13 Best Hotels in Livingstone, Zambia

The lodge, located on two beautiful forested islands in the Zambezi River about 48 km (30 miles) upstream from Victoria Falls, was awarded the Environmental Certificate by the Environmental Council of Zambia in 2002. A suspension bridge links the two islands and leads to an overhead walkway in the tree canopy that connects the elevated chalets to the lodge's restaurant. Electricity is drawn from the Victoria Falls hydroelectric plant, and river water is recycled and treated on-site for use in the camp. Members of local tribes are employed by the lodge, where sunset cruises, mokoro rides, guided nature walks, white-water rafting, and bungee jumping are all on the menu. Guests can also opt to fly over Victoria Falls in a microlight plane.

The entire design of this small establishment is user-friendly, inviting, and certainly aimed at both private relaxation and easy interaction with other travelers. Superbly maintained and professionally run, the lodge offers a variety of room types to suit every budget and need. The restaurant serves the usual hamburger but also has a number of surprises on the menu, including a full roast on Sundays and exotic vegetarian soups made from local sweet potatoes and Indian spices. A kilometer away from the backpackers, just behind the Royal Livingstone Golf Course, is Jollyboys Camp, which is slightly more relaxed and family-friendly.

The vibe of California and Marrakesh in the '60s and '70s is alive and well at this collection of thatch huts and campsites along the banks of the Zambezi, 52 km (32 miles) upstream of the Falls. Accommodations are basic but somehow quite perfect, each with gorgeous river views, and there are hot showers and flush toilets. The kitchen is the heart of the island, and the emphasis is on wholesome organic food. Vegetarian diners are always catered to, and coffee is taken fabulously seriously. Whether you are taken for a swim in a shallow section of small rapids naturally protected from crocodiles or hippos, or on a sunrise canoe trip, every day will hold natural wonder. Warning: "island time" operates here and anything goes, so the staid or conservative are likely to find it unsuitable. 

KaingU Safari Lodge is a small camp comprised of a family house with two bedrooms and six classic en suite safari tents. The tents are raised on rosewood decks to provide ideal views over the myriad channels and islands formed by the Kafue River. It's also very remote—situated in the southern reaches of the Kafue National Park. The thatched main building has a lounge, bar, and dining room, where the hosted dinner conversations cover all topics. Two activities are included every day, and the selection ranges from chilled-out river safaris to serious birding excursions. The natural splendor of deepest Zambia takes precedence—at this camp even the swimming pool is a wholly natural Jacuzzi in the rapids of the Kafue!

The legend of a great white-maned lion that used to call this area its home lives on in the name of this camp, which is Shona for the "king of cats." If you're looking for an African adventure of the original epic variety, then you need to stay at Old Mondoro. The game-viewing sizzles with close-up sightings of elephants and leopards in trees. Old Mondoro is decorated in old-school-safari style with showers and baths, all lit by romantic lanterns. Tents with wide timber verandahs are open (with canvas flaps at night) to maximize views of the surrounding floodplains, woodlands, and a complex maze of waterways and hippo paths. The smell of freshly made bread introduces a back-to-basics bushveld kitchen repertoire that includes generous portions of hearty, flavorful meals. The entire experience manages to be marvelously satisfying without any fuss or complication. Old Mondoro is also a 1-hour motorboat ride from its similarly spectacular sister camp, Chiawa.

There is no formal dress code, but this camp offers the perfect backdrop for throwing practicality to the wind and dressing up for dinner. All the hallmarks of the genuine safari experience, including beautiful bush views, great creature sightings, and dining alfresco by lamplight, are perfectly balanced by a splendidly chic minimalist design that focuses on space and earthy tones. Sausage Tree Camp is a very satisfying and perfectly decadent bush retreat. Sumptuous fabrics by night and elephants from canoe by day: Simply bliss! You can also try Potato Bush which is walking distance from Sausage Tree, equally spectacular and falls under the same ownership. The closest airstrip is Jeki, and this is two hours from Livingstone and 40 minutes from Lusaka in a small aircraft. Sausage Tree Camp is a one-hour drive from Jeki.

This is the most environmentally friendly property on the Zambezi. The island makes use of solar power for heating, all the gray water is recycled, the secluded chalets are constructed mainly from sustainable forests, and there's a strict 10-guest maximum. Each of the island's five chalets is raised on a wooden deck built artistically around the existing trees, and they are all completely open to the river with spectacular private views. Each guest can plan a completely private itinerary. There's absolutely no electricity on the island, but it's barely noticeable. If your party takes Sindabezi exclusively, the guide, boat, and land vehicle are at your disposal. Dinner is served by lantern and candlelight on a sandbank or wooden deck under the stars.

Rooms at this luxury waterfront lodge, which is set within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, have their own private views of the Zambezi and feature a tasteful blend of teak furnishings, big four-poster beds, and ornate standalone bathtubs. The main reception areas boast high and handsome thatched roofs, while the expansive sundowner deck and infinity pool are great spots to watch hippos happily honking away in the river. The lodge's splendid double-decker riverboat, the Lady Livingstone, departs for sunset cruises with drinks and canapes daily and is a must while staying here. 

With split-level rooms that cling to the edge of the great Zambezi, The River Club puts a modern spin on a Victorian house party. The view from the infinity pool seems unbeatable, until you watch the sun set from your claw-foot tub. Clever cooling mists of water draw flocks of birds to the gazebo, and the library begs for a glass of port and a serious book. History clings to the structure, built to the plans of the original house, but decorations have been lovingly collected from past and present. A candlelight dinner is followed by a game of tennis, or croquet on the floodlighted lawn before you retire to your partially starlit room. You approach the lodge from the river—purely for the spectacular effect—but it necessitates negotiating some steep stairs. If you think you'll struggle, ask to be transferred by vehicle.

This high-volume, high-end hotel has an incredibly gorgeous sundowner deck, arguably on the best spot on the river, just upstream from the Falls. Set amid sweeping green lawns and big trees, the Royal boasts some fantastic views. The decor of the 17 residences, each with approximately 10 guest rooms, as well as the public rooms is deliberately colonial and ostentatious. Food is beautifully prepared from a blend of fresh local and exotic imported ingredients. The Royal contributes to a truly noteworthy number of local charities and environmental efforts. This resort is tremendously popular and can be extremely busy, but the staff is always friendly and helpful. Each room has a dedicated butler to take care of the individual needs of every guest. Vervet monkeys are an entertaining nuisance, so hang on to your expensive cocktail.

Spread out along the banks of the Zambezi River, the tents are set up on stilts, surrounded by a wooden deck that you can sit on and watch the world and the Zambezi River go by. The word "tent" is used liberally as the accommodation at Toka Leya resembles anything but camping. The well-appointed en suite safari-style tents are remarkably spacious and join up to the main dining, bar, and pool area via a raised gangway, keeping guests out of the way of visiting hippos and elephants. Toka Leya is in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where a handful of Zambia's remaining white rhino live. A game drive through the national park is a must. Priding itself on its greenness, the camp has incorporated several eco-friendly systems. There's great fishing on the river and you can arrange for a guide to take you out on a fully equipped boat.

If you're looking for a truly idyllic African experience, this is it. Tongabezi was designed to perfectly complement the natural beauty of the Zambezi—but you'll still find indulgent offerings and personalized service at every turn. Standard cottages are spacious, cream-and-ocher rondavels featuring private verandahs. Three houses are built into a low cliff and incorporate the original riverine forest canopy; one house hugs the water with a private deck extending over the river; and the Nuthouse is entirely enclosed and also has an exclusive plunge pool. King-size beds set into tree trunks and covered by curtains of linen netting, oversize sofas in the sitting areas, and large claw-foot bathtubs on the private decks are all unashamedly indulgent. Every room has a personal valet who caters to your every whim. The lodge also has in-house masseuses. Tongabezi offers various excellent meal options, including a romantic candlelit san pan (pontoon boat) floating on the Zambezi (with waiters delivering each course by canoe), as well as a number of private decks.