We are planning on being in Victoria falls in May. Has anyone been recently that can report. Will be traveling with wife and the in laws after a hippo and croc hunt. If you had a choice to visit Chobe or Hawange Parks which would it be.

universal,

Get hold of Russell Caldecott - definitely the guy to talk to in the Falls. He is a member of AR, but I forget his handle - ultimate something. I think his email is ultimate@mweb.co.zw

Cheers, David

Here is the website:
http://www.ultimatelodge.com/

His email address may be ultimate@africaonline.com....

russell@ultimatelodge.com

The Vic Falls Hotel is top dollar if you want to stay there. Very pucka and THE place to stay if money is no object.

I'd recommend:

http://www.afrizim.com/places/...lls_Safari_Lodge.asp

Spectacular views, good value and excellent food.

Re: Vic Falls. They are all (mostly) owned by South African firms so will accept credit cards. Otherwise it is US$ or South African rands for payment as the Zim dollar is no more.

Trips to Hwange Park will require a hire car and some local knowledge to make the most of it. Try to talk to the locals or your PH who will be able to help you. He should be able to recommend accomodation as well and where to get fuel. We struck no road blocks between Vic Falls and Hwange 18 mths ago.

I'd strongly recommend an evening river cruise of some type while at Vic Falls and a good three days to see it all. It is a great destination for familys or couples.

The usual tourist trap warnings apply and don't buy any food or drinks from street vendors.

quote:

Originally posted by universalman:
If you had a choice to visit Chobe or Hawange Parks which would it be.

Do both...

You will almost have Wankie to your self.

I've stayed at the Ultimate Lodge (and will again in September on the way to Chete) and Gorges Lodge on the way back home. I've stayed at the Victoria Falls hotel several times in the past.

First of all, Victoria Falls is very safe. I took my two girls there two years ago (even during the election mess) and felt quite comfortable the whole time. There are lots of fun things to do there. We went rafting, took the booze cruise, rode the elephants, walked with the lions and ate at the Boma and Jungle Junction. I love the place and go for a bit every trip to Zimbabwe if I can.

As to hotels:

The Victoria Falls hotel is old-style elegance and you pay for it. Deals can be had, though and the quoted daily rate can be dropped a third or so if you shop and inquire. The evening buffet at Jungle Junction is quite good and the native troop entertaining. Service is quite professional and it is a hoot to walk by wart hogs on the lawn to get to breakfast.

Gorges Lodge is perhaps the most quaint and beautiful place I've ever been. It only has 6 or so Chalets, all hanging over the river 275 meters below. The view of the Zambize gourge is simply breathtaking. It is somewhat out of town, but they have a bus to take you where you need to be and will plan day trips for you (as all the places will). Food and drink are quite good. Even if you don't stay there, go for a supper and watch the sun set!

Ultimate Lodge is great, too. It costs about 2/3rds to 1/2 of what the others cost. It is in a residential area so you can't really walk to shopping, but I'd prefer to be "escorted" in town, anyway. Hawkers, etc., don't bother you much if you're with a Zim guy, black or white. You can eat meals there and they now have some entertainment at night, particularly if they know you would like to have it while you are there. Russell is setting me up with a fishing trip one day while I'm there and I'm quite confident he can set your family up with whatever you want. He will correspond directly with you over the internet.

BTW, if you go to Gorges Lodge, ask the bartender about his son's goat named Judge. It's a long story.

If you can afford a helicopter ride, do it. Vic Falls is seen best in the mist up close, of course, but it is a wonder to behold from the air, too.

Have fun!

Judge G and others
The Gorges Lodge wins hands down.
Check out the butter containers on the tables.
The manager made me one.
They where building another building when I was there a few years ago should be completed by now. You need to make reservations way in advance limited space also not cheap but worth every penny.
Larry

not sure now, but there used to be a few guides that would take you around hwange pretty cheap. its really something to watch eles by the hundreds and see the damage they do. don't forget the market just watch for pickpockets etc.we likes the vic fall hotel, but it is quite pricey especially when compared to others. however if you would like to stay someplace that has the old victorian era decor, that is the place. make sure you take a plastic bag for you camera, and a raincoat when you visit the falls, the mist is constant and wet. also in hwange there are several camps you can stay at. their waterholes offer super animal views

My wife and I stayed at the Victoria Falls Hotel for 3 days last September. I have to say that it was one of the highlights of our trip. They treated us like a King and a Queen and much of the staff remembered our names and greated us as such throughout our stay. I will admit that it was not the cheapest place we stayed during our 2+ week travels through Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, but it wasn't the most expensive either. It was worth every penny given the quality of the hotel, location and service. I don't know how I pulled it off, but I booked the absolute cheapest room I could find and I ended up with one of the best rooms in the hotel. I don't remember the name of the suite on the gorge side of the hotel at the top of the stairs but we had the room right next to it and had a gorgeous view looking up the gorge towards the bridge.

On the issue of cost, I was able to get a far lower quote from Leading Hotels of the World than I did from any other site. Then in November I inquired again since I thought I might have to overnight in Vic Falls before or after a hunt and got an even lower price from them directly. I would not hesitate to call or email them directly and see if they will give you a better price than you were quoted elsewhere online. Another bonus is that they accept credit cards (including Amex).

We toured Chobe on our own and enjoyed it, but unfortunately I can't give you a comparison as I did not visit Hawange.

Good luck. I think you will enjoy it.

George

The Vic fall Hotel is one of the places to be seen in Africa. Maybe the quality of the service is not so high like 20 or 10 years ago but the charm of the hotel is absolutely insuperable

I have to cast a vote for the Vic Falls Hotel. It feel slike history. Sitting on the back veranda having a drink and looking at the view of the gorge in George's post above is just something special. I agree the cost is too high, but I wouldn't trade the 2 1/2 days I spent there for anything. I don't know that I wouldn't try on eof the others mentioned if and when I go back, but I am glad my first stay was at VFH.

Also really enjoyed being able to walk to market, shops, falls, etc. and felt very safe...

Thanks one and all. As usual the forum provides useful information. Nothing like ones own experiences good or bad to set the record straight. Made the reservations at Vic Falls today for a few nights after the hunt.
Thank you all.

Ah, I love seeing the old Victoria Falls Hotel again!

I stayed with Russell at Ultimate Guest Lodge when I was there, but went over to the Vic Falls Hotel for a long lunch. There is no doubt about this place still having the look and feel of "Old Africa". If you don't stay there do as I did, lunch, drinks and absorb the views and surroundings for a few hours.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Amen!

So, what in round numbers would 3 days at one of the upper crust hotels in Vic Falls, at the end of your Zim safari, cost a party of two?
I know, I know. Some of you guys can drink the equal of a Tanz 30 day full license safari. But realistically, what is the round number for 3 nights and moderate F&B, plus some river trips?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TWL:
So, what in round numbers would 3 days at one of the upper crust hotels in Vic Falls...

We have booked three nights in May. The rooms run $232 per night for two. The rooms look over the courtyard as the gorge rooms ran higher. Breakfast is included. Interestingly with the world cup approaching the hotel has eliminated any promo's.

I stayed in Vic Falls Hotel in '91 and lunched there in '08.It is a bit of clip joint but do not miss a chance to stay their,it is truly a great place.In fairness to the great park of Hwange it is not what it once was.Wife and I stayed there in '91 and i visited again in '08.
Chobe,in Botswana,is as grand as ever.Took the whole family in '08-fantastic.If you have the chance Etosha in Namibia is an absolute must see,as is South Luangwa in Zambia.

I stayed one night at the Ultimate Lodge in 2005 after my Buffalo hunt. Russell and his staff were top notch. I wish I would have spent a couple more days there. I would have liked to have gone tiger fish fishing with Russell.

We did an afternoon/evening booze cruise on the Zambezi, and had dinner at the VC Hotel. The Hotel is definitely a piece of history that is worth seeing. I also would have liked to see it in the daytime.

I didn't have time to visit either of the Parks, however after we left the VC Hotel after dinner, there were two BIG buffalo bulls on the road only a couple of blocks from the hotel.

I stayed at the Victoria Falls Hotel a couple of days before my first safari. I don't mind saying that sitting on the veranda overlooking the gorge was an experience I'll never forget. I knew I had "Arrived".

Mark

Vic hotel 3 times. the old times expirience 10
lastly the service 7. people in the hotel are friendly but "no champagne" THANKS MUGABE.asked my wife to marry me there .... she said yes. 7 days before she standed an elphant charge till the end at nigth without moving an eyebrowe. She is my girl....capable of marring me ....a total nurd
Gorges lodge belongs to Mark Butcher. shot my 6 elephant while staing there with my wife. Top notch. I will say gorgeous. only one go visit hwange, from Gorges Lodge they will fix it cheap. Matupula has the rights of half of the tribes lands arround, but don´t miss Vics hotel

quote:

Originally posted by dwarf416:
Vic hotel 3 times. the old times expirience 10
lastly the service 7. people in the hotel are friendly but "no champagne" THANKS MUGABE.asked my wife to marry me there .... she said yes. 7 days before she standed an elphant charge till the end at nigth without moving an eyebrowe. She is my girl....capable of marring me ....a total nurd
Gorges lodge belongs to Mark Butcher. shot my 6 elephant while staing there with my wife. Top notch. I will say gorgeous. only one go visit hwange, from Gorges Lodge they will fix it cheap. Matupula has the rights of half of the tribes lands arround, but don´t miss Vics hotel

I absolutely agree with the dwarf (if calling him that is respectful!: http://www.gorgeslodge.co.zw/gorges.html