Victoria Falls River Lodge occupies a private concession on the Zambezi inside Zambezi National Park, upstream of the falls. The booking page lists eight room types, among them luxury tents, a family tent, island and Starbed treehouses, a tented suite and two- and three-bedroom villas, and every room has a private plunge pool and most have river views. Shared areas include an infinity pool, a full-service spa, a gym with bikes and a rowing machine, two restaurants and two bars, one by the river and one for sunsets. A free full breakfast is listed, and some rate plans are all-inclusive, covering meals, snacks and select drinks. River cruises, game drives, tiger fishing, canoeing and birding are the activities on offer, and the park is known for a bird list of more than four hundred species. The lodge scores a perfect 10 from a small number of verified reviews, and it is clearly aimed at guests who want a safari experience with a falls visit added on, not the other way round.
Location and getting around
The lodge is about eleven minutes by road from the Victoria Falls National Park entrance, around nineteen minutes from the town and about twenty-two minutes from the bridge, according to the booking page. Livingstone Airport is roughly seventy minutes away. A free area shuttle and a free round-trip airport shuttle at scheduled times are listed, which matters because the lodge is far from restaurants and shops. The setting is the point: you hear the river and the bush at night, and the park gate is a one-minute walk away.
The rooms and the feel
The accommodation is tented and treehouse-style rather than conventional hotel rooms, with canvas, decks and plunge pools overlooking the river. The family tent and villas make it workable for groups, although it is a premium property and children under twelve need adult supervision at the spa. Guests mention beautiful rooms and attentive service, and the all-inclusive plans simplify the budget because meals and drinks are covered. The lodge also arranges river cruises with snacks, game drives and fishing, so you can fill several days without leaving the concession.
Good to know
This is among the most expensive places to stay in the area, and one reviewer felt the food did not match the price. An extra fee of about US$15 per person per night covers the national park entrance, plus a small city tax, so budget for it. Check-in is in the afternoon with no after-hours arrivals, guests must be at least eighteen to check in, there are no elevators and pets and rollaway beds are not allowed.
Because it is outside town, plan falls visits and the bridge with a transfer. It suits honeymooners, safari lovers and anyone for whom the bush is the main event.
Why stay here
- ✓Private plunge pool in every room
- ✓Infinity pool
- ✓Toa Spa and gym
- ✓Two restaurants and two bars
- ✓Free full breakfast
- ✓Free airport and area shuttle
- ✓River cruises and game drives
- ✓Free WiFi in public areas
Good questions
Where is the lodge?+
On a private concession inside Zambezi National Park, roughly eleven minutes by road from the falls park entrance and about nineteen minutes from town.
Are meals included?+
A free full breakfast is listed, and some rate plans are all-inclusive with meals, snacks and select drinks. Confirm what your rate covers.
Are there extra fees?+
The booking page lists a per-person, per-night fee that covers the park entrance, plus a small city tax, so allow for it in your budget.
