Visiting Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, one of Southern Africa’s most iconic destinations, is easily reachable if you’re already visiting South Africa. To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve curated a selection of our favorite lodges and hotels based on personal visits and firsthand experience. We recommend spending 2-4 nights in the area to get the most out of your visit. Whether you’re planning a family or multi-generational holiday, a honeymoon, or a solo trip, we can help you find the perfect accommodation to suit your needs. Reach out to us for personalized advice in choosing the ideal option for your Victoria Falls experience.
Ilala Lodge
Ilala Lodge is a beautiful family run hotel within the town of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Ilala is the closest Hotel to the waterfall- you can hear the water and see the spray from the hotel!
- Closest airport: Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe: +/- 25 minute drive (transfers will be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families, couples & small groups (children of all ages welcome)
- Budget: From USD 258 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Classic Lodge (4 star)
- Exclusivity: Big lodge; 73 rooms
The Palm River Hotel
The Palm River Hotel is the upmarket sister of Ilala Lodge, situated 4 kilometers upstream from Victoria Falls. The Hotel is located on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River.
- Closest airport: Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe: +/- 25 minute drive (transfers will be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families, couples & groups (children of all ages welcome)
- Budget: From USD 354 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Luxury lodge (5 star)
- Exclusivity: Big hotel; 73 rooms
Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel
Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel is situated in the Victoria Falls Game Reserve, and is only a 15 minute drive from the Victoria Falls.
- Closest airport: Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe: +/- 30 minute drive (transfers included)
- Perfect for: Couples & small groups (children of all ages welcome)
- Budget: From USD 475 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Superior luxury lodge (5 star+)
- Exclusivity: Medium lodge; 16 suites
Tsowa Safari Island
Tsowa Safari Island is situated in Zambezi National Park, upstream from Victoria Falls. This is a surreal place, immersed in the river ecosystem, and set apart from the busy world.
- Closest airport: Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe: +/- 1 hour drive (4×4 game viewer and boat transfers included)
- Perfect for: Couples & small groups (children older than 12 welcome)
- Budget: USD 480 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Luxury (5 star)
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 8 suites
How to get to Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls area is accessible via flights to Victoria Falls Airport (Zimbabwe) or Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (Zambia), both of which are well-connected to major hubs in Southern Africa like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Nairobi. From the airports, it’s a short transfer to your accommodation.
- From Cape Town, we recommend flying with Airlink.
- From Johannesburg (OR Tambo International Airport), we recommend flying with Cemair or FlySafair.
- From Kruger (Kruger Mpumalanga National Airport), we recommend flying with Fastjet.
Earthstompers ratings
The above lodges range from 3 to 5-star graded, though some choose not to undergo official star grading. Because each lodge offers a unique experience, it can be challenging to gauge their quality at a glance. To make it easier for our guests to find the perfect fit, we’ve developed our own rating system based on personal experience:
- Rustic: Unrated or 3-star (basic, rustic lodges)
- Classic: Unrated or 4-star
- Luxury: 5-star
- Superior Luxury: 5-star+
- Premium: 5-star++
What to do in the Victoria Falls area
Mission #1 is, of course, to see the Falls themselves! We recommend a guided tour. This can be arranged on site at your hotel, or we can book it in advance if you would prefer.
For a truly unforgettable perspective, consider a helicopter flight over the Falls—this is the only way to fully grasp their immense scale.
A Zambezi River cruise is a must for enjoying an African sunset. On our cruise, we spotted hippos, crocodiles, and even a herd of elephants crossing the iconic Zambezi River—all while sipping on gin and tonics. This is fun!
Swimming in Devil’s Pool, a natural rock pool right at the edge of the Falls, will be the most thrilling swim of your life.
We highly recommend a village visit in Zambia or Zimbabwe for a cultural experience. Our tour included exploring a local market, and cooking lunch with a family in the village, which was an unforgettable glimpse into real local life.
Additional activities include white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and even day trips to Chobe National Park. Please feel free to chat with us to explore the Victoria Falls options.
