Uncharted Outposts

4 Twin Bedded Cottages, 1 Double Cottage & 4 Luxury Houses

Tongabezi Lodge accommodates only 18 guests in 4 twin-bedded, 1 double-bedded and 4 luxury double-bedded houses. A ratio of 4 friendly staff to every guest ensures a luxurious and relaxing stay. The central lounge, bar and dining room are under thatch and there is a swimming pool which has been landscaped into the rock face. Each room at Tongabezi Lodge is unique in design and they all have their own names, from 'Dog House' on the waters' edge, to 'Bird House' perched on the hill top. The rooms are comfortably furnished and all accommodation has en-suite facilities with a shower and a bath with a view. All rooms have private views across the Zambezi. Instead of having lunch at Tongabezi Lodge you may opt for a picnic lunch on one of the nearby islands accompanied by a guide. Or, depending on the time of year, you may prefer lunch on Livingstone Island, right on the very edge of the Falls.

Zambezi River, Victoria Falls

Year Round

Zambia’s distinctive seasons provide visitors with different perspectives depending on the time of year. As Zambia has a tropical climate, it is distinguished by a dry season and a wet season, instead of summer and winter.

The dry season is from May to November and is the easiest time to travel, with June to August being the coolest months. October is the hottest month in Zambia, so be prepared for temperatures of over 40 degrees celcius if you travel then.

The wet season, from December to March, is has variable weather. In one day, you can have bright sunshine and heavy downpours. The rain does not usually last long, though, and the main downside of travelling to Zambia in the wet season is that many dirt roads become impassable.

The Victoria Falls are spectacular in April and May after the rainy season, though the thick spray may obscure your view. At the end of the dry season, October to December, the water levels are low and one can see the magnificent rock formation.

River rafting on the Zambezi is not safe when the river is in flood in the rainy season from December to March, so check with your consultant on expected conditions if you are considering this.

Game viewing is excellent from June to August, but is best in September and October as game gather around perennial water holes or rivers.

Due to an abundance of water after the rainy season, wildlife is scattered. Vegetation is lush, green and beautiful, but obscures game viewing. However, birdwatching is fantastic at this time of year - much better than during the dry season.

Local Info

Zimbabwe’s north-western border with Zambia is demarcated by the Zambezi river, which flows across a level plateau, thick with riverine bush. It's big game country, and National Parks and private game reserves abound. For some African peace and quiet, the remote Kazuma Pan National Park on the western border with Botswana is little-known and less developed. But the wildlife is the tamest of the attractions on offer here. The Victoria Falls or "the smoke that thunders" is the premier attraction in these parts. Although not at full flow during the winter months from June to September, this is actually the best time to view and photograph Vic Falls - at other times the spray tends to obscure visibility. (Take note that October and November are very hot.) While the Victoria Falls are one of nature’s greatest splendours and Zimbabwe’s most famous World Heritage site, the attendant tourist boom-town is also the adventure capital of the world. Here you can take a canoe up the river (past hippos in the water and elephant on the banks), brave the white waters of the Batoka gorge in a raft, or fling yourself from the world’s second-highest bungee jump.