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5 unique stays in Victoria Falls
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The Victoria Falls are one of the great natural wonders of the world and justifiably so. At peak flow a gigantic curtain of water plunges 100m into a boiling chasm below, stretching a mile in length and making the single largest sheet of water in the world.
It is little wonder then that the falls attract visitors from every corner of the globe. There is an array of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets, but we have hand-picked a select few that offer something truly special.
Ilala Lodge
This has to be without doubt one of the best value properties in the whole area, that rare combination of understated luxury, impeccable service, affordability and location, location, location!
Situated just a short stroll from the entrance to the falls and yet just a few steps in the other direction from the bustling heart of this endearing town. Only the entrance gives away its location in the centre of the action. Once through the front doors your view is drawn out to the lush gardens with towering trees, immaculate lawns peppered with scurrying warthogs and even the occasional elephant!
All the rooms and suites at the hotel look out onto the gardens each with its own private terrace accessing the garden or patio balcony with views over the gardens. The new luxury Strathearn Suite even offers a deck with hot tub from where you can sit and watch the billowing spray rise above the falls!
Enjoy some of the town’s finest cuisine at the Palm Restaurant or simply sip cocktails on the Palm Terrace. The hotel even has its own intimate vessel the Ra-Ikane on which to enjoy sundowner drinks as you glide along the Zambezi River.
The Victoria Falls Hotel
If it is sense of history and colonial grandeur you are after, then you need look no further than the fabulous Victoria Falls Hotel, the Grande Dame of Zimbabwe and one of Africa’s most iconic hotels. Nowhere else in Victoria Falls offers quite the sense of place that the Victoria Falls Hotel does.
Like Ilala Lodge, set close to the heart of the action yet with a feeling of total seclusion, as the focus is outwards toward the dramatic gorges below. Offering classic views of the Victoria Falls bridge with towering plumes of spray rising beyond.
The interior oozes old world style, with high ceilings, grand rooms and a suites, formal gardens and tranquil courtyards all blended into one charming destination. The feel continues to the rooms, think four-poster bed, flowing mosquito nets and elegant period teak and fine wood furnishings atop plush carpets.
It is impossible to imagine a visit to the hotel without at least one high tea on the Stanley’s Terrace gazing out to the views beyond (or a cheeky cocktail if you are a little late for High Tea). For something a little more formal the Edwardian-style Livingstone Room is without doubt the grandest dining experience in town. There is even something for those seeking a little more of a vibrant African touch with the hotel’s popular Jungle Junction, complete with nightly ethnic dance shows.
The Elephant Camp
Nestled in a teak woodland inside the Victoria Falls National Park lies the wonderful Elephant Camp. The camp offers the ultimate “glamping” experience, if you could even dare to use the term for these luxurious tented suites.
Each tent comes with its own luxury king beds, lounge, huge en-suite bathrooms with great baths and even outdoor showers. Large decks spill out in front of each tent, each with its own private plunge pool, ideal for drinking in the views over the bush and onto the amazing series of gorges that lead up to the Victoria Falls.
Being inside the national park animals are abundant and do not be surprised if you look up from your lounger to discover a herd of buffalo walking past or even an elephant coming to drink out of your pool!
Talking of the elephant in the room…or rather camp. The Elephant Camp is so called as it was set up to provide a safe home for orphaned and injured elephants and is run on the principles of “rescue – rehabilitate – release”. The aim is to eventually be able to ensure all elephants brought into their care are able to be fully released back into the wild.
The Victoria Falls Wildlife Trusts is based at the camp and guests staying at the camp get the chance to witness first-hand the work they do and of course meet the wonderful elephants that have found sanctuary there.
It is not only about elephants though, the camp offers tours to the Victoria Falls themselves, nature walks and safari drives, mountain bike excursions in the park and even visits to local villages, all in the rate (not forgetting all meals and selection of drinks!)
Victoria Falls River Lodge Island Treehouses
If your idea of bliss is being cocooned away on a private island in luxury accommodation with private butler services, then we have just the place for you. Discretely peeking out of the lush forests that cover Kandahar Island in the middle of the Zambezi River are a string of luxury “treehouses”.
These stunningly beautiful suites blend sleek Scandi-chic style into an unmistakably African scene. Clean timber lines house king size beds decked with pure cottons and bathrooms with views to die for. Sun lounges on private decks perch above the mighty river, and private plunge pools provides a somewhat safer place to take a dip!
If that isn’t enough, there are even two double storied “Starbed Treehouses”. As the name suggests these 2 treehouses have their own roof terrace, which is home to an imposing four-poster bed, wrapped in a thin veil of mosquito netting, for the ultimate sleep-out. Fall asleep in your star bed, with nothing but the African night sky above and the intermittent grunts of hippos and trumpets of elephants.
If you can ever bear to leave these little riverside havens tours of the falls are included ensure you don’t miss out on the spectacle. Also included are morning or afternoon game drives into the 150,000 acre Zambezi National Park in search of Africa’s big game. For those who can’t get enough of the river though morning or sunset cruises along the river are also offered. A word of advice, never miss the opportunity to experience a sunset on the Zambezi!
Matetsi River House
If you want to bring the whole family along for a bit of a spoil then have we got a treat for you. Matetsi is one of the most luxurious properties in the Victoria Falls area and the Matetsi River house is the perfect private
This gorgeous 4 bedroom villa sits right on the banks of the Zambezi River. Each room offers en-suite luxury bathrooms (each with indoor and outdoor showers). The villa also comes with its own beautiful kitchen. But of course you are on holiday so the kitchen comes with a private chef to whip up gourmet meals tailored around you.
A large deck runs the length of the villa overlooking the river with its own firepit, loungers, chairs and swimming pool, all exclusively for your group.
The exclusivity doesn’t end there, as you also get a private safari vehicle with guide and tracker for your stay at Matetsi, which offers some of the finest safari experiences in the area. The lodge also boasts some 15km of private river frontage and guests can enjoy morning and sunset cruises and even canoeing on the river. Guests staying a minimum of 2 nights (and you would be crazy not to!) also benefit from a private tour of the Victoria Falls and High Tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel.
Warwick Blow is Owner of Did you enjoy this article?
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I’ve done some safaris but I’ve never been to Victoria Falls. Though it’s close to the top of my list for when we can start travelling again. I’m in the U.K. and it’s first day of lockdown here again. I won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Nice to read pieces like this to keep us hoping and planning for a return to normality one day.
Hi Julia,
Thanks so much for the comment. The Victoria Falls are amazing and definitely worth the trip. If you ever need help when you decide to go please feel free to send us a message at info@safariinstyle.com and we’ll do all we can to help.
Good luck with the lockdown, at least it is a good excuse not to have to spend too much time outdoors in the November chill!
Kind regards,
Warwick
As we’re flying from Europe, I think that we would want to put together a trip of around 10 / 11 days. Although we would want to start with the falls it would be great to take in some other accommodation too, maybe making it a 3 centre trip. But it wouldn’t be easy choosing which ones to stay at.
Hi Paul,
10/11 days is a great length of time in the area. The wonderful thing about Victoria Falls is that it can serve as a centre from which to explore a whole variety of areas. Spend a few days in the falls and then you could add on some great safaris in Hwange National Park, the Chobe National Park or even just a short flight away in the amazing Mana Pools.
If you ever need help we are here at your disposal info@safariinstyle.com
Kind regards,
Warwick
I agree that these accommodations in and around Victoria Falls each offer something different. I like that Ilala Lodge is close to both downtown and the falls, and the Victoria Falls Hotel is iconic and very old-worldly and colonial, like stepping out into a different era. Then I also like Elephant Camp because it’s so typically African safari. It really is enticing. Imagine all the luxurious comforts you want but with the wild rugged outdoors just a step away from your door. Then those river lodges and treehouses with spectacular views of the water. It’s so relaxing. It’ll be hard to choose from these hotels if ever one comes for a vacation.
Hi Alister
Thanks so much for your comment. It is great to have so much choice. Also, Victoria Falls is such a great place to use as a base to explore the region further – like Hwange National Park, or across the border to Chobe and even up to the southern Kafue in Zambia.
If you ever decide to travel we are always here to help.
Kind regards,
Warwick
Thank you for such great reviews I’m Zimbabwean but I didn’t even know about some of those amazing lodges in Victoria falls,
Surely That town is developing everyday.it has the potential to be the Tourism capital of Sourthen Africa I know there are hardworking people who are working tirelessly to realise that dream,and with people like you on our Side
Zimbabwe tourism will Rise again.
Where does one fly into in order to visit Victoria Falls? Thanks very much.
I’d never really thought of Victoria Falls as a travel destination in its own right. This post has made me realise that there’s more than enough to do in the region without having to keep travelling.
We’ve done a few trips to Africa mainly for safaris and mainly in South Africa. Now, we’re thinking that it might be time for a change, especially as we’ve never done Victoria Falls.