Reviews of Ilala Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
268 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, 57 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Ilala Lodge.
Leopard
0% success
Hippo
60% success
Elephant
53% success
Buffalo
14% success
Zebra
14% success
Mr T & Ms N
Toronto
"Ian and Michelle - Ilala Lodge Oct 11"
1 night Arrived 11 Oct 2012
"Ilala lodge is a wonderful hotel in Victoria Falls, and is just a very short walk from the falls themselves.
The hotel is well maintained and very comfortable. Our main-floor room had a door we could open onto the lawn, where we saw some local animals wandering around, notable warthogs and a family of Banded Mongoose.
Our sole complaint was that the dinner did not meet expectations, largely due to a waiter who must have been new and could not seem to get the order right - but in fairness I should point out that the couple at the table next to us was effusive in their praise of the food and called out the chef to give their complements." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 6n in Zimbabwe
The hotel is well maintained and very comfortable. Our main-floor room had a door we could open onto the lawn, where we saw some local animals wandering around, notable warthogs and a family of Banded Mongoose.
Our sole complaint was that the dinner did not meet expectations, largely due to a waiter who must have been new and could not seem to get the order right - but in fairness I should point out that the couple at the table next to us was effusive in their praise of the food and called out the chef to give their complements." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 6n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs B
Northants
"Relaxed feel close and close to the Falls"
2 nights Arrived 27 Sep 2012
"A very informal Lodge and easy to relax. Nice pool.
Good food in the Palm restaurant both dinner and breakfast.
We experienced difficulty trying to pay by either travellers cheques or credit card. Cash is obviously wanted in Zimbabwe. We eventually managed to sort out the payment machine by getting the battery charged, much to the relief of guests behind us in the queue!" See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe
Good food in the Palm restaurant both dinner and breakfast.
We experienced difficulty trying to pay by either travellers cheques or credit card. Cash is obviously wanted in Zimbabwe. We eventually managed to sort out the payment machine by getting the battery charged, much to the relief of guests behind us in the queue!" See all these reviews: 10n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Average
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Average
Mr M
Massachusetts
"Ilala Lodge"
2 nights Arrived 16 Sep 2012
"We needed to change rooms, due to lack of cleanliness in the bathrooms, on the first night (our anniversary). The room renovations that were toted was nothing more than a new television set. The management team did address the room problems, but our anniversary celebration was a bust,
Walking around Victoria Falls and having to ward off the local vendors was a horrible experience. The vendors hounded us immediately as we left the hotel property. Apparently, 'No' is not understood. It is a huge problem, that many visitors complained about.
We did enjoy the food and drink at the Victoria Falls Hotel, and would recommend this location for any future travelers." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Walking around Victoria Falls and having to ward off the local vendors was a horrible experience. The vendors hounded us immediately as we left the hotel property. Apparently, 'No' is not understood. It is a huge problem, that many visitors complained about.
We did enjoy the food and drink at the Victoria Falls Hotel, and would recommend this location for any future travelers." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Poor
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs W
Toronto
"Convenient and Comfortable"
2 nights Arrived 6 Sep 2012
"Comfortable rooms and a good restaurant. Dinner was good and breakfast was excellent.
Excellent location as it is the closest hotel to Victoria Falls and to the banks and curio market in town." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe; 3n in Zambia
Excellent location as it is the closest hotel to Victoria Falls and to the banks and curio market in town." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe; 3n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr R & Ms Z
NL
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 29 Aug 2012
"Ilala lodge was a good location and not massive, which we enjoyed. Breakfast buffet and dinner were excellent. The rooms were good but not exceptional. The staff were very helpful and nice."
See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia; 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs P
Co. Durham
"Ilala Lodge"
2 nights Arrived 7 Aug 2012
"We found that Ilala Lodge is in a great location just over the road from the entrance to Victoria Falls, and has lovely views, with the spray of the falls visible from our room and the terrace. The bedrooms were very clean and comfortable and ours had french doors opening out onto the lawn where there were warthogs and baboons passing by! One night after dark we even saw a honey badger but it quickly disappeared when it was disturbed.
The staff were very friendly and helpful and the food was very good, especially the breakfast with a wonderful and plentiful choice to cater for all needs. We can certainly recommend the Lodge for a relaxed and enjoyable stay." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
The staff were very friendly and helpful and the food was very good, especially the breakfast with a wonderful and plentiful choice to cater for all needs. We can certainly recommend the Lodge for a relaxed and enjoyable stay." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Ms T
San Francisco
"Great place to stay in Victoria Falls"
2 nights Arrived 23 Jul 2012
"Ilala Lodge was a great place for me to relax a bit after the Namibia Highlights camping safari.
Great location. I loved that it was easy to walk to the falls and that everything was nearby.
Booking of activities through the in-house operator was quick and efficient.
Great service from everyone on the staff.
The food at breakfast and dinner was delicious." See all these reviews: 6n in Zambia; 3n in South Africa; 2n in Zimbabwe
Great location. I loved that it was easy to walk to the falls and that everything was nearby.
Booking of activities through the in-house operator was quick and efficient.
Great service from everyone on the staff.
The food at breakfast and dinner was delicious." See all these reviews: 6n in Zambia; 3n in South Africa; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr E & Mrs T
Denmark
"Ilala Lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 21 Jul 2012
"So luxurious."
See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Ms B
San Francisco
"Great location near Falls. Clean, Good staff."
2 nights Arrived 30 Jun 2012
"Ilala Lodge met my needs perfectly.
It's walkable to the Victoria Falls park entrance. The facilities are pleasant and clean. There is internet connectivity available for guests in the lobby. The food was just average but the service was very good. There is a pool and a bar area overlooking a garden, which is a nice place to relax and recover from jet lag." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe; 3n in Zambia
It's walkable to the Victoria Falls park entrance. The facilities are pleasant and clean. There is internet connectivity available for guests in the lobby. The food was just average but the service was very good. There is a pool and a bar area overlooking a garden, which is a nice place to relax and recover from jet lag." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe; 3n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Excellent
The H family
Chester
"Ilala Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 16 Jun 2012
"Really pleased we decided to do the Falls from the Zimbabwe side. Easy walk to the Falls, and the town was safe.
Very nice hotel ('colonial relic'!) and had everything we needed.
We had high tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel, which was marvellous. However, I preferred staying at Ilala Lodge, and just visiting the Vic Falls Hotel." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Very nice hotel ('colonial relic'!) and had everything we needed.
We had high tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel, which was marvellous. However, I preferred staying at Ilala Lodge, and just visiting the Vic Falls Hotel." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
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