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 B
Canada
"Great hotel"
1 night Arrived 22 Nov 2012
"Great staff, awesome rooms, great view, AWESOME burgers!
Close to the falls and the bridge.
[Ed: see below for comments on their first stay here at the start of this trip.]" See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe
Close to the falls and the bridge.
[Ed: see below for comments on their first stay here at the start of this trip.]" See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Miss B
Canada
"Great start and finish hotel!"
2 nights Arrived 13 Nov 2012
"Ilala Lodge was close to the Falls and the Bridge to access the things we wanted to see. Great service and lovely staff, we loved just chilling out in the pool or drinking at the bar.
It was a great place to start and finish." See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe
It was a great place to start and finish." See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Feedback Response
We were delighted that these travellers enjoyed Ilala Lodge so much - if you'd like to read more about their stay here then take a look at their blog.
Mr C & Ms B
Honolulu
"Ilala Lodge - great location for Vic Falls"
1 night Arrived 10 Nov 2012
"Great location, walking distance to Victoria Falls."
See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 1n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Mr R & Ms M
Houston
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 20 Oct 2012
"The facilities were great.
Staff was excellent. The hotel was conveniently located to what we wanted to see and within easy walking distance to the falls.
We enjoyed our stay there." See all these reviews: 5n in Zimbabwe; 1n in Zambia
Staff was excellent. The hotel was conveniently located to what we wanted to see and within easy walking distance to the falls.
We enjoyed our stay there." See all these reviews: 5n in Zimbabwe; 1n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
safari lovers
UK
"great base for Vic Falls"
2 nights Arrived 18 Oct 2012
"Good recommendation. Excellent location. Actually nicer atmosphere than Vic Falls Hotel which, when we visited for a drink was crammed with bus parties.
Menu also good for two nights dinner" See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Menu also good for two nights dinner" See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr T & Ms N
Toronto
"Ian and Michelle - Ilala Lodge Oct 11"
1 night Arrived 11 Oct 2012
"Ilala lodge is a wonderful hotel in Victoria Falls, and is just a very short walk from the falls themselves.
The hotel is well maintained and very comfortable. Our main-floor room had a door we could open onto the lawn, where we saw some local animals wandering around, notable warthogs and a family of Banded Mongoose.
Our sole complaint was that the dinner did not meet expectations, largely due to a waiter who must have been new and could not seem to get the order right - but in fairness I should point out that the couple at the table next to us was effusive in their praise of the food and called out the chef to give their complements." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 6n in Zimbabwe
The hotel is well maintained and very comfortable. Our main-floor room had a door we could open onto the lawn, where we saw some local animals wandering around, notable warthogs and a family of Banded Mongoose.
Our sole complaint was that the dinner did not meet expectations, largely due to a waiter who must have been new and could not seem to get the order right - but in fairness I should point out that the couple at the table next to us was effusive in their praise of the food and called out the chef to give their complements." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 6n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs B
Northants
"Relaxed feel close and close to the Falls"
2 nights Arrived 27 Sep 2012
"A very informal Lodge and easy to relax. Nice pool.
Good food in the Palm restaurant both dinner and breakfast.
We experienced difficulty trying to pay by either travellers cheques or credit card. Cash is obviously wanted in Zimbabwe. We eventually managed to sort out the payment machine by getting the battery charged, much to the relief of guests behind us in the queue!" See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe
Good food in the Palm restaurant both dinner and breakfast.
We experienced difficulty trying to pay by either travellers cheques or credit card. Cash is obviously wanted in Zimbabwe. We eventually managed to sort out the payment machine by getting the battery charged, much to the relief of guests behind us in the queue!" See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Average
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Average
Mr M
Massachusetts
"Ilala Lodge"
2 nights Arrived 16 Sep 2012
"We needed to change rooms, due to lack of cleanliness in the bathrooms, on the first night (our anniversary). The room renovations that were toted was nothing more than a new television set. The management team did address the room problems, but our anniversary celebration was a bust,
Walking around Victoria Falls and having to ward off the local vendors was a horrible experience. The vendors hounded us immediately as we left the hotel property. Apparently, 'No' is not understood. It is a huge problem, that many visitors complained about.
We did enjoy the food and drink at the Victoria Falls Hotel, and would recommend this location for any future travelers." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Walking around Victoria Falls and having to ward off the local vendors was a horrible experience. The vendors hounded us immediately as we left the hotel property. Apparently, 'No' is not understood. It is a huge problem, that many visitors complained about.
We did enjoy the food and drink at the Victoria Falls Hotel, and would recommend this location for any future travelers." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Poor
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs W
Toronto
"Convenient and Comfortable"
2 nights Arrived 6 Sep 2012
"Comfortable rooms and a good restaurant. Dinner was good and breakfast was excellent.
Excellent location as it is the closest hotel to Victoria Falls and to the banks and curio market in town." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe; 3n in Zambia
Excellent location as it is the closest hotel to Victoria Falls and to the banks and curio market in town." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe; 3n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr R & Ms Z
NL
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 29 Aug 2012
"Ilala lodge was a good location and not massive, which we enjoyed. Breakfast buffet and dinner were excellent. The rooms were good but not exceptional. The staff were very helpful and nice."
See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia; 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
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