Reviews of Avani Victoria Falls
(84%) From 183 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Loved the wacky decor
A big commercial hotel with an African twist. Nice surroundings and within 5 minutes of the Victoria Falls. Zebra, Impalas, elephants and crocodiles all in or near the hotel grounds.
Rooms were not special, fairly basic. Main advantage was the free access to the falls and he ability to view the falls at different times of the day.
Helicopter trip recommended!
Victoria Falls at Zambezi Sun
This is an impressive but large hotel that simply can't compete with the charm, individuality and personal care of the Robin Pope Lodges and Camps. The breakfast choice was immense, but the food otherwise uninspiring and the rooms, while spacious, were grubby!
The huge trump card for this hotel is its proximity to Victoria Falls. A 10 minute stroll and you are in the presence of one of the newly categorised seven wonders of the world. Stupendous and essential to visit at different times of day and night. We were fortunate to see the Falls framed in a lunar rainbow in the presence of a full moon and then to dip our toes in the cauldron of the "Boiling Pot" below the Falls as the sunrise lit up the Vic Falls Bridge.
That very bridge is only a 15- 20 minute walk away and is the location for the Big Air Experience- 110 metres of free fall Bungee, Gorge Swing and Zip Wire. It is simple to find but does require crossing the border post. A "bridge pass" is readily obtained there (passports required) but do allow 20-30 minutes for queueing. Once on the bridge be prepared for enthusiastic locals befriending you, encouraging you, congratulating you (post jump) but then expecting you to buy a selection of their wares!
The hotel is also well located for white water rafting, with local companies picking you up and driving you to the set off point. We did this with Safpar, who were very professional, great fun and ensured that our expectations were exceeded- an awesome experience.
Finally, ensure you take a stroll through the grounds, to visit the neighbouring Royal Livingstone Hotel. This is a sister hotel, of a higher class, understated elegance and sophisticated with a stunningly located terrace over the Zambezi River, with a fantastic panorama including the top of the Falls.
Zambezi Sun review
If you want to be close to the Falls but not spend a fortune this is the place to stay. Superb location with easy and unrestricted access to the Falls.
We went back to seem them several times and at different times of the day to really appreciate them. The rooms are comfortable. The atmosphere and service is relaxed and efficient if a bit impersonal. Breakfast is very good but lunch and dinner seemed expensive and not great quality.
However it is a short walk to the Royal Livingstone for something a bit nicer and surprisingly not much more expensive.
Good choice to stay overnight
Nothing special but good place to stop over to see Victoria Falls. A busy place which might not be conductive to relaxation.
Read more about the whole tripThe hotel was fine, wifi was very expensive!!
The Zambezi Sun was pretty much what we expected for a big hotel. The rooms were fine, pretty, clean and comfortable. It was an easy walk to the falls, Francis at the front desk was really helpful and patient. They say free Wi-Fi, but you get 15 minutes a day only, then you have to pay. We never got our second free 15 minutes, and we ended up paying almost £60 for a day and a half's worth of internet.
The food was average, however the food at the Royal Livingstone next door was fantastic. The Royal Livingstone seemed to be a really wonderful hotel, but much more expensive than the Zambezi Sun.
Our only complaint was the internet price, and misleading advertising.
Victoria Falls experience
The Hotel is in the perfect location for access (free) to the Falls.
Great Access to Falls
A great and easy place to recover from a long flight before embarking on Safari. A bonus having free access to Victoria Falls from 6am-6pm.
Nice to have some wildlife in the grounds, Zebra, Impala and Giraffe and many colourful birds. Very comfortable beds. A few options for eating, we used Squires which was very affordable and served excellent steaks. Breakfast buffet was very varied and of good quality. Large pool in pleasant surroundings.
Easy and safe to take a taxi into Livingstone centre not expensive we paid 50 Kwacha (about £6) but agree price first. We changed a small amount £ for Kwacha at the airport, there is a Barclays bank to the left as you come through arrivals. Tip; Hotel has large Umbrellas to borrow for visiting the Falls, no charge.
Great helicopter ride
Great location. Very slow service (specially at the front desk and laundry facilities).
With Max having trouble walking around the grounds, we were not offer a ride from the lobby to our room on the day we arrived. Considering the trip from Madrid to Zambezi Sun took over 24 hours, we would have appreciated that extra help. Again, the front desk people were not very helpful in trying to help us move around in their golf cart; we had to "befriend" one of the cart drivers and bypass management.
Check in and check out processes were painfully slow. Breakfast buffet service was not very "visible"; it would take forever to find someone with a coffee jug.
However, the location is great; you could easily walk (or be driven in a golf cart) to the entrance of the Vic Falls Park. We heard from people who went to Zimbabwe had to pay for entering the park every time, and we did not. We also could take advantage of the other hotel in the property and got dinner there one night, experiencing the different ambiance and extraordinary view of the Falls from afar.
The helicopter ride is a must to recommend; exciting, well organized. The only thing to complain about it is that the video that they tried to sell to you after the ride is quite expensive ($140), specially when you think that it was not taped during your flight except for the camera inside the cabin...
Our third stay in less than a year!
It says much for our satisfaction with the Zambezi Sun that this was our third stay there in less than a year (and fourth in all) and there is little if anything we can usefully add to the feedback from our previous two visits.
Read more about the whole trip
We have always believed that acting responsibly is the only way to approach tourism and we're one of
the few companies to hold AITO's original coveted 5-star status for responsible tourism. It's a lead
that others are now following.
