Tongabezi, Chisa, Sausage & Shawa Luangwa

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.

Experience the wonders of Busanga quietly and at a comfortable pace from the seat of an electronic mountain bike, with an experienced guide sharing their knowledge of the bush. Our guides know all Busanga’s secrets, including spots for breath-taking views and great birding opportunities. As you crisscross through this enchanting landscape on two wheels, you will be creating lifelong memories.

Slow down to nature’s pace as your knowledgeable guide and armed scout leads you on a bush walk that immerses you in the natural beauty of Busanga Plains. Our guides are from neighbouring communities and know the secrets of Busanga in every detail. A maximum of six people can go on a walking safari and the minimum age is 14.

Blend into the quiet of nature in our e-Cruiser, which allows you to experience all the sights and sounds of the bush in near silence and with a deep sense of environmental care. Go unnoticed as you watch elephants walking through the mist at dawn, water-loving lechwe jump the streams, and a mother lion feed her little cubs.

Keep your eyes and ears open because you don’t want to miss seeing some of the 470 bird species that call the Busanga Plains home. This includes Africa’s endangered crane species, the colourful saddle-billed stork and a variety of other water birds. It’s always exciting to spot Pel’s fishing owl, which is often found perched in the trees waiting to make its next catch in the stream below.

Game drives are the most succesful way to see a good variety of wildlife, both large and small. Visiting more areas, and witnessing the diversity of the Lower Zambezi National Park you can appreciate the unspoiled wilderness of Zambia. A larger area can be covered in a shorter time frame, increasing the chance to find good game. The vehicles also allow those ‘up close and personal’ experiences - our team of professional guides will ensure that it is not too close!

Night drives are the perfect way to experience the nocturnal animals, including the elusive leopard, genet, civet, porcupine and giant eagle owl. The big cats tend to be more active at night and you may find yourself following lions on the hunt. Your guide will also point out the constellations of the Southern night sky.

Sausage Tree Camp operates a fleet of new Toyota Landcruiser game viewing vehicles to ensure reliability and comfort.

Walking is the perfect way to search for the smaller creatures, learn about the trees, the plants and examine the different tracks and signs. Walking was pioneered in Zambia and remains one of the few areas where this can be truly enjoyed.

Led by a professional walking guide and National Parks Wildlife Officer, walking is carried out in small groups. Taking advantage of the cooler morning temperatures, you will take a game drive from camp to an open area where the walk begins. Beware -not only do you see the smaller things on foot, it is also not uncommon for us to see lion on our bush walks.

The Lower Zambezi is renowned for its spectacular canoeing. As one of the few privileged operators based inside the National Park, we are able to canoe guests down the most stunning section of the Zambezi, “The Chifungulu Channel”.

Led by one of our highly qualified canoe guides, explore the banks of the river, where game can be seen from a totally different perspective - looking UP rather than down!

Canoe trips vary in length, however a one-hour canoe trip is a great prelude to an evening game drive.

No experience or particular strength is required - it is an effortless drift, as the flow of the Zambezi pushes the canoes along.Rather than a work out, this is a time to relax, listen to the sounds of the huge variety of bird-life and admire their sheer beauty

Scenic boat cruises are a very relaxing way to view the game that comes down to the river to drink and bathe, whilst also taking in the unique water wildlife. Until the Zambezi River is explored by boat, it is impossible to truly appreciate the huge hippopotami pods and crocodile populations. Lucky guests have experienced the truly memorable sight of elephant crossing the Zambezi, from Mana Pools National Park to the Lower Zambezi National Park. To view the most amazing sunsets in Africa, floating sundowners (Gin and Tonic are de rigueur!) in the middle of the Zambezi is a must! This can also provide a photographic opportunity for that perfect African sunset.

Sausage Tree Camp operates scenic boat trips using 7metre aluminium river cruisers. Designed for the Okavango Delta, they are the perfect boat for the Zambezi River as sandbanks make navigation on the water very difficult.

Weather you enjoy waking up to the booming call of the impressive Ground Hornbill or watching the flittering of tiny Redbilled Firefinches there is something for the novice and experience bird watcher alike.

We have approximately 500 species of birds in the Lower Zambezi National Park from waders on the shores of the Zambezi River to wattle eyes in the Miambo woodland in the escarpment. Some of the special and more interesting birds that can be found in the area are Sadelbilled Stork, African Skimmer, Roufous Bellied Heron, Bee Eaters, Black Crowned Night Heron, Amathest Sunbird and Jamsons Firefinch just to name a few.

The Zambezi River is host to some of the most spectacular fresh water sport fishing in the world with plentiful Tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus, Latin for "striped river dog") and Tilapia amongst others. Sausage Tree Camp offers both spinning and fly fishing, both strictly catch and release in accordance with the principles of the National Park.

The most sporting and certainly the most fun fish to catch is the famous Tigerfish. A relative of the infamous piranha, Tigerfish have large carnivorous teeth, can grow to 15kg / 33lb (the camp record 11.3kg) and are renowned for their strength and spectacular "leaping out of the water" fighting performance.

Fishing is succesful all year round, however the warmer months (September - December) are definitely the best time to catch Tigerfish. This is the breeding season when the fish are more active, feeding more regularly and are far more aggressive. The water level is typically lower and the visibility at its very best.

Blend into the quiet of nature in our e-Cruiser, which allows you to experience all the sights and sounds of the bush in near silence and with a deep sense of environmental care.

Slow down to nature’s pace as your knowledgeable guide and armed scout leads you on a bush walk that immerses you in incredible landscapes that are rich in diverse plant, animal and bird life.

Cool off in our camp plunge pool during the hottest parts of the day and look out for an elephant or kudu that just may be passing by the camp.

Cruise quietly along the Luangwa River and watch as birds dive for fish, crocodiles bask in the sun and elephants splash in the shallows.

Keep your eyes and ears open because you don’t want to miss seeing some of the 400 bird species that call the South Luangwa home.