Reviews of Ilala Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
259 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Ilala Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Jul-2019, 46 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Ilala Lodge.
Leopard
0% success
Elephant
54% success
Buffalo
18% success
Zebra
18% success
colndot
Hants
"Ilala Lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 4 Aug 2022
"A great location for the falls and for relaxing after a fantastic safari."
See all these reviews: 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Sightings Report
Mr & Mrs F
UK
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 26 Jul 2022
"Excellent location, good food and wonderful staff (one lady receptionist was especially helpful with our lost/delayed baggage) and large private grounds to explore/relax in.
One comment: our room on the lower floor was affected by noise from both neighbouring rooms and/or upstairs rooms and also the balcony/walkway outside serving the next level of rooms (it moves and makes a noise when walked on) but this was not severe" See all these reviews: 15n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
One comment: our room on the lower floor was affected by noise from both neighbouring rooms and/or upstairs rooms and also the balcony/walkway outside serving the next level of rooms (it moves and makes a noise when walked on) but this was not severe" See all these reviews: 15n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Mike&Helen
Scotland
"Ilala Lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 15 Jul 2022
"We really enjoyed our stay at Ilala Lodge.
All the staff were very helpful and welcoming, ensuring we had a lovely stay. The Lodge is very peaceful but ideally located to visit the falls.
We enjoyed watching the wildlife from our balcony.
Would particularly recommend the early morning boat trip on the Zambezi and dinner at the restaurant." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in South Africa; 3n in Zimbabwe
All the staff were very helpful and welcoming, ensuring we had a lovely stay. The Lodge is very peaceful but ideally located to visit the falls.
We enjoyed watching the wildlife from our balcony.
Would particularly recommend the early morning boat trip on the Zambezi and dinner at the restaurant." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in South Africa; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Mr & Mrs M
Vermont
"Ilala Lodge review"
4 nights Arrived 12 Jul 2022
"I can’t say enough about Ilala Lodge. Our room was spacious, the balcony overlooked the back lawn and woodlands, and we could both see the mist from the falls and hear them as well from there.
A hippo was a regular night time visitor below the balcony, and many birds were seen flitting around the trees before and above us. The staff was personable and professional. The woman who plans the trips was extraordinary, she goes the extra mile to be sure the trips are a good fit for the guests. We were a party of 6 and the meals were so good we had dinner every night at a table outside. Breakfasts were both buffet and by order, and these were well-prepared and offered many choices. My husband had a short gastrointestinal illness requiring an extra nights stay, and even though rooms were all booked for that night, Peter managed to find a way to allow us to stay in our room and not have an awkward move. Staff checked in with us to see how he was doing or whether we needed anything. We felt cared for and looked after in a way I didn’t expect. There was an easy walk to the Lookout Cafe with a good view into the gorge, and just beyond the entrance to the park. The hotel was adjacent to the market and Elephant Walk shopping area as well as to several restaurants and hotels. There were comfortable sitting areas on the terrace, near the outdoor bar, and inside as well. It was a bit cool to use the small pool, but it would be very inviting during the hot weather." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 4n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
A hippo was a regular night time visitor below the balcony, and many birds were seen flitting around the trees before and above us. The staff was personable and professional. The woman who plans the trips was extraordinary, she goes the extra mile to be sure the trips are a good fit for the guests. We were a party of 6 and the meals were so good we had dinner every night at a table outside. Breakfasts were both buffet and by order, and these were well-prepared and offered many choices. My husband had a short gastrointestinal illness requiring an extra nights stay, and even though rooms were all booked for that night, Peter managed to find a way to allow us to stay in our room and not have an awkward move. Staff checked in with us to see how he was doing or whether we needed anything. We felt cared for and looked after in a way I didn’t expect. There was an easy walk to the Lookout Cafe with a good view into the gorge, and just beyond the entrance to the park. The hotel was adjacent to the market and Elephant Walk shopping area as well as to several restaurants and hotels. There were comfortable sitting areas on the terrace, near the outdoor bar, and inside as well. It was a bit cool to use the small pool, but it would be very inviting during the hot weather." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 4n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Cristin
Oregon
"Ilala Lodge review"
4 nights Arrived 12 Jul 2022
"Lovely grounds within walking distance of Victoria Falls. Overall very comfortable. The staff told us there were no King size beds available in the lodge. My husband is 195 cm/ 6'4" and his feet hang off the end of Queen size beds. The lodge grounds were visited by hippos, warthogs, and a male water buck.
We took the morning River Cruise on the Zambezi organized by the lodge. It was a great experience and we saw lots of birds. Our boat guide was very knowledgeble. We did the Botswana day trip to the Chobe park. The facilities were lovely. Our guide on that trip was only mediochre in terms of friendliness and knowledge." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 4n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
We took the morning River Cruise on the Zambezi organized by the lodge. It was a great experience and we saw lots of birds. Our boat guide was very knowledgeble. We did the Botswana day trip to the Chobe park. The facilities were lovely. Our guide on that trip was only mediochre in terms of friendliness and knowledge." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 4n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Mr & Mrs P
Ayrshire
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 24 Jun 2022
"Excellent rooms,pleasant helpful staff,food good"
See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Stevens
Utah
"Ilala Lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 21 Jun 2022
"Lovely and very comfortable rooms. Very gracious staff.
Breakfast was wonderful. Dinner was less inspiring--not as much flavor.
Fabulous location with walking distance to the falls. We also had great concierge help and scheduled some fantastic tours." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Breakfast was wonderful. Dinner was less inspiring--not as much flavor.
Fabulous location with walking distance to the falls. We also had great concierge help and scheduled some fantastic tours." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Ms H.
The Netherlands
"Ilala Lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 18 Jun 2022
"Good colonial hotel near the Falls. Friendly service.
A pity we couldn't stay in our room a little longer than 11 o'clock as we were not picked up for the airport until 2.30 hours and there was no public place to shower and change before the long flight home." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 3n in Zimbabwe
A pity we couldn't stay in our room a little longer than 11 o'clock as we were not picked up for the airport until 2.30 hours and there was no public place to shower and change before the long flight home." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Average
Sightings Report
Mr B
London
"A 'roar-fully' good place to stay"
2 nights Arrived 11 Jun 2022
"The perfect choice for seeing Victoria Falls. Rooms were spacious and comfortable overlooking the grounds which were full of wildlife from elephants to baboons to deer to warthogs. Just a 5-10 minute walk to the Falls themselves the roar of the Falls is the dominant sound at the hotel, as you look at the huge cloud of water the Falls throw up. And yes, you will need a poncho as it is very wet indeed when at the Falls.
The staff were nice but service in the restaurant was a bit haphazard, a flurry of service; then absolutely nothing. Definitely needs more staff or more training or both. The food itself was very good, whether for dinner, breakfast or bar-food by the pool.
One down side for me was there didn't seem to be any room service (or at least there was no indication in my room) although the 'free' mini bar was very handy and a nice touch.
Overall it's a great choice to see the Falls and I would highly recommend it." See all these reviews: 4n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
The staff were nice but service in the restaurant was a bit haphazard, a flurry of service; then absolutely nothing. Definitely needs more staff or more training or both. The food itself was very good, whether for dinner, breakfast or bar-food by the pool.
One down side for me was there didn't seem to be any room service (or at least there was no indication in my room) although the 'free' mini bar was very handy and a nice touch.
Overall it's a great choice to see the Falls and I would highly recommend it." See all these reviews: 4n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report
LDB
Vancouver
"Ilala Lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 9 Jun 2022
"On arrival at Ilala Lodge, found that my assigned room on the ground floor necessitated negotiating numerous steep, and for my condition, dangerous stairs.
Immediately expressing my concerns to the Front Desk, the team graciously found another room on the first floor with easy access to the dining room and other facilities.
The Front Desk staff were also very helpful in arranging a private guide for my morning 3km guided tour of Victoria Falls, and assisting with arrangements at Livingstone Airport, Zambia.
My housekeeper, Patricia, was a gem." See all these reviews: 14n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Immediately expressing my concerns to the Front Desk, the team graciously found another room on the first floor with easy access to the dining room and other facilities.
The Front Desk staff were also very helpful in arranging a private guide for my morning 3km guided tour of Victoria Falls, and assisting with arrangements at Livingstone Airport, Zambia.
My housekeeper, Patricia, was a gem." See all these reviews: 14n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report
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