TONGABEZI

Tongabezi: Our View

Built years ago with a design that was totally unique across Africa, Tongabezi is an old favourite.  Today, Tongabezi does seem a little dated but the lodge certainly has a couple of the best rooms in the entire area and for that reason we still rate it as one of the best lodges at Victoria Falls.  It is a very tough choice as to whether Tongabezi or the River Club (the best hotel in the area) and ultimately the decision is based on which rooms you get at Tongabezi.  If you can get the Nut House, Honeymoon or Tree then this place is superb.  If not then we suggest the River Club.

We give Tongabezi 5 paws. Admittedly, if staying in a cottage room, it does not deserver this rating, but the best room are without doubt the BEST rooms in the area.

Tongabezi: The Detail

Zambia’s Tongabezi Lodge is an exclusive lodge located on the banks of the Zambezi River, 15km upstream from the magnificent Victoria Falls.  Tongabezi is set in a grove of African ebony trees on a sweeping bend of the Zambezi River. The setting is phenomenal and provides guiests with the perfect escape from the business of Livingstone town itself.
 
Tongabezi was one of the first top end lodges in the area and set the standard for new lodge design across Africa. The lavish accommodations consists of five river cottages and five spacious open-planned stone and thatch houses.  Four of the cottages have a private deck overlooking the river, whilst the garden cottage is perfect for families with a children’s’ room, private living room and garden area set back from the riverbank.  All have ensuite bathrooms, flush "loos with views", bath and shower.

The individually named houses - Tree House, Bird House, Honeymoon House, Nut House and Dog House, each have unique architectural features and are built in local materials. Each house is stunning with open-plan bedrooms, four poster double bed with large airy mosquito canopies, ensuite bathrooms with baths and showers.  Extra beds can be provided in Bird House, Honeymoon House and Dog House for families, but not at Tree House. The lodge also has a health spa where various treatments and massages are available, at an extra cost,

The lodge also has a wealth of different activities on offer, all included in the price. Canoeing, island lunches, floating river meals, visits to the Mukuni Park, sunrise and sunset boating, visits to the local villages, guided bush walks, museum tours, fishing trips on the Zambezi and guided tours of Livingstone and Victoria Falls itself.
 
Activities not included in the price include visits to Livingstone Island, Elephant rides, trips to Chobe National Park, white water rafting trips, helicopter rides, microlights, gorege swings, bungie jumping, jet boating, horse riding and a number of other activities available in and around Livingstone.