Tongabezi
Location - Approx 30 mins from Livingstone on banks of Zambezi.
Accommodation - 5 river cottages and 7 themed houses.
Experience - Victoria Falls trips, boat safaris, canoe safaris, boat trips, Livingstone Island trips, weddings.
Price Guide - $380 - 560 pppn
Tongabezi stands out head and shoulders amongst the competition as a lodge with a strong individual identity. The location of the Tongabezi is awe inspiring on the banks of the Zambezi with stunning views of the river from all of the rooms except the garden room. The rooms at Tongabezi don't conform to a single design but vary around a central concept; that being maximised views of the river where possible and well constructed simplicity throughout. Read more?
Attention to detail is high and the rooms manage to remain uncluttered, and at the same time, stylish and comfortable. There are nods here and there to a colonial style, but the lodge has a contemporary feel of its own which is very appealing, particularly given how overdone the colonial 'thing' can feel at Livingstone.
Well thought out physical construction of the lodge is supported by excellent service at Tongabezi. The Zambian staff are, as everywhere in Zambia in our experience, both welcoming and good English speakers. On arrival you are assigned a valet (ok so that is a colonial concept) who not only looks after your room, makes the beds, brings you tea or coffee in the mornings, but also is able to answer most of your questions. As well as the usual range of subjects, Marshal, our valet displayed an impressive knowledge of botany at least as far as the trees in camp were concerned.
There are 4 Houses as Tongabezi - Dog, Honeymoon, Bird and Tree - 5 River Cottages and a garden cottage. The houses at Tongabezi are generally more elaborate than the cottages. Honeymoon house for example has a long open front giving wonderful views onto the river and one of the largest and most comfortable leather sofas I have ever fallen into. Tree house was probably our favourite. It is built, as the name suggests, around a large mature tree and the back wall of the house is a vast rock face. There are two levels, the top deck, where the bed and sitting areas are, you then follow a staircase which winds round the trunk of the tree, down to the bathroom where the view are still magnificent. The bath is a large circular one with more than enough room for two.
Location - Victoria Falls
Livingstone is a buzzy little place, quite literally as there are helicopters and microlites zipping around overhead. There are a growing number of hotels and lodges, some large hotel chains, other small, owner managed lodges - these are often away from the noise and bussle of the main town. Jump to page?
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For videos, articles, ideas and news from Africa:
Have a look at our blog at safarigeek.com
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