Tongabezi Lodge – Victoria Falls

Why We Love Tongabezi Lodge:

You’d never guess that one of Condé Nast’s Top 20 African Retreats began in 1990 as a simple riverside camp with tents and bucket showers. Despite its luxurious evolution, Tongabezi has stayed true to its roots – celebrating Zambia’s natural beauty, warm local hospitality, and a deeply ingrained spirit of community and conservation. It’s this rare blend of authenticity and eco-conscious luxury that makes Tongabezi truly unforgettable.

Guest Favorite: For thrill-seekers, white-water rafting on the Zambezi is an absolute must. Offered during low water season (typically August to December), this adrenaline-pumping experience takes you through some of the world’s most exhilarating rapids – right below Victoria Falls.

Insider’s Tip: For families or small groups, book one of the private Houses. They’re uniquely designed, come with personal valet service, and offer total privacy with front-row river views – ideal for milestone celebrations or simply reconnecting in nature.

 FAQs About Tongabezi Lodge

When is the best time to stay at Tongabezi Lodge?

Tongabezi Lodge is a year-round destination, with each season offering something special.

High Season (Dry Season: May to October)
This is the best time to see Victoria Falls clearly from the Zambian side – lower water levels offer stunning views and access to walking trails. Cooler, drier weather also brings more elephant activity along the Zambezi River near the lodge. It’s a fantastic time for sunset river cruises, cultural tours, and relaxing outdoor adventures.

Green Season (Wet Season: November to April)
Expect lush greenery, dramatic afternoon skies, and exceptional birdwatching. From February to April, Victoria Falls is at its most powerful, creating a breathtaking spectacle. White-water rafting is typically available during this season, while canoeing and other water activities depend on water levels. Tongabezi remains fully operational year-round, offering a wide range of experiences regardless of the season.

👉 Ubuntu Travel Tip: Let our Travel Specialists help match your travel goals to the ideal season – whether you’re chasing adventure, dramatic scenery, or tranquil riverside moments.

How Close is Tongabezi Lodge to Victoria Falls and Livingstone?

Tongabezi is just 20 minutes from Livingstone and about 45 minutes from the main entrance to Victoria Falls. This makes it the perfect luxury base to explore one of the world’s natural wonders while still enjoying peaceful riverfront seclusion.

Is Tongabezi Lodge Suitable for Families?

Absolutely! Tongabezi is one of our top picks for multigenerational travel. The lodge offers a variety of private houses – sleeping up to five guests – along with two exclusive-use family houses designed for comfort and connection. Families enjoy the ideal blend of space and privacy, with plenty of shared experiences like boat cruises, nature walks, and cultural village visits.

What Activities are Included in a stay at Tongabezi Lodge?

A stay at Tongabezi includes a variety of enriching and unforgettable experiences. Enjoy guided tours of Victoria Falls, river cruises (including serene electric dhow cruises), catch-and-release fishing, game drives, market visits, and even a romantic sampan dinner under the stars. Guests can also visit Livingstone Island when water levels allow.

Looking for a little more adventure? High-adrenaline experiences like helicopter flips, white-water rafting, and gorge swings can be arranged nearby at an additional cost.

What Makes Tongabezi Lodge Unique

Tongabezi blends warm Zambian hospitality with a deep sense of purpose. The lodge offers completely flexible itineraries – no set schedules, just tailor-made days designed around you. Guests stay in beautifully styled private houses, enjoy inclusive activities like a Livingstone Island visit (seasonal), and support award-winning eco-tourism initiatives.

Your stay also contributes to the Tongabezi Trust School, making your visit part of a meaningful impact in the local community.

Can I Combine A Stay at Tongabezi with a Safari in Botswana or Zambia?

Yes! Tongabezi is perfectly positioned for seamless combinations with nearby safari destinations like Zambia’s Lower Zambezi or South Luangwa, as well as Botswana’s Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta.

With easy access to regional airports and expert guidance from our Ubuntu Travel team, we’ll design a tailor-made itinerary that flows effortlessly – from the thundering Victoria Falls to the heart of big game country.

What room types are available at Tongabezi Lodge?

Tongabezi offers a range of individually designed cottages and houses along the banks of the Zambezi River, each with its own character and level of privacy.

River Cottages – Private thatched cottages with spacious decks overlooking the Zambezi River.
Tree House – A unique elevated house built around ebony trees with beautiful river views.
Honeymoon House – A romantic split-level cottage with a private plunge pool and outdoor bathtub.
Bird House – A secluded two-bedroom house with expansive river views and private dining spaces.
Garden House – A spacious three-bedroom private house ideal for families or small groups.
Dog House – A two-bedroom riverside house with a private plunge pool and open living spaces.
Nut House – A private four-bedroom house designed for families or larger groups.

Ready to start planning Luxury Safari?

Reach out and let’s start talking. We’ll listen and begin to tailor an experiential, private, luxury vacation based on exactly how you want to experience Africa. From adventure to relaxation—and everything in between—let us handle every detail of your unforgettable journey.

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What Ubuntu Travelers Are Saying

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13 September 2026
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Absolute 1st class travel planning. We had the most amazing and memorable trip, and as a person who likes to travel plan myself, this trip had so many moving parts there's no way I could have tackled it. I'd give Ubuntu an 11/10 rating if I could. They made our travel seamless, relaxed, and delivered the most incredible experience. 100% we will use them again.
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1 September 2026
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Fantastic service
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19 August 2026
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What an incredible South Africa trip Ubuntu planned for my wife and I! Ubuntu set us up with full-day guided Peninsula and Winelands tours during our few days in Cape Town, followed by four days of Safari game drives at the Savanna Lodge within the Sabi Sands Nature Reserve. A huge thank you to Ubuntu for finding a perfect balance/mix of fun activities and relaxed downtime throughout out trip! Ubuntu took care of all the travel logistics once we got down to South Africa. Ubuntu set us up with our Guest Experience Liaison that would check-in with us ever couple of days and was available on call if we needed any sort of logistical support. We didn't end up needing to lean on our liaison since everything went so smoothly, but surely felt we had all the support we needed had something come up. We know we will be utilizing Ubuntu the next time we travel to Africa and highly recommend Ubuntu to anyone else planning a trip to Africa!
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12 August 2026
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From the plains of the Serengeti to the shores of Zanzibar, Ubuntu Travel designed an unforgettable Tanzanian package to celebrate a milestone birthday. I was especially grateful that they embraced this solo traveler and ensured that every detail was planned out in advance, making this a trip of a lifetime.
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24 July 2026
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Ubuntu Travel planned the most epic safari vacay for my husband and in Tanzania. We loved every place we stayed and every detail was taken care of! Their communication was exceptional! 100 out of 10!
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15 July 2026
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Best vacation of our lives!! My husband and I booked with Ubuntu for an unforgettable vacation to Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar this past June. The experience and support of Ubuntu was beyond our wildest dreams. We had first class, 5 star luxury service from start to finish. Jenna was absolutely amazing and was always a text, email or phone call away to answer our 100s of questions we had during the planning process. Owner's, Kyle and Leah were so kind as to even share links with my husband and I from some of their favorite stores so we could look safari chic. The care and support we were given during this entire vacation were top tier. The vacation itself was so personal, intimate and beautiful. The accommodations were breathtaking. Every lodge and camp left us speechless other than uttering the word, WOW, over and over. The service and staff at the lodges and camps were first class and luxurious. I didn't know a tented camp could be so fancy. I could have never dreamed of having a hot shower in the middle of the Serengeti with fresh French pressed African coffee brought to our tent every morning, or a 3 course breakfast with fresh fruit smoothies in the Masai Mara. We felt connected and so safe throughout our 3 week journey. The safaris were breathtaking and educational. You cannot describe how incredible this vacation is, you have to experience it and Ubuntu gave us a vacation of a lifetime. I cannot recommend Ubuntu enough to anyone looking to book a luxury African vacation. They did the hard work for us all the way down to sending us our beautifully embroidered Ubuntu duffle bag. Great customer service, great company, great people!
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10 July 2026
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We loved working with Ubuntu. From start to finish they were easy to work with. They really listened to what we wanted and planned the perfect trip. Their support in getting ready and throughout our trip was truly excellent (they really took great care of us). We had a flight cancelled and they went all out to get us back on track so we did not miss a thing. Their planning, work and local partners on the ground really allowed us to relax and be present. We had the trip of a lifetime and would absolutely use them again. Highly recommend.
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21 June 2026
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Wow! Ubuntu Travel planned the most amazing trip to Uganda for me. I cannot say enough good things about the meticulous planning they provided. Not only were they superb in planning, they also checked in while I was on my trip. The lodges I stayed at were spectacular, my guide seemed hand picked just for me and the scenery was beautiful and the food was 5 star quality. It was the most amazing trip of a lifetime. I am hoping to go back to Uganda someday. I definitely am going back to Africa and there is no doubt that I will be using Ubuntu Travel to plan my trip! I cannot imagine ever using anyone but Ubuntu for travel to Africa.
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14 March 2026
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Ubuntu planned our honeymoon to Tanzania recently and it was the greatest trip of our lives--and it's not even close. From start to finish, everything was taken care of. Ubuntu plans the type of trip where you don't even have to think--travel stress is off the table. After a brief call to discuss options, we had an itinerary sent to us with the perfect combination of safari and beach. If you've come across Ubuntu, you're done searching. Just do it. At the end of our trip, my wife and I agreed: "If this is the best trip we ever take for the rest of our lives, we're okay with that."
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6 February 2026
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We cannot thank Ubuntu enough for planning such a special trip for our honeymoon. From beginning to end, the trip was so smooth. Every point of contact in South Africa was so kind, helpful, punctual, and informational. They partner with incredible companies, and they really know what they are doing. Leah, Kyle, and Jenna planned the perfect trip for us, and they were readily available for any questions we had.They selected the most stunning places for us to stay, and we experienced such a range of types of hospitality. We felt so spoiled and taken care of the entire trip. Would strongly recommend Ubuntu for anyone who was traveling to Africa. They were a dream to work with.