In our Kitchen

The chef is wonderful and is present to help
Lilienfield Treehouse Africa Calls
Bloomin' brilliant!
Jason & Joanne

Festive Chocolate Chip Cookies

T'is the season to be Jolly...
(which in practical terms means having a load of visitors and accepting many invitations)

SO - we suggest you make a great big batch of Tongabezi cookies to share with friends. Wrap in hessian with a couple of coloured beads to evoke memories and dreams of Africa...

Tongabezi Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 600g plain flour
• 400g butter
• 200g castor sugar
• 200g dark chocolate (grated)

You can use a mixer but feel free to use your hands.

In a mixing bowl combine flour, butter, castor sugar and half the chocolate.
Work it out with your hands until it forms a ball of dough.
Keep in a cool room to rest for 15 to 20 minutes before rolling and cutting the biscuits.
Use fun cookie cutter shapes to add a bit of drama.
Put on a floured baking tray and sprinkle the rest of the chocolate shavings on top of the biscuits. Bake in the oven 180.C 12 to 15 minutes or until cooked, remove them from the oven to cool for 5 minutes, then to the wire rack to cool completely.

Wrap and take over to friends or keep them for your visitors.
Remember to serve them with a story from African travels.


Festive wishes,

Zuwi
The Chef behind the Hot Pot.

Click here to print your own African inspired gift wrapping.

Whether you would like to be on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous or just feel like going ape... Tongabezi has all the answers!

"The food was unbelievable...as good or better as some of the nicest restaurants I have ever eaten in. We had a private lunch (at a table) while cruising the river on a motorized "barge' I guess you'd call it. We did the picnic lunch on the island...the nicest picnic I've ever been to! When we came back to the "house" on the first night after the sunset cruise, the valet had already run a bubble bath for us. The elephant safari was really fun, especially since they had rescued a one month old orphaned baby the day before, and he accompanied us on our "safari". Greg and I swam in Devil's Pool at Vic Falls, and also did the microlight....we highly recommend that for the best view. Even though you said the falls were dry...they were dry compared to what they CAN be, but there was certainly water there, there is one section they say never dries up.

Tongabezi was the nicest place I have ever stayed in my entire life., and other guests were commenting the same. We felt like we belonged on 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous'. Thank you so much"

Vyvienne Stumbles


"The ambience at Sindabezi was relaxed and wonderful... a really special place. From my short visit to Tongabezi it also seemed a fabulous setting - even the monkeys in the garden seemed contented and playful!! If I ever come back, Tree House will be on my list of "must stay" places.

It talked to my soul!! Thank you one and all for two glorious days."

Ryan Sindabezi Direct

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Modern travel and ancient history

Ancient cultures believed that the past helps a child understand who he is. Modern society, however exists in a sphere of rapid change, an era where nothing south of warp speed progress is considered good enough. We prefer to define ourselves in terms of where we are going, not where we come from.

Our ancestors lived in times so different from our own that we are skeptical to believe they are capable of shedding light on our modern experience.

What has all these musings got to do with travel?

As much or as little as you wish I suppose but there is another facet that connects history with modern travel - the chance to go where legends have broken ground before us.

It is of course quite possible to travel with no regard for history - in fact in the 21st century the travellers conscience, if engaged, is far more likely to end up concerned with the future as far as Green gas emissions, development of the underpriviledged etc. goes. After all, we might argue that however much history continues to evolve with every generation, the past does not change.

In much the same way the story of David Livingstone coming to Africa has also been adapted to suit our circumstance.

Like Columbus, Livingstone and many other great colonial spearheads are no longer universally feared or praised. On the eve of 2010, conquering other nations is not considered cool - Obama's America is on balance about quietly closing the war chests.

The void left by the lack of colonization opportunities has been filled with the race for cultural domination and it is here that Dr Livingstone's discoveries and modern day travel shares relevancy.

Tongabezi makes every effort to ensure that each individual stay is memorable, exclusive and completely tailored to our guest. At the same time we honour the culture of Zambia - offering local food on the menu, local hosts and guides as well as the chance to indulge in ancient local activities... fishing, canoeing, visiting Livingstone Island and adopting the slower pace of Africa.

When you follow in the very footsteps of Dr Livingstone you might have a snack and a diversion in mind - but when you step off the boat and onto Livingstone Island you continue to forge a link between Africa and the rest of the world. In this way each traveler forms a part of the tapestry of history. Stories are not only told in North America and Europe about Africa and its peoples. Tales of travelers from far away countries continue to be told around campfires in Africa.

Be a part of history - travel to Tongabezi!

NEW AT Tonagbezi!

• Four of our guides have recently been sponsored to attend a special 2 day Tree course by the famous Meg Coates-Palgrave.
• Twelve staff members have successfully completed advanced medical aid training.
• Momo is back from Israel - refreshed and raring to go our master builder has already completed extra Sindabezi touches and is now busy sculpting an indulgent BOAT HOUSE from the riverbanks - read the next Tonga Tales for photo's and more information!!
• November is traditionally maintenance month and the entire lodge has received loving building and design attention.
• We bid farewell to Ron Freeman - the eminent horticulturist has now completed a two year program at Tongabezi. His legacy will live forever as he has not only improved our gardens with more indigenous plants, installed sprinklers, built a magnificent veggie garden and orchard but has also trained our team to grow compost and passed on a plethora of gardening magic.
• Another Livingstone Island boat has also been launched.

Tongabezi IN CYBERSPACE

Jason & Joanne certainly enjoyed their Honeymoon!
Have a look at what they have to say here on Tripadvisor.

Tongabezi is the # 2 in popularity for Livingstone hotels on Tripadvisor

A new YouTube entry!!!