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
Miss M & Mr M
Ireland
"Luxurious"
1 night Arrived 25 Sep 2013
"Very surprised at how beautiful the lodge was. Felt like a 5 star hotel. Dinner and breakfast were best yet. Expensive but thats Zimbabwe! Very close to Falls. easy walk.
Only one night here and to be honest we were happier to spend time in Botswana as once you have seen the falls and maybe managed to fit in an activity you feel like your time is better spent elsewhere esp if you are looking for wildlife experiences." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 1n in Botswana; 1n in Zimbabwe
Only one night here and to be honest we were happier to spend time in Botswana as once you have seen the falls and maybe managed to fit in an activity you feel like your time is better spent elsewhere esp if you are looking for wildlife experiences." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 1n in Botswana; 1n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Mrs R
Daventry
"Good lodge near Falls"
2 nights Arrived 20 Sep 2013
"A good place to stay near the Falls. Comfortable and friendly.
We had a garden room with access to the lawned area and had a lot of bird visitors, plus warthogs, baboons and monkeys
Would definitely use this lodge again." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
We had a garden room with access to the lawned area and had a lot of bird visitors, plus warthogs, baboons and monkeys
Would definitely use this lodge again." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs C
Berwick
"Great location for Victoria Falls"
2 nights Arrived 5 Sep 2013
"The hotel is in an excellent location and ideal being just a short walk to Victoria Falls. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the quality and choice for vegetarians in the evening was surprisingly good.
We did think the bedroom and bathroom were a little tired and needed updating. But both were clean and this didn't detract from the two nights we spent there.
We were surprised to be starting our wildlife sightings here with mongoose, hippo and warthogs in the hotel garden.
We enjoyed a sunset cruise on the hotel's boat Ra Ikane which, though quite expensive, proved to be a terrific experience thanks to the skipper and his mate." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
We did think the bedroom and bathroom were a little tired and needed updating. But both were clean and this didn't detract from the two nights we spent there.
We were surprised to be starting our wildlife sightings here with mongoose, hippo and warthogs in the hotel garden.
We enjoyed a sunset cruise on the hotel's boat Ra Ikane which, though quite expensive, proved to be a terrific experience thanks to the skipper and his mate." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mr K & Mrs A
Herts
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 29 Aug 2013
"The lodge is excellently situated for visiting the falls. Staff are attentive and rooms are clean and hotel-like.
Breakfast was excellent.
We felt the evening meal was expensive so found the local pizzeria for the next night.
Nice pool" See all these reviews: 7n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Breakfast was excellent.
We felt the evening meal was expensive so found the local pizzeria for the next night.
Nice pool" See all these reviews: 7n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr S
Illlinois
"A Perfect Stay"
1 night Arrived 21 Aug 2013
"This was my second stay at Ilala Lodge, and again I was quite happy staying here. The location is superb as is the service.
The rooms are fine and comfortable although they could use some renovation. I have to say that dinner in the restaurant was superb. I had the crocodile and ostrich. I also enjoyed the buffet breakfast." See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe; 6n in Botswana; 6n in Zambia; 2n in South Africa
The rooms are fine and comfortable although they could use some renovation. I have to say that dinner in the restaurant was superb. I had the crocodile and ostrich. I also enjoyed the buffet breakfast." See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe; 6n in Botswana; 6n in Zambia; 2n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs T
Cambs.
"Excellent location and really good service."
3 nights Arrived 14 Aug 2013
"We couldn't fault this hotel, everything about it was excellent or good.
The location suited us well. Food and service were excellent. Staff were always more than helpful. The manager always checked with us if everything was OK morning and evening. They have free Internet and wifi connections for use by guests. The on-site activities booking office was very efficient with our trips and also our flight confirmations.
This hotel now accepts both VISA and MasterCard credit cards." See all these reviews: 13n in Zimbabwe
The location suited us well. Food and service were excellent. Staff were always more than helpful. The manager always checked with us if everything was OK morning and evening. They have free Internet and wifi connections for use by guests. The on-site activities booking office was very efficient with our trips and also our flight confirmations.
This hotel now accepts both VISA and MasterCard credit cards." See all these reviews: 13n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
The L family
Ripon
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 9 Aug 2013
"Met at the airport by 2 very friendly drivers (from Wild Horizons) who drove us around for the next few days, nice to have the same guys who you got to know a little and appreciate, they also drove us to and from our safari camp. Ilala lodge is very nice, great location very clean and well kept. The reception area was very colonial the whole place has this feel and it works perfectly, its very smart and has a lovely atmosphere.
The rooms are slightly dated but this works as the fittings are still of a high quality and reflect the old style colonial feel the place has. Again this works really well. The only thing is the patio doors resemble bars on a door and could be changed to full glass to enhance the views and let more light in. They open onto a deck/grass patio which is open/shared but has nice views and you can see the Vic Falls mist too. We hoped to see some animals here but sadly none were present on our short stay.
Its just a 10-15 min walk to the Vic falls which is great but we did get pestered a little by some street vendors who left us alone after a polite No was repeated. I did see some police type officials who were meant to deter these vendors but they didnt seem to be around when needed. All ok but be aware you are in another country and they don't have much at all but you do.
Vic falls - Truly stunning so glad we went !
After we had a sundowner or two in the lovely open bar at Ilala by the small but smart pool and large open terrace area we watched the sun go down behind the mists of the falls !! Superb...
We had dinner on the terrace of the restaurant and it was excellent, great waiters and no complaints at all." See all these reviews: 4n in Zimbabwe
The rooms are slightly dated but this works as the fittings are still of a high quality and reflect the old style colonial feel the place has. Again this works really well. The only thing is the patio doors resemble bars on a door and could be changed to full glass to enhance the views and let more light in. They open onto a deck/grass patio which is open/shared but has nice views and you can see the Vic Falls mist too. We hoped to see some animals here but sadly none were present on our short stay.
Its just a 10-15 min walk to the Vic falls which is great but we did get pestered a little by some street vendors who left us alone after a polite No was repeated. I did see some police type officials who were meant to deter these vendors but they didnt seem to be around when needed. All ok but be aware you are in another country and they don't have much at all but you do.
Vic falls - Truly stunning so glad we went !
After we had a sundowner or two in the lovely open bar at Ilala by the small but smart pool and large open terrace area we watched the sun go down behind the mists of the falls !! Superb...
We had dinner on the terrace of the restaurant and it was excellent, great waiters and no complaints at all." See all these reviews: 4n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Family K
London
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 23 Jul 2013
"We stayed here two nights, primarily to see the Falls.
The location is OK, on the edge of town with a view down to the Falls. Everything is within easy (safe) walking distance. The town is relatively busy, and so the hotel's open spaces, balconies and spacious restuarant create a pleasant enough refuge.
The rooms are in good condition and were well serviced (including quick and cheap laundry service). We used the restuarant both evenings having failed to find a local restuarant that could promise a nut free meal to the member of our family with an allergy. The hotel staff by contrast were helpful and worked to make sure our stay was accident free.
The Falls were well worth the visit. Including walking to the view point, crossing the bridge to watch bunjee jumping and talking to the local vendors we spent a full day in and around the park." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
The location is OK, on the edge of town with a view down to the Falls. Everything is within easy (safe) walking distance. The town is relatively busy, and so the hotel's open spaces, balconies and spacious restuarant create a pleasant enough refuge.
The rooms are in good condition and were well serviced (including quick and cheap laundry service). We used the restuarant both evenings having failed to find a local restuarant that could promise a nut free meal to the member of our family with an allergy. The hotel staff by contrast were helpful and worked to make sure our stay was accident free.
The Falls were well worth the visit. Including walking to the view point, crossing the bridge to watch bunjee jumping and talking to the local vendors we spent a full day in and around the park." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
The A Family
East Gri
"Relaxing Stay at Ilala"
2 nights Arrived 13 Jul 2013
"Ilala was a lovely way to end our holiday in Africa. Upon arrival we were greeted with a welcome drink and informed that our room had been upgraded which was a lovely surprise! The rooms were stunning and the service was excellent. We loved sipping coffee from the balcony of our room while watching the mist rise over the falls.
We enjoyed all of the meals we had at the in house restaurant, but we did notice that the prices were a little bit steep, as were the prices of many things in Zimbabwe. Saying that, the prices were consistent with prices you'd see at a tourist town in North America.
It was only a short walk to the falls from Ilala so the location was perfect. Overall it was a beautiful and tranquil way to spend the last days of our vacation." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
We enjoyed all of the meals we had at the in house restaurant, but we did notice that the prices were a little bit steep, as were the prices of many things in Zimbabwe. Saying that, the prices were consistent with prices you'd see at a tourist town in North America.
It was only a short walk to the falls from Ilala so the location was perfect. Overall it was a beautiful and tranquil way to spend the last days of our vacation." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs LS
Hampshire
"Thundersmoke view excellent"
2 nights Arrived 30 May 2013
"One must take into account the constraints on the country atmosphere in the review. It was a culture shock to arrive after a flight two transfers, one almost screwed up and immigration, to then arrive in a city. Oh how we missed the Bush. The Facitity was very colonial and we had an excellent view.
The service the first day for meals was without doubt the worst experienced. The second night, another trainee assisted us and she was great. The streets were not worth walking. The assistance from Wilderness, Barbara, was most appreciated as they arranged our Helicopter flight and transport. Everyone before and after said, why did you not stay at Victoria Falls Guest House?
The Falls were dramatic, both during the walk and H ride and that is why we went. Been there now, O K." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
The service the first day for meals was without doubt the worst experienced. The second night, another trainee assisted us and she was great. The streets were not worth walking. The assistance from Wilderness, Barbara, was most appreciated as they arranged our Helicopter flight and transport. Everyone before and after said, why did you not stay at Victoria Falls Guest House?
The Falls were dramatic, both during the walk and H ride and that is why we went. Been there now, O K." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Poor
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
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