Reviews of Ilala Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
273 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Ilala Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Jul-2019, 62 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Ilala Lodge.
Leopard
0% success
Hippo
67% success
Elephant
54% success
Buffalo
14% success
Zebra
13% success
Mr R
Halifax
"Best place to stay at Victoria Falls"
2 nights Arrived 7 Sep 2015
"Friendly & helpfull staff, clean comfortable rooms, good food in a beautifull open air restaurant and close enough to the falls to see the spray.
All this plus Warthogs on the lawn.....fantastic!" See all these reviews: 12n in Zimbabwe
All this plus Warthogs on the lawn.....fantastic!" See all these reviews: 12n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mrs K
Sydney
"Great location to see Victoria Falls"
1 night Arrived 2 Sep 2015
"Ilala Lodge is a lovely hotel which is located right near Victoria Falls.
Staff were friendly and helpful and dinner at the hotel restaurant was very nice.
Victoria Falls is only a 10 minute walk away which makes it a good choice for those without much time to spent in the area" See all these reviews: 6n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 1n in Zimbabwe
Staff were friendly and helpful and dinner at the hotel restaurant was very nice.
Victoria Falls is only a 10 minute walk away which makes it a good choice for those without much time to spent in the area" See all these reviews: 6n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 1n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Miss & Mr D
UK
"Great place to stay"
2 nights Arrived 16 Aug 2015
"Great place to stay. Excellent location in town but very near the falls (all walking distance).
Staff very helpful and friendly and booked activities for us and charged them to room along with dinner making everything very straightforward. Best pool of all the places we stayed, amazing food and loved the river cruise that we booked through them.
Only downside was the workmen working right outside our room as we were on the ground floor - so couldn't really use the balcony outside area. But had a lovely time here and would definitely recommend" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Staff very helpful and friendly and booked activities for us and charged them to room along with dinner making everything very straightforward. Best pool of all the places we stayed, amazing food and loved the river cruise that we booked through them.
Only downside was the workmen working right outside our room as we were on the ground floor - so couldn't really use the balcony outside area. But had a lovely time here and would definitely recommend" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr J & family
Hants
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 16 Aug 2015
"Great location close to the Falls and the craft market. Also short walk to The Victoria Falls Hotel for high tea.
Very helpful and friendly staff.
Food was excellent." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Very helpful and friendly staff.
Food was excellent." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
C
Boston
"Convenient Location in Vic Falls"
2 nights Arrived 26 Jul 2015
"The hotel was nice - nothing special but the people were very helpful. I do wish it had been easier to get change, but every time we asked them to break a $20, you were lucky to get anything smaller than a $10, which doesn't make negotiating when shopping very easy, since many of the merchants don't seem to have change either!
We were told meals were on our own here, but turns out breakfast was included, not just a buffet, but also hot breakfast options, which was a nice surprise. The rooms included water, but since ours wasn't ready when we checked in, we ended up buying it at the restaurant for lunch, which was a little annoying since we wouldn't have done that had we known.
Great location - a quick walk from the shops and a short bus ride to all of our excursions (Vic Falls, sunset cruise, helicopter tour) and the hotel did a great job coordinating all of our transportation and helping us identify some other activities.
We ate dinner at the restaurant one night and it was very tasty, although the room was a little on the chilly side as they leave the doors open to the outside so if you get cold, bundle up!
The room itself was adorable, with little doors to an outdoor "patio."" See all these reviews: 7n in Zimbabwe; 3n in South Africa
We were told meals were on our own here, but turns out breakfast was included, not just a buffet, but also hot breakfast options, which was a nice surprise. The rooms included water, but since ours wasn't ready when we checked in, we ended up buying it at the restaurant for lunch, which was a little annoying since we wouldn't have done that had we known.
Great location - a quick walk from the shops and a short bus ride to all of our excursions (Vic Falls, sunset cruise, helicopter tour) and the hotel did a great job coordinating all of our transportation and helping us identify some other activities.
We ate dinner at the restaurant one night and it was very tasty, although the room was a little on the chilly side as they leave the doors open to the outside so if you get cold, bundle up!
The room itself was adorable, with little doors to an outdoor "patio."" See all these reviews: 7n in Zimbabwe; 3n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Dr R
Melbourne
"Great Location, Beautiful Garden Views."
2 nights Arrived 12 Jul 2015
"This Lodge is situated right on the edge of parkland and the rooms open out onto beautiful gardens. The bar and restaurant are excellent.
The village is just outside and there is an ATM less than 50 m away. The staff at the lodge can help with bookings for all activities. There is less confusion and easier payment options if you stick with the hotel booking service.
The foyer has some really interesting art work providing one version of the history of the area. There is a good art market nearby." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe; 2n in Namibia
The village is just outside and there is an ATM less than 50 m away. The staff at the lodge can help with bookings for all activities. There is less confusion and easier payment options if you stick with the hotel booking service.
The foyer has some really interesting art work providing one version of the history of the area. There is a good art market nearby." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe; 2n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs L
Mckinney
"Ilala Lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 3 Jul 2015
"When we checked in the staff person told us that we were likely to see wild animals outside our back patio door. My husband and I silently chuckled at this, but one hour later saw three elephants eating tree limbs just meters from our patio! We also saw warthogs and baboons daily.
In addition, the staff were so warm and attentive. My husband had his luggage lost on our way, and the manager worked tirelessly to help us retrieve it before we left - and succeeded." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
In addition, the staff were so warm and attentive. My husband had his luggage lost on our way, and the manager worked tirelessly to help us retrieve it before we left - and succeeded." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Mr W
London
"Ilala Lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 18 Jun 2015
"Champagne surprise for our honeymoon was a lovely touch."
See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Ms K
Alberta
"Ilala Lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 12 Jun 2015
"Ilala Lodge was in a great location, within walking distance of the falls and the town facilities. Our room was very nice - but more of a normal hotel after we had been so pampered in the lodges we visited.
However, we were ready for some less structured time and activities, so the 'anonymity' of the Lodge suited us very well." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
However, we were ready for some less structured time and activities, so the 'anonymity' of the Lodge suited us very well." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Average
Mr M& Ms S
Derby
"Ilala Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 7 Jun 2015
"Very nice hotel in pleasant surroundings. It's within easy walking distance from the Falls and it's wonderful being able to hear the Falls from your room and the terrace and to see the mist rising. We walked over to the Falls to see the sunrise.
Staff were very welcoming, friendly and helpful.
Breakfast was excellent - a good variety.
Bathroom a little dated but fine for our short stay." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
Staff were very welcoming, friendly and helpful.
Breakfast was excellent - a good variety.
Bathroom a little dated but fine for our short stay." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Holiday styles & special interests in Zimbabwe
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Zimbabwe.
Other lodges in Victoria Falls
Alternative places to stay in this same area.