There are many hotels to choose from at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Here are some of our favorites (ordered by price – most expensive to least expensive)
- Elephant Camp / Old Drift ($1600 all inclusive)
- Wallow ($940 all inclusive)
- Victoria Falls Hotel ($600)
- Palm River Lodge ($500)
- Ilala Lodge ($450)
- Batonka ($370)
- Victoria Falls Safari Lodge ($360)
- Shongwe Lookout ($340)
- Shongwe Oasis ($310)
- Insika ($320 Luxury / $400 Signature)
- Pioneers Lodge ($260)
- Shearwater Explorer Village ($170 Standard/$200 Deluxe)
- 528 Victoria Falls ($320)
Hotels in Zambia:
Hotel /Room Amenities:
Less than half of the hotels have TV’s. There isn’t much to watch anyway…. Most hotels do not have triple or family rooms, but typically they have interconnected rooms. If hotels have a spa, it may just be massages and mani-pedi, or it may be a full-service spa. I only saw one hotel with a sauna, and it was a small, dry sauna. All hotels will have indoor and outdoor dining and lounge areas. All hotels will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For breakfast, most hotels have a buffet of cold/continental items and then you order hot items off a small menu (custom orders also possible). Some hotels put out snacks at tea time.
All hotel rooms will have a swimming pool, a/c (and maybe a ceiling fan), 1 king bed or 2 twin beds, Wifi, safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, telephone, and laundry (extra charge). Higher level rooms will have robes and slippers (may be available on request for other rooms). Pools are outside and not heated – smaller pools in the sun will feel warmer. All rooms will have a coffee/tea station – it might just be instant coffee and powdered creamer, or a Nespresso maker, or French press with real milk.
For 6-12 people, there are options for a villa / wing / private camp.
Let us know if you absolutely need:
- TV in your room
- Gym
- Spa
- Stocked minibar
Advice:
- Download Google maps so you can find your way back.
- Don’t walk a night because of animals.
- Some hotels have Bamba Bikes by the entrance. There are e-bikes you rent to zip around town.
- In town and at some hotels, you will see Ecodrop Water Stations. You can buy a multi-fill plan for $5 for 30 fills.
1) Elephant Camp / Old Drift — all inclusive
Elephant Camp has 12 rooms/tents, 3 have sky beds on the roof for sleeping outside. Nearby is Elephant Camp West which has 4 rooms and is often used for exclusive groups or families.
Rooms are like large tents. Beds are 1 king or 2 twin. There is a separate seating area and large deck with plunge pool, table and chairs, and outdoor shower. There is a coffee/tea station that includes a french press and real milk. The minibar is included and stocked with drinks.
The main area has an indoor lounge (chess), bar, and dining room plus outdoor lounge and dining area. There is an outdoor pool and bonfire. There are baboons, which are fun to watch during the day and listen to at night.
There may be baboons walking through the camp as well as warthogs and bushbucks.
It is 15-20 minutes to Elephant Camp. Main roads good. Road to camp bumpy gravel road with speed bumps. Surrounded by electric fence, so it is safe to walk around camp even at night.
Laundry is extra and expect a 5-6 hour turnaround.
Many activities are included:
- Victoria Falls Tour
- Elephant interaction (11am)
- Sundowner at the gorge (5pm)
- Village tour
- Canopy tour (9 small ziplines)
- Sunset cruise (3:45pm)
- Game drive (morning or afternoon)
- Conservation program wildlife trust
- Massages, manicure/pedicure (extra charge)
Meals:
- 7:30-10 Breakfast
- 1-3 Lunch
- 7-9 Dinner
- Breakfast has a buffet of cold items (including fresh fruit, homemade yogurt and granola, pastries) and eggs to order. Cappuccinos are also available.
- Lunch is choice if 4 items plus dessert, drinks, and snacks (maybe soft warm breadsticks with corn sauce).
- Dinner is choice of starter, main, and dessert (examples are oxtail ravioli, ostrich steak, and lamb stew).
Elephant Camp has 2 family rooms (1 king in 1 room and 2 twins in 2nd room) and 3 rooms have Sky Beds.
Elephant Camp West is offered for exclusive use on request. There are 4 tents, 2 of which are family tents, so it sleeps 8-12 people. It has its own lounge, dining area, pool, and bonfire.
2) Wallow — all inclusive
A lower priced option next to Elephant Camp with many similar amenities.
3) Victoria Falls Hotel
They have 149 rooms – Classic, Stable Signature Suites, Premium Suites (with sitting room), Deluxe Suites, Executive Suites, Batonka Royal Suite (1), Presidential Suite.
- Royal Suite is 4 interconnected rooms and has a butler
- Premium Suites have access to the Premium Lounge.
- Stable Suites have a separate lounge and surround a private courtyard. Two of these have balconies.
- 1 Accessible room
- No triples/quads, but interconnected rooms
It is right in town, so you can walk around. There is a small gym, full-service spa, beauty salon, Chapel, putting green. There is no elevator to the rooms. The Rovos Rail arrives (10am) and departs (4pm) from here.
There are 4 Restaurants:
- Jungle Junction is main restaurant where breakfast is served. Breakfast and dinner are a buffet. There is entertainment every night.
- The Terrace is an alternative for breakfast, lunch, and tea (3-5:30pm)
- Poolside is open for lunch with marimbas.
- Fine dining restaurant is open Mon-Sat and has a dress code (jackets for men) – TBD
4) Palm River Lodge
The Palm River Lodge has 69 rooms in 3 stories / 1 tiny elevator
- Standard
- Deluxe
- Executive (4)
- Executive Suite (2) – Family suites with 2 bedrooms + lounge
- Honeymoon Suite (2) – Has indoor bedroom + outside bedroom / lounge/ outdoor shower
- Presidential (1)
- Accessible (2)
The minibar is stocked the first time for free, and then charged (suites have an unlimited minibar). There is also a Nespresso machine + real milk.
They offer a shuttle into town 6am-6pm on demand (5 minutes from town).
There is a Gym (open 24 hours with room key) and an outdoor ping pong table. The Spa offers massages and mani-pedi. The nature walk around property is 2km.
Mint iced tea is served on arrival. Elephants often walk along river bank, so there is an electric fence at night closer to hotel. The sunset cruise departs right from hotel.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the restaurant and on the patio:
- B – 6:30-10:00am – Cold buffet + hot off menu
- L – 12:00-2:00pm – Menu
- D – 6:30-9:00pm – Menu
- High Tea – 3:30-5:00pm with coffee, tea, and light snacks
- Snacks available off menu 10am-6pm
Palm River breakfast
- Large cold buffet
- Fruit, pasties, yogurt, granola, overnight oats
- Cappuccino
- Hot selections off menu
- English breakfast, French toast, avocado toast
There is 1 Villa – 3 bedrooms (2 bedrooms down with living room and kitchen + 1 bedroom up), private pool.
5) Ilala Lodge
Ilala Lodge has 73 Rooms on 3 levels, no elevator. It is the closest hotel to Victoria Falls, and there are shops and restaurants right out back. You can see many animals on the grounds, including elephants.
- Classic (32) — Ensuite bathroom with shower. Two adjoining rooms are available to accommodate families.
- Deluxe (36) — All deluxe rooms have twin vanities and private patio with sliding doors to the outside.
- Classic Suite (2) — The suites are situated at the top of the hotel with the best view of the Falls.
- Executive Suite (2) – Similar to Presidential but no hot tub or kitchen — These suites also are located at the top of the hotel in the new Deluxe wing and offer separate lounge area and adjoining bedroom. Private patio, twin vanities and separate bathtub are also other features.
- Presidential Suite (1) – Kitchen (stocked), hot tub, large balcony
With the classic and deluxe rooms, the first minibar is free. With suites, the minibar is free throughout, and there is a welcome snack platter. Suites interconnect with a twin classic.
Mosquito nets on top floor only because of the palapa roofs, but all other rooms have a mosquito plug.
There are 2 Pools – one is lower down with cabanas, upper is by bar and has pool lounge.
The Spa offers massage and mani-pedi
The restaurant offers inside and outside dining. With a 3-night stay, one dinner at Ilala is included.
6) Batonka
Sister to Pioneers Lodge
Batonka has 27 Rooms in the main area and 5 separate rooms in the Flame Lily section.
- Pool View – Tub and shower, balcony in front
- Garden View – Shower only, balcony in back (quieter and more private, so good for honeymooners)
- Family Room – Interconnected rooms, can sleep up to 6
They can add a pullout bed for kids to make a triple (not adults). Rooms have mosquito nets, ceiling fans, TV’s, and 2 bottles of water in the mini-fridge per day.
Flame Lily is 5 Rooms in separate area with their own garden, pool, lounge, and dining area. It can be booked separate for a group, or book the rooms separately. If booked by a group, breakfast and dinners will be served here. If rooms are booked separately, then just breakfast served in the dining area.
The restaurant has indoor and outdoor dining with a separate area in the garden for private dinners. Breakfast is a cold buffet + hot items off a menu. Tea and coffee are free at the bar, including cappuccinos. Nibbles/tea available in lounge 3-5pm.
The hotel has a lovely garden with mature trees. There is also a gift shop and water refill station.
They offer a free shuttle to town 10am and 3pm. You can take a taxi back or walk (safe during the day).
7) Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge has a waterhole with wildlife and live cam plus no helicopter noise. The Buffalo Bar overlooks the waterhole and sunset. At 1pm, they do vulture feeding. It has a big hotel feel and big groups stay here.
- 72 Rooms
- 42 look towards the waterhole – shower only
- 24 look towards the national park – some interconnect
- 6 Suites – 2 floors with lounge downstairs and bedroom with 1 king bed upstairs, tub+shower, robes, stocked minibar
- 4 rooms are accessible, 1 is handicap
The hotel has a full service spa complex, a great pool, a gym, library, and art gallery. There is no elevator.
There are no TV’s in the rooms, but there is a separate TV room.
They offer a shuttle to town every 1-2 hours.
Victoria Falls Safari Club:
This 5-star hotel next to the lodge has 20 rooms with butler service.
8) Shongwe Lookout
Lookout and Oasis are right next to each other. Lookout accepts families, and Oasis is adult only.
The restaurant has an excellent chef that cooks with local food and changes the menu daily. Good with vegetarian/vegan as well. The Cucumber Mojito sounds amazing.
Family rooms are interconnected with 1 king + 2 twin beds.
The 4 story lookout tower is a great place to have a drink at sunset. There is an art gallery at the bottom. The tower is available for both Shongwe hotels.
9) Shongwe Oasis
Shongwe Oasis is next to Shongwe Lookout, but it is adults only. The rooms are the same, but there are 3 Honeymoon Suites (same size but have outdoor shower and private garden). Guests have access to the lookout tower.
The Spa offers massages, mani-pedi, and baths.
10) Insika Lodge
Newly built in 2023, Insika Lodge has 40 Rooms – 14 Luxury and 26 Signature (bigger with lounge and better view). Only Luxury have some interconnected rooms. All rooms have a patio.
Inside, it has grassy grounds with trees. There is a bar by large swimming pool. They also have an on-site art gallery. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served a la carte.
The Spa has a sauna and offers massages (including couples massages), and mani-pedi.
The lodge owns is own boat on the Zambezi River. The sunset cruise includes drinks and canapes.
They offer free transfers to town.
11) Pioneers Lodge
Pioneers Lodge has 50 Rooms — Standard (46) and Family (4).
All face the center garden/pool area. No TV in room, but there is a TV room by reception. All rooms have a ceiling fan.
There are 2 medium sized pools outside (the upper pool in sun is warmer).
The Spa offers massages and mani-pedis.
The restaurant has indoor and outdoor dining:
- Breakfast 7-10am – cappuccinos extra
- Lunch 12-2pm
- Dinner 6:30-9:30pm (last order at 8:45pm) – make reservations
- Tea 3-4pm
- Can have private dinner by pool
It is about $5 for a taxi to town. They also have electric Bamba Bikes that you can rent right outside reception.
12) Shearwater Explorer Village
Shearwater is right in the center of town near shops and restaurants (near Ilala). It has a nice “Village” feeling. It has beautiful gardens and trees.
It has 96 Rooms — Standard (42) and Deluxe (54). Some are interconnecting for families. Rooms have mosquito net and tea station. The rooms are smaller but priced well. Hairdryers are in Deluxe rooms only or on request.
The hotel has nice pool, large restaurant, and fire pit. There is no spa.
13) 528 Victoria Falls
528 | Victoria Falls is a unique boutique guest house located 2.5km from Victoria Falls town, just 3km from the iconic waterfall. 528 | Victoria Falls is based in a quiet, leafy suburb, close to all restaurants & activities in Victoria Falls town (a mere 5-minute taxi ride at $4/ride).
We have just 8 en-suite rooms, including 1 family suite for 5 pax and 1 family room for 4 pax, a triple room for 3 pax, the rest are en-suite doubles (king or twin depending on your needs). All of our unique rooms have air-conditioning, tea and coffee facilities, hair dryers, safes and luxurious bathrooms. Our small size allows personalized service from our close-knit team. Our delicious cold spread and cooked to order breakfasts are included.
HOTELS IN ZAMBIA
1) Thorntree
Thorntree is a gorgeous boutique lodge right on the Zambezi River inside the park (1 of 3 hotels in the park).
There are 12 rooms. All rooms have plunge pool, outdoor shower, desk, sitting area, and big patio outside. 2 Family rooms sleep up to 6 people (2 rooms connected by hallway), closest to main lodge, on either side of the lodge. Robes, slippers, minibar is included.
The restaurant has indoor and outdoor dining areas, big table for groups inside, wine cellar. All meals off menu, some special nights have a Zambian buffet. There is a floating jetty that seats up to 14 people for dinner on request.
There is a large pool with lounge chairs in the water. The fire pit has a bonfire with snacks before dinner.
The Spa offers massages, even for kids. There is a nice gym. There is a library, beanbag chairs, and gift shop.
It is a small park, but you can see the white rhino. There are often elephants, baboons, and zebras on the road to the lodge, and hippos in the river.
All inclusive including activities:
- Game drive
- Sunset or Sunrise River Cruise
- Tour of falls (Zambia side)
- Rhino walk
- Market / village visit
- Fishing
- Canoeing
- $85/person extra for Elephant Interaction next door
2) Avani
Avani is popular with families with its large pool and kids club. It has 213 rooms — all have balcony or patio, tub + shower.
- Standard
- Superior – Robes, slippers, coffee
- Family – 2 adults + 2 kids <= 12 year old, 1 big room with 2 queen beds
- 4 Suites – two rooms/lounge, can connect with standard room
Tribal warriors meet guests at the entrance. It has a big hotel feel and dark hallways.
2 Restaurants – 1 BLD and 1 at pool LD a la carte. They offer a huge breakfast buffet. There is a pool bar and restaurant. Boma Dinner – Tu/Th/Sat for extra price.
The Kids Club is for 7-12 years old, and is offered in the morning and the afternoon for a small extra price. Baby cot on request + babysitting extra.
There is a full-service spa at the Royal Livingstone next door. The Gym is open 24 hours.
It has a huge swimming pool with a bridge across. There are hammocks by the pond.
A Sunset Cruise on African Queen extra.
See also:
- Things To Do in Victoria Falls
- Trips to Victoria Falls
