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, Â 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, Tongabezi's signature African-fusion style has been distilled in our five River Cottages. The Cottages feature high ceilings, giant bespoke wood and glass windows, and doors leading onto expansive sustainable pine decks. The best of 'Made in Zambia' is carried throughout both the interior and outdoor spaces in the most elegant ways. The River Cottages are perfect for the couple dreaming of a romantic and secluded retreat. They can also be booked out by a group that wants to connect with each other, while still enjoying downtime in private.
Nut House
A sanctuary hidden within the natural riverine scenery, the Tongabezi Nut House is entirely enclosed yet offers expansive views of the Zambezi River and warm Moroccan lighting throughout. A soft colour palette flows throughout this intimate space, which is open-plan and divided into two levels. The four poster bed sits covered in mosquito netting on the top level, and steps down into an indoor lounge, dining area and separate en-suite bathroom with an inviting claw-foot tub. Folding doors open onto the elevated private river deck and infinity plunge pool, where you can choose to take your meals in complete privacy if you wish.
Tree House
Set against the basalt rock bed with a sustainable pine deck entwined amid the branches of three ebonies, the secluded Tree House offers effortless immersion into its riverfront surrounds. A hidden path winds away from the main lodge and along the cliff face to the Tongabezi Tree House. From the Anatolian carpets to the Asian chests and West African artwork, the Tree House enchants the imagination and invokes colourful daydreams. Stunning views of the Zambezi River roll out from every part of this airy, open plan space. The king size bed is enveloped in a large, canopied mosquito net and shares this extensive space with areas for private dining and lounging. The bathroom's crowning glory is the claw-footed bath complemented by riverfront views and the sounds of nature.
Bird House
Perched on a large, suspended deck on a cliff overlooking the Zambezi River, the Bird House is an intimate and secluded retreat that celebrates the romance of the wilderness. The Bird House features a king size four poster bed, draped in mosquito netting and has an exquisite bird themed headboard, designed by Lightfoot Zambia. There is a small indoor lounge, with wooden and glass folding doors opening onto a private terrace and plunge pool. Unwind outdoors beside the river from the claw-footed, open-air bathtub covered in bubbles and with a cool, tall drink in hand as the sun sets over the Zambezi. Dine privately by the warm glow of lanterns, before sitting back to stargaze under the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere.
Honeymoon House
A boho-chic retreat with all the indulgence and privacy needed to celebrate romance, the Honeymoon House is the original blueprint for laidback luxury Tongabezi accommodation. Blue and white textiles combine with wooden furnishings and a thatched roof to create an intimate space in which to unwind together. The private wooden deck with plunge pool and dining area overlooks the river, making for unforgettable alfresco living. The en-suite bathroom has an indoor shower and open-air bathtub that is made utterly unforgettable by the canopy of stars above and the Zambezi lapping gently below.
Dog House
The Dog House occupies its own private world at the edge of the Tongabezi garden. Elevated walkways connect the three separate decks that make up your immense Dog House home with the rest of Tongabezi. The house is made up of two bedrooms with a central indoor and outdoor lounge, private plunge pool, dining area and bar. The mighty Zambezi River flows beneath the sustainable pine decking during high water, as the house is raised off the ground to guarantee spectacular views from each window, sofa, bed and bath. The Dog House is a wonderful escape for families and friends who love travel and appreciate being together in nature, but who also want a little space for privacy.
Garden House
Set back from the Zambezi River, the Garden House offers a different perspective to the sweeping river views that can still be enjoyed from any of the main lodge decks. This is a secluded home for families and friends that appreciate privacy and space, allowing all members of the group to spread out a little within a safe environment. Rich, earthy-toned textiles and wooden furnishings create inviting shared spaces in the dining room and lounge as well as the private bedrooms, both fully en-suite. Stepping outdoors, a large, covered lounge opens out onto your own garden and plunge pool.
Tangala House
Tangala Private House is a luxurious family home on the banks of the Zambezi River. It lies close to the main lodge at Tongabezi while still being secluded enough to ensure a private and safe environment for your family holiday. Tangala has four bedrooms, three of which have en-suite bathrooms. The fourth room has twin beds, is ideal for children and there is a bathroom across the hallway. The house also comes with two gorgeous, family-friendly dogs. The living room has a large sofa and two armchairs and leads onto a 'snuggery' with satellite TV, video, hi-fi and fireplace. An open-thatch veranda easily seats 10 and steps lead out onto the garden that has 250m of private river frontage. The 13-metre swimming pool has a shallow area with bench seating for the little ones. Tangala also has its own well-equipped gym.
Kate’s review of Tongabezi Lodge
I loved the great sense of space at Tongabezi with lush, serene gardens adding to the sense of privacy as well.
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
