelit dinner on the floating sampan, boating at sunrise and sunset, a visit to Simonga village in Zambia, guided bush walks including bird watching, fishing, tour of Livingstone museum, game drives and visits to the Maramba market.
Why not combine a couple of nights at Tongabezi Lodge with a night or two at its equally romantic sister camp, Sindabezi Island? These are some of our favourite places to stay in Zambia.
At A Glance
Birding hotspot
Swimming pool
Romantic
Rural location
In Pictures
Tongabezi Lodge on the map
Rooms
River Cottages
Redefining life on the banks of the Zambezi River the River Cottages feature high ceilings, giant bespoke wood and glass windows and doors leading onto expansive sustainable pine decks. The signature African fusion Tongabezi style has been distilled to the best of 'Made in Zambia' in both the interior and outdoor spaces.
We are famous for keeping the romance of travel alive and our Cottages were designed to provide a private haven where your every whim just happens to be attended to by your very own valet.
Nut House
The Nut House is a haven from the elements. It is entirely enclosed but has light streaming in through every wall. The best art, textiles, and textures have been collected and combined from all around the African continent - from Morocco, Mali, Zambia, and South Africa just to start. This creates a lusciously romantic setting for relaxation, without losing an inch of the incredible river-view.
The palette is easy on the eyes, seamlessly blending the house into Zambia's natural scenery. Folding doors open onto the elevated private garden and infinity plunge pool. Spectacular views over the Zambezi are guaranteed.
Tree House
At the end of the swimming pool, a hidden path winds along the cliff face to our secluded Tree House. Set against the basalt rock bed, amongst the branches of a riverine Ebony tree, this house spreads out over a sustainable pine deck that guarantees incredible views of the Zambezi River.
The king size bed has a large, canopied mosquito net with air conditioning and the extensive space can also be used for private dining and lounging. The bathroom’s crowning glory is a perfectly positioned claw footed bath and from the Anatolian carpets to the Asian chests and West African artwork the Tree House invokes exotic day dreams.
All the inclusive Tongabezi activities are available... but this house is so much part of the surroundings that you can experience the beauty and majesty of Zambia without setting a foot outside.
Bird House
The Bird House features an open-air claw footed bath and a private terrace for dining under the stars. Guests can go canoeing on the river, join game drives, bush walks and enjoy sunset boat trips. Luxury camps such as Tongabezi provide a perfect base to explore Victoria Falls and the stunning African bush surrounding it.
Honeymoon House
Built with the perfect view, indulgence and privacy in mind the Honeymoon House is the original blueprint for luxury Tongabezi accommodation. The private balcony overlooks the river, providing a perfect setting for a secluded candlelit dinner beneath the stars. Alternatively, you can choose to dine with our other guests on one of the river decks.
Dog House
The Dog House personifies the Tonga ethos of exclusivity, romance and luxury with a twist of quirkiness. Located at the very end of the elevated garden path, this private haven sits on three large wooden decks over the Zambezi river. Recently extensively refurbished, the house remains magnificently proportioned and now has two beautiful bedrooms to accommodate small groups and families. The sprawling space includes a central designated chill zone with an infinity pool, extended deck, large lounge and cozy dining room. Whether you manage to venture out to enjoy the inclusive activities, dabble in serious adventure – or simply elect to order the massages in - the brand new Dog House is so much more than a beautiful, African Fusion style accommodation choice... it is the experience of a life time.
Garden House
The result of a number of years of energy, imagination and many conversations with top travel specialists and our guests, the Garden House perfectly fills the family travel niche at Tongabezi. Set back from the river, seclusion and shelter are a happy swop for the sweeping Zambezi views that can still be enjoyed from any of the decks of the main lodge. It is a very private, very safe space where all the members of the family can spread out a little and indulge in an exclusive dining room, large lounge, two en-suite bedrooms and of course run around the garden and cool off in the private plunge pool. Tongabezi is proud of our crazily indulgent reputation and the Garden House is no compromise: Whether you are a wide eyed bush baby or parents who believe romance should always be a priority.
Kate’s review of Tongabezi Lodge
Tongabezi has been taken over by Green Safaris. Their ethos is to deliver an environmentally friendly safari, with a strong focus on community development as well. BUT at the same time ensuring that their clients have a fantastic time on safari.
As the lodge has been added to over the years, it is not as cohesive in design as other newer lodges. But apart from this relatively minor gripe, I loved it.
I loved the great sense of space at Tongabezi with lush, serene gardens adding to the sense of privacy as well.
Accommodation
It offers a great choice of accommodation from Cottages to Houses.
The cottages have been considerably upgraded and I would be happy to use them. No private pool but all have river frontage and there are two pools to choose from.
Most of the Houses are now enclosed (except Tree House), Treehouse is very romantic, and I love the openness. It has an air-con, but given the open-air concept, doesn’t really combat the heat of Oct/Nov. The rest are also super stylish each with their own pool and glorious river views.
Families have a choice of the Garden Family House – only option with no river view. But it is fully enclosed by a wall, with its own pool. However note that the two bedrooms are not inter-leading so not ideal for very small kids
Or Dog House (sleeps 4) – with two very stylish suites sharing a sitting room. This could also used by two couples as well, but naturally more expensive.
Tongabezi (and Green Safaris) has a very clear community upliftment footprint. This is centred around their amazing school trust which is able to sponsor children not only through school but also university if they have the grades, both in South Africa and in Europe. I do recommend the school visit as it is very uplifting.
Practical Comments
- Tongabezi does airside VIP Meet and Greets at Livingstone airport
- 30-35 mins drive to Vic Falls
- Front pool is close to the river, great for a quick dip before lunch
- Main pool is behind the gardens, with a pool deck and a fully equipped gym close by
Included Activities:
- Livingstone Island tour
- Visit to the Tongabezi School (VERY inspiring)
- Sunrise and sunset river cruises, perhaps by E-Dhow, which was a game-changer for me!
- Picnic lunch on a private island
- Guided tour of the Victoria Falls (but the $20 pp park fee is payable by guests)
- Guided tour of Simonga Village on foot or by bike
- Fishing - Not good in early season as water too high and too murky. Late season is better as lower and clearer
- Visit to Livingstone Museum and/or the markets ($5 museum fee is extra)
Exclusive Offers
Free Flights
Stay 4+ nights at any combo of Green Safaris camps and connecting flights or road transfers directly to/from the camps are free
Stay 4+ nights at any combo of Green Safaris camps and connecting flights or road transfers directly to/from the camps are free. Green Safaris lodges include Tongabezi Lodge, Sindabezi Island Lodge, Ila Safari Lodge, Chisa Busanga Camp, Shawa Luangwa Camp, Sausage Tree Camp, Potato Bush Camp in Zambia AND Kaya Mawa camp in Malawi on Likoma Island.
Terms & Conditions: Note: many camps are only open from April or May to mid-Nov
Free flight offer
Book a min of 4 nights at any one or combination of lodges and they include all flights and transfers
Book a min of 4 nights at any one or combination of lodges and they include all flights and transfers
