Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge sits on a plateau above Zambezi National Park, four kilometres from the falls themselves. The building is thatched timber, rising across several levels so that most of the seventy-two rooms look directly down onto a central waterhole. Buffalo, elephant, kudu and hyena come to drink — elephant and buffalo typically in the late afternoon, hyena after dark — and you can watch from your private balcony without leaving the room.

The three room types all have balconies, air conditioning, ceiling fans, rain showers and minibars. Standard rooms face the national park; Waterhole Facing Rooms and the duplex Waterhole Facing Suite face the waterhole and catch the sunset. The suite has a sunken lounge, a separate bath and shower, and a complimentary stocked minibar.

On the waterhole's edge, the Siduli Hide is built to resemble a termite mound. A qualified guide walks guests out — five minutes from the lodge — to sit at water level and watch animals approach. The daily Vulture Culture session covers the ecological role of raptors and scavengers at the site.

Three dining options operate on the property: MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant for à la carte meals and South African wines, the Buffalo Bar terrace overlooking the waterhole for sundowners, and The Boma for a set dinner with drumming and local dishes. A complimentary shuttle runs throughout the day to the falls, the town centre and the curio markets.