Tongabezi is an exclusive lodge on the banks of the Zambezi river. Its food, accommodation and general ambience is fantastic and I’ll let the photos tell the story. 
We arrived in the early afternoon and were treated to lunch which was served on a terrace in front of the lounge area. We were the only ones on the terrace.

 

They have a team of gourmet chefs and we were served soup, main and dessert. There is a set menu and you can choose from options. The borscht soup is the best I have ever tasted. I then had the feta and beetroot tart and Mike had lamb burger which came with sweet potato fries. We passed on dessert. It was only lunch after all. 

We had a relax in our cottage, which has hippo tracks outside the deck and is not more than 5m from the river, then went on the sunset cruise at 4.30. Not entirely comfortable with only a curtain between the bedroom and loo though. That takes togetherness just a little bit too far. 

We joined a couple of doctors (a cardiologist and spinal surgeon) from New York, who were excellent company. They both originated in India. Our captain took us in a flattish boat out into the river and across to the other side, which is the Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe. We saw hippos (of course) crocodiles, monkeys, a kudu (goat thing) and a bushbuck (antelope thing).  captain (Ronny) was really interesting and answered lots of questions about geopolitics of the area. Then as the sun went down we were taken to an island where they set up a bar (the Sand Bar) with drinks for us and the other boat from Tongabezi. Full board so you get whatever you want. After drinks we made our way back, ready for dinner at 7.30. Except that first there are pre-dinner drinks by the fire pits.

They feed and water you every 4 and a half minutes. 

We had dinner in the lookout, which is upstairs in one of the lounge areas. Our table was right against the edge and you have this fantastic outlook over the river. It was quite magical, as was the food. A pumpkin Tom yum soup followed by chicken for me and steak for Mike, all accompanied by some very nice South African wines. 

You get escorted back to your room after dinner on account of the hippos.