Background
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is owned, managed and marketed by Africa Albida Tourism. The lodge is the group’s flagship property, has retained the title of ‘Zimbabwe’s Best Safari Lodge’ for 15 consecutive years, and is also marketed by the Three Cities Group.
Where is it?
The lodge is set high on a natural plateau bordering the Zambezi National Park, just four kilometres from the thundering Victoria Falls. It is in close proximity to Victoria Falls town centre and the Zambian border (Livingstone), and is 24 kilometres from Victoria Falls Airport.
What’s it Like?
The lodge is warm and inviting and has been designed around large indigenous trees – making for an almost open-plan tree-house feel. The decor is distinctly African, but is more homely and rustic, rather than sophisticated. The service is good, but it’s the location and views that will take your breath away.
Room Facilities
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge has 72 rooms and suites, each decorated in brightly-coloured African fabrics and fittings, and enjoying stunning views of the Zambezi National Park. All rooms have digital safes, International Direct Dial (IDD) phones, air-conditioning, hairdryers, fans, mosquito nets, a range of toiletries, tea and coffee-making facilities, and extra-length beds. Standard rooms each have a balcony with a view of the park. Deluxe rooms have a mini-bar and private balcony with views of the water hole. Suites are duplex units with a sunken lounge leading onto a private balcony, guest toilet, mini-bar, raised bathroom with a luxury bath and separate shower. Deluxe suites offer all the facilities of a suite, as well as a jacuzzi. There are no televisions in any of the rooms. Limited room service is available.
Other Facilities
There’s a spa on the property, as well as an Internet café, to go with the wireless Internet access in all rooms and public areas, which is available at a fee of US$5/80MB. Added to that, there’s a TV lounge, private shower facilities for early arrival and late check-out, a babysitting service, curio shop, 24-hour security, telescope viewing facilities over the waterhole, and complimentary shuttle service to nearby attractions.
Business & Conference Facilities
These facilities include two conference rooms, two breakaway rooms and an open-air amphitheatre. The main boardroom is situated in the hotel complex overlooking the waterhole, and can seat up to 20 delegates. A few metres from the main hotel complex is the Indaba Conference Room. This thatched A-frame, with its own service kitchen/bar and private cloakrooms, is the largest of the indoor facilities and can accommodate up to 100 delegates, cinema-style. Both conference rooms are furnished with air-conditioning, Wi-Fi Internet and standard audiovisual equipment. For outdoor functions, the Amphitheatre – an open-air auditorium – can seat up to 200 people. The two open-plan breakaway rooms are situated within the hotel and can accommodate up to 15 delegates.
Restaurants & Bars
The MwaKuwa-Kuwa is an award-winning à la carte restaurant located in the hotel and is open from 07h00 to 22h00. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers spectacular views and a range of gourmet dishes. The open-plan Buffalo Bar is a great venue for all-day refreshments, sundowners, and pre and post-dinner drinks. It also has its own game-viewing platform overlooking the waterhole. The Boma – ‘Place of Eating’ – located within the lodge complex, offers a unique cultural experience that combines food, music and atmosphere. It specialises in a wide selection of traditional Zimbabwean dishes, including adventurous local delicacies, such as mopane worms, game stews and warthog fillet.
Verdict
From a leisure destination point of view, the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is a beautiful setting in which to relax and enjoy the local sights and sounds. The service is excellent and the African-style accommodation, first rate. From a business traveller perspective, there are conferencing options and the venue does present a real ‘getaway’ option , for those corporates looking for an alternate destination, or for the business traveller who finds him or herself on a work trip in the area.
Contact
Address: Squire Cummings Rd, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, +263 13 432 1120, victoria-falls-safari-lodge.com
Debbie Fairweather