Aesthetic Balance ♥ Luxury & Beauty
Livingstone Tongabezi Lodge
Victoria Falls & Sindabezi Island
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The true aesthetic of every Tongabezi space is the underlying philosophy that nothing is too much. Private dining in a never-ending choice of venues, from a quirky picnic on an authentic dhow to an indulgent lazy breakfast in your king size bed or your very own Sampan floating on the Zambezi river, illuminated by the Milky Way and paraffin lamps – with every course delivered by canoe.
ACCOMMODATION
TONGABEZI
Tongabezi is a luxury lodge near Victoria Falls on the banks of the Zambezi River. It was founded in 1990 by Ben Parker and the late Will Ruck-Keene, pioneers of eco-tourism in Zambia.
Privately owned and run, Tongabezi combines romance and exclusivity with warm and attentive service. Each house and cottage has its own valet who takes care of guests throughout their stay and acts as a private concierge.
There is no set pattern to days at Tongabezi. Guests can do as much or as little as they wish, with game drives, bush walks and boating trips all included in the price. The majestic Victoria Falls can be viewed on foot in the national park, from inside the gorge, from Livingstone Island and from the air.
Tongabezi Main Lodge
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Tongabezi Honeymoon House
Built with the perfect view, indulgence and privacy in mind the Honeymoon House is the original blueprint for luxury Tongabezi accommodation. The private balcony overlooks the river, providing a perfect setting for a secluded candlelit dinner beneath the stars. Alternatively, you can choose to dine with the other guests on one of the river decks.
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The Tree House
Exotic Day Dream
At the end of the swimming pool a hidden path winds along the cliff face to our secluded Tree House. Set against the basalt rock bed, amongst the branches of a riverine Ebony tree, this house spreads out over a sustainable pine deck that guarantees incredible views of the Zambezi River.
The king size bed has a large, canopied mosquito net with air conditioning and the extensive space can also be used for private dining and lounging. The bathroom’s crowning glory is a perfectly positioned claw footed bath and from the Anatolian carpets to the Asian chests and West African artwork the Tree House invokes exotic day dreams. All the inclusive Tongabezi activities are available… but this house is so much part of the surroundings that you can experience the beauty and majesty of Zambia without setting a foot outside.
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River Cottages
Private Valet
Redefining life on the banks of the Zambezi River the River Cottages feature high ceilings, giant bespoke wood and glass windows and doors leading onto expansive sustainable pine decks. The signature African fusion Tongabezi style has been distilled to the best of ‘Made in Zambia’ in both the interior and outdoor spaces. We are famous for keeping the romance of travel alive and our Cottages were designed to provide a private haven where your every whim just happens to be attended to by your very own valet.
Just a little magical? We think so.
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The Bird House
Open-Air Bath
The Bird House features a claw footed, open-air bathtub and a private terrace for dining under the stars. Guests can go canoeing on the river, join game drives, bush walks and enjoy sunset boat trips. Luxury camps such as Tongabezi provide a perfect base to explore Victoria Falls and the stunning African bush surrounding it.
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The Garden House
Family Time
The Garden House perfectly fills the family travel niche at Tongabezi. Set back from the river, seclusion and shelter offer a happy alternative to the sweeping Zambezi views that can still be enjoyed from any of the main lodge decks. It is a very private, very safe space where all the members of the family can spread out a little and indulge in an exclusive dining room, large lounge, two double en-suite bedrooms and of course run around the garden and cool off in the private plunge pool. Tongabezi is proud of it’s crazily indulgent reputation and the Garden House is no compromise: Whether you are a wide eyed bush baby or parents who believe romance should always be a priority.
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The Dog House
Family & Friends Time
Private Guide / Valet
The Dog House occupies another world at the furthest edges of the Tongabezi garden. It is the perfect escape for families and friends who love travel and do so together.
Here, three separate decks are connected to each other and the rest of the world only by elevated walkways. Sustainable pine forests have provided the beautiful wooden decking that is raised high enough to allow the mighty Zambezi River to run underneath all the rooms during high water.
Views are spectacular from every window, sofa, bed and bath.
The open plan central deck was designed around play, games, relaxation and conversation. It has a private infinity plunge pool, concertina glass doors, a double-sided fireplace facing onto both the lounge and the dining room and a spectacular bar.
Two dreamy islands of retreat can be reached via elevated walkways on either side with king size bedroom suites featuring large lounging areas and stunning en-suite bathrooms.
The Dog House is expansive and comes with its own exclusive valet, guide, vehicle and boat ensuring guests full control over the ultimate bespoke itinerary.
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The Nut House
Fine Art & Craft
A haven from the elements, it is entirely enclosed with light streaming in through every wall. The Nut House combines the best art, textiles and textures from around the African continent with design elements from Morocco, Mali, Zambia and South Africa. The palette is easy on the eyes, seamlessly blending the house into Zambia’s natural scenery. Folding doors open onto the elevated private garden and infinity plunge pool. Spectacular views over the Zambezi are guaranteed from the sublime riverbank setting.
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BOOK / ENQUIRE
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T’s & C’s apply
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Tangala House
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FAMILY SAFARI
Chef & Private Guide
Tangala House is a luxurious family home on the banks of the Zambezi River. Close to Tongabezi, it lies 15km upstream of Victoria Falls. The house has four bedrooms, three with en-suite bathrooms and a 12m private swimming pool. Stylishly designed and furnished, it has featured in House and Garden magazine in the UK and comes with a vehicle and boat, chef, waiters and private guide all courtesy of Tongabezi.
Ideal for a Zambia family safari, Tangala House sleeps up to 8 and has a children’s playroom and a spacious kitchen-dining room. The rooms are enclosed, with large glass fitted windows to keep out the insects and allow guests to enjoy magnificent views across the Zambezi. Over 145 species of birds have been spotted from the kitchen window and herds of elephant can often be seen drinking on the opposite bank.
The living room has a large sofa and two armchairs and leads onto a ‘snuggery’ with satellite TV, video, Hi Fi and Jetmaster fireplace. Most of the rooms have very high thatch ceilings and the passages feature large 3-4m high ‘Moroccan’ arches, with 1m thick walls.
The swimming pool is 13m x 4.5m, with an additional shallow area for children and bench seating. In front of the house is a grass lawn and 250m of private river frontage. There are no neighbours either side and Tangala also features three people friendly dogs. The veranda easily seats ten, and is open thatch with steps onto the lawn, towards the swimming pool and the terrace, which has an eight seat railway sleeper picnic table.
Tangala House is available to book over the Christmas and Easter Holidays, plus June, July and August. Other dates throughout the year are available on request only. There is a minimum stay of 3 nights for safari holidays and a minimum occupancy of four people.
EXTRA ACTIVITIES
going all the way!!
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VISIT LIVINGSTON ISLAND
Victoria Falls is one of the world’s natural wonders and among the most spectacular sights in all Africa. The best vantage point from where to witness this immense mass of water is tiny Livingstone Island, the place where Dr David Livingstone first glimpsed Mosi-oa-Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders).
Tongabezi offers five trips a day to Livingstone Island. A twin-engine boat that carries up to 16 people will take you through the fast-moving channels of the Zambezi, a thrilling journey.
Once on the island, you will be given a guided tour, learning about its history from ancient times, when it served as a sacrificial site, to the present day and its World Heritage status.
BOOK / ENQUIRE
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T’s & C’s apply
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All images are credited to Tongabezi
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