Welcome to the magical world of the Victoria Falls, the amazing Zambezi River and the magical Tongabezi Lodge
If you live in Africa, a weekend getaway in the bush on one of Africa's greatest rivers is something that is part of your culture, essentially something you can relate to. If you live elsewhere in the developed world, it is one of the most exotic things you can imagine. .
Located twenty kilometres upstream from Victoria Falls, you will find a retreat that is simply out of this world, in terms of views, comforts and luxuries. Situated along the bank of the Zambezi River, there are eleven different cottages of varying sizes and luxury. What unites them is a sense of tranquillity and warm intimacy. The local Tonga staff are more than welcoming and greet you by your name as soon as you arrive. With the luxury of a butler who brings you whatever you require and sits down and explains to you all the activities, you have already a feeling of the place.
What struck our own Nicky Searle on a recent honeymoon stay was the pervasive air of being in your own private kingdom. Even if Tongabezi Lodge is fully booked, there are so many different spaces to retreat to that you hardly see anyone else at all.
The decor is a relaxed mixture of African influences and materials, with Colonial and Zanzibari being the dominant themes. Nearly all the cottages are completely open with no windows yet are completely exclusive, with no one overlooking anybody else. There are separate lounges or nooks where you can sit or lie. They have a rather special sanpan or floating deck anchored to the river floor, which has as its furniture a table for two where a silver service dinner is rowed out to you.
As for activities, the whole point is that you can do as little or as much as you want. In this relaxed environment (apologies for using the word relaxed again, it is a dominant theme!), you could be excused for being a lotus eater. There are however numerous excursions which you can do. Paddling out in canoes to the nearby islands, mountain biking to the village, lunching on Livingstone Island, going for game drives to the national park, guided bush walks, visiting the Falls by foot, vehicle, helicopter or even a bungee jump over the railway bridge!
Tongabezi is not a game lodge. It is a retreat, a rather special place on the banks of one of the worlds most beautiful and romantic rivers. It is perfect for couples or those who want to refill their tired urban batteries.
Writing now from Cape Town, where snow has just fallen, I am falling in love with my own picture. I think a plane flight is calling!
Tongabezi Lodge Victoria Falls by Uyaphi.com
- Sausage Tree Camp
Sausage Tree Camp is set in a stunning location on the banks of the Zambezi in the heart of the Lower Zambezi's best game viewing area.
The camp overlooks an expanse of narrow channels and low set reed islands teeming with game, with the magnificent Zambezi escarpment as the backdrop.
- Sussi & Chuma Lodge
Sussi & Chuma, both lodges take full advantage of their enchanting riverbank setting, resident wildlife, such as hippopotamus and elephant, are likely to wander through the grounds, since in the National Park they have priority.
- Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp
Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp overlooking the Zambezi River and Mushika River flood plain offers guests a premium safari experience that includes, game drives, night drives, canoeing, and boating activities within a remote corner of this spectacular park.
- Royal Zambezi Lodge
A Lower Zambezi National Park lodge refurbished as a 5 star luxury lodge, overlooking the vast Zambezi river with it's wildlife and scenic vistas.
Royal Zambezi River Lodge is a striking combination of contemporary style and comfort in a completely unspoiled bush environment.
- Toka Leya Camp
Toka Leya Camp consisting of 12 spacious en-suite safari-style tents, is hidden on the banks of the Zambezi River in the western sector of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, about 12km upstream from the Falls, offering spectacular views.
- Potato Bush Camp
Potato Bush Camp located on the banks of the Zambezi River in a very remote corner of the Lower Zambezi National Park offers guests a small and exclusive safari experience like few others.
Only four tented suites all offer stunning panoramic views overlooking the Zambezi River and Zambezi escarpment.
