The 7 Best Hotels Near Victoria Falls

Found on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, along the Zambezi River, is the world-famous, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Victoria Falls. This mighty waterfall – one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – is known for its incredible noise, a roar that can be heard for miles around, as well as the huge cloud of water vapour that bubbles up from the water thundering onto the rocks below. The waterfall also supports a hugely diverse ecosystem, ranging from plant life to some of Africa’s most well-known animals, such as hippos, giraffes, and elephants.

Visiting Victoria Falls is on many avid travellers’ bucket lists, so if it’s on yours, make sure to check out where you should stay when you visit below.

Where Can I Find the Best Hotels Near Victoria Falls?

1. Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls

Found just a five-minute walk from Victoria Falls is the Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel. Named after the British explorer, this hotel offers everything that you’d expect from a top-rated luxury stay.

An extra touch of authenticity is that wild zebras wander the grounds of the hotel, showing that the hotel prides itself on being able to live side-by-side with wildlife, rather than taking up their territories.

Guests at The Royal Livingstone also have unlimited access to Victoria Falls, so you can visit the mighty waterfall as often as you like during your stay. 

There are also lots of excursions available that you can book directly through the hotel, ranging from a private helicopter tour over Victoria Falls to a massage on the banks of the Zambezi.

This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime kind of stay, and with rooms overlooking both the waterfall and the seemingly endless African savannah, it’s no wonder that 92% of previous guests highly recommend the hotel.

2. Pamarah Lodge

A luxury boutique hotel on the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls, nestled deep under a canopy of teak trees, this is a perfect hotel for those who want peace, quiet and serenity while travelling.

A much smaller hotel than many similar types, with just 14 rooms, means that guests receive a much more personal experience than in larger hotels, and while the unconventional design of open pathways between rooms and the reception area may seem rustic, the high-speed WiFi, air conditioning and international plug sockets show that the hotel is completely up-to-date with modern amenities.

An outdoor swimming pool allows guests to cool off after a day of basking under the African sun, while numerous activities can be booked from the hotel, such as excursion to Victoria Falls to trips into local villages where wildlife and humans coexist peacefully – in fact, it’s not unusual to have to stop the car to let an elephant cross the road, or spot a troop of baboons running through the market.

3. The Victoria Falls Hotel

Originally built by the British in 1904 for workers on the Cape to Cairo railway, the Victoria Falls Hotel is the oldest luxury hotel in Zimbabwe.

It is found in the small town of Victoria Falls, just a few metres from the Zambezi River and near the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge, which marks the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The hotel combines classical colonial-era architecture with modern amenities, and has consistently been ranked as one of the best luxury hotels in Africa, and it’s easy to see why: 24-hour room service, outdoor swimming pools, direct airport transfers, three top-quality restaurants, and 149 rooms and suites to choose from, to name just a few of its amenities.

Relax on an evening in the Stanley Bar while listening to the distant roar of the mighty waterfall and the exotic animals in the distance for the perfect night-time soundtrack.

4. Pioneers Victoria Falls

Less than three kilometres from Victoria Falls, Pioneers is another superb hotel for guests wanting to visit one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. 

Surrounded by lush gardens and with 50 spacious rooms to choose from, there is a real sense of community about Pioneers.

Blending the nostalgic spirit of those first European explorers into Africa, with traditional African designs and cuisine, Pioneers is not just a look at the past: it is a pioneer (excuse the pun) of the future, being almost entirely powered by solar power.

After all, you’ll be staying here to appreciate the beauty of the natural world, so it makes sense to respect nature and do your bit to help the environment, right?

This is the perfect place for sustainable travellers to stay. In addition to the solar energy used to power most of the hotel, the hotel also supports local conservation efforts, adopts anti-poaching measures, anti-litter campaigns and supports wildlife research projects.

If you’re looking for somewhere sustainable, eco-friendly and beautiful to stay, then Pioneers is the one for you.

5. Shongwe Oasis

Just two kilometres from Victoria Falls, Shongwe Oasis is a true African paradise. 

This adults-only resort gives you the chance to sit back and breathe – whether you want to relax in the spa after a day of exploring Victoria Falls or have an afternoon nap in the shade with the tranquil background noise of the waterfall, rest and relaxation come first at Shongwe Oasis.

With just 19 rooms, your experience here is a personalised one. From friendly and welcoming staff who are happy to help with anything, to having your towels laid out and sunbeds reserved for you next to the pool in the hotel’s tropical gardens, with your favourite cocktail in hand, the hardest bit about staying here is finding the motivation to actually leave the hotel to go and see Victoria Falls – which says a lot about how well run, maintained and relaxing the hotel is.

The hotel also offers bicycles to its guests, if you wish to cycle around the local area and even over to the mighty Falls, showcasing another sustainable travel initiative.

6. Nkosi Guest Lodge

Shrouded in greenery, you’d be mistaken for walking right past Nkosi Guest Lodge if you weren’t specifically looking for it. 

The beautiful lodge with 24 rooms – including family rooms and disabled access rooms – is perfect for a stay near Victoria Falls.

Each room includes modern amenities such as air conditioning, hair dryers, toiletries and even a full English breakfast every morning if you wish.

The outdoor pool is purposefully half-shaded by overhanging trees, offering a relaxing, cooling spot after a day of being out in the African sun, while the hotel also has a huge emphasis on sustainable tourism.

A grey water system is in place to water the gardens of the hotel, while there are plans for the hotel to be fully reliant on solar power in the near future.

For eco-conscious travellers who want to stay within a hair’s breadth of Victoria Falls, Nkosi Guest Lodge is another excellent option.

7. Mbano Manor Hotel

A five-star boutique luxury hotel in the heart of Victoria Falls – it doesn’t get much better than that, right?

If you’re seeking an African safari paradise with a strong emphasis on sustainability, then this is where you will need to stay – in the closest forest hotel to Victoria Falls, where you can see the mighty 100m drop and the 1,700m waterfall cascading over the rocks from your bedroom.

A proud, black female-owned business, founded by Dr Matifadza Martha Nyazema – better known as Doc Mati – who was so inspired by the sight of Victoria Falls on a trip when she was a young girl, she opened up Mbano Manor Hotel in 2020, making it one of the newest hotels in the area.

It is built in the centre of a bird and tree sanctuary, and offers 18 luxury suites in addition to a villa that sleeps up to 6 guests.

The hotel is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts, especially bird watchers, and for photographers and videographers who want to take unforgettable shots of Victoria Falls, it’s easy to see why this is one of the best hotels in the region.

FAQs

What are the best hotels to stay at near Victoria Falls?

For the ultimate luxury experience, we recommend staying at Mbano Manor Hotel, Pioneers, or The Victoria Falls Hotel.

Which side of Victoria Falls (Zambia or Zimbabwe) has the best hotel options?

The Zimbabwean side has the greater quantity of hotels, many of which are within walking distance of Victoria Falls.

Are there eco-friendly or sustainable hotels near Victoria Falls?

Yes, there are, including Mbano Manor Hotel, Nkosi Guest Lodge, Pioneers and Shongwe Oasis to name just a few sustainable hotels near Victoria Falls.

What luxury hotels are closest to Victoria Falls?

Pamarah Lodge and Royal Livingstone Victoria are two of the closest luxury hotels to Victoria Falls.

Is it better to book hotels near Victoria Falls in advance?

Yes, it is. You can save money by booking in advance, and at least one month is recommended, but preferably longer.