Reviews of Avani Victoria Falls
Wildlife sightings and reviews
233 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Avani Victoria Falls and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in May-2018, 36 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Avani Victoria Falls.
Zebra
92% success
Elephant
45% success
Hippo
42% success
White Rhino
21% success
Ms S.
Missouri
"Avani Victoria Falls review"
3 nights Arrived 21 May 2022
"Great place to stay when visiting Victoria Falls. There is access on hotel property to viewing area to see the Falls without having to pay extra national park fee. But the nicest advantage to staying here is your access to the Royal Livingstone Hotel just a short golf cart ride away. The Royal Livingstone offers a big upgrade on the meals and grounds.
So save yourself some cash and stay at the Avani to sleep, which is very comfortable. Take your meals at the Royal Livingstone. Free transport offered back and forth to the Avani guests. It’s also really fun to see the zebras and giraffes wandering the hotel grounds freely. Definitely makes you smile.
Also want to give a big thank you to Tom, the Concierge when I was there. Helped me organize a day trip to Hwange National Park across the border in Zimbabwe, even though it was not one of their “sanctioned” activities. I asked if it was possible any other way and he reached out to another contact and made it happen. Very thankful to get the help to make that happen.
It was an extremely long day and a lot of time traveling to and from, but worth the time and effort. Saw a huge pride of lions that I did not get to experience anywhere else on the trip." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 5n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
So save yourself some cash and stay at the Avani to sleep, which is very comfortable. Take your meals at the Royal Livingstone. Free transport offered back and forth to the Avani guests. It’s also really fun to see the zebras and giraffes wandering the hotel grounds freely. Definitely makes you smile.
Also want to give a big thank you to Tom, the Concierge when I was there. Helped me organize a day trip to Hwange National Park across the border in Zimbabwe, even though it was not one of their “sanctioned” activities. I asked if it was possible any other way and he reached out to another contact and made it happen. Very thankful to get the help to make that happen.
It was an extremely long day and a lot of time traveling to and from, but worth the time and effort. Saw a huge pride of lions that I did not get to experience anywhere else on the trip." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 5n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Caterham
"Avani Victoria Falls review"
1 night Arrived 3 May 2022
"This was our 6th visit and we had a room at back near the pond as we have had several times before.
Although there is no view you get the best sound of the Falls from these rooms.
Service bit slow, breakfast had a good selection." See all these reviews: 7n in Malawi; 4n in Zambia
Although there is no view you get the best sound of the Falls from these rooms.
Service bit slow, breakfast had a good selection." See all these reviews: 7n in Malawi; 4n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Mr N.
Milan
"Gorgeous falls, nice hotel"
1 night Arrived 15 Jul 2021
"The hotel was nice and I have no complaint about it, but I much preferred my safari bungalows. It felt a bit too "civilised". The visit to the falls was beautiful, especially as I went there at the opening in the morning and had the whole area to myself for about one hour.
Only downside : the entrance fee to the falls was included with my hotel booking, I understand, but the hotel did not give it to me and I had to pay 20 USD to access the falls." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
Only downside : the entrance fee to the falls was included with my hotel booking, I understand, but the hotel did not give it to me and I had to pay 20 USD to access the falls." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Mr J
Coventry
"Perfect location for Victoria Falls"
2 nights Arrived 23 Oct 2020
"Enjoyable two nights stay which was enough to spend time at the falls and also go on a game drive one morning and a boat trip in the evening watching elephants playing in the water.
Rooms were comfortable and food ok although the beef was more like buffalo it was so tough, they even brought me another knife so that I could try to hack my way through it which was a shame because everything else was fine." See all these reviews: 20n in Zambia
Rooms were comfortable and food ok although the beef was more like buffalo it was so tough, they even brought me another knife so that I could try to hack my way through it which was a shame because everything else was fine." See all these reviews: 20n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Dr S.
Melvin Village
"Surreal experience at Avani Victoria Falls"
2 nights Arrived 27 Sep 2019
"Sept 27+28: Lovely resort within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Wildlife Park. Surreal to see impalas and monkeys all over the lawns and zebras drinking at the pool! Grounds are beautiful - there is a little nature trail with hide to watch birds in a small lagoon. Easy walk to the Zamibian side of Victoria Falls with free access to the park. Falls were completely dry but still interesting. Baboons grooming and walking right by you on the walkways.
Lots of security and staff who would walk with you or drive you in a golf cart to the gate entrance to the park or to the sister resort Royal Livingstone. Easy walk to the Royal Livingstone, except for having to share the sidewalk with giraffes! Beautiful sunsets over the Zambezi from the Royal Livingstone.
Breakfast buffet was plentiful and delicious - staff were very friendly. I did walk over the bridge to the Zimbabwe side of the Falls. Park entrance was $30USD. More people trying to sell you things on the walk over, which was a bit farther than I thought, but completely doable. The Falls were spectacular though and worth the hike!
I also walked into Victoria Falls, which has a lot of shops and restaurants whereas the Avani and Royal Livingstone are not near the commercial center of Livingstone. I would definitely recommend staying at the Avani!" See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
Lots of security and staff who would walk with you or drive you in a golf cart to the gate entrance to the park or to the sister resort Royal Livingstone. Easy walk to the Royal Livingstone, except for having to share the sidewalk with giraffes! Beautiful sunsets over the Zambezi from the Royal Livingstone.
Breakfast buffet was plentiful and delicious - staff were very friendly. I did walk over the bridge to the Zimbabwe side of the Falls. Park entrance was $30USD. More people trying to sell you things on the walk over, which was a bit farther than I thought, but completely doable. The Falls were spectacular though and worth the hike!
I also walked into Victoria Falls, which has a lot of shops and restaurants whereas the Avani and Royal Livingstone are not near the commercial center of Livingstone. I would definitely recommend staying at the Avani!" See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Dr&Mrs B
Wensleydale
"Avani Victoria Falls - good start to trip"
2 nights Arrived 22 Sep 2019
"We chose the Avani for its convenience to Victoria Falls, and we weren't disappointed. We arrived early afternoon and were able to walk to the Zambian side of the Falls very easily from the hotel The following day we walked from the hotel across the Victoria Falls Bridge to see the Falls from Zimbabwe. We enjoyed the walk and queuing up with the locals to go through immigration, but that mightn't be for everyone. The Falls were certainly worth seeing from both countries, even though there was little water this year.
Our room on the first floor at the Avani was very good. There was plenty of variety at the buffet breakfast. We had the buffet at the Boma the first evening with a wide variety of dishes, including a action of Zambian dishes, Pan African dishes as well as international dishes. There was live music and performances of local dances.
The following evening we used the hotel's shuttle to the Royal Livingstone, the sister hotel, to have a drink and snacks, watching the sunset over the Zambezi. We then had dinner at the Avani Pool bar.
All the staff we encountered were very pleasant and helpful." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Our room on the first floor at the Avani was very good. There was plenty of variety at the buffet breakfast. We had the buffet at the Boma the first evening with a wide variety of dishes, including a action of Zambian dishes, Pan African dishes as well as international dishes. There was live music and performances of local dances.
The following evening we used the hotel's shuttle to the Royal Livingstone, the sister hotel, to have a drink and snacks, watching the sunset over the Zambezi. We then had dinner at the Avani Pool bar.
All the staff we encountered were very pleasant and helpful." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report
Paula
Atlanta
"loved the hotel - superb location"
2 nights Arrived 16 Sep 2019
"Great hotel because of the location. Can walk to both sides of fall (also into Zimbabwe), you can go to the sister property (Royal Livingston Hotel) for dinner and very close to Devil's Pool. Loved the location. Amazing breakfast."
See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 5n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr G
St. Neots
"Avani Victoria Falls review"
3 nights Arrived 3 Sep 2019
"NO COMMENTS BUT DID SAY THERE WAS LIGHTS OUT ON THE STAIRS TO OUR ROOMS WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN A DANGER, WE ASKED TWICE FOR REPLACEMENT BUT THIS WAS NOT ACTED ON.
THE FALLS WERE NEARLY DRIED UP BUT THIS WAS DUE TO LACKING OF RAIN AND WOULD SUGGEST THAT THESE WOULD BE BETTER IF VISITED DURING OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
THE FALLS WERE NEARLY DRIED UP BUT THIS WAS DUE TO LACKING OF RAIN AND WOULD SUGGEST THAT THESE WOULD BE BETTER IF VISITED DURING OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report
Mr & Mrs C
Cambridge
"Avani Victoria Falls review"
2 nights Arrived 26 Aug 2019
"A large hotel. Being the low season, not all restaurant options were available so choice vegetarians was limited.
However, the location is excellent for Victoria Falls - if your aim is to visit the falls it is the best place to stay as it is straightforward to walk to both the Zambian and the Zimbabwean side of the falls from this hotel." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
However, the location is excellent for Victoria Falls - if your aim is to visit the falls it is the best place to stay as it is straightforward to walk to both the Zambian and the Zimbabwean side of the falls from this hotel." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Sightings Report
Mr & Mrs R.
Wadhurst
"Avani Victoria Falls a most convenient hotel"
2 nights Arrived 23 Aug 2019
"We obtained our KAZA visas online prior to travelling.- they issue a Receipt for the $50.55 fee paid online plus a Letter of Authority to the border staff to issue a visa. The Zambian website and process were not entirely straightforward but it did save a very long and very slow queue at Livingstone airport.
It proved impossible to avoid the touts when trying to get a taxi from the airport to the Avani hotel. All demanded $30 but could be negotiated down to $25, which was slightly less than the $30 the Avani had quoted us for pre-arranging.
The Avani Resort was a most convenient and relaxing hotel; convenient because it was a 5 minute walk to the Zambian side of the falls and a 5 minute walk to the iconic bridge between Zambia and Zimbabwe; and relaxing because the hotel is 'open-plan', with 2-storey accommodation blocks arranged around a large grassed area in the centre of which is a large unheated outdoor swimming pool (cold in August!),outdoor bar and restaurant and the main restaurant. We just had a standard room, with bath and shower, on a B&B basis which was better value than including meals as food at the hotel was inexpensive, dinner typically costing ÂŁ45 for 2 including beers. The included buffet breakfast was extensive.
Unfortunately, there was almost no water going over the Zambian side of the falls, apparently due to a 2 year drought. and no need for rainwear on the Zimbabwe side as negligible spray from the subdued falls that side. Nevertheless, the views were spectacular and we had no regrets.
We enjoyed walking from the Avani over the iconic bridge to the Zimbabwe side of the falls and also on into the town of Victoria Falls to the 'colonial style' Victoria Falls Hotel but persistent pestering by roadside vendors was annoying." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
It proved impossible to avoid the touts when trying to get a taxi from the airport to the Avani hotel. All demanded $30 but could be negotiated down to $25, which was slightly less than the $30 the Avani had quoted us for pre-arranging.
The Avani Resort was a most convenient and relaxing hotel; convenient because it was a 5 minute walk to the Zambian side of the falls and a 5 minute walk to the iconic bridge between Zambia and Zimbabwe; and relaxing because the hotel is 'open-plan', with 2-storey accommodation blocks arranged around a large grassed area in the centre of which is a large unheated outdoor swimming pool (cold in August!),outdoor bar and restaurant and the main restaurant. We just had a standard room, with bath and shower, on a B&B basis which was better value than including meals as food at the hotel was inexpensive, dinner typically costing ÂŁ45 for 2 including beers. The included buffet breakfast was extensive.
Unfortunately, there was almost no water going over the Zambian side of the falls, apparently due to a 2 year drought. and no need for rainwear on the Zimbabwe side as negligible spray from the subdued falls that side. Nevertheless, the views were spectacular and we had no regrets.
We enjoyed walking from the Avani over the iconic bridge to the Zimbabwe side of the falls and also on into the town of Victoria Falls to the 'colonial style' Victoria Falls Hotel but persistent pestering by roadside vendors was annoying." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Good
Sightings Report
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