Tailor-made safaris and travel to Southern Africa
TONGABEZI AND SINDABEZI
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Tailor-made safaris and travel to Southern Africa |
TONGABEZI AND SINDABEZI |
| As the number of large hotels in the immediate vicinity of Victoria Falls continues to grow, discerning travelers are increasingly looking for destinations from where they can enjoy the amazing spectacle of the Falls, but escape the madding crowds and the incessant buzzing of helicopters. Set in indigenous bush and forest, right on the banks of the Zambezi River, and twenty kilometers upstream from the Falls on the Zambian side, Tongabezi offers a tranquil and stylish retreat from which to experience the full magic of 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' ('the smoke that thunders') and the mighty Zambezi River. It's sister property, Sindabezi, is a wonderfully small and exclusive hideaway, set on a little private island in the middle of the Zambezi River, 3 kilometers downstream.  Tongabezi's architecture is an organic part of its stunning natural surroundings. Trees, rocks and moulded polished clay meld beautifully with soft cotton sheets and intricately patterned textiles. Superb service is assurred with a ration of four staff to every guest. 
Each of Tongabezi's four large thatched chalets is completely unique and appropriately named: Tree House, Bird House, Honeymoon House and Dog House. All are open-plan and have private verandas overlooking the mighty Zambezi. The "Tree House" bathroom was voted one of the top five in the world - and no wonder, with its sunken bathtub, undulating walls and high perch commanding a glorious river view.  For an even more exclusive, though slightly less luxurious option, Sindabezi is a short canoe journey away. Set on a desert island with only four open-sided chalets, the atmosphere is idyllic, exclusive, and wonderfully tranquil.  Like Tongabezi, each of Sindabezi's rooms have private verandas with magnificent views. Game is prolific and there are resident hippo and elephant. In the evenings the island is lit only by candles and lanterns. You will feel like Robinson Crusoe with the sandy soil under your feet and the gentle river breezes carrying the sounds of wilderness. However, unlike Crusoe, you will be treated to gourmet cuisine prepared by Tongabezi's master chef and his team, recently featured with Jacques Pepin in Food and Wine Magazine (March 2000).  Activities at both lodges focus on the Zambezi River and the Victoria Falls. You will have the opportunity to enjoy personally guided tours of the Falls on the Zambian side, and you will also be offered a host of activities on the quiet stretch of river on which the Lodges are located - canoeing, fishing for Tiger Fish, and enjoying sundowner cruises on the river are some of the main highlights. Both lodges look across the river onto Zimbabwe's Zambezi National Park, making for some very good game-viewing on canoe rides and river cruises.  The Zambezi River above the Victoria Falls is so peaceful and tranquil that it is hard to conceive of the thundering cauldron of the Falls. Watching the sun set over the river with the calling of birds, the snorting of hippos, and the trumpeting of elephants while sipping your favorite cocktail, it's not difficult to understand what inspired the editor of London's DAILY TELEGRAPH newspaper to describe Tongabezi as "A corner of heaven". Game-drives in the adjacent Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, guided bird walks, and a visit to a local village and market are other wonderful ways to wile away your time, as you relax and absorb the magic around you. Both Tongabezi and Sindabezi are perfect destinations for those seeking to "get away from it all" and experience one of the most beautiful spots in Africa, in a setting that offers a unique combination of unobtrusive comfort and style. To find out more about Tongabezi or Sindabezi Lodge, or to make a reservation, call toll-free in the USA at 1-888-227-8311 or email us. |
