Lodge
Thorntree River Lodge
Live availability
Thorntree River Lodge
Please hang on while we searchโฆ
Please choose a check-out date that comes after your check-in date.
Live availability
Thorntree River Lodge
Tell us a little about your trip and a safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours.
Live, available now
About the lodge
An overview of Thorntree River Lodge.
Located in Zambia's Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, or otherwise known as "The Smoke That Thunders", sits the authentic African Thorntree River Lodge.
Highlights
- Whereabouts: Livingstone, Zambia
- Victoria Falls visit
- Game drives, bush walks
- Rhino trekking
- Cultural village visits
- Sunset river cruises
- Fishing
- Livingstone Museum tour
You Should Know
Child Policy
Child-Friendly Activities
While we do not offer babysitting services, our team is happy to help coordinate engaging, child-friendly experiences through the Ngwana Club.
Game Drive Policy
For safety reasons, children under the age of 6 are not permitted on scheduled game drives with other guests. A private vehicle must be booked for families with younger children.
The Detail
Only a short distance from the famous Victoria Falls, Thorntree River Lodge is the perfect base from which to explore the beauty of this region and return to your private accommodation in an intimate setting.
Thorntree River Lodge has been completely rebuilt with an environmentally-conscious design. Drawing inspiration from local customs and culture, it features a modern contemporary design with tented roof structures to maintain the feel of authentic Africa.
The lodge boasts 8 Twin Rooms and 2 Family Units, each comprising 4 beds.
Each Twin Room is tented and features comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, a minibar, air conditioning, tea and coffee-making facilities, safes, a sala, and a verandah with a luxurious private plunge pool.
The Family Units have inter-leading walkways between the parents' and childrenโs rooms, both of which are en-suite. Each unit includes comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, a minibar, air conditioning, tea and coffee-making facilities, safes, a sala, and a verandah with a luxurious private plunge pool.
The main lodge consists of a lounge with an open dining area, where the fine dining experience of African cuisine comes to life. The communal deck is set on the edge of the stunning riverside and features a sunken boma area and an infinity pool. Wooden decking floats on the edge of the river and moves with the water level to create the illusion of sailing a boat, helping to achieve a seamless connection between river and land.
Other lodge facilities include a nearby gym, spa, activity desk, library, bar, and complimentary internet access.
Activities offered at the lodge include visits to Victoria Falls, rhino trekking on foot, game drives in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, cultural village visits, sunset river cruises (on a private boat), fishing, canoeing, and visits to the Livingstone Museum.
Thorntree River Lodge is ideal for solo explorers, couples, and families looking for a luxury Victoria Falls adventure.
Price Includes
- Accommodation
- All meals and all beverages (except premium imported spirits and champagne)
- Boating, fishing, and one trip to the Zambian side of the Falls
- National park fees
- Laundry
- Return Livingstone Airport road transfers
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance
Rate Excludes
Flights, transfers not mentioned, premium brand beverages, gratuities, additional activities, and items of a personal nature.
The same as booking direct
Rates and pricing.
Per person sharing, per night. Final pricing depends on dates, room category and party size.
Valid until 31 Oct 2025
Why book through us
You pay the lodge's rate, never a markup. What you get on top is a specialist who knows Thorntree River Lodge personally, looks after every detail of the trip, and stays reachable on WhatsApp from the moment you enquire to the day you come home.
By season
Green season
1 Apr 2026 โ 31 May 2026
Accommodation, all meals, beverages, laundry, transfers from the nearest airstrip, and two safari activities per full day.
$1,060
Peak / migration
1 Jun 2026 โ 31 Oct 2026
Accommodation, all meals, beverages, laundry, transfers from the nearest airstrip, and two safari activities per full day.
$1,590
Shoulder
1 Nov 2026 โ 30 Nov 2026
Accommodation, all meals, beverages, laundry, transfers from the nearest airstrip, and two safari activities per full day.
$1,060
Rates are per person sharing, per night. A single supplement may apply for solo travellers. We offer a price match guarantee, just ask your safari specialist.
Exclusive offer
Available right now.
Last minute
Receive 50% off for one partner at select African Bush Camps Experiences. Minimum 6 night stay required. Valid for travel from 6 Jan - 19 Dec 2026.
Family
Traveling with kids? Children under 15 stay FREE. Minimum 6 night stay required. Valid for travel from 6 Jan - 31 May 2026 and 1 Nov - 19 Dec 2026.
Honeymoon offer
For couples celebrating a wedding.
Documented from African Bush Camps's 2026 rate sheet. A formal offer you can claim, not marketing language.
Honeymoon Offer
Free bottle of sparkling wine in room on arrival for all honeymoon bookings; for 3+ night stays, additionally a free spa treatment to the value of R500 per person
All honeymoon bookings at Thorntree River Lodge receive a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine in the room on arrival. For honeymoon stays of 3 or more nights, guests additionally receive a free spa treatment to the value of R500 per person.
- Minimum stay
- 3 nights (for spa treatment inclusion; sparkling wine applies to all stays)
Sourced from operator rate sheets and audited by our safari specialists. Terms and eligibility may change. Your specialist confirms all offers at the time of booking.
Family policies
Travelling with children.
Audited child policies for Thorntree River Lodge. Minimum ages, activities, family accommodation, and child rates, taken from our specialist audit of the operator's published policies, last reviewed May 2026. See our Safari child policies guide for the broader context.
Minimum ages
- Game drives
- 6+
Programmes & care
Kids' programme : Ngwana Club (all ages)
Accommodation
Family unit available. "At our family Experiences, we have family/inter-leading rooms to cater to families with younger children." (general ABC policy; specific Thorntree River Lodge configuration not detailed in excerpts).
Child rates
Child rate policies (African Bush Camps): 0โ6 years free of charge; 7โ11 years 50% of full adult rate; 12โ15 years 50% of full adult rate; 16+ years 100% of full adult rate. Full rates for transfers apply to children of all ages. Community & Conservation Levy: adults USD 85 pppn; children 7โ15 years USD 42 pppn; children under 7 don't pay the levy.
Notable exceptions
- Children under 16 must share accommodation with at least one adult at all times and need to accompany adults when leaving camp; adults cannot leave children in camp with guides during game drives, boat cruises or canoeing. Full transfer rates apply to children of all ages. Lady Jacqueline cruise (Bumi Hills): children under 12 not permitted onboard. Expedition Experiences: minimum age 12.
Water safari
Out on the water.
Mokoro, canoe, kayak and boat options at Thorntree River Lodge. The silent dugout mokoro is a different product to a motorised sundowner cruise โ check the category on each.
Canoe safari
Canoeing Safaris
Thorntree River Lodge includes canoeing safaris as part of its inclusive activities along the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls. These guided canoe safaris offer guests a unique on-water wildlife perspective in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Restricted to guests aged 16 and older.
Age restriction: guests must be 16 years or older. Included in lodge rates. Located on the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls, Zambia. Guides are present for safety.
- Cost
- complimentary
- Availability
- subject to availability; age restriction 16+
Boat cruise
Boat Cruises
Thorntree River Lodge offers motorised boat cruises on the Zambezi River as an included activity. These cruises provide guests with a wildlife-focused on-water experience near Victoria Falls and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
Included in lodge rates. No minimum age stated for this activity. Located on the Zambezi River, Livingstone, Zambia.
- Cost
- complimentary
- Availability
- subject to availability
Sourced from operator rate sheets and audited by our safari specialists. Prices and availability subject to change. Your specialist confirms at booking.
Cultural
Beyond the game drive.
Community visits, cultural walks, and dining experiences documented at Thorntree River Lodge.
Community project visit
ABCF Community Visit
Guests at Thorntree River Lodge can book a visit to a local community supported by the African Bush Camps Foundation (ABCF), offering insight into meaningful conservation efforts and the foundation's community work in the Victoria Falls / Mosi-oa-Tunya area.
Bookable as an add-on to the standard included activities. Specific duration, group size, and guide details not stated in the excerpts.
- Availability
- subject to availability; advance booking required
Sourced from operator rate sheets and audited by our safari specialists. Prices and availability subject to change. Your specialist confirms at booking.
Speak to a safari specialist
Plan your dream safari at Thorntree River Lodge.
From your first enquiry to the day you come home, one named safari specialist looks after every detail. We can handle the whole trip, not just the stay at Thorntree River Lodge: multi-country itineraries, internal flights, road transfers, tipping guidance, travel insurance, the lot. A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours.
Ready when you are
Let's design your stay.
Your specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours with availability, exact pricing, and suggestions for what to combine it with.