Overview
Laidback, characterful luxury
Set on the banks of the Zambezi river, just a short drive from Victoria Falls, this beautiful lodge looks out across the river towards neighbouring Zimbabwe.
With a range of cottages and houses dotted along the riverbank, and surrounded by vegetation that attracts a myriad of bird species, it’s the ideal getaway for couples as well as families. It’s the perfect place to tag onto the end of your trip, giving you space to reflect on your adventures.
Your stay here is all about relaxation and taking things at a pace that suits you, so you get to choose when you’d like to do different activities. It is also just upstream from the falls, far enough from the crowds, but close enough to take a private tour when you please.
Facts
At a glance
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Five cottages and six houses
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Personal valet
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Swimming pool and gym
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Communal dining with private dining available
Experiences
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![Tongabezi Lodge Zambia 4]()
Sampan dinner
Enjoy your dinner on a floating sampan under the stars, with each course being brought over to you by your valet in a canoe.
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![Nicole olwagen zambezi elephant]()
Game drives
Venture into the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park in an open game viewing vehicle, keep an eye out for the animals and birds that call the park home.
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![Tongabezi school]()
Tujatane School
This school was built and supported by Tongabezi and you can take a trip to visit it.
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![Tongabezi Lodge Zambia 6]()
Victoria Falls
Explore the Zambian side of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
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![Ian mcgrory zambezi sunset]()
Boat trips and canoeing on the Zambezi
Head out onto the Zambezi on a power boat and enjoys sundowners and snacks as the sun sinks low in the sky. Or join a guide to paddle its languid waters in a canoe.
Community & Culture
For over 30 years, Tongabezi's founders Benjamin and Vanessa Parker have nurtured and empowered local communities in Simonga and the larger Kazangula area. They funded and built the Tongabezi Trust school, Tujatane, which has educated the children of Tongabezi staff and the community in general since 1996. This has been particularly welcome in the area which has otherwise struggled with educational funding and materials. The school has grown from just 15 pre-school children to over 190 students and is completely funded by donations.
A new project for the Tongabezi Trust School Team is The Twaabane Creative Centre, a space is designed to share creative, artisanal, and practical skills to not only the children but also the adults in the Simonga Community.
The Tongabezi team also promotes healthy environments and small-scale farming in neighbouring communities by planting indigenous trees, including fruit-bearing species, and local sustainable farms in sourcing produce.
Footprint
Tongabezi is a low impact lodge constantly working towards less noise, fewer emissions and minimising the impacts on local flora and fauna as much as possible.
The bulk of wood supplies from sustainable forests in the Copper belt near Ndola. A Vivreau still and sparkling bottling system saves 20,000 plastic water bottles a year and around 2,000 tin cans. An onsite, custom made purification plant recycles water to be used for irrigation and to feed the Tongabezi wildlife dam.
Reforestation is vital in Southern Africa where so many people depend on coal to cook, clean and keep warm. Whilst the lodge is working to replace coal stoves with sustainable grass and stick-fuelled ones, they are also hard at work replacing the trees that have been cut down.
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
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Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
What makes us different
Why Niarra
Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.
In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.
Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.
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Unforgettable experiences
Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.
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Positive impact
Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.
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Fairness and transparency
An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.
