Reviews of Victoria Falls Hotel
Wildlife sightings and reviews
162 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Victoria Falls Hotel and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Jun-2019, 26 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Victoria Falls Hotel.
Leopard
0% success
Elephant
38% success
Buffalo
5% success
Zebra
0% success
Mr & Mrs O
Dorset
"Quintessentially British!"
2 nights Arrived 5 Jun 2012
"The Victoria Falls Hotel transports you back to an era where opulence and grandeur were the minimum standards that would be expected by any discerning traveller. This is not a modern hotel with generic images on the wall, and contemporary fixtures and fittings. Instead, it is full of character and features (including the resident Warthog who help to keep the grass trimmed) - an incredibly striking building set in lovely grounds, and with an unparalleled location. It was clean and comfortable - the staff were lovely, and when service was a little slow on occasions, we simply relaxed and enjoyed the views.
We stayed 2 nights at the hotel, and it was the perfect place to access the Falls, just a short 10 minute walk away. We chose not to eat in the formal Dining Room, and instead ate at the more relaxed buffet area, and enjoyed the display of traditional African Dances that was staged in the evening. The food was good (it was a buffet menu for both Breakfast and Dinner, with plenty of options) - and there was a good selection of wines and cocktails as well." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
We stayed 2 nights at the hotel, and it was the perfect place to access the Falls, just a short 10 minute walk away. We chose not to eat in the formal Dining Room, and instead ate at the more relaxed buffet area, and enjoyed the display of traditional African Dances that was staged in the evening. The food was good (it was a buffet menu for both Breakfast and Dinner, with plenty of options) - and there was a good selection of wines and cocktails as well." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr T & Mr L
Amsterdam
"Iconic Hotel overlooking the Victoria Falls"
2 nights Arrived 29 May 2012
"I have long wanted to stay at the Vic Falls having been there many times when I was younger and quite unable to pay for more than a beer on the terrace (and not even that sometimes).
So it was good to get the chance to stay and the experience lived up to expectations although the hotel was somewhat shabby. Staff were super-friendly and the food was good.
The terrace is one if the nicest places to sit and chill in the area. We "wasted" a complete afternoon drinking wine and watching the warthogs and vervet monkeys
One word of warning. The hotel is older (of course) but has very limited facilities for the mobility-impaired and the suites (which we had booked to allow more space) were up a sweeping flight of stairs without any lift. My mum wasn't able to manage the stairs and we had to move her to a much less-attractive room but one that she was at least able to get in and out of. Even then there were challenges with the new room (high bathtub etc). But in the circumstances, it worked out and the hotel did the best they could." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
So it was good to get the chance to stay and the experience lived up to expectations although the hotel was somewhat shabby. Staff were super-friendly and the food was good.
The terrace is one if the nicest places to sit and chill in the area. We "wasted" a complete afternoon drinking wine and watching the warthogs and vervet monkeys
One word of warning. The hotel is older (of course) but has very limited facilities for the mobility-impaired and the suites (which we had booked to allow more space) were up a sweeping flight of stairs without any lift. My mum wasn't able to manage the stairs and we had to move her to a much less-attractive room but one that she was at least able to get in and out of. Even then there were challenges with the new room (high bathtub etc). But in the circumstances, it worked out and the hotel did the best they could." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mrs M
Virginia
"A Return to the Colonial Era"
2 nights Arrived 20 May 2012
"We enjoyed the old world colonial atmosphere and the beautiful lawn and views of the mist from the falls. It was also nice to be able to walk to different viewing locations from the hotel. A few more tourist police might be helpful as they are very effective in discouraging panhandlers.
The banquet/food manager was very helpful in setting us up for breakfast when we arrived later than regular serving hours one morning. Also the bartenders were most accommodating in preparing an "American" martini to suit our taste.
It is very helpful to be able to arrange side trips through the two tourist companies on site." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
The banquet/food manager was very helpful in setting us up for breakfast when we arrived later than regular serving hours one morning. Also the bartenders were most accommodating in preparing an "American" martini to suit our taste.
It is very helpful to be able to arrange side trips through the two tourist companies on site." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Hampton
"A fabulous surprise at Vic Falls Hotel"
1 night Arrived 12 Apr 2012
"We have a lovely welcome and fabulous room here.
We were disappointed with the food-a bbq by the pool with live music and dancing. The dancing etc was good but a little tired and the food was definitely below what could be expected in a hotel of that standing." See all these reviews: 7n in Zimbabwe
We were disappointed with the food-a bbq by the pool with live music and dancing. The dancing etc was good but a little tired and the food was definitely below what could be expected in a hotel of that standing." See all these reviews: 7n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Poor
Facilities:
Good
Ms O
Vancouver
"Victoria Falls Hotel review"
2 nights Arrived 25 Mar 2012
"Loved the Vic Falls Hotel. Classic colonial grandeur next door to one of the wonders of the world. The breakfast buffet was excellent and drinks on the terrace looking over the bridge and the falls mist cant be beat. We did the formal dinner on our last night and it was excellent, but it was a little sad to see how few patrons they had.
The town of Vic Falls was an interesting place to spend a couple of days, but it's clear the locals are in tough economic times. Whenever we left the grounds people tried, persistently but politely, to sell us curios and even wanted to trade for articles of clothing and shoes. That said there was an active tourist policy force in evidence who helped to keep the hawkers manageable.
Also had a nice dinner at a restaurant in town (near the hotel, just across the tracks) called Mama Africa's. It was the one time we were able to try local cuisine on our trip." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
The town of Vic Falls was an interesting place to spend a couple of days, but it's clear the locals are in tough economic times. Whenever we left the grounds people tried, persistently but politely, to sell us curios and even wanted to trade for articles of clothing and shoes. That said there was an active tourist policy force in evidence who helped to keep the hawkers manageable.
Also had a nice dinner at a restaurant in town (near the hotel, just across the tracks) called Mama Africa's. It was the one time we were able to try local cuisine on our trip." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs C
Northants
"Victoria Falls Hotel review"
1 night Arrived 3 Jan 2012
"Worth paying the extra for this hotel, location & grounds fantastic. Knocked the socks off Ilala Lodge, with hindsight would have tried to book this for whole stay. Couldn't fault it. Friendly staff.
Smallish room, but we weren't in it much." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia; 3n in Zimbabwe
Smallish room, but we weren't in it much." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs V
Jersey
"Victoria Falls Hotel review"
3 nights Arrived 2 Dec 2011
"5 star hotel from the outside and public rooms, 3 star bedrooms. Good food and friendly staff."
See all these reviews: 13n in South Africa; 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Good
R, M, A & P
W Sussex
"Victoria Falls Hotel review"
1 night Arrived 4 Oct 2011
"We spent one night here.
It was a different and good experience in a hotel that is a slice of history and the Hotel has a distinct character and style of service." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
It was a different and good experience in a hotel that is a slice of history and the Hotel has a distinct character and style of service." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
The W family
Germany
"Victoria Falls Hotel review"
2 nights Arrived 19 Jun 2011
"I would encourage anyone who is visiting the Falls to stay here. The Hoyel really added to the Victoria Falls experience. Seeing the mist from the falls from the terrace was wonderful. the Saff were very helpful and friendly, nothing seemed too much trouble for them."
See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 4n in Seychelles; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs & Mr H
Canada
"Victoria Falls Hotel review"
2 nights Arrived 29 Apr 2011
"We loved staying in this historical hotel situated a short walk from the Falls."
See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
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