Tongabezi Lodge - Zambia

Member of the Classic Safari Camps of Africa

Tongabezi is small and secluded and set in a tranquil grove of African ebony trees on a sweeping bend of the Zambezi River. The guest accommodation, located only meters from the river, consists of five cottages and four spacious, open-planned stone and thatch houses. All rooms have fabulous river views and en-suite bathrooms.

The four houses - Honeymoon House, Tree House, Bird House and the Dog House are uniquely designed of local materials and have an open-plan bedroom with four poster double bed sheltered by a large airy mosquito canopy. The quirky and open plan design of the Houses means that certain of the baths and "loos" have arguably, the best views in Africa.

Each house and cottage at Tongabezi has its own valet who will be with you throughout your stay to ensure that you make the most of all the comforts it has to offer. With his in-depth knowledge of Tongabezi and the surrounding area, he can become your indispensable companion. The camp's swimming pool is landscaped into a natural cliff and meals are served in the large dining room or on the deck overlooking the river. The camp also has its own croquet lawn (African rules apply!), jetty, tennis courts and a school for the local children.

Accommodation:

Honeymoon House

The Honeymoon House is so-called because it was our first house, but each of the houses is built with romance and indulgence in mind.  Your private balcony overlooking the river is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner under the stars, or you can choose to dine with our other guests on one of the river decks

Tree House

Our four houses are made and furnished with local materials and designed to complement and enhance the natural surroundings, whilst creating a feeling of intimacy and privacy.  Each is unique and will pamper to your most romantic of moods.
 

Bird House

Sweeping views over the Zambezi River are a feature of every house.  Great attention has been paid to the bathroom areas and a special feature is the huge open-air sunken bath in every room, where you can both unwind to the serenades of an African evening.

Dog House (At the waters edge)

Dominating each house is the huge, king-size bed, complete with luxurious down pillows and duvet, and a magnificent, airy mosquito net, so your sleeping comfort is assured

Sindabezi Island Camp

If you are visiting for a few days, consider spending an unforgettable night or two at Sindabezi, Tongabezi's private island paradise nestled in the waters of the Zambezi near the Victoria Falls. Access from Tongabezi is by a short banana boat ride, or a guided canoe trip, where you may be lucky enough to spot a pod of wallowing hippo or elephant drinking on the river bank.

The camp consists of 4 thatched chalets, each with its own private river view. If you are in a party of four or more, the entire island can be yours exclusively at no extra cost. The open-fronted design of each chalet brings you close to nature. With no electricity on the island, there is a real sense of adventure and romance, as you dine by candlelight on the sand and fall asleep in the glow of a hurricane lamp, to the music of the inimitable African night.

Activities:

Days at Tongabezi have no set pattern and can be spent exactly as you wish. Choose simply to relax at the lodge or make the most of the wealth of activities, both inclusive and exclusive, that will keep you busy for several days. Whatever and whenever your choice, the staff and guides are always at hand to fulfill your wishes.

Activities at Tongabezi are numerous and include river boat trips, picnic lunches on islands in the river, visits to Livingstone, Victoria Falls town, and both sides of the Falls, birding, white water rafting, horse riding, bungee jumping, or for something truly unique, having lunch on Livingstone Island! Tongabezi is also ideal for just relaxing in camp and lazing around the pool.

Livingstone Island:

Livingstone Island can probably be considered one of the most exclusive camps in the world. It is completely unique - the only accommodation on the lip of the Victoria Falls and the island is a World Heritage site. Dr. Livingstone first camped here when he discovered the Falls in 1855, and Tongabezi is now privileged to have exclusive access to it.

The Zambia National Parks Board nonetheless strictly controls the ecology of Livingstone Island. No permanent structures are allowed, numbers of visitors are strictly regulated,  eight max. at any given time.

Literally everything brought onto the island must again be transported off again. The camp is comfortable but basic, but has its own cook, waiter and guide. There is running cold water, hot bucket showers and no electricity. Access is by boat from the Zambian side at 16h00.

   
Rates: 1 Jan to 31 May 2009
1 Nov to 31 Dec 2009
1 June to 31 Oct 2009
Cottages Per Person Sharing
USD 450
USD 540
Houses
USD 550
USD 640
Nut House
USD 650
USD 740
Tongabezi & Sindabezi 4-night special
2 nights Tongabezi & 2 nights Sindabezi Island (per person per night)
Cottage + Chalet
USD 380
USD 440
House + Honeymoon Chalet
USD 440
USD 515
Nut House + Honeymoon Chalet
USD 480
USD 560

Single Supplement is 40% additional; (supplement waived for first two singles in low season).
Rates include: Accommodation, all meals, drinks, house wine (not premium wines, champagne, sparkling wines and liqueurs), laundry service and levies.
Included Activities: Sunrise and sunset boat trip on the Zambezi, Guided canoeing excursion depending on water levels and hippo activity, Lunch on local Island with guided walk, Fishing (equipment provided), Visit to the Victoria Falls on the Zambian Side, Game drive in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National park (Park fees are extra), Walk in the gorge below the Falls, Cultural visit to the museum (Museum entrance is USD 8 per person subject to change), Local village visit, Mountain bike trail to local village, Shopping trip on the Zambian side of the Falls, Lunar rainbow (USD 30 per person in season).
Excludes: Airport tax direct on departure (USD 28 Internationally and USD 8 Domestic subject to change), Park fees of USD 15 per person per visit (subject to change).
Child policy: We are happy to take children seven and over. Children under 14 pay 50% unless they are in their own room when full rates apply.

African Safari Consultants

TOLL FREE  1-866-733-4263
 (1-866-SEE-GAME)