NEW SISTERS OF AFRICA SPA LAUNCHED WITH PROPRIETARY HEALING TREATMENTS AND PRODUCTS

LIVINGSTONE, Zambia (08/2013) - A new spa called Sisters of Africa, featuring proprietary spa and beauty treatments and products based on age-old Zambian healing techniques, has been launched at Islands of Siankaba, the “green” luxury lodge set on two islands in the Zambezi River, just 24 miles from famous Victoria Falls. All guests receive a complimentary five-minute foot or neck massage to help them relax and unwind.

Sisters of Africa founder, Bessie Mwale, said the Spa was created to bring “true tranquility to the body, mind and soul.” The treatments are offered in the lodge’s poolside Spa, inside guest rooms or alfresco on the chalet’s “porch”. “What is more relaxing than being in the middle of the glorious Zambezi River surrounded by the natural music of the birds, the water and the light scent of the trees?” says Mwale.

The Signature Treatment is the Sisters of Africa Massage (US$75, sixty minutes), using warm or cold cloths to help stretch and heal aching muscles, a technique traditionally used in Zambian villages with the purpose of removing toxic energy and relaxing the body through a sisterly touch. The Siankaba Aromatherapy Massage (US$75, sixty minutes) uses oils extracted from the
Mongongo (euphorbia) and Baobab trees, oils that help slow aging and improve skin tone. 

Beauty treatments include the Zambian River Island Facial, where skin is cleaned with steamed towels and pure, distilled Zambezi River water, then deeply nourished with Mongongo oil and wild African ginger. A gentle massage to improve blood and nutrient circulation follows. The Arabica Coffee Body Polish contains a thick layer of cocoa butter, pure coconut oil and freshly-grown Zambian Arabica Coffee to help intensely cleanse the skin while removing dead cells to prepare the skin for Africa’s sun-kissed weather. The Back and Neck Massage (US$45, thirty minutes) or the Foot Massage (US$45, thirty minutes) can be combined with other full body massage treatments (US$115, ninety minutes).

Zambia-born Sisters of Africa founder Bessie Mwale worked her way through beauty school in South Africa to achieve a Beautician’s Diploma. Wanting to return to her country of origin after gaining work experience outside of Johannesburg, Mwale seized on the opportunity offered by Islands of Siankaba to become a consultant for their spa treatments and to run her own Spa at 
the lodge.

“I want to inspire other African women to follow their dreams as I have mine,” says Mwale. 

For information or reservations: info@siankaba.net; Visit: www.siankaba.net

THE ISLANDS OF SIANKABA: THE ZAMBEZI RIVER'S OASIS IN THE TREES

LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA (08/06)--Located 24 miles upstream from one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the World,’ Victoria Falls, and just 30 miles from the magnificent Chobe National Park, the Islands of Siankaba’s River Lodge offers style and elegance in a distinctively African setting. Overhead walkways in a tree canopy connect seven secluded chalets and the restaurant, which has earned a reputation for ‘haute-cuisine in the bush.’ Each chalet is completely private and offers a unique view of the mighty Zambezi River which flows below the private balconies. The treetop chalets feature views of the calm 
river right from the king-sized beds and lavish bathtubs. The Islands of Siankaba sleeps just 14 guests and makes for a picturesque, romantic getaway or a relaxing reprieve for travelers on safari or on an extreme-sports adventure. 

This carefully crafted river lodge comprises two densely forested islands. The Islands are linked by a suspension bridge. On the larger of the two islands there is a dining room, lounge, bar, and swimming pool; the chalets are nestled on the smaller island to the south. All of the tented chalets are made from teak and custom-made canvas. The Islands are named after the local head man of the Siankaba area which is across the River from the Lodge.

The environmental policy of the lodge is to make a minimum negative impact on the surrounding ecosystem. In this tradition the design and layout of the lodge incorporates its natural surroundings and the structures blend flawlessly with the bush. The overhead walkways enable guests to leave no impact on the flora below.

A trained masseuse on site offers a range of spa treatments in the privacy of the chalet or outside on the verandah with the soothing sound of the river flowing below and the tweets of birds nesting in the trees.

In addition, the Islands of Siankaba offers many activities such as guided bird-watching tours, nature hikes, tours of Victoria Falls either in Zambia or Zimbabwe, sunset cruises, mokoro trips, island nature walks, picnic lunches, village trips including a visit to the nursery school, and mountain 
bike rides through the village. Many other expeditions can be arranged such as trips to Chobe National Park, elephant-back safaris, bunji jumping, white water rafting, micro lighting, helicopter flights, gorge swinging, tiger moth flights, game drives, and jet boating.

Whether looking for a romantic hideaway, a relaxing post-safari retreat, or in search of one of the many adrenalin buzz adventures available in the area, guests will experience uncompromising levels of service and hospitality during their stay at the Islands of Siankaba. 

Rates for the Luxury Chalets range from $445 to $460 per person sharing per night. Rates forthe Honeymoon Suite range from $500 to $515 per person sharing per night. Rates depend upon the season and include accommodation, all meals, return airport transfers, local drinks and house wines, and activities as noted above. 

For more information, visit www.siankaba.net or email info@siankaba.net

TONGABEZI PUTS ON THE DOG WITH NEWLY-BUILT, SUPER-DELUXE CHALET ON THE ZAMBEZI RIVER

LIVINGSTONE, Zambia- Tongabezi, an eco-luxe safari lodge on the Zambezi River upstream of Victoria Falls, announces a brand-new luxury chalet, with the working name “Dog House,” slated to open in early June of this year. Aside from luxurious appointments, the new chalet is luxuriously large – 3,875 square feet!

(Sadly, the former Dog House suffered a fire last year and was razed. The quirky name resulted from a portion of its proceeds helping to save the Wild Dog, one of Africa’s most endangered species).  

Beautifully sited on the Zambezi River, the “Dog House” comprises two very large bedrooms, a dining/living area between the bedrooms, a double-sided fireplace and a small, infinity plunge pool edging the river.  Because the bedrooms are raised nine feet, they appear to be floating over the water. Rooms are air conditioned, but guests who prefer the open air can pull back the glass sliding doors.  The “Dog House” can be used as a two-bedroom suite or, by closing off one bedroom, as a one-bedroom suite.  Like all the houses at Tongabezi, the new chalet comes with a valet.

Tongabezi’s managing director Ben Parker and his designer Christie Halsted came up with the concept for the new House. It is being built by Schlomo Hanoni and his team (the same team that rebuilt sister property Sindabezi in 2010).  “Building beside a river is no mean feat,” says Parker, “because at certain times of the year, the river rises.  It’s a constant battle to get the infrastructure into the ground, before it’s flooded out.”  As one consultant to Tongabezi put it when the builder succeeded in getting ahead of a rising river, “Zambezi – 0; Tongabezi – 1”.

In keeping with Tongabezi’s “green” ethos, the timber is supplied from sustainable forests in the Copper belt near Ndola.

Still and sparkling water is bottled through the Vivreau system (saving 20,000 plastic bottles and 2,000 tin cans every year). All water used is run through a purification plant and used for irrigation.

All-inclusive rates are $620 per person per night in low season, $720 per person per night in high season. Inclusions:  accommodations, meals, drinks and house wine, laundry service and most activities. Exclusions:  international airfare; premium-brand drinks, sparkling wine, liqueurs.

For reservations contact:  reservations@tongabezi.com; or visit:  www.tongabezi.com

LIVE ALOFT IN TONGABEZI’S NEWLY REBUILT ECO-LUXE TREE HOUSE

LIVINGSTONE, Zambia- Tongabezi Lodge, a romantic, five-star eco-friendly lodge on the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls, has rebuilt its renowned Tree House. Constructed around the branches of a riverine Ebony tree, the elevated Tree House spreads out over a sustainable pine deck offering spectacular views of the Zambezi River, the river after which Zambia is named. Part of the house is suspended over the water, giving the sensation of floating.

“We think this is the perfect hideaway for honeymooners or privacy-seekers,” says managing director Ben Parker. The secluded sanctuary, set against a basalt rock bed, lies at the end of a hidden path that winds along the cliff face. A whimsical sign “Maybe Later” serves as the door and advises visitors the Tree House is closed, come back later.

The king-sized bed with an air conditioned canopy is swathed in filmy mosquito netting. A perfectly–positioned, claw-footed bath affords views of the river while bathing, and beauty not viewed directly, can easily be imagined – the Anatolian carpets, Asian chests and West African artwork all evoke dreams of the exotic. The extensive space can be used for private dining and lounging.

A whole host of activities are included in the rates: canoeing on the Zambezi, an Island lunch, a candlelit dinner on a floating Sampan, a visit to Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park; sunrise and sunset boating; visiting Victoria Falls, guided bush walks, tour of the Livingstone Museum; fishing, game drives and shopping at the local market to buy wonderful bracelets, fabrics or artifacts. (Please note: park and museum entrance fees are extra.)

Fully-inclusive rates from $620 (depending on exchange rate) per person per night. For more information contact: www.tongabezi.com

FULL MOON CHIAWA ISLAND DINNER: A SURPRISE ZAMBIAN TREAT

Once a month, Chiawa Camp, offers the Full Moon Chiawa Island Dinner in a romantic location under the full moon. The surprise is when the event will take place, a decision the managers make depending on the weather and moon. So, if your timing is right, enjoy an authentic African menu in a magical setting on an island in the Lower Zambezi National Park.

The ambiance is nothing short of romantic as you take in 360 degree views of the Zambezi River, the glow from the moonlight dancing on the water. Dinner itself is lit with hurricane lamps and a blazing campfire, firing up an appetite for a sumptuous meal. The menu is a very African one in honor of the setting and location. Chiawa Camp offers a braai (BBQ) with popular entrees including pepper crusted fillet steak, chicken and vegetable kebabs, boerewors (South African spicy beef sausage) and Chiawa’s famous “lion stick bread” from the grill. Of course there’s a story behind the lion stick bread, named for a close encounter with a roaring lion as a stick was sharpened for placement in the delicious dough – so ask a guide to dish out the details.

From the campfire and cooked in traditional three-legged pots comes a selection of satisfying Zambian dishes. This includes maize meal (like grits), pumpkin or sweet potato (helped along the way with cinnamon), “kariri” – a tomato and onion sauce that perfectly enhances the maize meal and boerewors, kapenta (deep fried “whitebait” fish from Lake Kariba) and a three bean mix. Alongside this already succulent meal are beer bread, baked on the fire in the pot with Zambia’s infamous Mosi beer as a chief ingredient, and malva pudding – also cooked on the fire. Malva pudding is a sponge bake with syrup, served with crème anglaise.

The meal is accompanied with fine South African wines, the harmonic tones of the Chiawa Camp choir and, of course, the distant roars of lions often drowned out by the not-so-distant hippos.

As one of Africa’s premier safari camps, Chiawa Camp offers attentive yet unpretentious personalized service, wonderful cuisine and nine fantastic “tents” with spectacular views of the Zambezi River and its resident wildlife. While you are able to leisurely take in the scenery, you will also be able to partake in game drives, canoeing, boating and angling.

The Full Moon Chiawa Island Dinner is included in the accommodations. Nightly rates start at $565, depending on the season. Even if your timing doesn’t coincide with the Full Moon Chiawa Island Dinner, all guests will experience a floating lunch on the Zambezi, and some will be able to relish a bush BBQ that occurs once a week.

For more information, e-mail info@chiawa.com or visit the website at www.chiawa.com.