Epic Classic Botswana

Can you imagine a dining experience more private than having the entire Zambezi River to yourself whilst your food is paddled out to you, one course at a time?

The sampan dinner or early morning breakfast is available throughout the year, apart from during the highest river levels, which are usually from March to June.

A boat cruise at sunset or sunrise is a superb way to relax and enjoy the immersive beauty of the Zambezi, whilst keeping an eye out for wildlife on the river banks.

See one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World with a trip to Victoria Falls on the Zambian side

This is the only wildlife park in the area that provides refuge to white rhinos, which are closely protected by anti-poaching units. While on your game drive, keep an eye out for giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck, impala, wildebeest, zebra and diverse bird life.

Enjoy a short cycle to meet the friendly people from the Simonga village

All guests are invited to visit, engage with, and learn from the Tongabezi Trust School’s 280 bright, talented students, all of who receive free education and nutritious meals at Tujatane. In fact, if you are only going to do one happy thing during your stay at Tongabezi, we’d suggest it is a tour of this school.

The Maramba and Mukuni markets are visited daily by hundreds of people from Livingstone and surrounding areas. They come to buy everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to chitenge, the bright patterned fabric characteristic of Southern and East African fashion. One of our team will be there to guide you through the marketplace and will be there to help you with buying from vendors if you need.

A place to learn about Zambia's culture and natural heritage.

Safaris can be quite sedentary, so we like to give our guests spaces where they can get moving and keep their energy levels high for their daily adventures.

This is one of our signature Tongabezi experiences, and for guests who haven't spent much time researching us online, we keep the Sandbar as a marvellous surprise. Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of watching two sunsets -- above and within the water -- with sand in your toes and a drink in your hand.

Sit in the shallows of the Tongabezi Rock Pool with a cocktail in hand and the Zambezi River flowing before you, or spend some quality sunshine time by the Tongabezi Lap Pool a little further back from the river.

The Zambezi River, around Victoria Falls, is an excellent spot for both pole and fly fishing. There are over 75 species of freshwater fish in these warm, nutrient-rich waters, although it is usually one specific species that draws fishermen here – the tiger. Revered for their power and fierce set of teeth, landing a tiger fish is no easy task, even for a seasoned angler. Even an unsuccessful fishing outing on the Zambezi is still enjoyable if just for the beautiful scenery and tranquility.

Come and explore some of our 1,200 hectares of sweet veld, which is rapidly becoming a fully sustainable, organic community-run farm. You can personally compare our sustainable farming techniques with nearby traditional farming methods.

Morning and afternoon game drives reveal the rich wildlife of the area where predators and elephant are often the highlight. Plains game and the diverse birdlife also offer fantastic sightings. The open 4x4 Land Rovers each accommodating a maximum of seven people, allowing each guest a ‘window’ seat.

Night drives with spotlights allow you to find those nocturnal animals you wouldn’t see during the day. These often include the lesser bushbaby, spring hare, aardwolf, serval, large spotted genet and, if you are extremely lucky, the elusive pangolin!

On request and subject to the availability of a qualified walking guide, nature walks with skilled, armed guides are wonderful ways of getting close to nature and observing the smaller details you miss when travelling by vehicle.

The Savuti Star Bed, overlooking the Savuti Channel and facing the Zibadianja Lagoon, to the west, is the perfect place from which to view and photograph animals, and birds. An authentic and unique way to sleep-out under a crystal-clear African sky, experiencing a thrilling perspective of the African bush at night, surrounded by nature from this elevated platform.

Exploring the waters by boat can be undertaken in the morning, during midday, or as an afternoon activity. Boating is a wonderful way of seeing large numbers of waterbirds, and wildlife, attracted to the river and seasonal pans.

* Water levels permitting.

With the Linyanti Concession being an internationally recognised Important Bird Area (IBA), birding is understandably outstanding at Savuti Camp, from slaty egret in the water to kori bustard in the dry areas.

Morning and afternoon game drives allow you to get close to animals in the savannah areas where lion, leopard, elephant, sable and buffalo along with extensive plains game roam. Our open 4x4 Land Rovers each accommodate a maximum of seven people allowing each guest a ‘window’ seat.

On request and dependent on the availability of a qualified walking guide, nature walks with skilled, armed guides are wonderful ways of getting close to nature and observing the smaller creatures and plants you miss when travelling by vehicle.

There is no better way of viewing game and exploring the Okavango than by traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) often providing up close and personal sightings of tiny frogs and exciting birdlife.

Water-level dependent, boating is another idyllic form of water wildlife viewing. Sights of hippo and crocodile are common in the waterways.

Fishing with a limited supply of basic equipment is on offer seasonally on a catch-and-release basis.

The birding around Little Vumbura is exceptional all year round, with migrant species present in the summer. Pel's fishing-owl is regularly seen, as well as other specials like wattled crane and slaty egret.

Game drives reveal the rich wildlife of the area from predators to prey. Our open 4x4 vehicles accommodate a maximum of seven guests allowing each a ‘window’ seat.

Afternoon to evening drives provide opportunities for you to see nocturnal mammals such as civet, genet and bushbabies, as well as owls and perhaps leopard.

Walking safaris (dependant on qualified guide availability) with skilled guides offers you the exciting opportunity of coming across big game on foot as well as observing the smaller things you miss when travelling by vehicle.

The birdlife is excellent and varies throughout the year, depending on water levels and season. They include African hawk-eagle, ground hornbill, scarlet-chested sunbird, red-billed hornbill, gabar goshawk and red-billed francolin.

Wilderness is committed to combating climate change by implementing various sustainable energy solutions. One of these is reducing dependence on fossil fuels, with the aim of being carbon neutral. Take a tour "back of house" to see the solar operation in action, and uncover more about our eco-friendly practices.