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 & Mrs H
Lisvane
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 12 Sep 2022
"Ilala Lodge is in a great location to visit Victoria Falls and both the food and services were to a high standard."
See all these reviews: 13n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs T
Sevenoaks
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 11 Sep 2022
"An ideal lodge in which to relax after tiring international travel - the staff, rooms, dining and facilities are all first class and for a short stay to view the Falls and its surrounds it ticks all the boxes."
See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Mr & Ms K
Alberta
"Ilala Lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 27 Aug 2022
"We really liked being able to walk to Victoria Falls.
The disadvantage was the helicopters constantly flew over the hotel on their flights over Victoria Falls." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
The disadvantage was the helicopters constantly flew over the hotel on their flights over Victoria Falls." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report
Mr&Mrs T
Biggleswade
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 8 Aug 2022
"This was a great place to be based to visit the Zimbabwe side of the Vic falls. It was our first stop on our overall holiday and had good rooms, with a restful view out over the garden.
The restaurant terrace was delightful and we enjoyed our dinners and breakfasts here. There is clearly an excellent chef here, and a live piano player during dinner. There were Bush Bucks in the garden.
The Lodge is a short, safe walk to the Falls. Definitely an excellent choice for this part of the holiday.
The turn down service was excellent - they virtually re-did the room!" See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
The restaurant terrace was delightful and we enjoyed our dinners and breakfasts here. There is clearly an excellent chef here, and a live piano player during dinner. There were Bush Bucks in the garden.
The Lodge is a short, safe walk to the Falls. Definitely an excellent choice for this part of the holiday.
The turn down service was excellent - they virtually re-did the room!" See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
colndot
Hants
"Ilala Lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 4 Aug 2022
"A great location for the falls and for relaxing after a fantastic safari."
See all these reviews: 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Sightings Report
Mr & Mrs F
UK
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 26 Jul 2022
"Excellent location, good food and wonderful staff (one lady receptionist was especially helpful with our lost/delayed baggage) and large private grounds to explore/relax in.
One comment: our room on the lower floor was affected by noise from both neighbouring rooms and/or upstairs rooms and also the balcony/walkway outside serving the next level of rooms (it moves and makes a noise when walked on) but this was not severe" See all these reviews: 15n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
One comment: our room on the lower floor was affected by noise from both neighbouring rooms and/or upstairs rooms and also the balcony/walkway outside serving the next level of rooms (it moves and makes a noise when walked on) but this was not severe" See all these reviews: 15n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Mike&Helen
Scotland
"Ilala Lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 15 Jul 2022
"We really enjoyed our stay at Ilala Lodge.
All the staff were very helpful and welcoming, ensuring we had a lovely stay. The Lodge is very peaceful but ideally located to visit the falls.
We enjoyed watching the wildlife from our balcony.
Would particularly recommend the early morning boat trip on the Zambezi and dinner at the restaurant." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in South Africa; 3n in Zimbabwe
All the staff were very helpful and welcoming, ensuring we had a lovely stay. The Lodge is very peaceful but ideally located to visit the falls.
We enjoyed watching the wildlife from our balcony.
Would particularly recommend the early morning boat trip on the Zambezi and dinner at the restaurant." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in South Africa; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Mr & Mrs M
Vermont
"Ilala Lodge review"
4 nights Arrived 12 Jul 2022
"I can’t say enough about Ilala Lodge. Our room was spacious, the balcony overlooked the back lawn and woodlands, and we could both see the mist from the falls and hear them as well from there.
A hippo was a regular night time visitor below the balcony, and many birds were seen flitting around the trees before and above us. The staff was personable and professional. The woman who plans the trips was extraordinary, she goes the extra mile to be sure the trips are a good fit for the guests. We were a party of 6 and the meals were so good we had dinner every night at a table outside. Breakfasts were both buffet and by order, and these were well-prepared and offered many choices. My husband had a short gastrointestinal illness requiring an extra nights stay, and even though rooms were all booked for that night, Peter managed to find a way to allow us to stay in our room and not have an awkward move. Staff checked in with us to see how he was doing or whether we needed anything. We felt cared for and looked after in a way I didn’t expect. There was an easy walk to the Lookout Cafe with a good view into the gorge, and just beyond the entrance to the park. The hotel was adjacent to the market and Elephant Walk shopping area as well as to several restaurants and hotels. There were comfortable sitting areas on the terrace, near the outdoor bar, and inside as well. It was a bit cool to use the small pool, but it would be very inviting during the hot weather." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 4n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
A hippo was a regular night time visitor below the balcony, and many birds were seen flitting around the trees before and above us. The staff was personable and professional. The woman who plans the trips was extraordinary, she goes the extra mile to be sure the trips are a good fit for the guests. We were a party of 6 and the meals were so good we had dinner every night at a table outside. Breakfasts were both buffet and by order, and these were well-prepared and offered many choices. My husband had a short gastrointestinal illness requiring an extra nights stay, and even though rooms were all booked for that night, Peter managed to find a way to allow us to stay in our room and not have an awkward move. Staff checked in with us to see how he was doing or whether we needed anything. We felt cared for and looked after in a way I didn’t expect. There was an easy walk to the Lookout Cafe with a good view into the gorge, and just beyond the entrance to the park. The hotel was adjacent to the market and Elephant Walk shopping area as well as to several restaurants and hotels. There were comfortable sitting areas on the terrace, near the outdoor bar, and inside as well. It was a bit cool to use the small pool, but it would be very inviting during the hot weather." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 4n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Cristin
Oregon
"Ilala Lodge review"
4 nights Arrived 12 Jul 2022
"Lovely grounds within walking distance of Victoria Falls. Overall very comfortable. The staff told us there were no King size beds available in the lodge. My husband is 195 cm/ 6'4" and his feet hang off the end of Queen size beds. The lodge grounds were visited by hippos, warthogs, and a male water buck.
We took the morning River Cruise on the Zambezi organized by the lodge. It was a great experience and we saw lots of birds. Our boat guide was very knowledgeble. We did the Botswana day trip to the Chobe park. The facilities were lovely. Our guide on that trip was only mediochre in terms of friendliness and knowledge." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 4n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
We took the morning River Cruise on the Zambezi organized by the lodge. It was a great experience and we saw lots of birds. Our boat guide was very knowledgeble. We did the Botswana day trip to the Chobe park. The facilities were lovely. Our guide on that trip was only mediochre in terms of friendliness and knowledge." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 4n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Mr & Mrs P
Ayrshire
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 24 Jun 2022
"Excellent rooms,pleasant helpful staff,food good"
See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
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