drehburg

Hiya,

Anyone have any thoughts on the Livingstone Safari Lodge in Zambia in Livingstone?

http://www.livingstone-lodge.com

jasher

Hello,

It seems a bit far from the action at the falls -- and as transfers and activities don't appear to be included, those could add up after awhile.

Personally, I would prefer a riverside location and/or a location in walking distance of the falls.

Cheers,
Julian

drehburg

Hi Julian,

Yes, it seems a little way from the falls. I am estimating about 1/2 distance from Livingstone itself. The main goal of thinking of this place is looking for a reasonably quiet and comfortable place to stay after running around playing in the water and such, but at a reasonable rate (we will be coming from RPS and going to Chaminuka so some savings is nice). I would rather pick/pay for the activities so I can customize to what I would like to do (ie - croc farm may not be my thing, but riverboarding is).

The transfers for 2/2.5 hrs is $25USD per person, and I am figuring going in only once in the 4/5 days I am there.

Of course, I have reserved with no downpayment, but if this place is no good I would like some reasonably priced alternatives

jasher

Hello,

I'd be surprised if you made only one trip to the falls -- there's not much else to do in Livingstone. All of the activities (riverboarding, rafting, bungi jumping, elephant back safaris, etc) would also involve a transfer to the falls.

I was originally looking at staying at some places further out, but decided against it because of the cost and hassle of transfers. 2-2.5 hours one way means 5 hours a day spent on transfers -- that's four hours too much for me.

There is a place called The Waterfront which looks somewhat similar and is quite reasonably priced. They also run a lot of activities from there which would be pretty convenient.

Cheers,
Julian

drehburg

Hi Julian,

In a lengthy email from them, most, if not all transfers for what we are interested in are included (from the lodge). Also, the 2/2.5 hrs is the amount of time for the trip (to, there, and from). They state they are only 5km from the falls ( and I assume an equal distance to the city ).

Have you been to the Waterfront?

jasher

Hello,

I'm surprised to hear about the transfers, as that isn't indicated on their website. If the transfers are included, what is the $25 per person fee for? Do they require you to book your activities (with a mark-up) through them to get free transfers? If they're included it sounds like a good deal, but make sure you get everything in writing.

No, I haven't stayed at the Waterfront as my budget is more at the River Club level, but it has gotten some good reviews as a budget option.

Cheers,
Julian

drehburg

Hi Julian,

The $25 is for a town tour, and "most" activities include the transfer from the lodge. I am not sure if there is some book with them policy, but I noticed SafPar is showing the same rate as the lodge ($95) for the rafting, and $10 cheaper for the raft/boarding. Now, I have no idea who runs their excursions, and I am sure that $10 discount may not be real.

I was thinking the River Club too, but since I plan on running around I just really need a place quiet to sleep, get some breeky and dinner, and be able to easily book excursions.

jasher

Hello,

If the transfers are included, it's a great deal if you don't mind the travel time.

However, you should check if they are always included, or included only if you use a scheduled transfer (as opposed to one which has been arranged to fit your schedule).

When I was looking for a place in the Vic Falls/Livingstone area, I considered Matetsi Water Lodge as (much less) expensive alternative to River Club -- it's only $250 per person per night. Matetsi is about 45 minutes from the falls, but transfers were included so it looked like a great deal -- until I found out that only the group transfers (leaving around 10am and returning around 330) were free. Transfers at any other time were on a private basis, and would have cost over $150 per vehicle per one-way trip. Since many of the activities I was interested in (viewing the falls at night, breakfast at Livingston Island) would have involved a private transfer, Matetsi was much more expensive than it seemed based on rates alone.

Cheers,
Julian

drehburg

Thanks Julian,

I think with it being a short distance (5km), and that they are $35 USD per person per night, I will stick with it. I was wondering however if anyone had stayed there?