Reviews of Royal Livingstone Hotel
Wildlife sightings and reviews
86 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Royal Livingstone Hotel and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Jun-2018, 7 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Royal Livingstone Hotel.
Zebra
100% success
Hippo
67% success
Elephant
50% success
White Rhino
17% success
Mrs & Mr Y
Paris
"Great location and beautiful hotel "
1 night Arrived 5 Aug 2017
"Great location so close to Vic Falls and very nice atmosphere in the hotel. It is amazing to see zebras and giraffes so close to you while you are resting or walking in its gardens."
See all these reviews: 4n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
A, T & H
London
"Royal Livingstone Hotel review"
2 nights Arrived 25 Jul 2017
"The hotel is excellent. It is worth noting, however, that mosquitos are a problem in the area."
See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs P
Waterloovi
"Royal Livingstone Hotel review"
2 nights Arrived 26 Oct 2016
"a real indulgence which ticks all the boxes location & service world class
even the food was value for money although drinks can be pricey
only thing to be aware of is that they want you to vacate your room by 10.30 & this can be awkward with a later afternoon flight although after speaking to manager i was able to secure room to 1pm" See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
even the food was value for money although drinks can be pricey
only thing to be aware of is that they want you to vacate your room by 10.30 & this can be awkward with a later afternoon flight although after speaking to manager i was able to secure room to 1pm" See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr B
Reading
"Luxury close to the awe inspiring"
2 nights Arrived 15 Oct 2016
"At first the hotel with its personal butler service and hand massage on arrival seemed a bit over the top but the warm charm of our butler, Nefunta and the rest of the staff soon won us over. There was also a notice about the electricity generator and we were told that the rooms close to the generator were being left empty.
We especially enjoyed the dinner menu which had a small, changing selection of carefully thought out and prepared dishes and the chef each evening spent time with us to discuss the food, which we appreciated.
The park in which the hotel was set is beautifuly kept, a green oasis in a parched Zambia awaiting the rains, with easy access to the Falls. Seeing the Falls at this time of the year was really interesting as we could study its geological structure; luckily we have seen it in the past in full spate.
The swimming pool was lovely to look at but not as secluded as the one at the Taj Pamodzi which we preferred using." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia
We especially enjoyed the dinner menu which had a small, changing selection of carefully thought out and prepared dishes and the chef each evening spent time with us to discuss the food, which we appreciated.
The park in which the hotel was set is beautifuly kept, a green oasis in a parched Zambia awaiting the rains, with easy access to the Falls. Seeing the Falls at this time of the year was really interesting as we could study its geological structure; luckily we have seen it in the past in full spate.
The swimming pool was lovely to look at but not as secluded as the one at the Taj Pamodzi which we preferred using." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Mr B
California
"Should have stayed longer"
2 nights Arrived 8 Sep 2016
"The Royal Livingston is inviting. Service exceptional.
Beautiful setting for swimming pool and would spend a third day there just to enjoy the grounds of the Hotel." See all these reviews: 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Beautiful setting for swimming pool and would spend a third day there just to enjoy the grounds of the Hotel." See all these reviews: 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Ms SF & Mr JMW
London
"Giraffes to welcome us & zebras on the lawn"
4 nights Arrived 31 Jul 2016
"John particularly liked the ceiling fans, which were a feature of life in Northern Rhodesia, as Zambia was known in his previous time there. The hotel evokes that earlier age, despite being only about 15 years old. It is rather a marvellous place to stay and in a wonderful location.
We went on the train, which was splendid, and on the river safari, which was very good indeed, and also on the tour of Historic Livingstone, which was very interesting, taking us to places about which we would otherwise have known nothing at all. As mentioned, there was some difficulty about wheat- and dairy-free food, but eventually we found our way around the system.
We spent two days in the area just outside the hotel grounds in the vicinity of the Victoria Falls. It was very good to have free access to this park included in our hotel residency. Our "Butlers" were all very good, in particular Luke, who seemed to appreciate a little repair I had done to make the cupboard light work properly!" See all these reviews: 21n in Zambia
We went on the train, which was splendid, and on the river safari, which was very good indeed, and also on the tour of Historic Livingstone, which was very interesting, taking us to places about which we would otherwise have known nothing at all. As mentioned, there was some difficulty about wheat- and dairy-free food, but eventually we found our way around the system.
We spent two days in the area just outside the hotel grounds in the vicinity of the Victoria Falls. It was very good to have free access to this park included in our hotel residency. Our "Butlers" were all very good, in particular Luke, who seemed to appreciate a little repair I had done to make the cupboard light work properly!" See all these reviews: 21n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Bridget
UK
"royal livingstone"
3 nights Arrived 9 May 2016
"I had a really terrific food poisoning, probably attributed to a prawn ciabbata sandwich eaten on the first day. God bless imodium, ciprofloxacillin and dioralyte! Someone in the kitchen isn't washing their hands, my husband was ok but at one point I was concerned about how to get to the flights!
Food is not as good as it used to be last time we were there. The suite was brilliant, we were so grateful for it especially when I was ill." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia
Food is not as good as it used to be last time we were there. The suite was brilliant, we were so grateful for it especially when I was ill." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Feedback Response
We are sorry that these travellers became ill during their stay at the Royal Livingstone. We will look into the matter with the hotel and reiterate to them that food hygiene is of the utmost importance.
Jane
Colne
"Vic falls option"
2 nights Arrived 9 Apr 2016
"Lovely Sun Int hotel with indoor bathrooms but it was all fur coat and no knickers. whilst the staff were lovely they lacked service skills and need more training in many cases. The food was the worst we had all week.
Fab rooms in a great setting but you are plagued by heli and micro lite noise all day if sat on the deck or round the pool" See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia
Fab rooms in a great setting but you are plagued by heli and micro lite noise all day if sat on the deck or round the pool" See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr E
Guildford
"Royal Livingstone Hotel review"
4 nights Arrived 28 Mar 2016
"Falls short of what expected in a 5 star hotel. For example, no info. in room on what is available, on opening times, no site map etc. No list of phone numbers, nor any attempt to collect guest feedback.
Staff provided info when asked on specific points, but erratically - eg., that pool available from 7am, arrived at 7-30 to be told opens at 8am. Requested a drink and a snack at 9-10 pm to be refused because they ceased snacks at 9pm - no way of knowing this in advance. When we arrived were asked to wait while receptionist checked our room ready. 40 minutes later, gave-up and went for lunch. Bottled water from previous day is removed from room after breakfast but, oddly, not replaced until early evening.
Staff cheerful and aimed to help, but obvious shortcomings in training. Management might learn a great deal from a short visit to the Victoria Falls Hotel.
Rooms were perfectly large enough, despite many negative comments on Tripadvisor. and elsewhere regarding their size." See all these reviews: 4n in Zambia; 3n in Zimbabwe; 3n in Namibia
Staff provided info when asked on specific points, but erratically - eg., that pool available from 7am, arrived at 7-30 to be told opens at 8am. Requested a drink and a snack at 9-10 pm to be refused because they ceased snacks at 9pm - no way of knowing this in advance. When we arrived were asked to wait while receptionist checked our room ready. 40 minutes later, gave-up and went for lunch. Bottled water from previous day is removed from room after breakfast but, oddly, not replaced until early evening.
Staff cheerful and aimed to help, but obvious shortcomings in training. Management might learn a great deal from a short visit to the Victoria Falls Hotel.
Rooms were perfectly large enough, despite many negative comments on Tripadvisor. and elsewhere regarding their size." See all these reviews: 4n in Zambia; 3n in Zimbabwe; 3n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Mr Nelson
Baar
"Great place, wonderful location"
3 nights Arrived 11 Feb 2016
"This is a magnificient place in a great location.
Very frinedly staff. You could not get a better place, - when at the pool you see the mist from the Victoria falls." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 3n in Zambia
Very frinedly staff. You could not get a better place, - when at the pool you see the mist from the Victoria falls." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 3n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
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