Reviews of Stanley Safari Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
21 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Stanley Safari Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Mr & Mrs C
Cornwall
"Returning after 15 years to Stanleys"
3 nights Arrived 15 May 2019
"Very comfortable lodge in a quiet location. The closed chalet was a real treat.
Food and service very good, and the arrangements for the activities went very smoothly." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
Food and service very good, and the arrangements for the activities went very smoothly." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs L
Surrey
"Our final stop at Victoria Falls"
3 nights Arrived 17 Sep 2017
"Stanley runs more as a hotel than the other RPS lodges and does not have such a great location. Nevertheless we were well looked after and our driver Babylone was most helpful. We enjoyed our walks at Vic Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe sides) and our sun-downer at the Royal Livingstone Hotel.
Unfortunately, due to poor communication about the options for our Zimbabwe excursion and the guide being booked for only 2 hours, we didn't get to have morning coffee at the Victoria Fall Hotel as expected and our visit seemed so hurried for the costs involved in going to Zimbabwe for such a short time.. A contact card with a number for our driver or the lodge would have been useful to resolve this whilst we were in Zimbabwe. We would have been happy to have self-guided if we had been properly briefed.
The open cottage was not like Nsefu or Nkwali and the insects were very active. We were moved at their suggestion to a closed cottage which helped, although the effect of the smoke from the many mosquito coils lit for us at night is still trapped on our non-washable belongings nearly a week later!" See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia
Unfortunately, due to poor communication about the options for our Zimbabwe excursion and the guide being booked for only 2 hours, we didn't get to have morning coffee at the Victoria Fall Hotel as expected and our visit seemed so hurried for the costs involved in going to Zimbabwe for such a short time.. A contact card with a number for our driver or the lodge would have been useful to resolve this whilst we were in Zimbabwe. We would have been happy to have self-guided if we had been properly briefed.
The open cottage was not like Nsefu or Nkwali and the insects were very active. We were moved at their suggestion to a closed cottage which helped, although the effect of the smoke from the many mosquito coils lit for us at night is still trapped on our non-washable belongings nearly a week later!" See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Average
Mrs N
Chicago
"Stanley Safari Lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 14 Aug 2017
"This was our first time in Africa and this lodge was the perfect place to start our journey. We stayed in the Victoria and Mukuni open cottages. We loved everything about it and we will definitely stay there again. Here is why:
The room: wonderful, private with a beautiful view. It was nice to have a mini fridge to have a beer or a glass of wine while we unwind-ed after an excursion at the end of the day. Of course we could also had a drink at the main lodge but it was nice to have the option while we relaxed and showered (plenty of hot water by the way!). The heating blanket in the bed at night was a really nice touch.
Diner and lunch: We really liked the privacy as every group ate separately. Although, it would have been nice to have a late afternoon tea with everyone to share experiences. We managed to discuss with the others guests anyway but it took a conscious effort to do so. We changed table within the lodge for diner which was nice, my favorite was when our table was set by the pool. The food WAS EXCELLENT. Great service too.
Location: perfect. Very close to every activities. Beautiful view. Wonderful serenade by the lions in the mornings and evenings.
Host: Estelle (?) and husband Jon - not sure of the spellings - They made us feel at home. very personable. They also gave us some great advice for the activities and else." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
The room: wonderful, private with a beautiful view. It was nice to have a mini fridge to have a beer or a glass of wine while we unwind-ed after an excursion at the end of the day. Of course we could also had a drink at the main lodge but it was nice to have the option while we relaxed and showered (plenty of hot water by the way!). The heating blanket in the bed at night was a really nice touch.
Diner and lunch: We really liked the privacy as every group ate separately. Although, it would have been nice to have a late afternoon tea with everyone to share experiences. We managed to discuss with the others guests anyway but it took a conscious effort to do so. We changed table within the lodge for diner which was nice, my favorite was when our table was set by the pool. The food WAS EXCELLENT. Great service too.
Location: perfect. Very close to every activities. Beautiful view. Wonderful serenade by the lions in the mornings and evenings.
Host: Estelle (?) and husband Jon - not sure of the spellings - They made us feel at home. very personable. They also gave us some great advice for the activities and else." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Dr E
Pennsylvania
"Stanley Safari Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 12 Sep 2016
"Wonderful Staff. Extremely accommodating and friendly. Very nice facility but not as luxurious as others on the trip. About 1/2 hr from the airport. The grounds were quite nice, but we did not use the trails or other parts of the camp other than the living areas.
Not all tours included in price.
Suggest visiting the Zambia and Zimbabwe sides of Victoria Falls at the same trip instead of separately Ideally, this would be one of the included tours. Had to pay a second park entry fee to the Zambia side when returned to visit the Zimbabwe side the next day.
Trip to " authentic village" was very cursory appeared to be a means to get you to visit the market there, which did have some good items. However, a couple who visited the village the previous day reported a very different and worthwhile experience." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
Not all tours included in price.
Suggest visiting the Zambia and Zimbabwe sides of Victoria Falls at the same trip instead of separately Ideally, this would be one of the included tours. Had to pay a second park entry fee to the Zambia side when returned to visit the Zimbabwe side the next day.
Trip to " authentic village" was very cursory appeared to be a means to get you to visit the market there, which did have some good items. However, a couple who visited the village the previous day reported a very different and worthwhile experience." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs Y
PA
"Very pleaseant and helpful staff."
2 nights Arrived 12 Sep 2016
"Would recommend standardization of village tour as experiences there varied significantly based on the person doing the tour.
Village market at the end is like being unleashed to the wolves." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
Village market at the end is like being unleashed to the wolves." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Dr C
Chicago
"Elegant and refined."
2 nights Arrived 25 Aug 2016
"We very much enjoyed our stay at Stanley Safari Lodge.
The main building and the grounds are very elegant, superbly manicured and well laid out. Each room is very private. Our room was cute, with a stunning view, although the lodge might update some of the accessories and details given the price point. The staff and management could not have been more welcoming, friendly and helpful, and catered to us at every step.
The only real issue we experienced, which is why we did not give this property 5 stars, was a mosquito infestation that was highly distracting and annoying. Apparently there is a water treatment facilities a few kilometers away that has become a breeding ground for mosquitos – and there were truly extraordinary numbers of them in our room and throughout the property. The staff did the best they could with insect spray, mosquito coils and mosquito netting, but it was a hopeless battle. As we were leaving they had brought in an exterminator to work on it, and hopefully they'll be successful. It's a beautiful place with a great team. It would be very peaceful and relaxing without the mosquito swarms – and we would have happily given it 5 stars but for the mosquitos." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 6n in Rwanda
The main building and the grounds are very elegant, superbly manicured and well laid out. Each room is very private. Our room was cute, with a stunning view, although the lodge might update some of the accessories and details given the price point. The staff and management could not have been more welcoming, friendly and helpful, and catered to us at every step.
The only real issue we experienced, which is why we did not give this property 5 stars, was a mosquito infestation that was highly distracting and annoying. Apparently there is a water treatment facilities a few kilometers away that has become a breeding ground for mosquitos – and there were truly extraordinary numbers of them in our room and throughout the property. The staff did the best they could with insect spray, mosquito coils and mosquito netting, but it was a hopeless battle. As we were leaving they had brought in an exterminator to work on it, and hopefully they'll be successful. It's a beautiful place with a great team. It would be very peaceful and relaxing without the mosquito swarms – and we would have happily given it 5 stars but for the mosquitos." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 6n in Rwanda
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr I
London
"Fabulous secluded Lodge"
4 nights Arrived 17 Aug 2016
"This is a quality lodge run expertly by the management.
We had our own personal "butler" called Peter who was one of the nicest, most friendly and helpful people we have ever come across. If you are planning to go to Stanley, you MUST ask for Peter and tell him that the Shiner recommended him.
Each individual "hut" was self-contained, large, well furnished, comfortable and blended with the environment. The units we stayed in were open to the elements (although the Lodge has a fence to prevent wild animals coming into the camp), and this was a great appeal.
Food was exceptional too and our dietary requirements were accommodated.
We were delighted to have chosen this Lodge and would recommend it most highly." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
We had our own personal "butler" called Peter who was one of the nicest, most friendly and helpful people we have ever come across. If you are planning to go to Stanley, you MUST ask for Peter and tell him that the Shiner recommended him.
Each individual "hut" was self-contained, large, well furnished, comfortable and blended with the environment. The units we stayed in were open to the elements (although the Lodge has a fence to prevent wild animals coming into the camp), and this was a great appeal.
Food was exceptional too and our dietary requirements were accommodated.
We were delighted to have chosen this Lodge and would recommend it most highly." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
NYC mom
USA
"relaxing stay at stanley..."
3 nights Arrived 23 Jul 2016
"Beautiful room, terrific view, accommodating hosts.
We used it as a place to relax, not to do many activities. I'd skip the river safari (pretty but not a "safari").
Wonderful staff." See all these reviews: 3n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia
We used it as a place to relax, not to do many activities. I'd skip the river safari (pretty but not a "safari").
Wonderful staff." See all these reviews: 3n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
SoCal Girl
USA
"Stanley Lodge Review"
2 nights Arrived 14 May 2016
"Amazing experience. Incredible attention to detail and customer happiness. Food was amazing."
See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr&MrsJ
Rugby
"Unforgetable at Stanley Lodge"
2 nights Arrived 5 May 2016
"We thought it could not get better after a wonderful safari but to see the rhinos and calfs plus a sable antelope superb
We then went to the Victoria Falls photagraphs,videos cannot describe the exhilaration of standing there with roar of the falls and spray coming down like a tropical storm it was the perfect end to our holiday" See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
We then went to the Victoria Falls photagraphs,videos cannot describe the exhilaration of standing there with roar of the falls and spray coming down like a tropical storm it was the perfect end to our holiday" See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Holiday styles & special interests in Zambia
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Zambia.
Other lodges in Livingstone & Victoria Falls
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Avani Victoria Falls
Just a few minutes' walk from the Victoria Falls, with access for guests included, the Avani features good facilities in peaceful grounds at a modest price.
Royal Livingstone Hotel
Conveniently located just a short walk from the Zambia. side of the Victoria Falls, the colonial-style Royal Livingstone has beautiful grounds and small but quite luxurious rooms.
Tongabezi
Secluded on the banks of the Zambezi, less than 20km from the Victoria Falls, Tongabezi is one of the most exclusive lodges in Zambia.
Waterberry Lodge
Offering great value for money and within easy reach of the Victoria Falls, Waterberry is a small, family-friendly lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River.
Islands of Siankaba
In a lovely location on the Zambezi upriver of the Victoria Falls, Islands of Siankaba provides a tranquil setting to relax at the start or end of a safari to Botswana or Zambia.
Toka Leya Camp
The new Toka Leya Camp stands beside the Zambezi inside Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park – so wildlife often passes through. It's a comfortable tented camp which has great service and includes a range of activities.
The River Club
The River Club, near Zambia's town of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, overlooks the Zambezi River.
Sindabezi
Sindabezi, near Zambia's town of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, is an island in the middle of the Zambezi River
David Livingstone Lodge
The four-star David Livingstone Safari Lodge is in a lovely spot on the edge of the Zambezi River in Zambia, close to the Victoria Falls.
Thorntree River Lodge
Rebuilt in 2017, Thorntree River Lodge is one of the best riverside lodges in Livingstone, with a strong sense of the environment and straightforward access to the Falls.
Tangala House
Tangala House, the family home near Zambia's town of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls
Sussi & Chuma
Sussi & Chuma combines a luxurious, laid-back camp with a good location on the Zambezi River, with quick access to the Victoria Falls.
