Victoria Falls River Lodge (Zambezi Crescent)

Victoria Falls, Zambezi National Park

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Set on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, upstream from the Victoria Falls, the luxury Victoria Falls River Lodge is a pioneer in many ways.

As the first privately owned lodge to be situated in the Zambezi National Park (Zimbabwean side), Victoria Falls River Lodge is the ideal place from which to explore Victoria Falls as it combines the African Safari experience with one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World - the spray of which can be seen in the distance!

The combination of exceptional wildlife viewing, fine dining, personal service, luxurious accommodation, an abundance of nearby adrenaline (and other) activities and several historical attractions ensures an unforgettable experience that will leave guests wanting to return again, and again.

The Victoria Falls River Lodge is divided into several different sections:-. 

1. The Mainland Lodge  
This has 13 Luxury Tented Suites (canvas-under-thatch - double or twin-bedded).  5 of these are Family Suites which can accommodate 2 adults and up to 3 children 17 yrs and younger, with an adjoining children’s alcove typically including a bunk bed and 1 x single bed.

All the tents are set on raised decks on the banks of the Zambezi River.  1 x camp cot may be placed in the room for a sharing child younger than 3 yrs – at no extra charge. Air-conditioning and ceiling fans.  Open plan with sitting area, tea/coffee making facilities, laptop safe, hairdryer, minibar, private deck with plunge pool. Open plan, en-suite bathroom with freestanding bathtub, twin vanities, indoor & outdoor showers and a private W/C.

The mainland lodge has a spacious, thatched, central dining, sitting, bar & central pool areas with Wi-Fi facilities overlook the Zambezi River. The Toa Spa offers guests the opportunity to truly relax and unwind.  The lodge is popular as a Wellness/Safari combo retreat for groups with their own Mindfulness or Yoga guide.

2.  Hippo Creek Private  Villa  available for sole or shared use.  Sleeps up to 6 adults and 2 children (17 years or younger). This villa is designed for multi-generational families, friends and smaller groups looking for a more private experience. It has private dining and lounge facilities, 2 twin/king suites and 1 family suite, and a private butler service.  Activities, including a tour of the Victoria Falls, bird watching, game viewing and river cruises are included and are private if the villa is taken on a sole use basis.

3. Rapids View Private Villa is designed for multi-generational families, with a main living area and sunset bar, and 2 family suites sleeping 4 adults and 4-6 children, depending on their ages.  The views are out over the Zambezi River to a section of rapids upstream from the main lodge, overlooking a popular elephant crossing point. Both rooms have private decks and plunge pools.  The villa comes with a butler service. Activities as described above.

4. Kandahar Island lies in the middle of the Zambezi River a short boat-transfer across from the mainland lodge. Here, 6 timber and glass Island  Treehouse Suites offer a luxury and exclusive retreat - all built on elevated decks nestled into the the thick island vegetation overlooking the River.

Each Island Suite accommodates two guests (king or twin-bedded), with an air-conditioned bedroom, sitting area, and a private deck and plunge pool. The open plan, en-suite bathroom has a freestanding bathtub, spacious vanity area, rain shower and a private W/C.  Facilities include tea making facilities, Nespresso coffee machine, laptop safe, hairdryer and mini bar.

Two of the Suites are double-storey Starbed Treehouses  with a rooftop sitting area and signature Starbed.  The open plan, en-suite bathroom also has a freestanding bathtub, but with twin vanities, twin rain showers and a private W/C.

The main sitting, dining and bar areas are spacious and open-plan, with panoramic views of the river, and a special sunrise-sunset viewing platform. All the suites are connected to the main guest areas by raised walkways through the woodland.

5. Malachite Tented Suites eight canvas-glass and timber suites with a spacious central main area are nestled on the banks of the Zambezi River just 1 mile (1.6 kms) downstream from the main Lodge.  These are designed as perfect retreats for couples looking for the ultimate African experience. Each suite offers a California king sized bed, (twin bedded sleeping configurations are also possible on request), comfortable sitting area, open plan bathroom with both interior and exterior showers as well as an outdoor bathtub.  The rooms extend out onto a private deck with a plunge pool, day bed, and spectacular panoramic views of the Zambezi River.   

Transfers to the Falls can be undertaken by river, using the lodge's powerful speedlaunch, or, in a more leisurely fashion by road through the National Park (an enjoyable 10km-long leisurely game-drive).

Activities include:- sunrise and sunset river cruises on the Zambezi; guided morning and afternoon game drives into the nearby Zambezi National Park; wildlife viewing from your own deck and a guided tour of the Victoria Falls.

Optional activities (available at an additional cost) include: a guided excursion to Cataract Island at the edge of the Victoria Falls, to explore the spectacular scenery where the "new Falls" is forming, spa treatments, fishing safaris, guided walks, scenic helicopter flights over the Falls, guided canoe safaris, white-water rafting, zip-lining and canopy tours, bungee jumping, bridge swinging and other Victoria Falls Bridge activities, arts and crafts shopping and historical tours in Victoria Falls town.

 

Related articles:-

MALACHITE LUXURY TENTED SUITES - The inspiration behind their creation (Guest Blog Feb 2024)

Family Fun at Victoria Falls River Lodge (Travel Blog Aug 2023)

Curated wildlife experiences at Victoria Falls  (Travel Blog July 2023)

A SAFARI ON WATER - cruising along the Zambezi with Victoria Falls River Lodge (Travel Blog March 2023)

Beat the Heat (Travel Blog Nov 2021)

Bush Bathrooms (Travel Blog, Sept 2021)

Family Fun in the Wild (Travel Blog July 2021)

Warm winter weddings (or honeymoons) in the wild  (Feature Blog - June 2021) 

Little Gems in the Wild (Travel Blog May 2021)

What's UNIQUE about us?  (Feature Blog - Aug 2020)

Meet our People (Feature Blog July 2020)

Three goldern reasons why... seasons matter (Blog Nov 2018)

 

Reviews 10

5ft17 7 April 2024
The service and genuine friendliness of every staff member is exceptional. We stayed in the new Malachite section of 6 units, and I do not think I am engaging in hyperbole when I say there were more staff members than guests. And when we walked into our unit my very first thought was, "Wow! We are coming back here!" The food was also exceptional. As the saying goes, my compliments to the chef. Very creative, obviously fresh foods, delicious and very beautiful plating. The food honestly compares to many excellent restaurants in L.A. and Beks was a great guide. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Make sure you wake up early to catch the sunrises from your deck! Lastly, it's not every place where you can take a bath on your deck, especially just a few feet from the river that feeds Victoria Falls!
emmaredrob 1 February 2024
This hotel was spectacular. We stayed in the treehouse suites and it is truly ranked as one of the best hotels I've ever stayed at. The rooms were incredibly beautiful as was the entirety of the lodging on the island. Our guide, Khetho was amazing. He was so great to talk to, we all were captivated by his knowledge and stories from his years as a guide. I wish we could have spent an entire week here. I will 100% be coming back here to stay. The food was delicious, the best of our whole 2 week trip. TK, the manager, was awesome as was the rest of the staff. Everyone made us feel so taken care of, definitely a 5 star experience.
Teet 26 January 2024
Victoria Falls River Lodge is an absolute gem! From the moment you arrive, you're greeted with warm hospitality and a breathtaking view of the Zambezi River. The luxurious accommodations are beautifully appointed, offering an unparalleled experience of comfort and style. The game drives and river cruises provide an up-close encounter with Africa's stunning wildlife, making every moment an adventure. The staff's attention to detail and personalized service truly elevate the entire experience. I highly recommend Victoria Falls River Lodge to anyone seeking a perfect blend of luxury, nature, and adventure.
Natalia Olmos, Spain 19 August 2023
Everything was perfect. The rooms are beautiful, with everything you need and very clean. The staff is very nice, kind and they make our stay fabulous. The meals are very good and the excursions they offer are incredible. We will repeat without any doubt if we visit again VF!
sharonearly 31 January 2023
We were greeted with a cold glass of champagne upon our arrival. We had a night stay at the Victoria Falls River Lodge Island Treehouse Suites and we had a night stay in the luxury tent. Both accommodations were wonderful! There were only 6 suites on the island - an amazing location! The luxury tent was well appointed and spacious and very comfortable. Not your typical tent. The River Lodge was a great start to our African safari. The meals were so delicious. Loved high tea and the daily sundowner. The staff and service were amazing. Sanette was the manager at the Tree House suites during our stay. Captain Billy was our game driver, as well as our boat captain. And Lucky was our driver to/from the airport and our activities. I would definitely love to return.
AndyDoe 31 January 2023
How do I even begin to describe our wonderful experience here? My husband and I are very well traveled (we've been to about 50 countries) and tend to stay at luxury properties, so when I say this stay is at the top of our list, you know you're in for a treat. MAGNIFICENT staff, beyond OUTSTANDING service, AMAZING food. We stayed in a starbed treehouse and we were not disappointed. The treehouse was air-conditioned, complimentary mini bar, huge bathroom with stand alone tub, plunge pool overlooking the Zambezi river, Wi-Fi, tons of outlets to charge your electronics, and more than ample space to relax and feel at home. We slept outside in the starbed one night and woke up to a beautiful sunrise, the sounds of hippos in the river below, and monkeys in the trees nearby. It's definitely a must-do experience. The staff treated us like celebrities, and catered to every whim. Many thanks to TK, Obert, and Ketho for arranging our activities, meals, guided tour of Victoria Falls, river cruise, game drive, white water rafting, spa day, (and everything else in between) during our stay. We were actually very sad to leave, and still reminisce about our stay here. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, you don't even have to think about it, just book your stay already.
Anthony P, Australia 20 January 2023
We had no idea what to expect . First time in Africa , we were advised by Sarah at Forth & Wonder Travel in Australia. We arrived via car & boat private transfer . Checked into a private villa ( they call it a lux tent , but much better! ) curated meals , gym , pool , incredible food . The service was first rate . But the standout was the quality of our guide , FAITH . He showed us the Falls , amazing, River tour , safari tour . We saw , elephants , zebra, impala , baboon, monkeys , hippos, kudo , etc etc. All in comfort & safety. We are seasoned 40 year travelers , this experience was one of the best . Cannot recommend it highly enough .
E Church 14 November 2022
From the exceptional surroundings, to the mouthwatering food, to the luxury 'tents', to the amazing spa treatments, to the exciting game drives, to the breathtaking sunset evening cruises, this holiday was perfect! This venue is not inexpensive but there is no question it's value for money! We initially stayed in the luxury tents for 2 nights which were as wonderful as any hotel room I've ever stayed in. Waking up to watch the sunrise over the Zambezi River from my bed is something I'll never forget. We then transferred to the Villa for the remainder of our stay. Well that takes luxury to a whole new level. Coffee and homemade biscuits on the morning game drives. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, drinks of choice on our evening cruise, cocktails before dinner. Nothing was forgotten. Our Game Driver Billy was great fun and took care to explain to us about the animals behavior, the environment etc etc to give us a greater insight. We saw elephant, giraffe, lions, warthog, zebra, buffalo, crocodiles, hippos, impala, hyena, plus many more.
Brainsandalex, UK 12 September 2022
What an entrance, greeted at arrival dock to be taken up Zambezi to the lodge on exclusive launch. Felt like royalty on arrival and everyone so friendly and attentive. Accommodation just blew us away. First guests to stay at newly opened Hippo Creek lodge. Aptly named as built by a creek overlooking the Zambezi and yes, we actually had hippo by the creek. Also below us we had buffalo, crocodiles and warthogs. Personal guide, butler, chef, domestic and security guard. All charming, knowledgeable, friendly and made the stay fun for the whole family. Exquisite decor and 5 star service without any fuss. Cannot recommend the experience enough for anyone looking to enjoy the very best.
Mark K 7 January 2018
A 5* experience. We stayed two nights at the new Island Lodge. It was a huge mistake... We should have stayed longer. This is one of the most spectacular hotels I have ever stayed at. There are 5 'treehouse' suites on the island. Each one has a beautiful bedroom, luxurious bathroom and a deck with plunge pool. All this overlooking the Zambezi river. Delicious meals are served outside on a covered deck. Thank you, chef Leo. The bar is a few steps up in another treehouse. The gin selection is top-notch and they also make a great Bloody Mary. But, what really makes the lodge so special is the staff. The General Manager, Roddy, was a genial host (and sometime bartender) who helped us plan our activities during our stay. Our guide Polite was our driver (both on land and river) as well as a knowledgeable tour guide at Victoria Falls. He always knew where to take the best photos. Mathius and Obert were there making sure no details were missed. We can't wait to return.
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Price Top-end
Full Catering

Specials

2025 - 50% OFF YOUR 3RD NIGHT
Stay in any room at Victoria Falls River Lodge for 3 nights and get a 50% discount on your 3rd night. Applies to new bookings for stays between 15 Jan 2025 to 31 March 2025 and 1 Nov 2025 to 15 Dec 2025. Minimum 3 night stay. Not applicable to SADC rates. Ts & Cs apply. Expires: 12 December 2025
HONEYMOON SPECIAL - 2024 & 2025
Visit Victoria Falls River Lodge (luxury tented suites or island treehouse suites) on your honeymoon. 50% off accommodation for the bride. Bottle of bubbly and personalised note in room on check-in. Romantic, private dinner for 1 evening. Spa massage voucher valued at US$120. Minimum 3 night stay. Guests must travel within 6 months of their wedding date (marriage certificate may be requested). Valid until 15 Jan 2026 (excluding the festive periods). Not applicable to SADC rates. Ts & Cs apply. Expires: 15 January 2026

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