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Old Drift Lodge
Old Drift Lodge
Old Drift Lodge
Old Drift Lodge
Old Drift Lodge
Old Drift Lodge
Old Drift Lodge
Old Drift Lodge
Old Drift Lodge

Reviews of Old Drift Lodge

Wildlife sightings and reviews

12 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Old Drift 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 Nov-2019, 9 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Old Drift Lodge.
Lion

14% success

Leopard

0% success

Cheetah

0% success

Wild dog

14% success

Elephant

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Giraffe

63% success

Buffalo

57% success

Zebra

50% success

Sable antelope

29% success

Eland

25% success

Spotted Hyena

14% success

Wildebeest

13% success

Aardvark

0% success

Brown Hyena

0% success

Showing 1-10 of 12
Duration
Arrival date
Deb
Florida

"Old Drift Lodge review"

2 nights Arrived 24 Aug 2024
"Old Drift Lodge exceeded my expectations in every way. My ‘room’ overlooking the Zambezi River had every amenity one could hope for and was beautifully appointed. On my first day, I was treated to a mongoose family chittering away by my deck. The next morning I was entertained by vervet monkeys playing in my outdoor bathtub. And while checking out there were warthogs hanging out by my front door.

I was greeted by management upon arrival for a discussion of what activities were on offer and which ones I wanted to participate in. Very personal, and lovely people (Irene in particular). Everyone was warm and welcoming and had plenty of time to chat. The food was out of this world. Truly.

With my limited time, I chose a river safari, a game drive and the Lookout Cafe. The river safari was great, and I had the good fortune to have Vusa as my guide, thanks to Expert Africa’s request. I would pass on the Lookout Cafe. Very ‘meh’.

The river safari was a great introduction to Africa, and we saw more animals than I expected. The game drive was also very good. Not the wealth of animals you find in Botswana, but still very good." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Mr & Mrs B
Singapore

"Old Drift Lodge review"

3 nights Arrived 3 Aug 2024
"Great start to our Zimbabwe trip. We designed our trip to start in the Zambezi National Park so that we could slowly get used to the African Winter (we were coming from hot and humid Singapore). The proximity to Victoria Falls Airport enabled us to fly Singapore-Joburg-Victoria Falls in one go and even made it for the afternoon sunset cruise on the Zambezi. The next day we visited the Victoria Falls, followed by a Game Drive. The following day we did a Bush Walk and a Game Drive. From all our camps, Old Drift Lodge offered the greatest variety of activities. We could already see some great sightings early into our safari. One highlight was the excellent bush walk where we followed lion tracks for 2 hours and indeed managed to spot a lioness in safe distance. Rooms were rather suites. Very flexible mealtimes, this is really a recommendable place." See all these reviews: 13n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

1 sighting

Elephant

3 sightings

Giraffe

2 sightings

Hippo

2 sightings

Lion

5 sightings

Spotted Hyena

1 sighting

Zebra

2 sightings

Ms H & Mr F
Chicago

"Old Drift Lodge review"

3 nights Arrived 19 May 2024
"My husband and I were part of a group of 8 friends who stayed at Old Drift for three nights. It was everyone's first trip to Zimbabwe.

Old Drift is in a superb location a short drive (maybe 30 min) from Victoria Falls airport, and a short distance away from the falls, but it feels very quiet and serene. The rooms are very luxe and comfortable (loved the outdoor shower!) and each room has a private plunge pool and large deck overlooking the Zambezi river. The rooms have heat and A/C, which was great, since the temperatures could vary quite a bit during the course of a day.

Our guide was Fanuel, and he was a fantastic guide and fantastic person. Upon arrival, we went on a late afternoon river boat cruise and saw quite a bit of hippos and crocs (and we drank a lot of alcohol and ate a bunch of snacks!). He took us on several game drives, to Victoria Falls and lunch at the Lookout Cafe. All of those are included in the cost of the booking. As an optional activity, we went to the Wild Horizons elephant sanctuary and had the most amazing interactions with the gentle giants.

The food was so delicious - every single meal. And the staff was top-notch and made us feel special. I'd highly recommend staying at Old Drift for anyone who goes to Zimbabwe to see Victoria Falls!" See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe; 3n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

AZ Gang
MacLean

"Old Drift Lodge review"

2 nights Arrived 18 Sep 2023
"The facilities and staff at Old Drift were amazing.

They wanted to ensure you were cared for. The rooms were nice, with air conditioning - but it really struggled to stay cool with the tent siding. The outdoor bathtub, shower and dipping pool were great, as was the view of the river.

The dining was also seated with menu options and was excellent. We enjoyed the boat drive and seeing some different wildlife.

This was also our lodging for Victoria Falls, which was amazing. Our guide here was also amazing and was willing to accomodate us" See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 4n in South Africa; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Tom E
Bucks

"Old Drift Lodge review"

3 nights Arrived 9 Jul 2023
"Old Drift Lodge is a beautiful place to stay with a gorgeous location right by the Zambezi river. All the staff at the Lodge were helpful, kind and efficient.

The furnishings and decor are all top quality.

Our guide Richard was knowledgeable, informative and good company. We very much enjoyed our time with him.

Special mention must go to Admire who was our waiter for several of our meals. He was excellent and really went out of his way to make sure we were well looked after." See all these reviews: 3n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Eland

1 sighting

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Sable antelope

1 sighting

Wild dog

1 sighting

Dr Rox
Cairns city

"Old Drift Lodge review"

2 nights Arrived 1 Oct 2022
"The lodge location was very good with wonderful vista of the Zambesi river and comfortable rooms. However, we were disappointed by the food and the organisation of activities.

The menu was very simple, and this would be fine but the quality was average at best. There was an impression of restriction on drinks and the servings were small.

Organisation of activities was confused. The first afternoon we chose to not go on the river cruise because we were assured we could do the cruise the second afternoon. When the time came to go on the cruise, it seemed to be a surprise to everyone. We were advised that we could do the morning cruise on day of departure, but when the day came we were told that there was not time to do it.

The river cruise was definitely the highlight of the Lodge. The Victoria Falls walk was similar to the one that we did last year, but the breakfast at the Summit lookout was most enjoyable and views amazing. We received an intimate visit from elephants at our room which was a thrill. They drank the water from our plunge pool and were wonderful to watch." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Poor
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report

Elephant

10 sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Mr & Mrs Z
Saratoga

"Old Drift Lodge review"

2 nights Arrived 23 Sep 2022
"Great spot on the Zambezi River.

Great guide to view the Victoria Falls. Very accommodating and great staff.

We took the helicopter flight over the falls, and even though it’s expensive, it’s spectacular." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Elephant

10 sightings

Giraffe

1 sighting

Hippo

10 sightings

Andy
Queens, NY, USA

"Shiny and comfortable, but missing something"

2 nights Arrived 5 Aug 2021
"Old Drift definitely passes the "eye test." The chalets are in fact larger that my apartment (by a wide margin), and the main areas are spacious and elegant. Like most camps you'll find in the more proper wildlife areas of Zimbabwe, the staff are exceptional and willing to talk about a range of things. And despite this park being less wild than others, there are cool opportunities to be had. Visiting the Falls is always a phenomenal experience, and spending the afternoon eating lunch at The Lookout Cafe is unique in itself.

But a few small details keep this place from feeling like what it aspires to be. The food was very much average, and definitely not to the level of the camps and lodges you find in the more remote areas of the country. Also, breakfast was always late being set up in the morning. Their information packets state that a cold breakfast bar should be set up by 7am (it could even have said 630am), but very often they would still be scrambling to get things going at 730." See all these reviews: 18n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Excellent
Margaret
St. Albans

"Unique in everyway"

6 nights Arrived 15 Feb 2020
"There are no words to adequately describe my wonderful week at this amazing lodge on the edge of the river Zambezi in the National Park near Victoria Falls.

Despite my Parkinson's the entire staff family at Old Drift ensured that I got opportunities to get to experience things I never thought I would have the chance to experience again. A very special place to stay which is why I came back again after my "once in a life time" trip last March 2019! Thank you to you all." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Eland

2 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Sable antelope

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

2 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Mrs S.
Woking

"Old Drift Lodge review"

4 nights Arrived 21 Nov 2019
"What an idyllic place, it caters for every need. We were treated to the best service imaginable. The staff were phenomenal, all introducing themselves to us on arrival, remembering our names. The service was second to none, nothing was too much trouble.

The tented accommodation was exceptional, so very comfortable, it was luxury, I felt like a lottery winner. I was in chalet 9 and the view down the the river wasn't as open as chalet 8 and was in the shade for best part of the afternoon, but didn't detract from the wildness and back to nature feel. Everything in the chalet was well thought out, down to the bath salts for the outside slipper bath, robes slippers and even an ice maker. It was surprisingly bug free, and the turn down service at night covering the huge bed with mosquito nets was ideal.

The restaurant and waiters were fantastic. There was a good variety of game meat on the menu, new to me, and well worth a try. We asked for a high tea one afternoon, it was duly prepared, and delicious. It was nice having a dining table and waiters allocated to us.

I was so pleased to see Old Drift lodge was environmentally friendly, the use of plastics very limited, reusable glass bottles for drinking water.

I don't usually rate hotels as excellent, as in my opinion there is always room for improvement. However on this occasion I can add nothing, because how can you improve on perfection." See all these reviews: 4n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Zebra

1 sighting

Showing 1-10 of 12
93%
12 reviews of Old Drift Lodge by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
8
4
0
0
0
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