Reviews of Avani Victoria Falls

"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." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia

"Breakfasts were excellent but limited choice for dinner.

The A La Carte restaurant was dismal with 3 T.V.s on so we ate at the Royal Livingstone a much better ambience." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia

"Our luggage got lost for >24h between Jo'burg and Livingstone. When the bag arrived nobody informed us and even when we enquired at the lobby desk there was general poor communication between reception staff. It was only due to our own persistence that we got the bag back at all! This was my main gripe about the hotel.

The second point is that at $39 a head for the evening buffet this was overpriced. The service in the restaurant was very good and attentive and has obviously improved since previous reviews I have read. Location was superb. We were hassled by locals trying to sell things when walking over the bridge towards Zimbabwe (we didn't cross the border proper) and other travellers should be alerted about this as they were persistent and difficult to get rid of.

I presume that if we had taken a walking tour organised by the hotel this would not have arisen and we would have been happy to do this had it been recommended for the reasons given." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia

"The Zambezi Sun is an excellent location with great access to the Falls allowing guests to visit as often as they wish without having to pay park fees, so we were able to visit at various times of the day.

The rooms were very comfortable and the staff at the hotel very fiendly and the resident giraffe and zebra added a nice touch. The hotel is also home to a young albino vervet monkey - worth looking out for. the only negative on the hotel was a lack of an al a carte menu - the evening buffet menu being rather pricey if you ony want a standard meal. However, Squires restaurant on the site did offer an alternative which was very good food at a good price.

It might also be nice if the hotel promoted trips into Livingston a bit more, to help encourage vistors to see some of the real Zambia." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia

"Overpriced and rather dated. The dinner buffet was average but expensive. We walked to the Royal Livingstone and had dinner for a similar price but was a first class meal." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia

"unbeatable location - hotel a bit disney and food expensive" See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia

"A very bad experience at the Squires steak restaurant - most of the steak orders were not cooked as requested. A pasta dish was inedible. Not to be recommended.

The setting/facilites are fine - very close to the falls.

Excellent breakfast

Service very patchy. On check out had to ask repeatedly for bags to be collected from rooms, despite having arranged in advance and checked that they had the message. Resulted in a very tight transfer to the airport. Getting room service to react to minor problems in the room was a challenge. They need to get their act together" See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia

"Location is everything. Access to the Falls whenever you want to go is fantastic and this was a very good time to go if you don't mind getting very wet.

The hotel is a typical large hotel but rooms are very good and clean. There is plenty to do around the hotel including unpublicised nature walks and bird hide. The hotel takes advantage of being out of town by inflated prices. Suggest eating dinner at Squires restaurant which whilst not cheap is better value or take a taxi out. Buy drinks in town or at the Shop at the Falls.

We organised our own trip with Bob the Birder from Livingstone - very knowledgeable and very interesting.

We would go back to the Zambezi Sun rather than paying the extra to stay next door." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia

"Fine big hotel fficient service.

Pity there wasnt a staff box to be shared around.instead of tryng to find Zambia money for individuals" See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia

"nice hotel so close to Vic falls. Lovely to also be able to use facilities at Royal livingstone where we ate part of the time" See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia