Tongabezi

zambia

THE PERSONALITIES

Romantics. River dwellers. Wildlife lovers. Slow travelers. Elephant whisperers.

MOMENTS

Waking to hippos grunting below your treehouse. Sunset cruises on the Zambezi. Private dinners on a floating river deck. Drifting to sleep with the sounds of the bush. Walking beside giraffes at sunrise.

BEST VISITING MONTHS

May to October: The dry season is the ideal time for wildlife viewing and river activities. The bush is sparse, animals gather at water sources, and the skies are clear—perfect for sundowners and star-gazing.
November to April: The green season brings lush landscapes, migratory birds, and dramatic afternoon storms. It’s quieter, more intimate, and full of unexpected beauty.

COST

WHY STAY

Perched on the banks of the Zambezi River just upstream from Victoria Falls, Tongabezi is not just a lodge—it’s a feeling. A dreamscape of open-air living, earthy textures, and river rhythms. Each house and cottage is uniquely designed, open to the elements, and woven into the landscape. The experience is luxuriously barefoot—tree trunks grow through bathtubs, canopies rustle above your bed, and the river becomes a constant, pulsing presence.

Here, you’re not just near nature—you’re part of it. Sunlight dances through the thatch in the morning; evenings are painted in silhouettes of baobabs and birds. Time slows, senses sharpen, and what matters most begins to surface. Tongabezi is a place of quiet wonder—intimate, restorative, and utterly original.

WHY WANDER

Tongabezi is truly for explorers. The activities are unique and plentiful. Discover the majesty of Victoria Falls from a bird’s-eye view, or stand at the edge of Knife Edge Bridge as water thunders beneath your feet. Brave the Falls bungee jump or take the plunge into Devil’s Pool, a natural infinity edge at the lip of the falls.

Embark on early morning game drives or track rhinos on foot in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park—one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Take a day trip across the border to Chobe National Park in Botswana for a wildlife-rich safari. Learn about Zambia’s past and present at the Livingstone Museum, or spend time at the Tongabezi Trust School, where connection with the local community runs deep.

Whether gliding down the Zambezi in a wooden boat or watching elephants wade across the current, Tongabezi’s wild offerings feel intimate, unhurried, and entirely personal.

INDULGE IN

Zambian flavors meet riverbank romance. Fresh herbs and citrus from the kitchen garden ground the cuisine in place, while the settings elevate each bite—fire pit dinners beneath lantern-lit trees, breakfast on your terrace with birdsong all around.

The lodge’s signature dining moment? A private meal aboard the Sampan—anchored just offshore, under the stars, with each course paddled out to you by canoe. At Tongabezi, food is not just nourishment—it’s ritual, rhythm, and memory.

GETTING THERE

Fly into Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (Livingstone), a short drive from the lodge. Charter transfers from Kasane or Victoria Falls are also available.

WILD INITIATIVES

Tongabezi is a pioneer in community-based, eco-conscious travel. The lodge supports conservation initiatives and operates the Tongabezi Trust School (Tujatane), providing education to hundreds of local children. Plastic-free policies, solar power, and natural materials all reflect a deep respect for the land. This is travel that gives back—rooted in place, and in purpose.

*Photos property of Tongabezi Lodge