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Rooms

The River Cottages have an African style with high ceilings, stone floors and large windows facing the water. They feature spacious bedrooms and en suite bathrooms with clawfoot baths, as well as their own entrance porch with seating and colourful cushions.

The individually-styled houses differ in size, with the two bedroom Garden House and Dog House offering ample space and amenities for families, including private plunge pools. The three bedroom Tangala House for larger families features a pool, trampoline and dedicated chef. The Tree House enjoys a secluded location among the branches of an ebony tree with excellent river views, while the Nut House has folding doors opening out to a private garden and plunge pool.

Location

The lodge enjoys a scenic position on the banks of the Zambezi River, around 30 minutes upstream from Victoria Falls and several kilometres northwest of Livingstone. The area affords a variety of activities, from bush walks and boat trips to game drives and hikes.

Food and drink

Guests can dine around the large communal dining table, out on the deck beside the river or on their private terrace. Alternatively, the relaxing Lookout makes for a more exclusive dining experience, with guests able to book a whole floor if they wish. The menu is regularly updated according to the seasonal produce grown in the property’s vegetable and herb gardens and fruit orchard to ensure fresh, tasty dishes.

Families

Children aged seven and over are welcome to stay at Tongabezi, with rollaway beds and extra mosquito nets provided and a number of larger accommodation options available. A children’s menu is available and food can be served at preferred meal times. A variety of child-friendly activities are offered, from tracking animals to playing games with local children in nearby Tujatane, drumming sessions around the campfire and African treasure hunts.

Honeymooners

Tongabezi has a Honeymoon House featuring a private balcony overlooking the river, providing a romantic setting for a candlelit dinner. Couples can also enjoy romantic dinners floating on a sampan in the river, with each course delivered by canoe. Alternatively, book a meal in The Lookout, which offers privacy and peaceful river views.

Facilities and activities

Activities include visits to Victoria Falls, canoeing on the river and trips to Tujatane Village for an insight into local life. A trip to Livingstone Island, on the edge of Victoria Falls, is recommended; you’ll be taken by boat and given a brief history tour before swimming across the channel, crossing a rocky outcrop and jumping into a rock pool right next to the main flow of water — a spectacular sight and sound as the water cascades over the rocks.

Environmental and social responsibility

Tongabezi helped to establish and still supports Tujatane Trust School, which since 1996 has grown from teaching 15 to around 250 students. It also helps to fund housing for local teachers.

Staff at the property are involved in the Aids Council of Zambia to raise awareness and break the silence over the disease.

To protect the environment, solar power is used for lighting, water is recycled for irrigation and wood is sourced from sustainable forests.