This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

Skip to main content

Talk to an expert 1-800-242-2434 Lines now closed

User menu
Batonka Guest Lodge
Batonka Guest Lodge
Batonka Guest Lodge
Batonka Guest Lodge
Batonka Guest Lodge

Batonka Guest Lodge: Our full report

Tucked away in a quiet, leafy suburb of Victoria Falls Town, Batonka is just over 2km from the eponymous waterfall.

Although its location isn’t quite as convenient for the Falls and town as many other options in the area, it’s only a 20-minute drive from the airport, and its relatively small size and quiet situation do make for a more peaceful and relaxing stay.

With just 27 rooms, Batonka Guest Lodge is one of the smaller properties in Victoria Falls Town, it’s a modern take on a colonial-style building inviting relaxation. The en-suite rooms are constructed in small blocks of 5–6 rooms each, set around peaceful gardens and carefully positioned to allow maximum privacy on their individual balconies. Complimentary WiFi and air conditioning come as standard, as do a mini-fridge, satellite TV, hairdryer, safe and tea and coffee station. Central to each room is a king-size bed (or twins), surrounded by a mosquito net, with a luggage rack and writing desk at the foot, and a substantial wardrobe. Although the rooms themselves are largely identical, half of the bathrooms have both a bath and a shower, while the others have just a shower.

Batonka’s communal areas include a full restaurant serving home-style cooking at breakfast, lunch and dinner. An outside lounge area features an open fire for the colder winter nights, in July and August, while the terrace, overlooking the gardens, is perfect for warmer evenings. A reasonably sized swimming pool set in the charming gardens also offers a superb place to cool down during the heat of the summer months! We also found souvenirs in the lodge’s small but well-stocked curio shop that were of rather better quality than most of those available in town.

The convenient location of Batonka Guest Lodge makes it ideal for a comfortable bed before or after an international flight, but it also works well as a base for exploring the Falls. It's possible to walk from the lodge to this UNESCO World Heritage Site in about 20–30 minutes, but if you don’t fancy the walk, lodge has an agreement with a local taxi firm to provide safe and quick transfers (taking about five minutes) for a fixed price of US$3 each way – no haggling needed!

Although the lodge doesn't include any activities in its nightly rate, most options in the area can easily be arranged through the helpful and friendly reception team. These range from fishing trips and evening river cruises to helicopter flights giving a birds-eye view of the Falls, and adrenalin activities such as white-water rafting and bungee jumping.


Our view

Batonka Guest Lodge may not have the historical character or premium location of some of Victoria Falls' more expensive hotels, but it is clean, comfortable, modern and well-run, with very picturesque gardens and a range of amenities. It has convenient access to the Falls, and works incredibly well as an inexpensive base for exploring the area, recovering from an international flight, or just relaxing by the pool at the end of a busy safari.

Tracy Lederer

Tracy Lederer

Zimbabwe expert

Geographics

Location
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Ideal length of stay
If you only plan to see the Victoria Falls, then a two-night stay gives you a full day to do this. If you are keen to do more activities in the area, we suggest you spend at least three nights here.
Directions
Guests arrive at Batonka by road, taking either 20 minutes from Victoria Falls Airport, or 45 minutes from the Kazungula border crossing from Botswana.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Bed & Breakfast
Food quality
During our visit in June 2018 we unfortunately didn't have chance to eat at Batonka, but on previous visits the meals we did have were well prepared and tasty.

Breakfast are buffet-style and include fresh muffins, cereals, fruit, cold meats, cheeses and a selection of juices. A hot breakfast can be cooked to order.

Whilst most guests choose to eat out, you can arrange both lunch and dinner at the lodge. The menu changes daily, but during our visit was as follows (with two courses for lunch, and three for dinner):

Starters: Piri piri chicken livers with salad, or butternut and roasted coconut soup.
Mains: Roast beef with grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes and gravy, or pollo di San Paulo with seasonal vegetables and rice.
Puddings: Apple crumble served with custard and/or ice cream, or fresh fruit accompanied by mixed fruit sorbet.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Private dinners can be arranged on request
Drinks included
Drinks are not included

Special interests

Family holidays
With an attractive pool, safe gardens and interleading rooms, Batonka Guest Lodge is a good family-friendly option in Victoria Falls. As a plus, its relatively small size and relaxed atmosphere mean that even those with small children won’t feel out of place here.
See ideas for Family holidays in Zimbabwe

Children

Attitude towards children
Batonka Guest Lodge welcomes children of all ages.
Property’s age restrictions
None
Special activities & services
Childcare can be arranged but may not be qualified childcare professionals.
Equipment
Extra beds, cots, highchairs and interleading rooms can be arranged by prior request.
Generally recommended for children
Batonka is a good option for families with a nice pool safe gardens and the option of interleading rooms. This said Victoria Falls is considered to be in a malarial area so do check the implications of this with a travel nurse or doctor before travelling with young children.
Notes
The pool is unfenced and unguarded so children should be supervised at all times.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Batonka Guest Lodge

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Batonka Guest Lodge have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Elephant

31% success

Buffalo

17% success

Zebra

8% success

Leopard

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
There is a back up generator incase of power failure
Communications
WiFi and cellphone reception are available throughout the lodge
TV & radio
Each room has a satellite TV
Water supply
Mains
Water supply notes
All the rooms have flush toilets and plumbed showers.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
The nearest hospital is in Victoria Falls town, close to the Lodge. In the event of serious injury or illness, guests would be transferred by air to Harare or Johannesburg if necessary.
Dangerous animals
Low Risk
Security measures
There is security on site 24/7
Fire safety
There are fire hoses and fire extinguishers throughout the property

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

    Boat trip

  • Canoeing

    Canoeing

  • Cultural excursion

    Cultural excursion

  • Elephant encounter

    Elephant encounter

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Helicopter

    Helicopter

  • Kayaking

    Kayaking

  • Microlight

    Microlight

  • White-water rafting

    White-water rafting

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
Available at an additional cost – there are itemised laundry lists in the rooms
Money
There is a small safe for money and valuables in each room
Accepted payment on location
Mastercard and Visa are accepted but not AmEx or Diners cards. For cash payments the lodge will accept US dollars, euro, GB pounds and South African rand.

Other lodges in Victoria Falls

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Ilala Lodge

Ilala Lodge

Exceptionally well located between the Victoria Falls and the town of the same name, Ilala Lodge has comfortable rooms, a friendly atmosphere & great food.


93% (270 reviews)
Victoria Falls Hotel

Victoria Falls Hotel

With its unique setting, authentic style and excellent service, the Victoria Falls is one of the world’s most iconic hotels.


94% (166 reviews)
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Victoria Falls Lodge

High on a plateau a short distance outside Victoria Falls Town, the comfortable Victoria Falls Safari Lodge overlooks its own waterhole.


88% (22 reviews)
Sprayview Hotel

Sprayview Hotel

In close proximity to both the town and the Victoria Falls themselves, Sprayview is a value-for-money hotel in a convenient location.


75% (16 reviews)
The Elephant Camp

The Elephant Camp

The Elephant Camp is a luxury tented camp in its own private concession within Victoria Falls National Park, just 15-minute's drive town.


93% (15 reviews)
Old Drift Lodge

Old Drift Lodge

A lovely addition to the options in Victoria Falls, the stylish Old Drift has a great location in Zimbabwe's Zambezi National Park, with a range of activities.


93% (12 reviews)
Victoria Falls Safari Club

Victoria Falls Club

Just outside of Victoria Falls Town, Victoria Falls Safari Club offers an exclusive, relaxing and luxurious base to explore the area.


94% (10 reviews)
Palm River Hotel

Palm River

Palm River Hotel offers a high-quality stay in a picturesque location on the banks of the Zambezi, with excellent food and a shuttle to the Victoria Falls.


100% (8 reviews)
Gorges Lodge

Gorges Lodge

Gorges Lodge has spectacular views from its perch on the edge of the Batoka Gorge. Although it is out of town it isn't too far from the main attractions.


98% (8 reviews)
Pioneers

Pioneers

Located a five-minute drive from the buzz of Victoria Falls town, the mid-size Pioneers offers a relaxing stay in one of Zimbabwe's most iconic destinations.


97% (6 reviews)
Zambezi Sands

Zambezi Sands

Zambezi Sands is a stylish new camp with a range of activities on a remote stretch of the Zambezi River.


100% (3 reviews)
Matetsi River Lodge

Matetsi River Lodge

Situated in the private Matetsi Reserve, Matetsi River Lodge offers luxury suites, game drives and river activities within reach of the Victoria Falls.


100% (1 review)
Victoria Falls Safari Suites

Victoria Falls Suites

Just out of the town, Victoria Falls Safari Suites offers an exclusive, relaxing and luxurious base from which to explore.


100% (1 review)
Mpala Jena

Mpala Jena

In Zambezi National Park, Mpala Jena offers a luxurious but eco-friendly experience, within easy access of the Victoria Falls.


No reviews yet
528 Victoria Falls

528 Victoria Falls

528 Victoria Falls is a charming, owner-run, boutique B&B in a leafy suburb of Victoria Falls town, offering an oasis of calm in an often-busy location.


No reviews yet
Matetsi River House

Matetsi River House

Situated in the Private Matetsi Reserve Matetsi River House offers families and small groups privacy, game drives and access to the falls.


No reviews yet

Login to Expert Africa

Sign in with password

Sign in with email link


New to Expert Africa? Create an account

Forgotten your details?

It's free & quick to set up

  • Save your wish-list
  • Send us an enquiry
  • Pay online for your trip
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Give us feedback on your trip
  • Full site benefits of the site

Need some help? Talk to our team

Newsletter background

Stay in the know with Expert Africa

Join our newsletter. Get the latest on new camps and lodges, insights from our team, uplifting conservation stories and more...

A few more details and you're subscribed

Thanks!

Almost there! We've sent you an email to confirm your subscription. Just click on the link and you'll soon be receiving our newsletter in your inbox.

In the meantime, take a look at our previous Bush Telegraph newsletters.
Africa