Reviews of Toka Leya Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
23 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Toka Leya Camp 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-2023, 1 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Toka Leya Camp.
Elephant
100% success
Giraffe
100% success
Hippo
100% success
White Rhino
100% success
Zebra
100% success
Buffalo
0% success
Mr & Mrs B
Billericay
"Great stay at Toka Leya"
3 nights Arrived 7 Jun 2012
"The main reason for our stay here was to see Victoria Falls which was magnificent but we also enjoyed the other activites which the camp provided. I feel I have to mention the drivers who collected us and returned us to the airport as they were so informative, we learnt so much about their country, it was very interesting.
The camp seemed a bit more like a hotel than our previous bush camps and guests ate at separate tables rather than all together. However we met up with a couple we knew from a previous camp so the staff were quite happy to seat us together for meals." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia
The camp seemed a bit more like a hotel than our previous bush camps and guests ate at separate tables rather than all together. However we met up with a couple we knew from a previous camp so the staff were quite happy to seat us together for meals." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs J
Effingham
"Returning to civilisation at Toka Leya"
3 nights Arrived 6 Jun 2012
"At our final camp, we felt this had more of a 'hotel' feel. After 10 days without WiFi, telecoms, shops it was nice to arrive back into civilisation and get ready for the return home. Toka Leya had slick organisation of their activities and we added on a Bridge Tour to the Victoria Falls trip - which was well worth the extra so would recommend that.,
The dining room was very cold at night when we were there. The shop missed a trick by not stocking the butter dishes and salt and pepper bowls which were on the restaurant tables. Everyone admired them but the shop didn't sell them. They could do a roaring trade if they did as the items in the shop weren't really things we wanted to buy.
Spa was nice and we had a hippo outside our balcony for quite a while - great photo opportunity.
I took a slice of lemon and ginger from restaurant tea service area to my room one evening and was very pleasantly surprised the next day to see that the room boy had noticed my preference and replaced this with a whole lemon and piece of ginger for me. Nice touch - also presents on bed each evening." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia
The dining room was very cold at night when we were there. The shop missed a trick by not stocking the butter dishes and salt and pepper bowls which were on the restaurant tables. Everyone admired them but the shop didn't sell them. They could do a roaring trade if they did as the items in the shop weren't really things we wanted to buy.
Spa was nice and we had a hippo outside our balcony for quite a while - great photo opportunity.
I took a slice of lemon and ginger from restaurant tea service area to my room one evening and was very pleasantly surprised the next day to see that the room boy had noticed my preference and replaced this with a whole lemon and piece of ginger for me. Nice touch - also presents on bed each evening." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs B
Leics
"Toka Leya Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 24 Jul 2010
"Food was excellent and the bedrooms and facilities first rate.
Staff were very friendly and very attentive and really made us feel welcome and that they could not do enough to make our stay as special and pleasureable as possible." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Staff were very friendly and very attentive and really made us feel welcome and that they could not do enough to make our stay as special and pleasureable as possible." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Dr & Mrs W
Leics
"tracked a white rhino on foot"
2 nights Arrived 24 Jul 2010
"Good start to our holiday. Evening boat trip. Following day Victoria falls and the white rhino. The lodge even organised a fishing trip as well.
Not much game but that was not our aim at this lodge. Sound of the river and the hippo's at night sent us to sleep.
Two nights was about right." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Not much game but that was not our aim at this lodge. Sound of the river and the hippo's at night sent us to sleep.
Two nights was about right." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Average
Mr & Ms S
Surrey
"Very flexible, great meals and our only rhino"
2 nights Arrived 26 May 2010
"We didn't stay at Siankaba. They were flooded - and Expert Africa changed the booking about a week before our departure (and the change was well-handled). We stayed at Toka Leya instead.
Toka Leya was a very pleasant camp, with an up-market feel (that can be both a good and a bad thing). The food was excellent, with a choice of menus and timings to suit. The rhinoceros sighting was a game highlight - but our Land Rover herding baboons and warthogs was also amusing. Victoria Falls is the headline attraction - and well worth it. But the highlight was the local village and children - your heart will melt." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Toka Leya was a very pleasant camp, with an up-market feel (that can be both a good and a bad thing). The food was excellent, with a choice of menus and timings to suit. The rhinoceros sighting was a game highlight - but our Land Rover herding baboons and warthogs was also amusing. Victoria Falls is the headline attraction - and well worth it. But the highlight was the local village and children - your heart will melt." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Feedback Response
This traveller has put some great pictures taken in and (mostly) around Toka Leya on Flickr – click here to see them. Many include people from the local community.
Mr & Mrs W
Beds
"Different - not quite our style"
3 nights Arrived 24 Mar 2010
"Our least favourite camp and quite different to the other camps in Botswana.
The camp was geared to a different style of visitor - mainly coming to see the Victoria Falls with many from North America. The game viewing was rather tame after the other camps but the birding was good and the river trips were interesting.
The dining arrangements were more those of a good hotel rather than a safari camp although service at lunch was pretty slow.
Airconditioned rooms came as a bit of a surprise." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia; 3n in Namibia
The camp was geared to a different style of visitor - mainly coming to see the Victoria Falls with many from North America. The game viewing was rather tame after the other camps but the birding was good and the river trips were interesting.
The dining arrangements were more those of a good hotel rather than a safari camp although service at lunch was pretty slow.
Airconditioned rooms came as a bit of a surprise." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia; 3n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Good
Service:
Average
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr G & Ms N
London
"The perfect start to a safari"
2 nights Arrived 24 Oct 2009
"Toka Leya s location inside the mosi o tunya np is the ideal first camp for a southern african safari.The stunning Zamezi riverside location gives you the feeling of being immersed in the bush yet you are close to livingstone and the falls. There is plenty of local wildlife ( both elephant and rhino were around and in camp during our stay) Plenty of worthwhile activities with good equipment and equally good guides ( we had Amon ) for those that want activity - yet comfortable tents and camp facilities for those that just want to rest.
The river and game drives are ideal introductions to what the bush has to offer and the three wild dog that seem to have made mosi o tunya their home for the moment add a bit of spice to game drives.
The camp is well run and friendly. The food was excellent.The staff went out of their way to make what ever you wanted happen." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
The river and game drives are ideal introductions to what the bush has to offer and the three wild dog that seem to have made mosi o tunya their home for the moment add a bit of spice to game drives.
The camp is well run and friendly. The food was excellent.The staff went out of their way to make what ever you wanted happen." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs R
Highgate
"Toka Leya Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 12 Oct 2009
"Different "feel" to the RPS camps.
Much newer, so doesn't have the "well worn" feeling of the RPS style we liked so much. On the other hand, it's more luxurious; while being just a little less characterful.
But warm and genuine service, a super location by the river, and excellent facilities." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia
Much newer, so doesn't have the "well worn" feeling of the RPS style we liked so much. On the other hand, it's more luxurious; while being just a little less characterful.
But warm and genuine service, a super location by the river, and excellent facilities." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs O
Vancouver
"Toka Leya"
2 nights Arrived 20 May 2009
"Toka Leya - nice location but lacked that special touch that good management brings.
Manager was new and perhaps will get more in stride with time." See all these reviews: 5n in Zambia
Manager was new and perhaps will get more in stride with time." See all these reviews: 5n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Ms B & Mr S
Aberdeen
"G and Ts on the Zambezi"
1 night Arrived 9 Mar 2009
"A fantastic setting and welcoming, caring staff. Friendly Brian, our guide for the boatride and next day's visit to the Falls, made us at home. Big airy rooms with river views. Note that I said rooms. Here I felt that it was run as a hotel despite the tents.
Brian was very interested in birds and was happy to 'put in' at any spot on the river where we caught up some species. We loved the small boatride and looked down our noses a bit at the booze cruisers; we could sip gin and sit alongside the Carmine Bee-eaters.
We enjoyed the food and again ate en-famille. It might have been nice to introduce everyone first though. But with us all having had such wonderful experiences, conversation soon flowed as quickly as the wine.
The visit to the Falls was breath-taking and Brian knew all the good sites for the photos." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 1n in Zambia
Brian was very interested in birds and was happy to 'put in' at any spot on the river where we caught up some species. We loved the small boatride and looked down our noses a bit at the booze cruisers; we could sip gin and sit alongside the Carmine Bee-eaters.
We enjoyed the food and again ate en-famille. It might have been nice to introduce everyone first though. But with us all having had such wonderful experiences, conversation soon flowed as quickly as the wine.
The visit to the Falls was breath-taking and Brian knew all the good sites for the photos." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 1n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
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.
Royal Livingstone Hotel
Conveniently located just a short walk from the Zambia. side of the Victoria Falls, the colonial-style Royal Livingstone has beautiful grounds and small but quite luxurious rooms.
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.
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.
Tangala House
Tangala House, the family home near Zambia's town of Livingstone and 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.
