Victoria Falls River Lodge – Zimbabwe
Stand quietly on your private terrace and hear the distant roar of the falls, see the spray shoot 400 metres into the air and watch elephants swim past. The exclusive Victoria Falls River Lodge, the first private game lodge to be built in the Zambezi National Park, enjoys a most spectacular location, right on the banks of one of Africa’s largest rivers.
Built in a mix of traditional and contemporary design, with large picture windows facing the water and the wildlife it brings with it, it’s a luxurious lodge where attention to detail is everything. It’s a place for families to discover the marvels of a safari, and for couples to enjoy an intimate wildlife adventure.
At A Glance
Luxury Hotel
Why We Love It:
For its incredible location, and the surrounding peace and quiet – save for the sound of the roar of the falls.Style:
Sophisticated safari chic.Location:
Upstream from Victoria Falls, right on the banks of the Zambezi, in Zimbabwe, in the Zambezi National Park.Rooms:
Luxurious tents, suites and treehouses, with large decks, outdoor bathrooms and plunge pools, on the banks of the river and on a private island.Swimming:
An infinity pool and private plunge pools – all with views of the Zambezi.Children:
An incredible adventure for children.Accessibility:
There are no facilities for guests with limited mobility.Open From:
All year round.rooms
It’s hard to choose between the luxurious tents and treehouses here – each one is exquisitely designed, spacious and with every luxury possible. Outdoor bathrooms, large decks for watching life on the river flow by, plunge pools and supremely large and comfortable beds. There are bolt holes for couples and perfect family spaces. The Luxury Tents, built from canvas, glass and thatch, have large terraces with a plunge pool and uninterrupted river views.
The even more spacious Luxury Family Tents can sleep up to five (including three children under 18), featuring copious living space, inside and out, and a fabulous viewing deck. A mile down river, the extremely slick Malachite Tented Suites sit on the water’s edge, with an overriding sense of remoteness and in touch with the surrounding nature. For even more privacy, the Island and Starbed Treehouses on the lodge’s very own Kandahar Island are sublime. For adults only, they are built on stilts with far reaching views of the Zambezi and surrounding bush, and some feature a rooftop terrace with a very comfortable bed for sleeping under the stars. Larger families and those travelling with friends find the enormous and very luxurious Hippo Creek Villa (sleeping up to eight) and the spacious Rapids View Villa (sleeping up to ten), the perfect place. Complete with a private butler, and long river frontage, they tick all the boxes.
food
Convivial, at communal tables under a thatched roof by the river, dining here is all about sharing stories of your day and what you’ve seen. Food is a delicious mix of contemporary South African and local dishes, all accompanied with wines from their extensive cellar. Start each day with an à la carte breakfast, and end it with a sundowner at the bar, as the nocturnal wildlife begins to stir.
activities
There’s a host of activities that come part of your stay here, and countless extras you can add on top. Morning and evening game drives through the national park reveal an astonishing array of wildlife, from elephant to hippo, giraffe to crocodile and a big cat or two. The walking safaris allow you to get close up – and not too personal, whilst the Zambezi fishing safaris let you experience the river at its most peaceful.
A morning or sunset river cruise is an absolute highlight, and a chance to enjoy the ebb and flow of life on the water. Expert guides are on hand to take you on tours of the falls – an incredible spectacle whatever time of year. Called ‘the smoke that thunders’ by the locals, the sound of the water and the sight of the spray, fills your senses, whilst the surrounding flora and fauna is magnificent. An unusual excursion is a ride on the Bushtracks Express – a restored steam train that crosses the Victoria Falls bridge – book for canapés or dinner. For a further safari experience, and the chance to head into Botswana, you can spend a day in Chobe National Park, with the chance to see the Big 5, and the world’s largest elephant population. Thrill seekers are spoilt for choice around the falls, with white water rafting, helicopter viewing flights and canopy tours.
family
Adventurous families love the lodge and all that it offers. From spacious accommodation with a regular flow of wildlife meandering past, to supervised bush activities for younger guests – there are Junior Game Drives for children between four and seven (accompanied by a parent). No children under the age of four is able to go on a game drive; walking safaris have a minimum age of 12, and the suites are unfenced. Babysitting can be arranged.
sustainability
Committed to the local community and the surrounding national park, Victoria Falls River Lodge not only supports an antipoaching unit and an animal rehabilitation centre, but has also built a school to educate the children of all the staff working in the national park, and their extended families. There is a continual wish list of equipment needed, and guests are encouraged to donate essentials. The Lodge is run on solar generated power and also has a zero single use plastic policy.
Location
Zimbabwe, Africa
Upstream from Victoria Falls, right on the banks of the Zambezi, in Zimbabwe, in the Zambezi National Park. Ten minutes from Victoria Falls Town and 20 from the airport, or 50 minutes from Livingstone International airport. Arrive in style by boat.
