Tongabezi Lodge
Livingstone & Zambezi River, Zambia
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TONGABEZI LODGE - LIVINGSTONE
& ZAMBEZI RIVER, ZAMBIA
Tongabezi Lodge is an exclusive lodge, away
from the crowds, on the banks of the Zambezi River, 15km upstream
from the magnificent Victoria
Falls. The lodge accommodates 18 guests, with four twin-bedded cottages,
one double-bedded cottage and four luxury double-bedded houses.
Tongabezi Lodge, the first river lodge
on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls, was established in 1990
by Ben Parker and the late Will Ruck-Keene. It is privately owned and
run, with the emphasis on exclusivity and romance,
enhanced by the warmth and hospitality of the people of Zambia.
A
ratio of four friendly staff to every guest ensures a luxurious
and relaxing stay.
Activities available include visits to Victoria Falls, gorges,
Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and Livingstone museums and markets,
as well as boat
trips, canoeing, white water rafting and tiger fishing on the river,
tennis on a grass tennis court, swimming in the pool built into
the rock, golf, croquet and riding. Also, special champagne luncheons
on Livingstone Island in the middle of the Falls and fully catered
canoe safaris camping on islands. You can enjoy the view and do
nothing
too.
Accommodation 
For images of Tongabezi Lodge, click Tongabezi Images
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.
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 fulfil
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.
Sights
Livingstone Island
Perched on the edge of the Victoria Falls
in the very midst of this thundering mass of water, Livingstone
Island is the place
from where Dr Livingstone first viewed the Mosi-oa-Tunya (The
Smoke That Thunders). During your guided exploration of the island,
you'll truly understand the real power of this Wonder of the
World. Thereafter, enjoy a sumptuous lunch, high tea or light
breakfast whist the Zambezi waters roar past. If you're feeling
brave, take a heart-stopping peek over the island's edge to the
churning mass of water below, or a dip in the Falls' very own
pool (at times of low water).
Tujatane
The Tongabezi Trust School, which
opened in 1996, was set up and is run by Vanessa Parker, Ben's wife.
It provides
education to the Tongabezi
staff children, as well as children from the local community in an area
where educational funding and materials are scarce. Tujatane has grown
from a pre-school with 15 children into a primary school with over
100 children
and recently attained UK charity status.
Education in Zambia needs help.
Through education, Tujatane becomes the starting point for change;
the children and their parents understand
that education will bring opportunity. You can help make that opportunity
happen. The school is self-funding and, apart from the first classroom,
the rest of the school has been built purely from donations. Anything
you could bring out with you would be hugely appreciated, including
old toys, used books and videos, reading and writing materials. You
are encouraged to visit Tujatane - the children love welcoming
visitors to their school.
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.
Wildlife
Although
Tongabezi is not a game lodge, the Zambezi National Park is
located
just
across the river, and Lion calls can often be heard at night. Rich
birdlife is found in the area. Hippo are regularly sighted (and heard)
along the river's edge. Fishing is good, with Tiger fishing featuring
prominently in the warmer months. Birding in and around the lodge
is superb.
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