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Welcome to the
May 2008 issue of Tonga Tales


 

 

 

Happy Birthday Mrs. Brown!

 

I have always thought it an interesting coincidence that Victoria Falls are at their most magnificent in the month of the Queen’s birthday (24 May).

This is the month when the flow reaches mythical proportions with over

What a terrible pity that Queen Victoria never saw the Falls’ named for her! If we could only have her present at a Tongabezi wedding she might change her mind about the following quote:

 

  “I think people really marry far too much; it is such a lottery after all, and for a poor woman a very doubtful happiness.”

 

- Alexandrina Victoria

 


 

 

In Our Kitchen

 

eten Tongabezi HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!

 

Wat ons ook opviel, en dat geldt ook voor Tongabezi, waren de maaltijden.

Nog nooit op safari hebben we zulke fantastische maaltijden gehad.

Zowel qua kwaliteit, als qua verscheidenheid en presentatie. Echt geweldig!

In Tongabezi worden culinaire prestaties geleverd, waat menig restaurant jaloers op zou zijn!

- Mr & Mrs Jurgens

 

Just in case you find this comment DUTCH –

Please click on http://www.freetranslation.com for a free translation!!!

 


We have had a very busy two weeks at Tonga, lots of private dinners and san pan dinners all of which have been a big success, we are about to bring out the cooking grill from Livingstone Island and use it on the san pan to offer our guests an exciting new venue for breakfast!

It’s getting chilly in the mornings now so we are offering guests the chance to warm up in the sun on the Zambezi while the chef rustles up a few special dishes designed to be cooked on the san pan on the opposite pontoon!

Our gardens are supplying us with wonderful basil and all our relish leaves with Pumpkin leaves, Okra, sweet potato leaves and rape.

We are also getting beautiful fresh limes, green beans, celery, lemongrass and eggplants!

I am hoping my new picnic baskets will be ready soon, the local guy who did the bottle top baskets for the glasses has given me a sample of coloured woven wire which I think will look great, we hope to use their baskets for picnics and use the cool boxes for drinks!

We are looking at our winter menus now so risottos, polentas and Lentils are all beginning to appear and maybe the good old sticky toffee pudding will pop up again soon!

 

Tonga Health Vinaigrette Salad Dressing:

 

235 ml Olive oil or Sunflower oil
80ml Balsamic Vinegar
60ml Honey
1 bunch fresh basil
2 gloves Garlic
1 tablespoon grain mustard
Zest from 1 lemon
4 tsp water


Whiz it all up in the blender!!!

It’s delicious with your favorite salad.



~ A Craig Higgins recipe
 

 

 

 

... Our Comment Corner


Not for nothing are we known as “the lodge worth getting married for!”

I have just spoken to Helga and Charles Notely, who got married at Tongabezi on the 20th March.
I just wanted to say thanks for all the work that went into it, they loved their wedding and described it as perfect! Every single part of it was perfect and they wanted me to say thanks to you for being so flexible to arrange it all as they wanted it to be.
 

 

Featuring Happily Ever After

One of the most exclusive marriage locations in the world: Livingstone Island at the edge of the Victoria Falls is an unforgettably exclusive venue for a wedding celebration.

 

The wedding day starts with a registry wedding at Livingstone City offices (keeping it all official – and yes marriage in Zambia is recognized all over the world!), followed by a blessing from a local pastor on Livingstone Island by the Falls, accompanied by the Tongabezi African Choir. A champagne wedding meal is served on the island after the ceremony.  During high water the blessing can take place on one of the private Tongabezi Islands.


Alternatively choose to celebrate your special day on Sindabezi - A tiny paradise island not far downstream from Tongabezi Lodge. Magnificent views overlook other islands & the nearby flood plain of the Zambezi National Park. Sindabezi has five thatched chalets (2 twin, 2 double and 1 honeymoon chalet) each with spectacular views and can be booked privately.

 

Please do contact our famous WEDDING PLANNER: Gary Mungandi at reservations@tongabezi.com for personal attention and advice !!!

 

 

New at Sinda!

Sindabezi has had a little face lift and all the chalets have been painted. We also have very beautiful new Showers. They are brass and their matching basins are about to go in. At the moment every Guest is finding the shower incredibly irresistible!!

The Water is still quite high (lapping at the deck in Chalet 3). The beauty though is this is a good time to fish the Tigers.

The night of the 28th we were visited by the "mighty Mudenda" The Elephant who every now and then visits Sindabezi Kitchen for the Fruits.

 

By Peddy
 

 

Tongabezi in Cyberspace


Forbes Loves Tongabezi

 

 

The Oscars of the Travelling Industry

Voting has closed – all that remains is picking a stunning outfit and joining us at the 2008 World Travel Awards (remember to keep your fingers crossed!)



Join the Cohn Family on Safari in Zambia
 

Don’t miss Sabrina’s review of Victoria Falls around the 4 minute mark!

 

 

Tongabezi is the # 1 in popularity for Livingstone hotels on Tripadvisor

 

 

 

Special in MAY!

 

Visit Zambia during our Emerald season

 

May special

 

Three nights in a Cottage at Tongabezi lodge

Flight to Sausage Tree via Lusaka

Four nights Sausage Tree

Return flight via Lusaka to Livingstone

 

US$ 3640 per person sharing

 

or

 

Three nights in a House at Tongabezi lodge

Flight to Sausage Tree via Lusaka

Four nights Sausage Tree

Return flight via Lusaka to Livingstone

 

US$ 3865 per person sharing

 

 

Conditions

 

Cost based on 2 guests traveling together

All flights excluding departure tax but including fuel surcharge

 

Tongabezi

Including Meals, Beverages, House wine, laundry service and levies

Activities: Boat trips on the Zambezi, Guided canoeing excursion, Lunch on local island with guided walk, Fishing, Victoria Falls visit, Game Drives (Park fees are extra), Walk in the gorge below the Falls, Cultural museum visit (Entrance fee US$ 5.00 per person extra and subject to change) Local village visit, Mountain bike trail to the local village, Shopping trip in Livingstone town.

 

Extra: Tipping, Park fees, Premium wine, Champagne, Sparkling wines and Liqueurs

 

 Sausage tree

Including Meals, Beverages, Accommodation, Laundry, Park Fees, Internal Park Transfer, Butler

Activities: Game Drives (day & night), Canoeing, Walking Safaris, Boat Trips, Fishing & Birding.

 

Extra: Tipping, Champagne, External Park Transfer, Shop

 

 

Bookings can only be confirmed within 14 days of travel and are subject to availability.

 

 

Lunar Rainbows in May

The next lunar rainbow viewing will be on the 20th May 2008. Join us at eight in the evening on the 19th, 20th and 21nd of May for a trip including wines, soft drinks, beers and spirits served at The Falls

For all the Lunar rainbow dates for 2008 and 2009 please have a look at our website:

Tongabezi Lunar Rainbows
 

 

 

Telephone Numbers

Hopefully these lines will offer better communication links with Tongabezi.
Please note these are in use with immediate effect.

Lodge +260 213 327450   •   Fax +260 213 327483

Direct Reservations number +260 979 312766   •   UK Number 0871 4081258


SKYPE username is “Tongabezi”.

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