Accommodations in Victoria Falls

• Hotel rating: Superior

Ilala Lodge is ideally situated close to Victoria Falls as well as the town centre. The Zambezi National Park borders the front of the property and wild animals often graze on the hotel lawns with the spray of the falls in the background. Each of the 30 rooms is spacious and equipped with a satellite television, air conditioning, and coffee and tea-making equipment. Each has an en suite bathroom with both a bath and shower. The impressive swimming pool has a large wooden sundeck overlooking the national park and is a welcome oasis from the bustling town of Victoria Falls. The Palm restaurant offers both European and African cuisine and is an ideal place to dine alfresco under the stars. The lodge can organise numerous activities in and around Victoria Falls and has its own exclusive cruise boat, the Ra-Ikane, with daily excursions (payable locally) along the Zambezi river.

• Hotel rating: Luxury

The historic Edwardian-style Victoria Falls Hotel is located amongst lush tropical gardens inside the Victoria Falls National Park, just a ten minute walk away from the Unesco World Heritage Site of Victoria Falls. Established in 1904, this original railway hotel is full of nostalgia of a bygone colonial era and is noted for the splendid views across the manicured gardens to the Victoria Falls Bridge. There are 161 en suite rooms, comprising 37 standard rooms, 58 traditional rooms, 48 de luxe rooms, seven junior suites, four honeymoon suites, six executive suites and the royal suite. The latter was occupied by Queen Elizabeth during a royal visit in 1947. The corridors to the rooms are lined with historical artefacts, with particular reference to the building of the railway from Cape Town to what is now Zambia. Inside, the rooms retain their old world charm, but are now fitted with modern conveniences, including air conditioning, satellite televisions, personal safes and separate baths and showers. The opulent Livingstone Room restaurant offers fine a la carte dining while the Jungle Junction serves breakfast and dinner buffets together with local evening entertainment. Stanley's Terrace, with its clear view of the Victoria Falls Bridge, connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia, is renowned for its cocktails and afternoon high teas. Facilities at the hotel include a large swimming pool, two tennis courts, a library, reading rooms and chapel. Beauty treatments are also available in the hotel's spa. Golfers can enjoy 18 holes on the championship course of the nearby sister hotel, Elephant Hills Resort. The hotel can also arrange a wide variety of activities such as sunset cruises, helicopter flights over the falls and township tours.

• Hotel rating: Luxury

Situated on a plateau, which forms the natural boundary to the 800 sq km Zambezi National Park, the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is only 4km from Victoria Falls, yet enjoys uninterrupted views and spectacular African sunsets over the African bush. The lodge also features its very own waterhole which is well frequented by buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, various antelopes and a plethora of birds. The 72 thatched rooms all feature en suite bathrooms, wireless internet access and a balcony overlooking the national park. Suite rooms also feature a minibar, air conditioning and a separate lounge. The lodge features two restaurants - Makuwa-Kuwa and Boma - the former serving fine a la carte African and international cuisine with prime views over the waterhole and the latter focusing on traditional Zimbabwean food. The separate Buffalo Bar also has its own wildlife viewing platform overlooking the waterhole. Other facilities at the lodge include a swimming pool, internet cafe, television lounge, library and curio shop. In addition, there are a number of hides close to the waterhole and several self-guided nature trails that guests can use free of charge.

• Hotel rating: Superior

Comfortable tented accommodation with en suite facilities, well-prepared meals, experienced guides, the company of elephants and the warm and friendly Wild Horizons atmosphere will make this a truly memorable part of your African experience. Elephant Camp accommodates a maximum of eight guests and there is a dining area, swimming pool and bar / patio overlook a sweeping view of open plains. An excellent elephant interaction is included where you will get an opportunity to feed the elephants.

• Hotel rating: Good Standard

PLEASE AMEND TO NEW HOTEL TEXT BLOCK STYLE. TKS - ELLIE 1/5/15 Located 80km west of Victoria Falls, Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge offers the chance to unwind as well as some of the best wildlife viewing and birdwatching in the region, in the seclusion of a private national park concession. This 2,000-hectare area has 14km of private Zambezi river frontage and borders the Chobe Forest Reserve, which is renowned for its large elephant population. The are eight individual thatch lodges at Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge that can accommodate up to 18 guests. All are uniquely decorated and beautifully positioned with spacious verandas opening onto sweeping views of the Zambezi river. The main building is a charming thatched structure, consisting of a lounge, dining room and bar area. This offers views of both the river and a nearby waterhole, which attracts wildlife throughout the year. A swimming pool and alfresco eating area nestle under riverine trees. There are no fences to prevent animal movement, so you can expect to see wildlife and wonderful birdlife along the river bank, as well as in and around the lodge. The activities at the lodge centre around tracking wildlife on morning, afternoon and night safari drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles in the Imbabala Private Concession Area. Exploring the Zambezi river by boat affords guests an exclusive river experience. Birdwatching is exceptional, as birdlife is prolific and varied, ranging from water birds to shy forest dwellers. Walking safaris and fishing excursions to find renowned tiger fish are available by prior arrangement. For guests spending a longer time at Imbabala, day trips to Victoria Falls and the Chobe National Park are available at an additional charge.

• Hotel rating: Luxury

Located 10km upstream from Victoria Falls inside the 60,000 hectare Zambezi National Park, the Victoria Falls River Lodge is a luxury tented lodge situated along the banks of the Zambezi river. The property offers uninterrupted panoramic views across the river into Zambia with accommodation spread across seven, spacious open-plan air-conditioned tents tastefully decorated with Scandinavian floors, hanging chairs, Nguni cushions and hammocks. Tents also feature private viewing decks and en suite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers and a freestanding bath. The main guest areas are set slightly back from the river and include an open-plan lounge, dining area, outdoor swimming pool and both a shaded deck and a viewing platform located among the trees.The lodge offers a choice of daily activities for guests to choose from including guided walks, day or night wildlife drives in the Zambezi National Park, and river cruises. A scheduled daily complimentary transfer to Victoria Falls allows guests to enjoy a host of optional adventure activities.

• Hotel rating: Luxury

Upstream from Victoria Falls and 16kms into the heart of the Zambezi National Park you will find Mpala Jena camp. The camp is in a riverine and mopani woodland habitat on the banks of the Zambezi. Named after a natural spring line that runs through the area, Mpala Jena means 'white impala' following regular sightings of an albino impala that roamed the area. This eco-conscious camp is made from recycled hardwoods and canvas ensuring a low impact on the environment. This area attracts large numbers of elephants and buffaloes, particularly between June to October. The birdlife is spectacular, with over 400 species and there is a host of other animals that frequent the camp including zebras, greater kudus, waterbucks and wildebeest. Leopards and lions are also commonly seen. Wildlife drives in open vehicles are available daily as well as cruises on the mighty Zambezi and seasonal canoeing. Trips to Victoria Falls are available as well as the numerous activities on offer in the bustling town. Features: 4 tented rooms & 1 exclusive suite, central lounge & dining area, library, kitchen, tea & coffee station, bar, deck overlooking the river. Room amenities: Private bathrooms with indoor & outdoor showers, bathtub, yoga mats, overhead fan, fly netting tent sides instead of mosquito nets, Wi-Fi (no mobile signal).