Where is a good place to overnight in Vic Falls? I don't want to buy the place just rent a room over night.

I was told that the Zambezi Waterfront Lodge has nice chalets facing the river for 55 USD per night. We are talking about on the Zambia side of course. I have no idea how to contact them and I have not personally been there so this is not a resounding approval, just an item you can follow up.

I stayed at a lodge called the Ultimate lodge, they pick you up at the airport. It was a real nice place, swimming pool the whole bit! Nick, one of the owners, did a great job with the place. I'll see if I can find their web site address.

we stayed once ONCE at the vic falls hotel, kinda neat but it was something over 300/nite. once is enuf

nick.carter@intekom.co.za

http://www.greatafricanexperiences.com/

Rates for the various hotels:-

The Victoria Falls Hotel
USD 179.00 PER PERSON PER NIGHT (B&B)
(This particular hotel is having a special - stay for 3 nights BUT pay for 2 nights - please visit their website - www.victoriafallshotel.com - for details on this particular package)

Elephant Hills
USD 146.00 PER PERNIGHT PER NIGHT (B&B)

The Kingdom Victoria Falls
USD 103.00 PER PERSON PER NIGHT (B&B)

All of the above mentioned hotels belong to a group called Zimbabwe Suns - you can view the hotels on their website - www.zimsun.com

We also use another hotel (independent to Zimbabwe Suns) :-

ILALA LODGE
USD 143.00 PER PERSON PER NIGHT (B&B)
Their website - www.ilalalodge.com

Please note that all rates quoted are based on 2 people sharing a twin or double - are per person per night and include bed and breakfast.

Airport transfers - USD 10.00 PER PERSON ONE WAY.
(From the airport to hotel or hotel to airport)

Thanks, Kathi good info.

FWIW - the view, experience and ambiance of the vic falls hotel is worth the premium you pay... it's like stepping back in time 100-years.

Kathi,

What about hotels on the Zambia side?

Is it a huge hassle going to the Zanbia side if you have been hunting on the Zim side?

Les

Kathi,

Thanks for the links. Browsing the Vic Fall hotel sure sends me back. Spent one night there in 2000.

I've stayed at a lot hotels around the world, and it's one of the best I've stayed at. At those package prices, I'd be all over it if I was staying over at the falls this season.

-Steve

My vote also goes to the Vic Falls Hotel.....it might be expensive but you just can't beat that special style the do everything with.....worth every cent.

My wife and I spent a couple of night in the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge back in '98, and although very expensive, it was worth it for the experiance.

I also recall a restaurant nearby called "The Boma" that was worth eating at.

A couple of news items that may be of interest. The first article is dated from Feb. 2002 and the second is from Nov. 2004. I have added bold highlights to parts of the text. I stayed at the Vic Falls hotel in 1998 and enjoyed it very much. With the current situation in Zimbabwe, I think I'd consider the Zambian side now. But, if you're hunting in Zimbabwe and have rifles with you it may be too much of a hassle crossing over into Zambia.

-Bob F.


World Bank boosts Zambian tourism
12/Feb/2002 12:14 - (SA)

Jowie Mwiinga

Livingstone - Zambia has received a $1.7 million grant from the World Bank to develop the southern city of Livingstone into the country's tourism capital.

The grant was awarded after Zambia's central government pledged "equity" funds from its own coffers to upgrade roads, airports and other public infrastructure in Livingstone.

The World Bank grant will be used to establish a local tourism training institute, as well as conduct feasibility studies for commercialising nearby Kafue National Park, various sites on the Lower Zambezi River, and two small undeveloped Luangwa national parks.

Zambian tourism planning director Justina Wake said the World Bank funding would run until 2005, and formed the first of a planned series of tourism development pilot projects in Zambia.

Cheap, safe alternative to Zim

Other projects include the creation of small-scale tourism enterprise funds for rural communities, as well as new marketing campaigns for a proposed safari and adventure tourism circuit around Livingstone.

Livingstone has blossomed as a safe and cheap alternative destination to Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls since political violence in Zimbabwe first erupted two years ago.

Livingstone's picturesque city centre has already been upgraded, while international hospitality groups have built a range of new hotel resorts on Zambia's side of the Victoria Falls.
- African Eye News Service
http://www.news24.com/News24/Archive/0,,2-1659_1143317,00.html


Big splash at Vic Falls
18/Nov/2004 10:01 - (SA)

Lusaka - Zambia is preparing to mark the 150th anniversary of the discovery of Victoria Falls by Scottish missionary David Livingstone with a big splash which it hopes will draw a record number of tourists.

Victoria Falls lies on the border with Zimbabwe but instability there has brought tourists over to the Zambian side to admire one of the world's largest curtains of falling water.

The government has launched a "Visit Zambia in 2005" campaign to encourage tourists to join in the festivities next year marking Livingstone's discovery in 1885 of the falls and the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the town of Livingstone.

"We want to use these special events to re-launch our tourism industry," says Tourism Minister Patrick Kalifungwa.

One of Africa's stable countries

"Zambia is one of the most peaceful and stable countries in Africa and has a surperb range of national parks with spectacular game viewing," said Herror Hickey, chairman of the Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB).

"We want to use this campaign to record the highest number of tourists and also to market the country as a best tourist destination in Africa," Hickey said.

One of the leading natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls is 1 708m wide, drops 108m and spills 550 000 cubic liters of water per minute.

Zambia expects to welcome more than 400 000 tourists next year, building on a tourism industry that has created 16 000 jobs over the past two years and injected 150 million dollars (115 million euros) to the poor southern African country.

Part of the draw to Zambia's Victoria Falls however lies in the fact that the Zimbabwe side is fast becoming a no-go zone for tourists.

"Even tour operators from Zimbabwe are now moving into Livingstone because that's where business is now. There are few tourists visiting Zimbabwe at the moment," said Machova Musanshi, editor of Zambia's Tourism News.

Also known as "Mosi-oa-tunya" in local language, which means "the smoke that thunders", the falls were named Victoria after the queen of England by Livingstone who first 'discovered' it on November 16, 1855.

But some Zambians have urged the government to use the occasion to honour the local people who lived near the falls and later showed it to Livingstone when he visited the area.

The tourist town of Livingstone, where Victoria Falls is situated, will also be turning 100 years next year, and it has its own unique history as Zambia's capital under British colonial rule.
http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_1622979,00.html

I'm told Nick is out of Ultimate Lodge. Previous owner Russell is back in. There has been some problems there. For now perhaps better to look else where. Here's a good link I found recently. www.afrizim.com
It covers Namibia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.
I'm told that A' Zambezi River lodge is affordable and a few miles out of town.

I stayed at the Ultimate Lodge (a/k/a) Selous' Private Lodge both in June and in November of this year. No problems that I saw.

I believe that Kathy has kept in touch with the owner and books folks there (though I just showed up and found vacancy, comfort, cheap price and went to dinner with the owner at the owner (Vic Falls Hotel in June and The Boma in December).

Kathi?

As far as Selous Private Lodge (Utlimate) is concerned, last I knew Russell and Leanne Gammon were managing it. I know these folks, they are SUPER people and I HIGHLY recommend any lodge they are running. I stayed with them at a different place in Vic Falls town a few years ago (The Shearwater).

Leanne is Pierre Van Vyk's sister, Pierre is PH'ing for HHK now. Their family were landowners of a beautiful property in the Gwayi and of course lost it to the robbers....

Anyway, check the place out with my recommendation. If Russell and Leanne are running it still then take it from me they are great folks and they will take good care of you. They know hunters and are prompt with transport and any details concerning the Falls area activities.

Here's an email addy: ultimate@africaonline.co.zw

Judge G and Ann,

I talked to Russell Caldecott three days ago. He called me from Zim. There has been some changes. He told me what is going on currently at Ultimate Lodge. If either of you or Kathi want to know more please give me a call or e-mail.

The Ultimate Lodge is back with Russell Caldecott as owner.
His e-mail will be up and running in the next day or two (it's Africa after all !)

Rates will be about $60.00 pp per nite

You can contact Russell at:

011-263- 13-42273
011-263-13-43564 fax

ultimate@africaonline.co.zw

Thanks for the update, Keith. I did not know the Gammon's had moved on.

I stayed with Russell Caldecott when I went to Zim. I was treated great. Hope he is doing well? Treated me like family. I would stay at his place any time.
Dean

Has anyone stayed at Songwe Village? It's on the Zambian side - and quite pricey compared to the various quotes posted here already.

Do yourself a solid and eat 1 night @ The Boma.Try ostrich and Kudu. Awesome.The Zim brew I could pass on, a little pulpy for me.Stay away from the Kingdom Hotel.

The Ultimate Lodge and Russell were simply great. Eating at the Boma is a must as well.

I was introduced to this forum by Russell at Ultimate Lodge, a hunter friendly destination in Vic Falls, Zimbabwe. I count myself fortunate to find this operation and would highly recommend Ultimate Lodge and Russ for your next visit to Vic Falls.

During my trip I visited several hotels and ranging from wonderful colonial elegance to Vegas like modernity.

If you are like me, you didn’t go all the way to Zimbabwe to eat dinner in a sport coat or pull the handle at a casino. You went to go hunting and have fun. That is where Russell and Ultimate Lodge come in. Russell runs a hunter friendly, family owned establishment that caters to hunters. I was treated like an old friend by a man I never met. I enjoyed diner with him each night, expertly prepared by his new chef. I listened to stories of old Africa, some of which were probably even true. ;-)

I look forward to my next visit, and would bring my family without hesitation. I came to Zimbabwe expecting to find some scary stuff; instead, I found friendly people and beautiful surroundings.

If you find yourself lucky enough to visit Vic Falls, checkout Ultimate Lodge! You’ll be glad you did.