Reviews of Avani Victoria Falls
(85%) From 220 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
| 
Zambezi Sun review
Our stay at Zambezi Sun was quite a change of pace from our visit with our daughter near Serenje and our safari experience. I must admit I wasn't quite expecting such a Westernized experience (aside, of course, from the baboon that smashed one of the sliding glass doors of a guestroom near us and the zebras that strolled around the grounds).
Initially we were assigned a non-smoking room that had been occupied by a smoker. One of the desk staff was exceedingly helpful, immediately reassigning us to another room and then returning with us to help remove our luggage from the old room and ensuring that our new accommodations were acceptable.
The food was delicious and plentiful, the wait staff was very helpful, and our white water rafting adventure was exhilarating.
Service in the Sun
Fabulous service. We felt that we were treated as individuals, despite the size of the place. MASSIVE buffet breakfasts and dinners maintained good quality. We ate at the Royal Livingstone one night and wished we had stayed at home!
They seemed a little secretive about the shops on site and when we found Squires restaurant we ate there. Food not so good, but great atmosphere and portions manageable! And, of course, we could walk to the falls any time we wanted. Waiters and barstaff particularly charming.
Elephant safari and day canoeing recommended, but be careful if you take a sunset cruise - some are loud drunken revels!
Zambezi Sun review
Hotel fine, felt like a partial step back into the real worls after the camps. Whilst set in the National Park it didn't come close to anything we had seen in Botswana and was a sanitized version of the "real thing". That's not a criticism as they were very different experiences but an observation of how different they were.
No anti mosquito repellent in the rooms
Buffet dinner was expensive. Service at breakfast was below par.
Zambezi sun unbeatable location
Chris & Lisa's comments -
We have stayed here before & chose to return to this hotel due to its superb location. The falls are only a few minutes walk from the hotel grounds making it so easy to view them at different times of day & in changing lighting conditions.
There was a problem with our booking on arrival but the hotel staff were very helpful and quickly sorted everything out with little fuss. We requested rooms facing away from the main pool area as last time we were here we found the evening entertainment a little noisy. These rooms on the other side on the building were much better for us - there was no noise from the pool area at all. The only sound was the roar of the falls themselves which would have been heard from anywhere within a couple of miles!
The choice of food here is vast, the hotel itself has a huge buffet in the evening. Lots of choice but quite pricey at $38 per person. We also ate at Squires next door and had an enormous meal which was much better value. On our last evening we went to the Royal Livingstone hotel for an evening meal, we were thoroughly spoiled & had a lovely meal which considering the setting & the service was again good value.
There is now an activities desk at reception as well as the main activities centre in the next door complex. We were easily able to organize all our activities at this desk & the staff were always friendly and helpful. We went on a tour to the Livingstone museum and the Mukuni village, both really worth a visit. We also went on a helicopter flight over the falls at sunset - amazing! On our last morning we went on an elephant ride - a lovely way to spend our last morning in Zambia.
John & Uschi's comments -
We agree totally. What an experience to walk 5 minutes and be at the falls! This hotel is just the right place if you want to be close to these impressive falls. We absolutely loved the helicopter flight. Everybody should do it to really appreciate the falls. Also the elephant ride - that was so wonderful!
I also loved the visit to Mukuni village. It gave us a little insight into the hard life of the locals. Of course, John's mother being a Livingstone, we had to go to the museum - and found it very interesting. John, especially, enjoyed the extra treat to see (and climb aboard) the Royal Livingstone Express.
Zambezi Sun review
Excellent location. Somewhat cheezy but since we could use the facilities of the Royal Livingston, it was totally acceptable.
The breakfast was extensive and included in the price but lunch and dinner were on our own and unless we took a $10 taxi into town, VERY limited.
Below average family hotel
For the most part this hotel/resort is your standard 3 star resort you would find in Mexico or Spain. It was well situated on the Zambia side of the falls but recommend going over to Zimbabwe for the real view of the falls.
The biggest issue was the room was infested with cockroaches... not pleasent experience.
The rest was average.
Zambezi Sun - Not bad
Room and view good but there was not much atmosphere about the place. Perhaps due to the quiet time of year. Small niggles: a light wasn`t working in the room and we twice had to request our complimentary tea / coffee /milk.
Location ideal for the Falls but needed a taxi to go into Livingstone. We felt the buffet dinner was expensive, only alternative was nearby Squires restaurant or the even more costly Royal Livingstone Hotel. Reception staff not overly welcoming but other staff friendly and helpful.
Beware of self appointed " guides" near the Falls. Helicopter ride over Falls was an expensive but great 15 minutes.
Prices for meals and activities had risen considerably from those estimated at the time of booking.
Expert Africa comments
The Zambezi Sun appreciates the valuable feedback from these travellers. Some time will be spent with the reception staff to ensure a good service for all future visitors. The hotel informs us that their prices have not risen since October 2008 although there is a government enforced 10% service fee on all menus.
Zambezi Sun review
generally not enough information about trips and other arrangements eg nothing in the room re prices at the restaurant, pool towel availability and yellow waterproofs for use by the falls. The activity centre was not very useful.
Food good and rooms very nice.
River trip rather expensive for what it offered - just a gentle cruise up river to watch the sunset for $60 pp
Zambezi Sun review
The zambezi Sun is in an amazing location right next to Victoria falls. The complex itself is more of a "theme park". That said it is perfectly fine as a place to stay so conveniently close to the falls to which you have unlimited access. To actually see very much of the falls ( particularly when the river is high ( at record level when i was there ) you need to get into the air. I took the extended 30 min. helicopter ride which gave great views , but even the extended flight doesnt actually give you much time over the falls themselves so if you are a photographer you need to be quick on the shutter!
The nearby croc farm is not for everyone but i found it fascinating, particularly when a big male flashed its dental work when it lunged for a branch that the guide waved near it! The river Safari was also good fun just before sunset, when we saw more crocs , got very close to hippos ,who yawned obligingly! and many nesting waterbirds in the small Zambezi islands.
All these activities can be booked at the hotel activity centre, from where you are picked up,but I booked mine through the Wilderness Safaris ( Zambia ) representative as he drove me from Botswana to the hotel, which was a very convenient service ( full marks to wilderness ! )
I didnt really have time to try the very inviting and large pool, and am surprised that so few guests were using it. The hotel was only half full so I had no delays in checking in or out or using any of the facilities. I found all the staff helpful and charming. The rooms are more than adequate and efficiently air conditioned and comfortable with very nice bathrooms.
The food at the hotel is very good and plentiful but I do agree that the price of dinner is rather extortionate. ( all prices are high here ) I tried to go to Squires restaurant as others have recommended, but as it is not actually on the site but outside the hotel wall I couldnt get to it easily at night as the gate through from the Zambezi Sun is locked and not manned.
Mnay comments have been made about the monkeys being a nuisance, and whille I did see one lady lose part of her breakfast while she was distracted, they are not really a problem, especially if as i did you have already encountered them and baboons on Safari. all in all I felt that it was a good place to finish my first adventure holiday in Africa, and I would go back.
