Reviews of Victoria Falls Lodge

"We were there over a week-end and the hotel was rather crowded with w/end tourists from RSA. Limited game at waterhole.

Spa had just opened and was good." See all these reviews: 5n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

"hotel showing signs of age. would stay at victoria falls hotel next time" See all these reviews: 5n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

"A beautiful lodge, very luxurious. Had requested a room with a view to the watering hole which was great treat.

Staff were very professional, helpful and friendly. The bar area was great, there were many places you could sit & relax and all insight of the watering hole. The restaurant food was tasty and had a great selection. Swimming pool area very inviting.

We used the lodge staff to book some activities for us which included a tour of the Falls, the traditional African evening which included food, music and dancing. One of activities we book, The Gorge Swing was cancelled due to maintenance, but the staff informed us as soon as they were informed.

The lodge were involved in a vulture conservation which involved a daily feeding at 1pm. We attended this and was amazing to see them up close as well as learning about them and how they were being protected. We would definitely recommend." See all these reviews: 4n in South Africa; 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

"Beautiful place, people very friendly and very organized. Everything was ready for us and they gave us an itinerary.

The staff left us a fruit plate and sparkling wine with a card to help us celibate our 25th anniversary.

Will come back some day." See all these reviews: 3n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana; 1n in Zimbabwe

"After 9 days on safari we didn't expect to have one of our most memorable wildlife experiences of the holiday at this lodge. The location set high over the national park and overlooking the watering hole is stunning, with the watering hole being visited by a variety of wildlife. One of the activities they offer is a 2 hour session with guide Charles Brightman at the hide right by the watering hole, which we did one evening.It was an amazing experience with 2 crocodiles chasing each other right in front of the hide followed by a herd of elephants who came right up to the hide to use the mineral lick, at times just a foot away from the viewing gap. There was even a curious trunk that came through the gap checking us out.We spent about an hour watching the babies suckling and listening to the various snorts and trumpeting as they drew up the minerals - a breathtaking experience.

There is also a great opportunity to see rhino here by vising the private Stanley Livingstone reserve

The food at the lodge is excellent in the a la carte restaurant and if you are there at lunchtime do go to the Vulture Feed - you learn about why they are becoming endangered and are being fed plus it is an amazing spectacle to watch.

The rooms are comfortable if a little tired, but the experience is more than just a hotel to view the falls, so worth it." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe

"This Hotel was much larger than the others we stayed in on our tour, the room we had was more akin to a house - a two storey lodge with lounge area, two loos and an upstairs bathroom and bedroom - all very clean and comfortable. We had a lovely balcony from which to sit and watch the amazing vista before us- bushland and a lovely waterhole.

The staff here were superb- exceptionally helpful and friendly; nothing was too much trouble. They helped with booking taxis and checking flights home etc.

The breakfast was incredible with a huge range of both hot and cold food on offer and the waiting staff were wonderful. We ate one evening in the restaurant and the food was superb; beautifully presented and of high quality. We loved the Vulture Conservation programme and watched the vulture feeding experience which was amazing. We did see some animals at the waterhole, impala, elephant, crocodiles and beautiful kudu which was unexpected.

We would be happy to recommend this hotel as a great place to stay with proximity to the falls and all that the area has to offer." See all these reviews: 10n in South Africa; 3n in Zimbabwe; 2n in Botswana

"Great everything!" See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in South Africa; 2n in Zimbabwe

"We had a great time here. Enjoyed the water hole from our room and friends m the restaurant.

The shuttle made going into town or to the falls a snap. We thought the vulture experience was fantastic--did it twice.

Had dinner at the Boma, which was touristy but fun. Who knew we could do drumming? The activities desk person was friendly, helpful, and efficient." See all these reviews: 8n in Zimbabwe

"We enjoyed VFSL and chose it on purpose as we had our three children with us. Great accommodation for families, view from the lodge, Boma dinner and so on. Hourly shuttle into/out of town worked well and the drivers were great.

We went to the Vic Falls Hotel for dinner one night (at the outdoor restaurant - the Jungle Junction?) which was great. I love the Vic Falls Hotel and would probably have preferred to stay there if it was just the two parents - mainly for the location with the view of the river/bridge and for the nostalgia for old colonial Africa." See all these reviews: 7n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

"We had been recommended this by Expert Africa and by a friend who had vsiited some years ago, but it was rather disappointing.

We arrived at the hotel around 1:30pm after a long bus transfer. From that point just about everything went wrong in some way - rooms not ready, wrong room allocated, disappearing porters, lost table reservation, inedible food, incorrect bill, wrong time given for transfer to airport, etc etc. And the room was extremely tatty with damaged furnishings and decoration and poor security. A long list of items, each of which would have been tolerable, but it felt like a concerted effort to get absolutely everything wrong. Maybe we were just unlucky!

As we checked out, the deputy manager appeared and asked us if we'd enjoyed our stay - our response was cut short because we were rushing to get on the transfer bus which was nearly an hour before we were told it was due. We suggested to this unfortunate chap that he might read the customer service questionnaire in the room - and when we arrived home we received an emailed apology and a refund for all food/drink (which 3 days later has not been posted to our credit card).

The hotel is located out of town and looks over bush and a waterhole. This was interesting to watch but as we were only there for 2 nights we didn't spend an awful lot of time watching.

The hotel restaurant was simply awful - but the food and service in the Buffalo Bar (open until 6pm) was very nice and the staff were very friendly and helpful. Don't miss the vulture-feeding at 1pm. We enjoyed the visit from the 3ft long monitor lizard who climbed into our room, and the banded mongooses who seemed to live in a large drain pipe next to our room. BUT beware they do have a monkey problem (which they did forewarn us about) so make sure your room is secure against them.

We visited the Victoria Falls Park (US$30 each, by the way), and the falls themselves are truly remarkable. As it was the end of the rainy season the river was full, which added to the spectacle. For future visitors, please note that the falls send up a spray that goes way up into the air and falls on you like a rainstorm.

We booked to go on the sunset tour on the tram over the Victoria Falls railway bridge. Quite expensive (US$60 each) but very enjoyable. As I'm into trains I'd arranged in advance to go and visit the steam locomotive in the goods yard beforehand and they took us in the tram to the splendour of the Victoria Falls Hotel, ready for the sunset tour. As I didn't stay there, I can't review it, but it looked palacial.

Advice to future visitors:

If you visit the falls you are going to get soaked through despite waterproofs etc, so dress accordingly and take dry socks and maybe shoes etc in a plastic bag. There are towels at the parks cafe and some charming waitresses.

The sunset tram does take you into Zambia a bit but no stamps in your passport so the Yellow Fever vaccination issue doesnt arise.

Curio vendors, beggars, and street traders abound and can be a pest. How many times was I offered a Zim$1Bn bill for US$1? They would even accept your trainers, socks or T-shirt in payment. If you don't enjoy that kind of experience avoid the hotspots.

Everything in Vic Falls is expensive and priced in US$. This means that tips for restaurants, transfer bus drivers and just about anyone else with an outstretched palm can mount up, and your $US supply will soon be depleted. The Safari Lodge isnt any help in changing large denomination bills so I suggest taking at least US$20/day in single dollar bills.

You can buy Zimbabwe entry visas as you enter Zimbabwe. But its a mellee and despite notices warning that its an offence, tour guides are jumping the queue and hassling the officials so we waited an hour at immigration - and it probably wasn't as busy as it gets in high season. Our transfer bus driver told us that if we'd bought our visas in UK he could have got us through much quicker." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe