Reviews of Royal Livingstone Hotel
Wildlife sightings and reviews
89 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Royal Livingstone Hotel and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Jun-2018, 10 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Royal Livingstone Hotel.
Zebra
100% success
Hippo
56% success
Elephant
43% success
White Rhino
13% success
Mr P
Sheffield
"A wonderful 'colonial' atmosphere"
3 nights Arrived 6 Aug 2009
"Arriving at the Royal Livingstone was like like stepping back in time to a bygone era. The location on the bank of the Zambezi and within sight (and earshot) of the Falls was perfect.
Rooms although well furnished and prepared were small considering the reputation, grade and cost.
The choice and quality of the food available in the main restaurant was excellent with a choice of whether to eat on the verandah or inside. The wine list was comprehensive but extortionately priced even for 'local' South African' wines. I would have been happy to pay a premium for French champagne but not $80 for a bottle of South African Pinotage which I bought myself for $10 last year!
Assistance for planning activities was very efficient and helpful although we weren't brave enough to do any of the extreme experiences available. Our highlights included the 30 min helicopter ride and the rhino walking safari which we would definitely recommend." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 6n in Malawi
Rooms although well furnished and prepared were small considering the reputation, grade and cost.
The choice and quality of the food available in the main restaurant was excellent with a choice of whether to eat on the verandah or inside. The wine list was comprehensive but extortionately priced even for 'local' South African' wines. I would have been happy to pay a premium for French champagne but not $80 for a bottle of South African Pinotage which I bought myself for $10 last year!
Assistance for planning activities was very efficient and helpful although we weren't brave enough to do any of the extreme experiences available. Our highlights included the 30 min helicopter ride and the rhino walking safari which we would definitely recommend." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 6n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs A
Maida Vale
"Lovely way to end our holiday"
2 nights Arrived 11 May 2009
"We weren't quite sure what to expect from this hotel - we thought it might be a bit brash/new but it really exceeded our expectations. It was very elegant and well appointed.The bar /restaurant areas on the veranda looking out over lawns and the river were really delightful and we were quite happy to while away at least a couple of hours a day there. The breakfast buffets were very lavish without a doubt the best on our holiday.
Service was also of a very high standard. Guests have their own butler who is very good at sorting out wet gear after trips to the Falls!
We're not sure how much we paid for this experience but (in our blissful ignorance on this point) our view was that it was well worth it to be able to end our holiday on a high point.
One minor niggle. We booked a Livingstone town tour via the hotel with Bushtracks. We enjoyed the tour (and were glad we had done it) but thought it rather overpriced particularly as our vehicle was not suitable for town driving being a clapped out safari style landcruiser. When I asked to sit in the front seat so I could hear what our driver/guide was saying I had to clamber over the front door as this was tied shut with string and could not be opened. Not up to the Royal Livingstone's normal standards! Generally everything was very expensive (not helped by the dollar pound exchange rate) but if they're charging those prices they should be providing the service to match." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Service was also of a very high standard. Guests have their own butler who is very good at sorting out wet gear after trips to the Falls!
We're not sure how much we paid for this experience but (in our blissful ignorance on this point) our view was that it was well worth it to be able to end our holiday on a high point.
One minor niggle. We booked a Livingstone town tour via the hotel with Bushtracks. We enjoyed the tour (and were glad we had done it) but thought it rather overpriced particularly as our vehicle was not suitable for town driving being a clapped out safari style landcruiser. When I asked to sit in the front seat so I could hear what our driver/guide was saying I had to clamber over the front door as this was tied shut with string and could not be opened. Not up to the Royal Livingstone's normal standards! Generally everything was very expensive (not helped by the dollar pound exchange rate) but if they're charging those prices they should be providing the service to match." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs W
Berkshire
"Royal Livingstone - our views"
3 nights Arrived 30 Apr 2009
"The hotel is in an amazing position and looks wonderful and rooms are good. Sadly, the standard of service does not match its appearance and is definitely not 5 star. The staff are either poorly trained or just indifferent. bags took THREE hours to get to our rooms and had to be chased three times.
Meals were painfully slow - 45 minutes between starter and maincourse on one occasion. Wines are outrageously overpriced. When have you ever had cocktails in the bar and been told there are no nibbles to go with them; nuts or crisps?
The sundowner cruise organised by the hotel was lovely to see but the hospitality on the boat was poor - a few nuts on paper plates and no wine included. We felt it was something of a rip-off. On the other hand, the helicopter trip was magical.
We found on our trip to the airport that we were not alone in these views." See all these reviews: 3n in Zambia
Meals were painfully slow - 45 minutes between starter and maincourse on one occasion. Wines are outrageously overpriced. When have you ever had cocktails in the bar and been told there are no nibbles to go with them; nuts or crisps?
The sundowner cruise organised by the hotel was lovely to see but the hospitality on the boat was poor - a few nuts on paper plates and no wine included. We felt it was something of a rip-off. On the other hand, the helicopter trip was magical.
We found on our trip to the airport that we were not alone in these views." See all these reviews: 3n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Poor
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs R
Middlesex
"Beautiful Royal Livingstone Hotel"
4 nights Arrived 29 Dec 2008
"This is a magnificent hotel set in the most beautiful surroundings. I was slightly surprised, however, to have to ask for a drink on arrival as no "welcome drink" was offered despite the fact they knew I was feeling slightly unwell after the flight.
I'm very pleased we stayed in the park as the location to the falls was perfect and it was lovely to sit on the Sun Deck and watch the magnificent sunsets over the Zambezi River. We went to the falls on several occassions and visited the most informative Visitor's Centre as well as taking a taxi to Livingstone to visit the museum.
The breakfasts were extremely good but we only had dinner on our first night as we found the menu a little pretentious for our tastes. I really didn't fancy eating impala! Although I don't really like buffets, we decided to eat dinner at the Zambezi Sun on the remaining evenings as there was a wider choice but I'm pleased we didn't stay there as it was quite noisy with lots of children. However, they had a very nice group playing which made the overall experience very pleasant.
The grounds of the Royal Livingstone are lovely with lots of places to sit and relax although I did find it somewhat offensive to have someone having a foot massage next to me whilst at the swimming pool." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 4n in Zambia; 3n in Zanzibar
I'm very pleased we stayed in the park as the location to the falls was perfect and it was lovely to sit on the Sun Deck and watch the magnificent sunsets over the Zambezi River. We went to the falls on several occassions and visited the most informative Visitor's Centre as well as taking a taxi to Livingstone to visit the museum.
The breakfasts were extremely good but we only had dinner on our first night as we found the menu a little pretentious for our tastes. I really didn't fancy eating impala! Although I don't really like buffets, we decided to eat dinner at the Zambezi Sun on the remaining evenings as there was a wider choice but I'm pleased we didn't stay there as it was quite noisy with lots of children. However, they had a very nice group playing which made the overall experience very pleasant.
The grounds of the Royal Livingstone are lovely with lots of places to sit and relax although I did find it somewhat offensive to have someone having a foot massage next to me whilst at the swimming pool." See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 4n in Zambia; 3n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr SKS
Monaco
"Royal Livingstone Hotel review"
2 nights Arrived 17 Dec 2008
"A very well run five star set-up. Delivered all that is expected of a top international hotel.The activities were rudiculously over priced!"
See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Poor
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs S
Camberley
"Royal Livingstone Hotel review"
2 nights Arrived 20 Oct 2008
"Disappointed by the cost of trips - for example the short hop to Livingstone Island - having seen how little many Zambians have in other parts of the country and we suspect in relation to the wages of the hotel staff.
We thought the lawns were over- watered and the electricity could have been better used elsewhere in Zambia. (We advised the hotel of our view.)
Not a hotel problem but the cost to go to the Zimbabwe side of the Falls was incredibly expensive and both Governments could usefully re-examine their Visa charges.
Shopping excellent at the village by the Falls (as you advised) and also in Livingstone itself." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
We thought the lawns were over- watered and the electricity could have been better used elsewhere in Zambia. (We advised the hotel of our view.)
Not a hotel problem but the cost to go to the Zimbabwe side of the Falls was incredibly expensive and both Governments could usefully re-examine their Visa charges.
Shopping excellent at the village by the Falls (as you advised) and also in Livingstone itself." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs W
Bucks
"Royal Livingstone Hotel review"
2 nights Arrived 14 Oct 2008
"The Royal Livingstone hotel lived up to all our expectations. The white water rafting activity was a great experience and the company Saf Par were well organised and paid a lot of detail to safety.
Our helicopter trip over Victoria Falls and along the gorge was excellent." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 7n in Zanzibar
Our helicopter trip over Victoria Falls and along the gorge was excellent." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 7n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Heslington
"night to recover from travel"
1 night Arrived 5 Oct 2008
"Lovely welcome splendid position and atmosphere great terrace by the river for cocktails helpful staff good rooms
would probably have benefitted from a further day here. Arrived at 2pm for a 3pm helicopter ride.. and was picked up next morning at 8am.. all felt lovely but a little rushed. I am not sure if we could have dione other things here apart from the falls.. not that we had time!
Helicopter ride was good and well orga nised.
The guide who picked us up the next morning was fab, friendly and helpful." See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana; 5n in South Africa; 1n in Zambia
would probably have benefitted from a further day here. Arrived at 2pm for a 3pm helicopter ride.. and was picked up next morning at 8am.. all felt lovely but a little rushed. I am not sure if we could have dione other things here apart from the falls.. not that we had time!
Helicopter ride was good and well orga nised.
The guide who picked us up the next morning was fab, friendly and helpful." See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana; 5n in South Africa; 1n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs P
Lisbon
"excelent but very slow service"
1 night Arrived 22 Sep 2008
"Excellent place and location, confortable, good taste in decoration, but still far away in service terms when compared with similars in Kenya and Tanzania.
Very nice staff that still needs a lot of training." See all these reviews: 3n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana; 3n in South Africa; 1n in Zambia
Very nice staff that still needs a lot of training." See all these reviews: 3n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana; 3n in South Africa; 1n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Poor
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs B
Lisbon
"Royal Livingstone Hotel review"
1 night Arrived 22 Sep 2008
"Service should be concerned with so many mosquitos in the room. Also food quality is bellow expectations."
See all these reviews: 3n in Botswana; 3n in South Africa; 2n in Namibia; 1n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Holiday styles & special interests in Zambia
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Zambia.
Other lodges in Livingstone & Victoria Falls
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Avani Victoria Falls
Just a few minutes' walk from the Victoria Falls, with access for guests included, the Avani features good facilities in peaceful grounds at a modest price.
Tongabezi
Secluded on the banks of the Zambezi, less than 20km from the Victoria Falls, Tongabezi is one of the most exclusive lodges in Zambia.
Waterberry Lodge
Offering great value for money and within easy reach of the Victoria Falls, Waterberry is a small, family-friendly lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River.
Islands of Siankaba
In a lovely location on the Zambezi upriver of the Victoria Falls, Islands of Siankaba provides a tranquil setting to relax at the start or end of a safari to Botswana or Zambia.
Toka Leya Camp
The new Toka Leya Camp stands beside the Zambezi inside Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park – so wildlife often passes through. It's a comfortable tented camp which has great service and includes a range of activities.
Stanley Safari Lodge
Stanley Safari Lodge has views of Victoria Falls spray from all the rooms, and is a convenient base for exploring the Zambezi River area.
The River Club
The River Club, near Zambia's town of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, overlooks the Zambezi River.
Sindabezi
Sindabezi, near Zambia's town of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, is an island in the middle of the Zambezi River
Thorntree River Lodge
Rebuilt in 2017, Thorntree River Lodge is one of the best riverside lodges in Livingstone, with a strong sense of the environment and straightforward access to the Falls.
David Livingstone Lodge
The four-star David Livingstone Safari Lodge is in a lovely spot on the edge of the Zambezi River in Zambia, close to the Victoria Falls.
Sussi & Chuma
Sussi & Chuma combines a luxurious, laid-back camp with a good location on the Zambezi River, with quick access to the Victoria Falls.
Tangala House
Tangala House, the family home near Zambia's town of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls
