Reviews of Avani Victoria Falls

"Avani has a superb location right within the national park surrounding the Victoria Falls. If you listened you could hear the roar of the falls from the hotel and it was just a very short walk to see them (entrance included when you stay at the hotel).

There were animals everywhere around the hotel: vervet monkeys, baboons, impala, zebra and giraffes!! (Oh and crocodiles... but don't worry, they didn't join us for drinks and dinner unlike the other animals).

The breakfast was a great spread with some variety every day (and tasty fresh pancakes, waffles, omelettes etc.). We also enjoyed the great stone-baked pizzas and an African buffet with entertainment at the Boma. Mmm... crocodile steaks! Great drinks list and super friendly staff everywhere too.

We walked around the falls on the Zambian side getting totally drenched and then took ourselves over the border to Zimbabwe for great views from the other side (all you need is a KAZA visa, lots of space for passport stamps and a bit of confidence... but there are tour buses if you prefer).

At the hotel, we organised a game drive and walk to see the white rhino. Phenomenal seeing a 2 month old baby rhino at such close range accompanied by the rangers who protect them. 200% recommend! We also went on a wonderful Zambezi river trip, combining a small boat cruise where we saw an elephant on one of the islands, and then a lovely sunset drifting along in the larger boat. A lot of food and wine included! Two of us also went horse riding in the national park.

The hotel wasn't the best at providing information about the excursions (including the basics like where to be when, and what's included) but I think the Zambian way is just to chill out and go with it and once we got that down we were fine!!

If you're going to Victoria Falls, I wouldn't even consider staying anywhere else!! (Unless it's the 5* Royal Livingstone on the same site... and even then I preferred the theming at Avani)" See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia

"Great place to stay when visiting Victoria Falls. There is access on hotel property to viewing area to see the Falls without having to pay extra national park fee. But the nicest advantage to staying here is your access to the Royal Livingstone Hotel just a short golf cart ride away. The Royal Livingstone offers a big upgrade on the meals and grounds.

So save yourself some cash and stay at the Avani to sleep, which is very comfortable. Take your meals at the Royal Livingstone. Free transport offered back and forth to the Avani guests. It’s also really fun to see the zebras and giraffes wandering the hotel grounds freely. Definitely makes you smile.

Also want to give a big thank you to Tom, the Concierge when I was there. Helped me organize a day trip to Hwange National Park across the border in Zimbabwe, even though it was not one of their “sanctioned” activities. I asked if it was possible any other way and he reached out to another contact and made it happen. Very thankful to get the help to make that happen.

It was an extremely long day and a lot of time traveling to and from, but worth the time and effort. Saw a huge pride of lions that I did not get to experience anywhere else on the trip." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 5n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana

"This was our 6th visit and we had a room at back near the pond as we have had several times before.

Although there is no view you get the best sound of the Falls from these rooms.

Service bit slow, breakfast had a good selection." See all these reviews: 7n in Malawi; 4n in Zambia

"The hotel was nice and I have no complaint about it, but I much preferred my safari bungalows. It felt a bit too "civilised". The visit to the falls was beautiful, especially as I went there at the opening in the morning and had the whole area to myself for about one hour.

Only downside : the entrance fee to the falls was included with my hotel booking, I understand, but the hotel did not give it to me and I had to pay 20 USD to access the falls." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia

"Enjoyable two nights stay which was enough to spend time at the falls and also go on a game drive one morning and a boat trip in the evening watching elephants playing in the water.

Rooms were comfortable and food ok although the beef was more like buffalo it was so tough, they even brought me another knife so that I could try to hack my way through it which was a shame because everything else was fine." See all these reviews: 20n in Zambia

"Sept 27+28: Lovely resort within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Wildlife Park. Surreal to see impalas and monkeys all over the lawns and zebras drinking at the pool! Grounds are beautiful - there is a little nature trail with hide to watch birds in a small lagoon. Easy walk to the Zamibian side of Victoria Falls with free access to the park. Falls were completely dry but still interesting. Baboons grooming and walking right by you on the walkways.

Lots of security and staff who would walk with you or drive you in a golf cart to the gate entrance to the park or to the sister resort Royal Livingstone. Easy walk to the Royal Livingstone, except for having to share the sidewalk with giraffes! Beautiful sunsets over the Zambezi from the Royal Livingstone.

Breakfast buffet was plentiful and delicious - staff were very friendly. I did walk over the bridge to the Zimbabwe side of the Falls. Park entrance was $30USD. More people trying to sell you things on the walk over, which was a bit farther than I thought, but completely doable. The Falls were spectacular though and worth the hike!

I also walked into Victoria Falls, which has a lot of shops and restaurants whereas the Avani and Royal Livingstone are not near the commercial center of Livingstone. I would definitely recommend staying at the Avani!" See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia

"We chose the Avani for its convenience to Victoria Falls, and we weren't disappointed. We arrived early afternoon and were able to walk to the Zambian side of the Falls very easily from the hotel The following day we walked from the hotel across the Victoria Falls Bridge to see the Falls from Zimbabwe. We enjoyed the walk and queuing up with the locals to go through immigration, but that mightn't be for everyone. The Falls were certainly worth seeing from both countries, even though there was little water this year.

Our room on the first floor at the Avani was very good. There was plenty of variety at the buffet breakfast. We had the buffet at the Boma the first evening with a wide variety of dishes, including a action of Zambian dishes, Pan African dishes as well as international dishes. There was live music and performances of local dances.

The following evening we used the hotel's shuttle to the Royal Livingstone, the sister hotel, to have a drink and snacks, watching the sunset over the Zambezi. We then had dinner at the Avani Pool bar.

All the staff we encountered were very pleasant and helpful." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia

"Great hotel because of the location. Can walk to both sides of fall (also into Zimbabwe), you can go to the sister property (Royal Livingston Hotel) for dinner and very close to Devil's Pool. Loved the location. Amazing breakfast." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 5n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa

"NO COMMENTS BUT DID SAY THERE WAS LIGHTS OUT ON THE STAIRS TO OUR ROOMS WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN A DANGER, WE ASKED TWICE FOR REPLACEMENT BUT THIS WAS NOT ACTED ON.

THE FALLS WERE NEARLY DRIED UP BUT THIS WAS DUE TO LACKING OF RAIN AND WOULD SUGGEST THAT THESE WOULD BE BETTER IF VISITED DURING OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia

"A large hotel. Being the low season, not all restaurant options were available so choice vegetarians was limited.

However, the location is excellent for Victoria Falls - if your aim is to visit the falls it is the best place to stay as it is straightforward to walk to both the Zambian and the Zimbabwean side of the falls from this hotel." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia