safari lodges and hotels Victoria Falls

adventurous couple swimming in Devils Pool on the very edge of Victoria Falls

Swimming the Devil's Pool

  • Marvel at the 'smoke that thunders' - as locals refer to the Zambezi river cascading a spectacular 107m down into a gorge - a sight to best behold from the air. 
  • One can also view the awesome 1708m wide Victoria Falls - the largest curtain of water in the world - from both
    the Zimbabwe side (for panoramic photograhic views)
    and the Zambia side (a trail paradise putting you right at the top of the Falls...)
  • Both sides offer a totally unique perspective of the mighty Victoria Falls, one of Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and both sides offer some delightful places to stay.

  • December to March is rainy season with the Falls in high flow (and very misty!)
    Highest flow from February to May.
    June to September is probably the best time to see the Falls.
    Low water season around October to November
    However, with strange weather patterns nowadays, one never really knows...

  • TRAVEL TIP
    Distance between Victoria Falls and Okavango Delta?
     
    only a 1,5hr road transfer from Victoria Falls to Botswana’s Kasane airport
    + an easy 1hr charter flight to the Okavango Delta.
     
    So stand in awe at the mighty Zambezi and the spray of the Victoria Falls –
    then set off on a 3-4 night big game safari in the heart of the Okavango Delta…
     
    below are Out in Africa Travel's favourite Victoria Falls lodges to spend 2nights at -
    either before, or after, a 3 to 4 night Botswana safari
     
    #memorablejourneys outinafrica

map of vic falls lodges

See how close Victoria Falls is to the Okavango... 

Out in Africa map of Victoria Falls
Out in Africa map of Victoria Falls lodges
Visiting Victoria Falls, one can stay either on the Zambia side of the Falls - or the Zimbabwe side of the Falls
Victoria Falls Airport Zimbabwe and Livingstone Airport Zambia both offer easy access
and the lodges are delightful... from colonial splendour to romantic outinafrica hide-aways

First up, TWO fabulous lodges on ZAMBIA side

  • Tongabezi Lodge

    Zambia lodge 1 of 3

  • stay

    set spectacularly on the lush Zambezi river bank, only 24kms upstream from Victoria Falls
    owner run lodge with 5 river cottages and 4 dreamy thatched houses - some open fronted!
    various secluded chill out nooks with river views for memorable star-lit dinners
    or stay on Sindabezi Island (in the Zambezi River) which sleeps 10 guests only
    5 open fronted chalets on wooden decks overlooking river - a honeymoon delight
    zero grid dependence here so ligting by hurricane lamps, candles & starlight 
    do a boat trip to Livingstone Island & swim daringly in the Devil's Pool... 
    activities include Falls tour, game drive, boat cruises & shopping trip
    spot game like buffalo, elephant, rhino and hippo but no cats 

  • travel

    airport transfers from Livingstone (25min), Vic Falls (1hr) or Kasane (1.5hr) 

  • rate

    rates 2024
    houses at $1025 to $1340 per person per night
    river cottages at $815 to $965 per person per night
    island cottages at $650 to $850 per person per night
    high season jun-oct & 23dec-2jan
    include all meals, local bar brands & sparkling wine, laundry, sunrise & sunset boat cruises, canoeing (hippo dependant), island lunch, fishing, Falls visit (excl entrance fee), game drive (excl Park fees), walk in gorge below Falls, museum visit (excl entrance fee), local village visit, mountain biking and a shopping trip.
    exclude premium bar brands, champagne, travel insurance, road transfers and staff gratuities

  • Toka Leya Camp

    Zambia lodge 2 of 3

  • stay

    Situated in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park under a canopy of trees overlooking the Zambezi River 
    12 riverside tented rooms on raised decks linked by elevated wooden walkways to the rest of camp
    rooms with aircon, mini bar, writing desk, double vanity, outdoor bath & private sunken deck
    incl Falls tour, village visit, museum tour, fishing, boat cruises and guided game drives
    spot herds of elephant & buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala & even white rhino
    central dining/bar area with sala, fire pit, pool, gym, spa and small riverside beach 

  • travel

    30min from Livingstone airport, 20min from Falls, 1.5hr from Kasane

  • rate

    rates 2024 - from $941 to $1036 per person per night
    high season jun-oct & 20dec-5jan
    includes all meals, 2 daily activities, park fees, local bar brands and laundry. 
    excludes premium bar brands and staff gratuities

Or stay at one of these THREE fabulous lodges on the ZIMBABWE side...

  • The Elephant Camp

    Zimbabwe lodge 1 of 3

  • stay

    on a private concession with breathtaking views of Vic Falls' spray and yawning Zambezi river gorges 
    12 gorge facing tents with aircon, mini bar, indoor- and outdoor showers plus a bath with a view 
    all suites with polished cement floors, lounge area, private viewing deck and plunge pool 
    tented central lounge/dining/bar leads onto spacious deck with pool and sweeping vistas
    activities include elephant interaction, gorge sundowners and a scenic lunch in town
    emphasis not on game but rather on visiting the Falls and staying in an awesome camp

  • travel

    12min from Vic Falls Airport and 10min from Victoria Falls town

  • rate

    rates 2024
    $636 to $867 per person sharing
    high season jul-oct and 21dec-10jan
    include all meals, local bar brands, return Vic Falls airport transfers, 2 daily town shuttles, laundry, meeting Wild Horizon elephants, gorge sundowners, wildlife trust visit and Look-Out Cafe lunch and Emergency Medical Evacuation cover
    exclude any activities not mentioned, spa treatments, levy and staff gratuities

  • Victoria Falls River Lodge

    Zimbabwe lodge 2 of 3

  • stay

    first privately owned lodge situated in the Zambezi National Park set on banks of the Zambezi River
    personal service, great wildlife viewing, fine dining & luxurious accommodation options including:
    13 aircon luxury tents with private pools, lounge area, outdoor shower & sundeck with river views
    also 6 hide-away treehouse suites on private island with butler service – access by boat only
    airy central lounge area leads onto large sundeck with infinity pool & spectacular river views
    also housed in central area, a library, luxury spa, fitness centre, riverside bar and -restaurant
    game drives/walks/cruises and game viewing from all rooms - spray of Falls in the distance

  • travel

    45min transfer from Vic Falls Airport, 60min cross border from LivingstoneAirport 

  • rate

    rates 2024
    tented suites with pool - from $750 to $920 per person per night
    island treehouses with pool - from $1230 to $1350 pp per night
    high season apr-oct & 21dec-6jan
    include all meals, high tea, local bar, VF airport transfers, daily town transfer, tour of Falls, 2 daily activities (game drive/river cruise) & bird watching. 
    exclude all Park fees/levy, premium bar brands, spa treatments & staff gratuities
     

  • Victoria Falls Hotel

    Zimbabwe lodge 3 of 3

  • stay

    5 star Edwardian hotel in Vic Falls National Park known as “the grand old lady of the Falls”
    set in lush tropical gardens only a 10min walk from the clearly audible and visible Falls
    spectacular views of the Batoka Gorge and Victoria Falls Bridge across the Zambezi River
    9 types of rooms/suites from standard to presidential with world-class service and food 
    fine dining and dancing, ethnic entertainment, afternoon high tea and cocktails 
    also a swimming pool, two tennis courts, a library, reading rooms and chapel

  • travel

    25min from Victoria Falls Airport Zimbabwe
    40min from Livingstone Airport Zambia
    1.5hr from Kasane Airport Botswana

  • rate

    rates 2024
    rooms from $572 to $1243 per night b&b
    suites from $1237 to $6500 per night b&b
    high season jul-nov
    include daily breakfast 
    exclude lunch/dinner, activities and transfers to/from airports

  • what to do in Vic Falls

    take a look at some favourite outings...
TOUR OF VICTORIA FALLS
Do easy self exploration or do a guided tour of Vic Falls & its (sometimes) very wet and damp rain forest.
The Zimbabwe side offer panoramic views - Zambia side a trail paradise right at the top of the Falls.
Some lodges include a tour of the Falls in their daily rates but it can exclude rain forest entry fee.
For daredevils, take a hair raising swim on the edge of Victoria Falls in the infamous Devil's Pool...
IN THE AIR OVER VIC FALLS
Undoubtedly the best way to see the magnificence of the Victoria Falls, is to view it from the air. 
Helicopters with specially designed windows offer incredible views and fly daily. 
For the more adventurous, consider a microlight flight across the Falls.
ON AND AROUND THE ZAMBEZI RIVER
The mighty Zambezi river offer some of the most thunderous grade 5 rapids available on the planet.
At low water, there are 19 rapids over a 23km course crashing through the dramatic Batoka gorge.
high water river rafting season runs from aug to dec with low water river rafting jan/feb & jun-jul
high water offers a very adventurous option of taking on rapids with a boogie board & flippers...
And be prepared for that arduous hike... all the way up... and out of the beautiful gorge!
ON AND AROUND THE VICTORIA FALLS BRIDGE
The Victoria Falls Bridge was opened in 1905 and is a fine example of cutting edge Victorian design.
Towering over the Batoka Gorge between Zimbabwe and Zambia, it offers a unique set of activities -
a hair raising Bungee Jump or Bridge Swing, a more relaxed Bridge Slide and historic Bridge Tours.
GAME ENCOUNTERS AT VIC FALLS

a selection of excursions offer game encounters - include lions, elephants and rhino encounters.

itinerary ideas

Below some ideas of what can be done - but YOU decide.
Travel when YOU want to - choose YOUR favourite lodge
and combine destinations as YOU wish.
Take a look:

8 nights - Cape Town and Vic Falls

6 nights Cape Town
2 nights Victoria Falls
day 1
arrive Cape Town and stay 6nights
(or more if time allows)
 
day 7
fly direct 2hr45m Cape Town to Victoria Falls
transfer to lodge for 2night stay
 
day 9
return transfer to airport
fly 1hr35m Vic Falls to Johannesburg
fly out of JNB

12 nights - Cape Town, Winelands and Vic Falls

7 nights Cape Town
3 nights Winelands
2 nights Victoria Falls
day 1
arrive Cape Town and stay for 7nights
 
day 8
1hr self drive to Franschhoek winelands and stay for 3nights 

day 11
drive 1hr to Cape Town airport and drop rental car
fly direct 2hr45m Cape Town to Victoria Falls
transfer to lodge for 2night stay

day 13
return transfer to airport
fly 1hr35m Vic Falls to Johannesburg
fly out of JNB

12 nights - Cape Town, Vic Falls and Okavango

5 nights Cape Town
2 nights Winelands
2 nights Victoria Falls
3 nights Botswana safari
day 1
arrive Cape Town and stay for 5nights
 
day 6 
1hr self drive to winelands and stay for 2nights 

day 8
drive 1hr to Cape Town airport and drop rental car 
fly 2hr45m direct Cape Town to Victoria Falls
transfer to hotel or lodge and stay for 2nights

day 10
1.5hr road transfer to Kasane Airport, Botswana
1hr-1.5hr charter flight Kasane to Okavango and stay 3nights

day 13
30-60min charter flight lodge to Maun
fly 1hr45m Maun/Johannesburg
fly out of JNB

14 nights - Namibia, Vic Falls, Botswana & Cape Town

1 night Johannesburg
3 nights Namibia safari
2nights Victoria Falls
3 nights Botswana safari
5 nights Cape Town
day1
arrive Johannesburg Airport and overnight to rest up

day2
fly 2hr Johannesburg to Windhoek
charter flight Windhoek to lodge
short transfer to lodge and stay 3 nights Namibia

day5
return charter flight lodge to Windhoek
fly 1.5hr Windhoek to Victoria Falls
transfer to lodge or hotel and stay 2 nights Vic Falls

day7
1.5hr road transfer Vic Falls to Kasane Airport, Botswana
1hr charter flight Kasane to Okavango Delta
transfer to lodge and stay 3 nights Botswana

day10
30min charter flight to Maun
fly 2.5hr Maun to Cape Town
end your holiday with 5nights in beautiful Cape Town
(or stay as long as you want!)
 
day15
fly out of Cape Town airport

  • Victoria Falls

    the smoke that thunders outinafrica...
scenic microlight trip over a misty, 'smoke that thunders' Victoria Falls

Batoka Sky microlight

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