Victoria Falls is more than a bucket-list stop – it is the place where two countries meet, with the Zambezi River dropping into a narrow gorge that is surrounded by national parks and game reserves.
Most visitors come for the waterfall – a Unesco World Heritage site, recognised worldwide for its exceptional geological and geomorphological features. Mist from Mosi-oa-Tunya, the ‘smoke that thunders’, can be seen more than 20km away.
But the area works brilliantly for safari seekers too. Game wanders through riverside camps, and some of the best wildlife viewing in southern Africa happens within an hour's drive.
Where you stay makes a difference. Our Top 10 lodges and hotels span both sides of the border, from luxury safari camps to family-friendly options near town. All give you solid access to the Falls while connecting you to the wildlife and landscapes of this corner of Africa, with a mix of adventure and cultural activities to deepen the experience.
Victoria Falls
1. The Palm River Hotel
This contemporary and elegant five-star riverside hotel is set just 4km upstream from the Falls. It is one of the country’s newest, having opened its doors in 2021. Just two years later, it was awarded 5-star status by the Zimbabwean Tourism Association – a testament to the quality of its facilities and service.
The Palm River Hotel brings Queenslander-inspired elegance to the Zambezi’s wild banks, broad verandas, high ceilings and lawns that roll down to a private jetty. It is a refined, quiet base that lets you dip into Victoria Falls’ adventure when you wish, then retreat to river views, birdsong and a cool sundowner.
Key points
On the bank of the Zambezi, about an 8-minute drive from Victoria Falls, it offers easy access to town and the rainforest. Complimentary shuttle available.
There are 73 rooms and suites, plus a showpiece Presidential Suite and honeymoon suites with hanging daybeds and outdoor showers.
You can take a two-hour Ra-Ikane river cruise around the river islands that starts at the hotel’s private jetty. Choose from a breakfast, birding, lunch or sunset cruise.
Facilities include a riverside spa, gym and 32m infinity pool overlooking the water.
Don’t miss the High Tea experience or the African barbecue under the stars.
Family-friendly: interleading room options, babysitting on request, and the private villa sleeping up to six.
Rates start from $350 per person, per night (sharing).
Safari.com provided us with a personally curated, luxury tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe that totally exceeded our expectations. The 3-week tour included private transfers as well as private tours, safaris and excursions at each location. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND Mel at Safari.com for your trip of a lifetime!
– Scenic779344
The Palm River Hotel pool side
2. Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma Lodge
Situated on a quiet bend of the Zambezi, Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma is named in honour of David Livingstone’s loyal companions and fellow adventurers. This luxury lodge is inside Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, just 11km upstream from Victoria Falls – offering a peaceful, riverfront base with quick access to the Falls.
Expect gentle game viewing rather than big-cat drama – this small park is about waterways, birds and elephants – with specialist white-rhino tracking offered with rangers.
Key points
Twelve raised treehouses, built under ebony trees, have canopy-level decks and the main areas are river facing.
Animals to spot include impalas, zebras, giraffes, hippos, wildebeest, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo and rhinos
Guided walking safaris, game drives and sundowner cruises as well as seasonal catch-and-release fishing.
Community visits to the long-standing Nakatindi Village projects offer a thoughtful add-on.
Family-friendly from age six.
Rates from $810/$1,150 per person per night sharing
I worked with Jolene at Safari.com to book a short 5-day bucket list safari and visit to Victoria Falls. Planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip can be overwhelming but she made the entire planning process easy and stress-free with our preferences at the top of her list.
– Dave, from Texas, US
Sussi Chuma Lodge Lounge area
Canoeing at Sussi Chuma Lodge
3. The Wallow Lodge
Surrounded by 4,500 acres of wilderness, The Wallow Lodge combines the romance of a tented safari camp with the comfort of a boutique retreat. Set on the banks of the Masuwe River inside a private concession of Victoria Falls National Park, there are 16 raised canvas suites beneath riverine trees. Each has a private balcony that looks out over the water – and you can often spot wildlife right from your deck.
Key points
Just a 20-minute drive from the Falls, it offers easy access to many other activities, such as white-water rafting, a bicycle tour and zip lining.
Inclusive activities include a guided tour of the Falls, game drives and a tour of the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary.
Enjoy exclusive cocktails and canapés on the rim of the Batoka Gorge, with the Zambezi raging 120m below.
All-inclusive dining with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
The lodge is committed to sustainability, utilising solar power, environmentally friendly decking, and non-disposable products.
Rates are from $390/$410 per person, per night (sharing).
This was top of my bucket list and it did not disappoint. The tours booked via Safari.com – the sunset cruise on the Zambezi and the trip to Mosi Oa Tunya – felt so well organised and, as a solo female traveler, I felt safe and well looked after.
– Dominique N.
Elephants visiting the river bank
4. Lokuthula Lodges
Lokuthula Lodges, meaning ‘place of peace’ in isiNdebele, are 31 charming three-star lodges in lush gardens in Victoria Falls. Just 3km from the entrance to the falls, Lokuthula is perfect for families or groups seeking space, self-sufficiency, and a relaxed connection to nature. Wild warthogs, bushbuck, and birds frequent the gardens, while children have space to roam.
Key points
Charming two- and three-bedroom thatched lodges with kitchens, terraces and lounge areas.
Two outdoor pools (plus a children’s section), poolside bar, playground, trampoline, volleyball court.
Dining options include The Boma Café and access to the legendary Boma – Dinner & Drum Show next door.
Within easy reach of Victoria Falls and the Zambezi National Park, with shuttle or self-drive access.
Rates are from $160 per person, per night (sharing).
Our trip was wonderful. Lana set up an amazing set of lodgings and experiences for our trip and we felt like what we got for what we spent was very valuable. We couldn’t have done the trip without her. Highly recommended.
– Andrew S.
Lokuthula Pool Area
5. Victoria Falls River Lodge
Victoria Falls River Lodge is a pioneering retreat, established in 2012 as the first private game lodge within Zambezi National Park. On the banks of the Zambezi, the lodge strikes the perfect balance between indulgent retreat and riverside adventure, you can catch sight of the mist from the Falls in the distance.
Key points
A selection of ultra‑luxury accommodation types, ranging from luxury tented suites to treehouse suites and family-friendly private villas.
Each suite has a private plunge pool, indoor and outdoor showers, Wi-Fi as well as decks with river views.
The main lodge offers open‑flow lounges, bar and dining areas, an infinity pool, spa treatments, and a wood-fired pizza oven.
The elevated walkways at the Island Lodge allow guests to view elephants and hippos grazing below.
Safari tours and walking safaris led by knowledgeable guides.
Wildlife includes elephants, zebra, impala, baboon, monkeys, hippos and kudu.
Rates from $1,020 per person, per night (sharing).
My daughter and I had a wonderful few days at the Victoria Falls Lodge, a beautiful place, with stunning rooms and views, excellent food and attentive staff. The whole thing was arranged for us by Safari.com in Cape Town, and included a fun drum show dinner, a trip to the magnificent falls, and a wonderful sunset cruise.
– Carolyn, from the UK
Victoria Falls River Lodge Treehouse Suite
Walkway at Victoria Falss River Lodge
6. Batonka Guest Lodge
Batonka Guest Lodge is an intimate, garden-wrapped hideaway with a relaxed, colonial-modern aesthetic. Tucked away in a quiet Victoria Falls suburb, it is just a 10-minute walk from the town’s heart and the rainforest trails.
Key points
Each of the 27 rooms has an en‑suite bathroom and private patio or veranda, many overlooking the beautiful gardens.
Shared areas include indoor and outdoor dining, a lounge with fireplace, and a swimming pool in the gardens.
It’s family-friendly, with interleading rooms available.
The lodge strives to be eco-conscious, with solar water heaters and LED lighting.
There’s easy access to guided Falls tours, adventure excursions and scenic flights.
Complimentary shuttle service.
Rates are from $190 per person, per night (sharing).
My husband and I just finished the most amazing trip . We were having a very challenging time booking our trip to South Africa and Victoria Falls until we made contact with Dolan Sequera from Safari.com and then our amazing holiday was booked almost overnight!
– Sharon R.
Batonka Lodges pool view
7. The Victoria Falls Hotel
The Victoria Falls Hotel, the Grand Old Lady of the Falls, is one of the world’s classic five-star hotels, boasting a prime location. Its spectacular vista directly overlooking the Victoria Falls is a major highlight.
Built by the British in 1904, it was originally conceived as accommodation for workers on the Cape-to-Cairo railway. The Edwardian-style hotel was splendidly redecorated in 2013. A luxury icon in Africa for over 110 years, a stay here is a journey into colonial elegance: broad verandas, arched loggias and lily ponds create a tranquil yet stately retreat.
Key points
Rooms range from classic to luxurious suites with marble bathrooms and living areas – many offering direct river views.
Located 10 minutes from the rainforest trail of Victoria Falls.
Full spa, beauty salon, mini gym and pool. Wi‑Fi is available.
The relaxed Jungle Room buffet offers local dance performances.
Enjoy a classic High Tea on Stanley’s Terrace.
Rates from $330 per person, per night (sharing).
Highly recommend Sara from Safari.com! She will make all your dreams come true! We are a couple from Florida, US. I normally do all my own travel arrangements, but this trip was too much without the expertise of a native! I reached out to Sara and told her what I wanted to do; needless to say she planned it 100 times better than I ever could have!
The Victoria Falls Hotel lounge and pool area
The view of the Victoria Falls from the Hotel
8. The Royal Livingstone Hotel
Set within Zambia’s Mosi‑oa‑Tunya National Park, The Royal Livingstone is a gracious riverside retreat on the banks of the Zambezi. Broad verandas, lounges and guest rooms spill onto manicured lawns where zebras, giraffes and other wildlife graze freely.
What sets The Royal Livingstone Hotel apart is how it wraps immaculate service with the thrill of nature. Expect butler‑assisted stays in rooms and suites with river‑facing verandas, spa treatments beneath riverside trees, and sunset cruises along the Zambezi.
Key points
The hotel is just a five- to 10-minute walk from a private entrance, and guests enjoy unlimited free access to Victoria Falls.
Five-star, flexible accommodation across 173 rooms and suites, many with river views, verandas, and butler service.
Riverside spa treatments, hammock lounge, outdoor pool, and wellness programming in partnership with Technogym.
Don’t miss river safaris, aerial adventures, and the vintage Royal Livingstone Express train five-course dining above the Falls.
Rates from $300/$400 per person, per night (sharing).
Safari.com curated our trip to South Africa (Cape Town) and Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls). The set up was exceptional at both the places.
– Jatin K.
The Royal Livingstone aerial view
The Victoria Falls Devil's Pool
9. Royal Chundu Zambezi River Lodge
On its own stretch of the Zambezi River, about 30 km upstream from the Falls, Royal Chundu Zambezi River Lodge wears its luxury lightly, thatched timber suites, wide river vistas and warm, personalised hospitality in a setting that feels both intimate and grand.
The property includes two distinct lodges: the River Lodge with its 10 sundeck-equipped suites among trees, and the more private Island Lodge on Katombora Island, each surrounded by rapids and wild river landscapes.
The lodge’s community arm, the Royal Chundu Foundation, adds intention to indulgence, supporting local schools and empowerment initiatives.
Key points
Chundu is the first and only Relais & Châteaux property in Zambia, offering quiet sophistication and deep connection.
Meals, sundowner cruises, birding safaris, canoeing, fishing, cultural tours, and guided visits to Victoria Falls are included.
Facilities include a rim-flow pool, lounge, bar, library, wine cellar, spa treatments, and evening boma dinners.
Children are welcome at the Island Lodge.
Rates from $1,320/$990 per person, per night (sharing).
We could not have been more pleased with what Lindi, our consultant, pulled off! The locations are otherworldly, the people are some of the most pleasant you’ll ever meet, the meals & drink are of the highest quality and the opportunity to explore is unmatched!
– rjaneski2025
Royal Chundu Zambezi River View
Breakfast on the Royal Chundu Zambezi River Lodge deck
10. Matetsi Victoria Falls
Matetsi Victoria Falls is a contemporary safari hideaway set on a private 136,000-acre game reserve along the Zambezi River, a 45-minute drive from Victoria Falls. With just 18 suites, two family suites, and a four-bedroom villa, this family-run lodge marries modern design with local craft and breathtaking wilderness. Its setting, 17 miles of exclusive riverfront, ensures complete privacy, hippos bob in the current, and elephants often graze close by.
Key points
All suites have air conditioning, king-sized beds, indoor and outdoor showers, soaking tubs, private plunge pools and expansive decks overlooking the river.
Don’t miss the bespoke artworks and artisanal crafts by Zimbabwean artists.
Activities cover wildlife drives and walks in the private reserve, sunrise and sunset boat cruises, birdwatching, guided Falls visits, and activities for adrenaline junkies.
Located within the Matetsi Private Game Reserve, there is a vast array of wildlife – elephant, buffalo, lion, and elusive leopards. Guests should not miss the exceptional safari experiences provided by the expert guides.
Rates from $1,240/$1,730 per person, per night (sharing).
Safari.com provided an overall exceptional experience and we HIGHLY RECOMMEND Safari.com to anyone wanting a personally curated African trip of a lifetime!!
– Steve K.
The Matetsi Victoria Falls view of the river
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