Reviews of Ilala Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
260 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Ilala Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Jul-2019, 47 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Ilala Lodge.
Leopard
0% success
Elephant
53% success
Buffalo
17% success
Zebra
17% success
K
Austria
"absolutely okay!"
2 nights Arrived 7 Jul 2014
"Can´t imagine, there is a much better place to stay (and eat) in Vic Falls. The droning of the helicopters you have to accept i the entire area, especially if you are going on a flight yourself - what I highly recommend."
See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Sir & Lady B
UK
"ilala lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 5 Jul 2014
"The location (within easy walking distance of the Falls) and experience (good check in, tourism assistance, excellent breakfast) at Ilala suited us perfectly.
The lodge struck exactly the right note for us and we were very satisfied with it" See all these reviews: 7n in Zimbabwe
The lodge struck exactly the right note for us and we were very satisfied with it" See all these reviews: 7n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
Arizona
"Nice Lodge"
2 nights Arrived 23 Jun 2014
"The lodge is within a short walk to the Falls which is a plus for staying here. The grounds are beautiful.
There was no directory in the rooms. We wanted a light snack for room service and in order to do so had to walk to the restaurant to review the menu to order. Seemed to defeat the purpose of room service. Even then the menu posted in front of the restaurant was not current. They had to run back and get "the current version."" See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
There was no directory in the rooms. We wanted a light snack for room service and in order to do so had to walk to the restaurant to review the menu to order. Seemed to defeat the purpose of room service. Even then the menu posted in front of the restaurant was not current. They had to run back and get "the current version."" See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Feedback Response
As with all of the feedback we receive from our travellers we forwarded these guest's thoughts on to Ilala Lodge who had the following response:
"Thank you for highlighting your concerns in the feedback on your recent stay at Ilala Lodge. The telephone directory is placed on the telephone itself and gives the number to dial for all enquiries. We do offer room service and if placed using the number provided the Restaurant would have delivered the order directly to the room. We will look into the menu being incorrect at the entrance of the Restaurant as this should be up to date - please accept our apologies for this inconvenience.
Once again thank you for your valued feedback and we hope you enjoyed the rest of your holiday."
"Thank you for highlighting your concerns in the feedback on your recent stay at Ilala Lodge. The telephone directory is placed on the telephone itself and gives the number to dial for all enquiries. We do offer room service and if placed using the number provided the Restaurant would have delivered the order directly to the room. We will look into the menu being incorrect at the entrance of the Restaurant as this should be up to date - please accept our apologies for this inconvenience.
Once again thank you for your valued feedback and we hope you enjoyed the rest of your holiday."
Mr & Mrs E
Disley
"ilala lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 10 Jun 2014
"lovely room and the staff were very good
food at breakfast and evening meals were excellent, though could be improved by warm plates when serving cooked breakfast and the coffee not so good if you went to eat later, shame as it's lovely when hot and fresher
location is very good, but it's marred by street sellers as soon as you leave the lodge area. we were harassed every time and did not explore the town or eat out as a result, and were warned it was not safe to do so after sunset. the tourist police are around but hardly effective. on our second day we were returning from our only shopping trip at elephant walk when I tripped and fell after being distracted by a seller's hands/products in front of my face, resulting in cuts, bruises and damaged glasses. we were very close to the lodge who were very concerned, offered medical help which I didn't need and a tourist police escort if we wanted to go out anywhere!
we then booked an extra tour to the crocodile farm which was very interesting, and later did the sunset cruise which gave us some good final game sightings" See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
food at breakfast and evening meals were excellent, though could be improved by warm plates when serving cooked breakfast and the coffee not so good if you went to eat later, shame as it's lovely when hot and fresher
location is very good, but it's marred by street sellers as soon as you leave the lodge area. we were harassed every time and did not explore the town or eat out as a result, and were warned it was not safe to do so after sunset. the tourist police are around but hardly effective. on our second day we were returning from our only shopping trip at elephant walk when I tripped and fell after being distracted by a seller's hands/products in front of my face, resulting in cuts, bruises and damaged glasses. we were very close to the lodge who were very concerned, offered medical help which I didn't need and a tourist police escort if we wanted to go out anywhere!
we then booked an extra tour to the crocodile farm which was very interesting, and later did the sunset cruise which gave us some good final game sightings" See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs W
Canada
"ilala lodge"
1 night Arrived 9 Jun 2014
"The ilala lodge was a comfortable place to stay and close to Victoria Falls. Being in a town, there were banking facilities, which was convenient to get local currency for the days ahead.
The restaurant served very good food and the rooms were very clean and looked over an area where elephants would wander. The Falls were a bit too far to walk, so a taxi is recommended. While there, we booked a ride on an elephant which was so exciting and received a paper with the elephant's footprint which we will frame. The staff at the lodge were friendly and helpful." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 1n in Zimbabwe
The restaurant served very good food and the rooms were very clean and looked over an area where elephants would wander. The Falls were a bit too far to walk, so a taxi is recommended. While there, we booked a ride on an elephant which was so exciting and received a paper with the elephant's footprint which we will frame. The staff at the lodge were friendly and helpful." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 1n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Ms H
USA
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 3 May 2014
"The accommodations were very comfortable and the staff was helpful and friendly. Food was delicious with good variety and the pool, patio, bar area was both relaxing and very attractive. We appreciated that there were menu options throughout the day and evening as our family of 6 was coming from several different time zones. In addition to seeing Victoria Falls, Ilala Lodge was a great spot for us to rendezvous, regroup from travel, and get some rest before beginning our safari.
The on site office personnel were knowledgeable and helpful with regards to making reservations for attractions. We thought the elephant trail ride might be super touristy but were very pleased with the experience. The young trainer who rode with us cared deeply about his elephant and really wanted to share information with us. It was a delightful experience and a yummy breakfast.
The helicopter ride was thrilling and offered a wonderful perspective of the falls from the air. The 12 minute ride was sufficient to see the sites.
The sunset cruise on Ra Ikane was lovely. We were entertained by frolicking hippos. The drinks were delicious and plentiful. The food that was served was lacking.
The walk all around the falls was spectacular! We were in awe of the stunning beauty and power of the falls and so vey glad we decided to visit Victoria Falls." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
The on site office personnel were knowledgeable and helpful with regards to making reservations for attractions. We thought the elephant trail ride might be super touristy but were very pleased with the experience. The young trainer who rode with us cared deeply about his elephant and really wanted to share information with us. It was a delightful experience and a yummy breakfast.
The helicopter ride was thrilling and offered a wonderful perspective of the falls from the air. The 12 minute ride was sufficient to see the sites.
The sunset cruise on Ra Ikane was lovely. We were entertained by frolicking hippos. The drinks were delicious and plentiful. The food that was served was lacking.
The walk all around the falls was spectacular! We were in awe of the stunning beauty and power of the falls and so vey glad we decided to visit Victoria Falls." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs S
Hampshire
"superb centrally located lodge"
3 nights Arrived 14 Apr 2014
"Very friendly, centrally located, lovely room."
See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe; 3n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs S
Denver
"Ilala Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 9 Apr 2014
"The Lodge was very clean and quite comfortable. The staff were personable and ready to help or answer questions. We enjoyed dinner our evening there, and the food and service were good. Transportation to the Lodge and to the airport arrived as we had been told.
Being able to walk to the Falls was a plus for us." See all these reviews: 4n in Zimbabwe
Being able to walk to the Falls was a plus for us." See all these reviews: 4n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
The A family
Florida
"Vic Falls - lovely property, very comfortable"
2 nights Arrived 2 Apr 2014
"The lodge is very comfortable, well kept, and the grounds are beautiful. The outside seating area and yard are very nice and scenic for enjoying breakfast (which was very good), dinner, or just a drink by the pool (vey nice). The service was friendly and helpful.
You can see Victoria Falls from the backyard. We saw elephants walking through the trees. We saw baboons very close, in the backyard out of our patio doors in the room.
We took a short bus ride to see Victoria Falls. The Ilala is walking distance to the Victoria Falls hotel.
We would certainly recommend the Ilala and stay there again." See all these reviews: 5n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
You can see Victoria Falls from the backyard. We saw elephants walking through the trees. We saw baboons very close, in the backyard out of our patio doors in the room.
We took a short bus ride to see Victoria Falls. The Ilala is walking distance to the Victoria Falls hotel.
We would certainly recommend the Ilala and stay there again." See all these reviews: 5n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr C & Mrs H
Canada
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 6 Mar 2014
"Ilala Lodge is a good place to stay. It's very close to the falls, and it's easy to walk there. The town itself was not really the kind of place we wanted to spend any time in. Way too commercial, way too many people trying to sell you things at every street corner. In addition, the various activities that are available are incredibly expensive for what you get.
But the Falls themselves are spectacular and interesting. Well worth a day's visit.
Ilal is an old colonial place. The rooms are fine, the service is adequate (after 7 days in camps in Botswana the service at Ilala was pretty impersonal). The food in the restaurant is very good." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
But the Falls themselves are spectacular and interesting. Well worth a day's visit.
Ilal is an old colonial place. The rooms are fine, the service is adequate (after 7 days in camps in Botswana the service at Ilala was pretty impersonal). The food in the restaurant is very good." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
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