evanphyl

Hi Fellow Travelers,

A friend and I are planning a trip to Botswana and Victoria Falls. We are considering staying at the Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe to see the Falls. Has anyone out there stayed at the Victoria Falls Hotel and how did you like the experience. Did you eat at the dinner "game" buffet and see the African show? Any other hotels in the area that could be atlernatives.

Thanks for your input.

Londonres

The collapse of the economy has caused food and fuel shortages and these do affect tourists. I've known of people being delayed a few days, because there wasn't fuel for aircraft. Victoria Falls Hotel was the best place to stay, and my Zimbabwean neighbour has fond memories of it.

On the Zambian side, in Livingstone, there are several possibilities, depending on your budget. I stayed at The River Club and loved it. It also has a colonial feel and the chalets overlook the river. The gardens were great for relaxing and birdwatching. After River Club we started our safari in Botswana.

Grcxx3

My husband and son stayed there for several days in Dec 2006 - and they really had a wonderful time. But things went downhill for the country right afterwards, so I am not sure about everything now.

They did not do the "game" buffet (we had done that in Kenya) and I don't think they saw the African show. They were mainly there for a fishing trip - altho they did do a night safari, a dinner river cruise, and a helicopter ride over the falls. They loved it all.

DonTopaz

The VF Hotel is one of those places that was surely once a grand, colonial hotel. When I was there 18 months ago, it was still very pleasant, with staff that tried to please the guests. The grounds are lovely, and it's just a short (10-min?) walk to the park entrance for the Falls.

It's the type of hotel that does need constant and ongoing upkeep. So, any report of the hotel's condition could well become obsolete very quickly.

I can't say that it's the type of hotel that appeals to me a lot, but I recognize that many people enjoy and prefer it. Overall, it's not a bad choice if you're looking for a comfortable, relatively low-key place to stay in VF.

ekscrunchy

I spent a few hours there eating lunch and swimming, last fall. It is a gorgeous property. But if I were to stay in VF I might choose Ilala Lodge.. The VFalls Hotel was filled with tour groups (mostly American) when we were there..

matnikstym

I stayed there in 2006 and also at Ilala Lodge and I preferred Ilala. More natural feel to it than the VF.

tacos10

I stayed there in August and had a very nice stay. Things may have changed for the worse since then with the political situation, but it seemed like the VFH would be the last place in the country to be impacted. I would stay there again if I was returning.

aowens

I stayed there in December 2007. It was lovely and I would not hesitate to stay there again. They were missing some items on the menu in the restaurant due to food shortages. What they did cook was good, but I didn't do the "game" buffet so I don't know what was on it.

lexia

HI Evanphyl,
We just returned from Victoria Falls a few weeks ago and chose to stay on the Zambian side at the Royal LIvinstone. I just posted a trip report.

Our decision at the time of booking was because Zimbabwe charged a visa fee and Zambia did not. By the time we went, Zambia had added one, that you have to pay in cash at the time of arrival. Dollars will do.

I don't think you could miss with either the Vic Falls Hotel or the Royal Livingstone.

thit_cho

I stayed at the Victoria Falls Hotel when I visited Zimbabwe in 2001, and I generally search out colonial or historic hotels, and the Victoria Falls Hotel is one of the nicest (as nice as the Mount Nelson in Cape Town or the Polana in Maputo, for example). For me, there was never any question as to where I would stay (plus, I booked through Amex platinum, and they upgraded me to a large suite). Its a short walk to the Falls, but there were lots of baboons (some a bit intimidating) along the trail. When I revisit, I will stay there again.

ekscrunchy

To change the subject for a minute, Michael..what benefits other than room upgrades do you get from the Amex Platinum card?

thit_cho

For me, Amex Platinum gives me access to a travel agent, which I use frequently, and room upgrades (which I am able to use from time to time) -- there are also "free" companion tickets, but those are usually on exhorbitantly priced business class tickets (and I can usually find less expensive business class tickets). I have also used the concierge service for restaurant reservations.

atravelynn

Location, location, location! It's the closest to the falls. I watched the African dancing show at night. Great costumes and drummers. Very good place to stay.

Ilala Hotel is a nice alternative and I stayed there twice. The walk to the falls is about 12 minutes, so it is twice as far as the Victoria Falls Hotel.

The last time I checked Ilala was slightly more than Victoria Falls Hotel for the particular dates I was looking at. That really surprised me because usually Ilala is less.

julia1

I stayed at Ilala Lodge in Victoria Falls in October 2007. The accommodation was very comfortable. Had dinner at Victoria Falls Hotel one evening with people staying there. The hotel is lovely, beautiful grounds, but they complained that their rooms were small and out-dated. At both places there were shortages of various food supplies, but the people were friendly and trying very hard under very difficult circumstances. Here are some photos from Victoria Falls Hotel and Ilala Lodge: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/c1494305.html

British Airways made one flight a day into Victoria Falls, with a quick turnaround - unload passengers, reload, take off within the hour - because there wasn't fuel available for refueling in Zimbabwe.

The London Telegraph is currently running an article about people going to Livingstone vs Victoria Falls, with information about places to stay:
http://tinyurl.com/4698y4

africazimtravel

Hie Guys,

The best way you can enjoy such a trip is to come through vicfalls airport then you can do vicfalls and all activities you are willing to do and after that you proceed to chobe , okavango deltor. Its a 6day trip running already it includes acc in botswana,food ,game drive and boat cruise.You are picked straight from the aiport you start your trip.Its 900usd p/p. For more info contact me on [email protected] .

ShayTay

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