Gorges Lodge

Nestled in beautiful gardens in the heart of Victoria Falls, you’ll find this luxurious family-run hotel. Ideally located, it’s just a short walk from the falls themselves and offers guests easy access to a variety of historical sites, places of interest and restaurants. Located on the Zimbabwean side of the Zambezi River, the hotel is geographically the closest the Victoria Falls.

Rooms on the upper-tier boast their own private balconies, while those on the lower floor open onto the exquisitely manicured gardens. Look out for visiting wildlife like warthogs, and even the occasional elephant!

Dining at the award-winning Palm Restaurant is definite highlight of any stay at Ilala Lodge Hotel. Savour gourmet dishes beneath the starry African sky with the falls so close you can see the spray and hear the thundering waters. Mealtimes are often made even more special by the arrival of grazing impala and warthogs on the hotel lawns.

Head out into the lush wilderness on a game drive, enjoy some thrilling white-water rafting on the Zambezi, take the plunge as you bungee jump off Victoria Fall Bridge, or get the best view from Devil’s Pools right at the edge of the falls.

Mpala Jena Camp sits parallel to the magnificent Zambezi River in a private concession within the Zambezi National Park, just upstream from the impressive Victoria Falls. Mpala Jena translates to ‘white impala’ as according to the park rangers, in the late seventies there had been frequent sightings of a ghostly albino impala in this area.

Perfectly located under the protective shade of a range of indigenous trees such as the kigelia sausage tree, the rain tree and the water berry tree, the camp is as much a sanctuary for its guests as the park is to its wilder inhabitants.

The four exclusive canvas tents are open plan in design and the décor has delicate Moroccan influences. Your own private decking and plunge pool looks out onto the Zambezi River, so you’ll really feel part of this magnificent landscape. Each tent also has a small lounge with a desk, an indoor shower, separate loo and double basins. There is also a large two-bedroom suite, perfect for families and small groups.

The camp is environmentally conscious and innovative in its design. Recycled hardwoods and canvas are used for the spacious structure, and the camp’s electricity is generated by solar power.

Activities here include wildlife walks, game drives, boat cruises and canoeing. The Zambezi River attracts a wealth of majestic wildlife throughout the seasons, especially in the drier months and the camp’s close proximity makes it the perfect spot for wildlife enthusiasts.

Just a 15-minute drive from the thundering Victoria Falls and set within the eponymous private game reserve, Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel is a wish hideaway amid some of Zimbabwe’s most beautiful natural landscapes.

Set within the pristine Matetsi Private Game Reserve along an exclusive 15km (9 mile) stretch of the Zambezi River a little upstream from Mosi-oa-Tunya, Matetsi River Lodge perfectly combines fine safari with easy access to the thrills and adventure of Victoria Falls. The River Lodge comprises of two intimate camps of just nine suites each, including two family suites. All the suites are modern yet of the vernacular, with clean lines softened by local craft pieces and repurposed materials. En suite bathrooms boast indoor and outdoor showers as well as a deep bath which looks out over the Zambezi. A private veranda offers a refreshing plunge pool and a peaceful sitting area that overlooks the river. At the heart of each camp is a communal area with a variety of dining spaces, an interactive kitchen, convivial bar area and an al fresco area that encircles a blazing fire bowl, all with unifying theme of a wood and copper, the ‘red gold’ of the country’s historical mining industry.

There’s also a large central pool, massage sala, fitness centre and wine cellar. For the utmost privacy, Matetsi River House is an exclusive use villa with four bedrooms, its own kitchen, dining areas, pool and a complement of staff, including a dedicated guide, private vehicle, chef and butler, ensuring a tailor-made safari unlike any other. The 50,000ha (124,000 acre) private reserve is home to large herds of elephant and buffalo as well as an assortment of plains game and predators including kudu, sable and roan antelope, hippo, lion, leopard, African wild dog, spotted hyena, and 366 bird species.

Explore the concession on expertly guided game drives, horseback safaris and bush walks, or head out onto the water on canoeing excursions, fishing trips and sunset river cruises. You can also discover Victoria Falls and the famous adventure activities that surround it such as white water rafting, bungee jumping, scenic flights and zip lining.