Archive for the ‘Victoria Falls’ Category

Ilala Lodge Hotel is ideally situated on the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls and is the closest hotel to the falls as well as the Victoria Falls town centre. Guests are often greeted by wild animals grazing on the lodge lawns with the spray of the falls in the background.

Ilala Lodge is the perfect platform from which to explore the Natural Wonder of the majestic Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls accommodation at Ilala Lodge Hotel provides distinguished yet affordable accommodation in a gracious and secluded ambiance.

The grounds around Ilala Lodge are secluded and well maintained, hugging the front borders of the Victoria Falls National Park. A large terrace runs along the front of the lodge where guests can get spectacular views of Victoria Falls infamous spray.

Ilala Lodge

Ilala Lodge offers guest a convenient and comfortable setting. The distinguished room and suites enchant the visitor with images of Africa and décor evoking the days of exploration. The upper level rooms enjoy spectacular views of the spray from Victoria Falls, while the lower level rooms open out onto beautiful gardens.

All 32 rooms –with en-suite bathrooms, separate shower, satellite television, telephone, ceiling fan, air-conditioning, room service, and laundry services.

Benefits to staying at Ilala Lodge include:

• 32 standard rooms, two deluxe suites
• Breathtaking views of the Victoria Falls
• Personalized cruises on the hotel’s small cruise boat
• Crocodile farm and nature sanctuary
• Most centrally located accommodation establishment to stay at in Victoria Falls
• And much more!

Ilala Lodge Activities:

Ilala Lodge is best known for its Zambezi River Cruises where guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or a sunset dining experience. It’s an excellent way to spend a leisurely 2 hours on the magnificent river above the roaring falls.

The river cruises include return transfers, drinks and snacks/meals. Wine, champagne, beer, minerals, and gin and tonics are served. The trip itself is a combination of game viewing, bird watching and simple relaxation. Enjoy the knowledge about the area, the river and the falls from the crew.

With Victoria Falls literally on its doorstep, Ilala Lodge can arrange any number of activities for their guests. From boat cruises, safari excursions, walking with lions to elephant back safaris, there is plenty to do to keep yourself busy and having fun.

Ilala Lodge Dining

Ilala Lodge is home to the Palm Restaurant located on the terrace in an elegant setting. Guests enjoy an a la carte menu that includes some local dishes. A piano player serenades the guests and creates the evening atmosphere in beautiful harmony with the sound of Victoria Falls in the background.  Guests can choose between an English buffet and continental breakfast. Lunch is also served from an a la carte menu.

Our take on the lodge…

Ilala Lodge’s ideal location – just minutes from the falls –and their comforts make this an excellent choice for couples and families alike.

Where are the best Victoria Falls hotels, Zambia or Zimbabwe side?

Livingstone, Zambia has always been recognized as the perfect location from which to visit Victoria Falls. Although Zimbabwe’s tourism has declined in the last several years, the town of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe is home to a handful of lodges that are determined to not let their visitors lose the best views of the falls. We have always said that to see the best of what the Falls have to offer you should stay on the Zimbabwe side. However, Zambia has some lodges that have stood up to Zimbabwe’s challenge and there has never been a better time to visit Victoria Falls.

Best Victoria Falls Hotels / Lodges in Zambia within close proximity to the Falls:

Located besides the Falls stand sister-hotels, the Royal Livingstone Hotel and it’s more budget friendly sister, the Zambezi Sun.

Situated in close proximity to the Victoria Falls, the five-star Royal Livingstone Hotel has 173 luxurious and well-appointed rooms, complete with satellite TV. They are relatively modest in size, but by contrast, the hotel’s lounge and dining room are grand and airy – reminiscent of the colonial feel of the old Victoria Falls Hotel.

For a super-value option, and a location right beside the Falls, the Zambezi Sun is informal, and at the centre of the hotel is a huge, curving swimming pool with a restaurant and café/bar adjacent. Its 212 rooms are comfortable, but not large, with en-suite shower, toilet and washbasin.

Both are generally booked on a Bed and Breakfast basis with no activities included.

If the large hotel doesn’t fit with how you imagined visiting the Falls, then upstream there are several superb lodges overlooking the Zambezi River. These intimate, quiet places are smaller and more costly than the hotels, but generally are offered only on a fully-inclusive basis with some activities.

Tongabezi is a lovely lodge set on a sweeping bend in the Zambezi. It’s long been one of the region’s most romantic hideaways and its experienced team of staff maintains a distinctly Zambian feel. The food is first-class, served beside the river or on your private veranda. Then there’s a thatched riverside bar, spacious lounge area and a rock swimming pool under a tumbling waterfall.

Tongabezi has five beautiful thatched ‘cottages’, all with large picture windows opening onto verandas beside the river. There are also 4 open fronted luxury houses, 1 enclosed house with a private plunge pool and for families a Garden House that does not have river views but comes with a walled garden and private plunge pool. Tongabezi is often combined with its sister-camp, Sindabezi, which stands on an island nearby in the middle of the Zambezi River.

Disappear near the Falls at Sindabezi, Tongabezi’s private island in the Zambezi.

Sindabezi’s five beautiful en-suite thatched cottages are now set up on stilts, among the trees and reached by soft sand paths. All have an open front facing the river, a sundeck, a hot outdoor shower, canopied bed and toilet with a view (now that’s special!).

The River Club and the Islands of Siankaba are also smaller chalet accommodation available upstream.

The Best Victoria Falls Hotels / Lodges in in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Just across the river from Livingstone, Zambia is Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. This is by far the most popular side to stay and with obvious reason, the views from this side are always spectacular.

Ilala Lodge, a Wild Safari Africa favorite, has always been a friendly, privately owned hotel with the absolute best location in town and on both sides of the Falls. Good value for money.

Located near town (still relatively near the Falls) is the old colonial Victoria Falls Hotel. The hotel has a commanding position overlooking Victoria Falls Bridge and the spray from the falls themselves. The hotel has a range of room options – from standard and suites to executive and royal suites.

With a waterhole on the edge of the Zambezi National Park, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is perfect for those wanting to experience both wildlife and the Falls. With 72 rooms –from standard to deluxe suites – the lodge offers spectacular service and amenities including free shuttle service to and from the Falls and town centre throughout the day.

In all essence, each side is unique and very similar at the same time. Ask yourself what is your purpose to the area? Is it recreation? Relaxation? Tranquility? The Falls and Victoria Falls Hotels will satisfy nearly every travelers interests.

Victoria Falls is home to a number of exciting activities from, white water rafting to elephant back safaris.  Elephant back safaris allow visitors to elevate themselves to the heights of the largest land mammals on the face of this earth.

Riding on the back of an elephant is like nothing else.  It is an extraordinary and exhilarating journey and, at Victoria Falls you’ll follow the edge of the Zambezi gorges weaving the ancient game trails of the area.

What to expect on Elephant Back Safaris

Seated comfortably on the back of African elephants, experience a tradition whilst exploring the vast savannas of Victoria Falls National Park and find romance at the spectacular scenery of the Masuie River plunging 120 meters into the great Zambezi River below.

Bond with the large, but gentle, animals and forge a relationship of respect and love for an animal that holds such great wisdom.

Sunrise safaris are conducted daily, offering guests a brilliant game-viewing experience (have the opportunity to see giraffe, buffalo, plains game, and much more!) as well as providing the opportunity to delve deeper into learning about the African elephant.  The morning safari includes a full English breakfast.

Each elephant has its own handler and clients will leave having witnessed the elephant’s incredible skills and intelligence.  The safari is approximately 1 hour and the overall interaction with the elephants is about 3 hours.

Elephant back safaris investment

Half-day excursions are US$120 per person.

Evening excursions and dinner are US$165 per person.

Children below the age of 5 years are prohibited from the elephant back safaris.  A guardian must accompany children between 6-18 years.

Reputable companies that conduct elephant back safaris – Safari Par Excellence (Zambia), Wild Horizons and Shearwater (Zimbabwe)

Are you going to visit the Zambia or Zimbabwe side?

Victoria Falls, commonly known as Vic Falls, is perhaps one of the most famous destinations in southern Africa.  With its central location to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, it’s no wonder why so many visitors to southern Africa include Victoria Falls into their itinerary.

One of the seven natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls are truly inspirational.  Whether you visit during the rainy season – when the falls form the largest curtain of water anywhere in the world – or during the dry season, you will not be disappointed.

With lush rainforests, a plethora of wildlife, and a handful of spectacular activities to partake, Victoria Falls is a definite must visit, place of interest.

Will you visit the Zambia or Zimbabwe side?

Considered the “Adrenalin Capital of Africa”, try your hand at white water rafting along the raging Zambezi River, bungee jump between the two countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe, board a helicopter for a sight of a lifetime, glide over the falls in a Micro-light, or jump on the back of an elephant for an elephant-backed safari through the bush, and even the more calming sunset cruise on the river for the more sedate visitor.  Whatever suites your deepest of childhood desire, Vic Falls is sure to have it on hand.

Travelers to Victoria Falls want to be placed in accommodation nearest to the falls and have great views of its plunging waters.

But which side is better for this, Zambia or Zimbabwe side?

The Zimbabwe side of the falls offers better views, especially during low water season from September to December.  During the months of October and November the falls can sometimes be completely dry on the Zambia side.

There was once a time when Zimbabwe was preferably favored over Zambia, however, today that’s not the case.  There are spectacular choices for luxury lodging in Zimbabwe and the infrastructure in the area is good.  It is possible to walk to the falls from town along well marked paths and many will agree that the view from this side is much better, as you can stand opposite the falls and face the waters head on.  But, some worry about the political situation of Zimbabwe.  Should this affect your decision?

It’s a worthwhile thought, however, in Victoria Falls there is nothing to be of concern and should weigh no bearing to your final decision.

However, visiting the falls from the Zambia side has some advantages; the entrance costs to the park are cheaper and accommodation in the town of Livingstone is generally cheaper.  Trails are open to walk offering the opportunity to see the falls from above as well as below, and the forested areas are arguably more pristine, and it is possible to swim in a natural pool on the edge of the upper falls.

I would recommend visiting both the Zambia or Zimbabwe side, crossing the bridge, and ask to be issued a day pass to avoid unnecessary visa charges.  Both sides will offer different vantage points and experiences that will enhance your visit.

The Zambia side has hotels that are both close to the river and near the falls – Zambezi Sun and Royal Livingstone.  The David Livingstone Safari Lodge is also another great option on the river however, is not walking distance to the falls.  Further upriver, the Tongabezi or Thorntree River Lodge is some great, exclusive getaways.

On the Zimbabwe side, Azambezi is the only hotel with direct river access, but not as near to the falls (10 minute drive away) as Ilala Lodge, the Kingdom Hotel, and the Victoria Falls hotel, ALL walking distance to the falls and with great distant views of the gorge but no direct access to the river.

In conclusion, the only way to truly decide which side is better, well… it entirely depends on your needs – budget, experience, occasion, etc.  But one thing can be certain, if you’re traveling to Vic Falls during the dry season (September to December) it is definitely worth taking a look from the Zimbabwean side as the water will still be flowing spectacular despite the less water plunging overall.

Combine your safari with a visit to Vic Falls, on either the Zambia or Zimbabwe side.