Livingstone
Flagship destination — falls, river activities, gateway to Lower Zambezi
Mosi-oa-Tunya
Stand in awe at the edge of the thundering Eastern Cataract where the spray rises hundreds of meters into the sky.
Discover the magic of Livingstone
Livingstone town itself is quieter and more laid-back than its Zimbabwean counterpart, with a strong colonial history (named for David Livingstone, the first European to document the falls in 1855), a good museum, and easy access to Livingstone Island for Devil's Pool. It's also the natural springboard for river-based add-ons — sunset cruises depart right from town, and it's the closest gateway to the Lower Zambezi safari circuit downstream.
When to visit Livingstone
Bespoke monthly climate indicators detailing temperature shifts and average precipitation levels.
Peak Flood (High Water)
Knife-Edge Bridge is spectacular, heavy mist spray, rafting closed.
Cool Dry Winter
Pleasant, dry. Excellent for game drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya Game Park.
Hot Dry Spring
Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island open up. Calmer river levels.
Summer Rains
Lush green lands, afternoon storms, humid heat.
Points of Interest
Glimpses of local landmarks and experiences, capturing moments that define Livingstone.
Mosi Oa Tunya — Zambia
The Zambian falls walk, including the Knife-Edge Bridge — the closest possible viewpoint to the thunderous Eastern Cataract. Expect to get soaked.
Livingstone Island
Accessible by boat (water levels permitting), the spot where David Livingstone first viewed the falls, and the launch point for Devil's Pool swims.
Victoria Falls Bridge Crossing
Walk or cycle between Zambia and Zimbabwe for views straight down into the gorge (passport required even for a short crossing).
Mosi-oa-Tunya Game Park
A small park on the Zambian side home to white rhino, giraffe, zebra, and antelope; good for a short game drive or rhino-tracking walk.
Livingstone Museum
The largest and oldest museum in Zambia, covering the region's archaeological history, local culture, and the David Livingstone expeditions.
Zambezi River Cruises
Sunset and lunch cruises departing from jetties just outside town, drifting past hippos and crocodiles.
Signature Activities
Whether booked individually or integrated into our itineraries, these are the standout experiences in Livingstone.
Art of Africa — Painting Workshops
A genuinely original Victoria Falls experience: guided painting workshops led by a collective of young local artists, set in some of the region's most beautiful spots. You're given all the materials and gentle instruction, then create your own painting while soaking up the surroundings — and take the artwork home as the ultimate souvenir. The settings make each workshop distinct: paint the Zambezi from a breakfast cruise, the gorge at sunset from the Lookout Café, the waterfall from within the rainforest, or elephants up close at the Elephant Wallow. Several include a meal and cultural elements, blending art, scenery and local life.
Victoria Falls Bamba Tram
The Bamba Tram is an authentically styled 19th-century tram that trundles through Victoria Falls National Park out to the historic bridge over the Batoka Gorge. It's a gentle, scenic, family-friendly outing: along the way you may spot elephant, buffalo, waterbuck and bushbuck, and at the bridge you can watch the bungee and bridge-swing action and visit the rail and bridge museum, all while an on-board guide shares the history of the line. A relaxed, low-cost way to combine wildlife, history and the iconic bridge without any adrenaline required.
Batoka Gorge Hike
A guided descent into the dramatic Batoka Gorge, dropping down steep, rocky terrain to Rapid #1 at the edge of the Zambezi, then climbing back out. It puts you right at the bottom of the gorge, where the river's power and the scale of the canyon walls are felt up close — a raw, ground-level counterpoint to the aerial and bridge views. It's an affordable, low-tech adventure for the reasonably fit, with a guide setting the pace and pointing out the geology and birdlife along the way.
Bungee Jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge
A 111-metre plunge off the historic Victoria Falls Bridge, straight down toward the churning Zambezi in the gorge below — one of the most iconic bungee jumps in the world. The 1905 bridge straddles the border between the two countries, and the jump point sits roughly at its midpoint, giving you a gorge-and-river backdrop few jumps anywhere can match. It's run by a single, long-established operator with a strong safety record. The same platform offers the Bridge Swing and Bridge Slide, so many people combine all three.
Bushtracks Express — Steam Train Dinner
A step back in time aboard a fully restored 1952 steam locomotive, departing Victoria Falls Station for a slow, elegant run out to the Victoria Falls Bridge and into the bush before returning for dinner. Red-carpet boarding, polished period coaches and an open observation deck set the tone; as the train eases onto the bridge you get spray-misted views of the gorge and Falls at golden hour. Dinner is a five-course affair served as the African dusk settles — a romantic, special-occasion outing and the Zimbabwe-side counterpart to Zambia's Royal Livingstone Express.
Victoria Falls Canopy Tour
A gentler cousin of the gorge zip lines, the Canopy Tour is a network of nine slides (40–85 m each) and a cable suspension bridge strung through the hardwood forest along the rim of the Zambezi gorges. You glide from platform to platform under the trees, taking in the riverine forest, the rapids below, the Victoria Falls Bridge and abundant birdlife — all at a relaxed, accessible pace. It's one of the best family adventures in Victoria Falls: enough of a thrill to feel adventurous, but safe and manageable for children and non-adrenaline-seekers.
Chobe Day Trip from Victoria Falls
Chobe National Park holds one of the largest elephant populations on earth, and it's close enough to Victoria Falls to visit in a single day. A Chobe day trip crosses the border into Botswana for a morning game drive along the wildlife-rich riverfront, followed by a boat-based game cruise on the Chobe River — often the highlight, as elephant, buffalo, hippo and crocodile gather at the water's edge, sometimes within metres of the boat. The day's logistics — border crossing, timing, lunch — are handled by the operator, so the focus stays on the wildlife.
Devil's Pool & Livingstone Island
Livingstone Island is the speck of land where David Livingstone first laid eyes on the Falls in 1855, perched right on the edge of the precipice. During the low-water months a natural rock barrier forms a pool — Devil's Pool — where you can swim to the very lip of the Falls and peer over a 100-metre drop, held safely by the rock wall and guides. It is one of the most famous and photographed experiences in Africa. Access is by short boat transfer to the island, followed by a guided wade and swim out to the pool. Swimming is optional — many come simply for the unmatched setting and the food, served picnic-style on the island.
Dusty Road — Township Food Experience
Dusty Road is the most authentic dining experience in Victoria Falls — a township restaurant in Chinotimba serving traditional Zimbabwean food cooked the traditional way, over open fire, using indigenous ingredients. The setting is as much a draw as the food: the whole place is built from up-cycled and recycled materials — old doors, cable reels and pots reimagined into a warm, characterful space, with a curio shop and a women's artisan market on site. It's a chance to step beyond the tourist strip, eat genuinely local food, and support a community enterprise.
Elephant Encounter at the Wild Horizons Sanctuary
A close, walking-alongside encounter with a herd of rescued African elephants at the Wild Horizons sanctuary. Rather than rides, the experience centres on learning: an educational presentation about each elephant's history and the sanctuary's work, followed by a guided walk among the herd where you observe their behaviour and bond up close. Importantly, the sanctuary moved away from elephant-back rides to walking encounters in step with evolving global attitudes to human–animal interaction. Fees fund the lifelong care of elephants that can live 60+ years — a meaningful, conservation-minded experience and an excellent one for families.
Game Drive, Rhino Search & Bush Dinner
A combined afternoon-into-night safari on the private reserve neighbouring Victoria Falls, built around a search for the reserve's black rhino. You set out by open vehicle in the afternoon, stop for sundowners as the light fades, then continue with a spotlight on a night drive looking for nocturnal species rarely seen by day — genets, civets, owls and more. The full experience ends with a three-course dinner around the campfire in a bush boma. Shorter versions are available without the dinner, and there's a guided walking-safari option for those who want time on foot.
Guided Tour of Victoria Falls (Rainforest Walk)
This is the one thing no visitor should miss — the guided walk along the Zimbabwean rim of Victoria Falls. The trail threads through the spray-fed rainforest to 16 numbered viewpoints, each framing a different part of the mile-wide curtain: Devil's Cataract, Main Falls, the view across to Livingstone Island, and Rainbow Falls. The optional "Chain Walk" descends a set of stairs toward the gorge for a lower vantage. A guide brings the geology, history and ecology to life — how the Falls formed along the basalt fault lines, David Livingstone's 1855 "discovery," and the monkeys, bushbuck and birds that live in the rainforest. You can also walk it independently with a map.
Helicopter Flights — "Flight of Angels" over Victoria Falls
The "Flight of Angels" — named after David Livingstone's remark that the Falls were so beautiful they "must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight" — is the single best way to grasp the sheer scale of Victoria Falls. From the air the full mile-wide curtain of water reveals itself, along with the zig-zag of the Batoka Gorges downstream and the wide, island-studded Zambezi above the lip. The shorter flight circles the Falls multiple times in both directions, so passengers on either side of the aircraft get a clear view. The longer flight adds game-viewing upstream along the Zambezi River and over Zambezi National Park, where elephant, hippo and buffalo are often spotted from above.
High Wire Gorge Activities — Flying Fox, Zip Line & Gorge Swing
Wild Horizons' "High Wire" site rigs a network of cables across the Batoka Gorge, 120 metres above the valley floor — and unlike the bridge activities, it's entirely on the Zimbabwean side, so no passport or border crossing is needed. - **Flying Fox** — clipped into a harness on a pulley, you glide along an almost-horizontal cable across the gorge for a flying sensation. The gentlest option and a great warm-up. - **Zip Line (Foofie Slide)** — an angled cable twice the length of the Flying Fox, where you accelerate downhill at speeds over 100 km/h. Solo or tandem; genuinely exhilarating. - **Gorge Swing** — the big one: jump from a 120-metre cliff platform, free-fall around 70 metres, then swing out away from the rock in a vast arc. The most intense activity on site.
Historical Bridge Tour
A genuinely engaging dive into the story of the iconic 1905 Victoria Falls Bridge — once the highest railway bridge in the world. The tour is anchored by a 45-minute theatrical performance from an actor playing chief engineer Georges Imbault, who brings the audacious Victorian engineering feat to life, followed by the Visitors Centre's historical displays and free time to explore. The optional highlight is a walk along the catwalk *beneath* the bridge, harnessed and briefed, for a vertiginous view straight down into the gorge. It's the perfect activity for history buffs, families and anyone who wants to understand the landmark they keep photographing.
Horseback Safari on the Zambezi
Game viewing on horseback is one of the most magical ways to experience the African bush — animals accept a horse far more readily than a vehicle, allowing close, quiet approaches to giraffe, zebra, eland and elephant along the Zambezi. Zambezi Horse Trails has run these rides since 1988 with a stable of well-schooled horses and licensed guides. There's a ride for every level: gentle novice outings of a couple of hours through wildlife-rich country, half- and full-day rides for the more confident, and multi-day trails for experienced riders who want to cover real ground.
High-Speed Jet Boat on the Zambezi
A fast, spinning, spray-soaked ride on the Zambezi rapids right beneath the Victoria Falls Bridge. The 465-horsepower jet boat powers through the Batoka Gorge, throwing 360° spins and skimming the basalt canyon walls, with the Falls and bridge towering overhead — a completely different way to experience the river from down at water level. It's shorter and more accessible than a full rafting day but still delivers a real thrill, and the gorge scenery from the bottom is spectacular.
Lunar Rainbow (Moonbow) Tour
A lunar rainbow — or "moonbow" — is a rainbow created by moonlight refracting through the spray of the Falls instead of sunlight. It's one of the rarest natural spectacles you can plan to see, and Victoria Falls is among the very best places on earth to witness one. To the naked eye it appears as a soft, ghostly white arc; through a long-exposure camera it blooms into full colour. The park opens specially after dark for the three nights around each full moon, when there's enough moonlight and spray to form the moonbow over the gorge.
Meet the People — Village Tour
An authentic, respectful window into rural Zimbabwean life. At Monde Village you meet local families and learn how a traditional homestead works — subsistence farming, livestock, food preparation, customs and daily routines. Depending on the timing you may join in grinding grain, cooking, or other chores, turning a tour into a genuine exchange rather than a performance. It's a grounding, humanising counterpoint to the adventure and wildlife on offer, and a favourite with families.
Microlight Flight over Victoria Falls
If the helicopter is the comfortable way to see the Falls from above, the microlight is the visceral one. You sit in an open two-seater behind the pilot with nothing between you and the view — the closest thing to flying like a bird over Mosi-oa-Tunya. Many travellers rate it the single most memorable thing they do in Victoria Falls. The 15-minute flight runs along the Zambezi and makes several circuits over the Falls, taking in the rainforest and wildlife below. The 30-minute flight extends downstream over the Batoka Gorges and upstream along the Zambezi and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where hippo, crocodile, giraffe and elephant are almost always seen.
Overnight Zambezi Canoe Safari
For travellers who want to go deeper than a day paddle, the overnight canoe safari turns the upper Zambezi into a multi-day wilderness expedition. You canoe roughly 18 km downstream each day through islands and channels, watching for hippo, crocodile, elephant and plentiful birdlife, then pull in to a rustic mobile bush camp for the night — the kind of quiet, off-grid African experience that's increasingly rare. Nights are spent at Kalai River Camp, a simple but comfortable tented camp ~25 km upstream with proper beds, hot showers and the sounds of the river after dark.
Royal Livingstone Express — Steam Train Dinner
A five-course fine-dining journey aboard beautifully restored Pullman coaches, hauled by a vintage steam locomotive from Livingstone out toward the Victoria Falls Bridge and through Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. As the train rolls slowly through the bush at golden hour, you may spot game from the open observation platform before settling in for dinner as the sun sets — a romantic, nostalgic evening that's a highlight for many couples.
Siduli Hide — Waterhole Photographic Hide
The Siduli Hide is a camouflaged ground-level shelter built to look like a termite mound, set just metres from a busy waterhole beside Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. Because it's completely unobtrusive, animals come and go unaware of you — giving extraordinarily close, eye-level encounters perfect for photography. Elephant, kudu, warthog, impala, baboon, waterbuck and crocodile are all regulars, alongside abundant birdlife. It's a quiet, patient, deeply rewarding experience led by a veteran professional guide — the antidote to a day of adrenaline.
Simunye: We Are One — Theatre Show
A beautifully produced open-air theatre show blending puppetry, dance, live music and visual storytelling. The story follows Bomani, a banished chief's son, and his orphaned elephant friend Ndlovu, as they journey through the African wilderness learning about compassion, acceptance and the strength found in unity. The life-size elephant puppetry is a highlight, and the themes land with adults and children alike. Staged in an intimate 180-seat open-air theatre with tiered seating, it's a moving, family-friendly alternative to a dinner show for an evening out.
The Boma — Dinner & Drum Show
The Boma is Victoria Falls' best-loved evening out — an open-air, boma-style feast that wraps a four-course meal in Zimbabwean culture and entertainment. You're greeted in Shona and Ndebele, draped in a traditional wrap, and treated to a hand-washing ceremony, local beer tasting, and a parade of dishes from a barbecue buffet served on cast-iron plates. The food ranges from familiar (beef, chicken, fish, vegetarian) to adventurous (warthog fillet — the house specialty — game stews, and even mopani worms for the brave). Throughout the evening there's live music, traditional dancers, a storyteller and a sangoma (traditional healer), building to the famous interactive drumming finale where every guest gets a drum. It's lively, warm and genuinely fun — and great for kids.
Upper Zambezi Canoeing (Day Trip)
A peaceful, wildlife-rich paddle on the calm upper Zambezi above the Falls — about as far from the white-water rafting downstream as you can get. In stable two-person inflatable kayaks you drift through a maze of islands and channels, gliding past hippos and crocodiles, with elephant, giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck, kudu and zebra often seen along the banks. The birdlife is exceptional, including African finfoot and several kingfisher species. No experience is needed — the water is mostly flat with a few easy Grade 2 ripples — making it a brilliant way to combine a safari and a gentle adventure in one day.
Victoria Falls Bike Tour
A relaxed guided cycle that stitches together Victoria Falls' highlights at ground level — the Zambezi riverfront and Batoka Gorge edge, the ancient "Big Tree" baobab (reckoned to be over 3,500 years old), the upper Zambezi wilderness, the historic bridge, and the town's craft market. With a guide setting an easy pace and pointing out wildlife and history along the way, it's an active, affordable way to get oriented and see more than the standard sights.
Victoria Falls Bridge Activities — Slide & Swing
The historic 1905 Victoria Falls Bridge is the launch point for a cluster of adrenaline activities over the Batoka Gorge. The **Bridge Slide** is a harness-and-pulley zip across the gorge — the mildest of the bridge activities and a great first taste of the heights, open to children. The **Bridge Swing** is the serious one: a 70-metre free-fall off the bridge before you swing in a huge arc over the rapids, with the gorge walls rushing past and the Falls thundering nearby. Both can be done solo or tandem, and they combine with the Bungee Jump in a discounted "Big Air" package for those who want the full set.
White Water Rafting on the Zambezi
The Zambezi below Victoria Falls is regularly ranked among the best one-day white-water rafting runs on earth — a string of big-volume Grade IV and V rapids with names like "Stairway to Heaven," "Gnashing Jaws of Death" and "Oblivion," set deep in the dramatic Batoka Gorge. It is genuinely world-class, and genuinely demanding. The day begins with a safety briefing and gear, then a steep ~250-metre descent into the gorge. You raft through the rapids — broken up with calmer stretches — before a hearty lunch and the climb back out. No experience is needed, but a reasonable level of fitness and a head for adventure are.
Zambezi River Dinner Cruise
The dinner cruise is the sunset cruise's dressed-up sibling — a fuller evening on the Zambezi that carries on past sunset into lantern-lit dining on the water. You drift along the calm upper river watching hippos, crocodiles and elephants as the light fades, then enjoy a multi-course dinner served on deck under the stars. It's relaxed, romantic and a lovely special-occasion option. Several boats run it, from intimate linen-tableclothed vessels to large double-deck pontoons with bars on each level.
Zambezi River Fishing
The Zambezi is legendary among anglers for the tigerfish — pound for pound one of the greatest fighting freshwater fish in the world, all teeth and acrobatics. More than 75 species live in these waters, including the prized yellow-belly bream (nembwe), averaging 2–3 kg. You fish from a small boat with a guide on the calm upper river, where the scenery and birdlife are as much a part of the day as the catch. As the operators say, the success of a fishing trip depends almost entirely on your guide — so book a reputable one.
Zambezi National Park Safaris & Guided Photographic Tours
Just minutes upstream of the Falls, Zambezi National Park offers a genuine Big-Game safari without leaving Victoria Falls. Its 57,000 hectares of teak and mopane woodland, grassland and riverine forest along the Zambezi hold elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard and a rich birdlife — explored by open 4x4, on foot, or by boat. At the premium end, the "Victorian Safari" experiences blend game viewing with period-styled colonial luxury — bush brunches, high teas and full-day outings echoing the era of the early explorers.
Zambezi River Sunset Cruise
The sunset "booze cruise" is a Victoria Falls institution and the perfect counterweight to a day of adrenaline. You drift along the calm upper Zambezi above the Falls as the sun drops, drink in hand, watching hippos surface, crocodiles bask and elephants come down to the water's edge. It's social, scenic and gentle — the classic way to end a day. Cruises run in tiers, from lively standard boats to refined small-group vessels, plus specialised cruises built around photography, birding, fishing or art. Note that you can't see the waterfall itself from the cruise — it runs on the river *above* the lip.
Ra-Ikane Luxury Sunset Cruise
An intimate and luxurious sunset cruise on the Zambezi River aboard a replica of David Livingstone's exploration boat, the 'Ma-Robert'. Caters to a maximum of 16 guests, offering premium drinks and gourmet canapés.
Where to stay
Hand-selected camps and lodges that blend high-end design, proximity to wilderness, and superior hosting.
Avani Victoria Falls Resort
The Avani shares its prime riverside setting and private Falls access with the neighbouring Royal Livingstone, but at a more accessible price — making it the best-value way to be within walking distance of the Falls on the Zambian side. The large, relaxed resort has 212 rooms, a big pool, multiple dining options, and resident zebra and giraffe wandering the shared grounds. Its walk-to-the-Falls convenience and family-friendly facilities make it a popular, sensible choice.
David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
A comfortable, well-run riverside lodge on the Zambezi, the David Livingstone offers upmarket rooms — many with river views — a riverfront pool, a wellness spa and gym (included), and its own jetty for sunset cruises. It blends colonial-inspired style with a relaxed, mid-luxury atmosphere, and its riverbank setting and on-site activities make it a solid all-round base on the Zambian side.
The Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara
The Royal Livingstone is the Zambian side's flagship luxury hotel — and its trump card is location: it sits directly on the Zambezi with its own private access to the Falls, so guests can walk to the edge in minutes. Elegant colonial-style rooms spread along manicured riverside lawns where zebra and giraffe graze, and the famous sundowner deck looks straight up the river to the spray. With 173 rooms, a spa, gym and full resort facilities, it pairs grand-hotel polish with an unbeatable setting.
Tongabezi Lodge
Tongabezi is the Zambian side's most celebrated boutique lodge — a secluded, intensely romantic retreat strung along a private stretch of Zambezi riverbank upstream of the Falls. A pioneer of luxury tourism in the region, it blends high-end romance with deep-rooted sustainability, creating an experience that is organic, quirky, and incredibly stylish. Its individually designed houses and cottages are open to the river, some famously without a fourth wall, and constructed with local stone and massive timber decks that immerse you in the riverine forest. Every booking includes a personal valet who acts as your concierge, arranging everything from private meals on a floating sampan in the river to game drives in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Fully inclusive rates cover exceptional dining, drinks, laundry, and a wide range of activities including sunset cruises, guided Falls tours, and cultural visits. As the original operator of the Livingstone Island/Devil's Pool experience, Tongabezi offers an unparalleled connection to the magic of the Zambezi.
The Victoria Falls Waterfront
The Victoria Falls Waterfront is Livingstone's legendary adventure hub, perfectly positioned on the banks of the Zambezi River inside Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. It masterfully bridges the gap between a well-equipped campsite for overlanders and a comfortable mid-range lodge, creating a vibrant, social atmosphere that's unmatched on the Zambian side. The heart of the property is its famous wooden deck and open-air bar, which extends over the river, offering one of the best sunset views in the region. It's a place to gather, share stories, and watch hippos in the water below. With a range of accommodation from en-suite riverside chalets and garden rooms to permanent dome tents and a sprawling campsite, it caters to every type of traveller seeking value without sacrificing location. Operated by Safari Par Excellence, the pioneers of Zambian adventure, this isn't just a place to stay—it's a launchpad. Rafting trips, sunset cruises, and river safaris depart directly from its jetty, making it the most convenient and energetic base for exploring everything Victoria Falls has to offer.
Waterberry Zambezi Lodge
Escape the crowds at Waterberry Zambezi Lodge, a tranquil, owner-run sanctuary tucked away on the banks of the Zambezi River, just a 35-minute drive upstream from the rush of Victoria Falls. With views across the water into Zimbabwe's Zambezi National Park, it offers a front-row seat to wild Africa, where elephants often splash on the opposite bank and the sound of hippos provides a nightly soundtrack. Waterberry strikes a perfect balance between rustic-chic comfort and exceptional value. It trades the formal atmosphere of larger resorts for genuine warmth, hearty home-cooked meals, and authentic Zambian hospitality. The main lodge features a double-story thatched building with an open-air dining terrace and a cozy upstairs viewing lounge and bar, perfect for sharing stories after a day of exploration. The lodge offers a variety of accommodation, from intimate riverside cottages to secluded forest tents and a magnificent private villa, The River Farmhouse. More than just a beautiful stay, Waterberry is a model for responsible tourism, directly funding and running a local school and community farm. It's an ideal choice for travellers seeking a peaceful, personal, and impactful connection to the Zambezi.
Thorntree River Lodge
Set on the banks of the Zambezi within Zambia's Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, Thorntree River Lodge is an ultra-luxurious sanctuary managed by the renowned African Bush Camps. This is where contemporary eco-design meets untamed wilderness, just a short distance from the smoke that thunders, Victoria Falls. The lodge’s design is a masterpiece of sustainability, blending local timber and stone with classic tented roofs to create a space that is both sophisticated and deeply connected to its environment. The main lodge flows from an elegant lounge and library to an open-plan dining area, all offering panoramic views of the river. Step outside onto the expansive deck with its infinity pool that melts into the horizon, or gather around the sunken boma's firepit under a blanket of stars. A unique floating deck rises and falls with the river, providing an unparalleled vantage point for watching hippos and elephants. For rejuvenation, a tranquil spa and a fully-equipped gym await. Each of the ten tented suites is a private haven of comfort, complete with its own plunge pool, deck, and indoor-outdoor bathroom. From rhino tracking on foot and sunset river cruises to bespoke tours of the Falls, the experiences here are as exceptional as the setting. Thorntree is more than a lodge; it's a purpose-led destination for discerning travellers, honeymooners, and families seeking an intimate and unforgettable Zambezi adventure.
Recommended Journeys
Multi-day safaris traversing Livingstone, optimized for wildlife viewing.
Desert, Delta & River to Vic Falls
If you believe a proper safari can’t be rushed, this is your itinerary. Twelve days gives you the time to truly settle into Botswana’s legendary wilderness, moving thoughtfully between Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, and the Okavango Delta. The pace is set for genuine immersion, allowing the rhythms of the bush to reveal themselves. The journey begins with the thunder of Victoria Falls before you cross into Botswana for the elephant-dense riverfronts of Chobe. The heart of the safari is a deep dive into the Okavango Delta, staying at two distinct camps. You’ll experience a classic ‘wet’ camp, exploring the reed-lined channels by mokoro, and a ‘dry’ camp on savannah plains known for incredible predator viewing. By combining game drives, guided walks, and water excursions, you get a complete picture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site in a way a shorter trip simply can't offer.
Family Legacy Safari
This ten-day journey is built for families bringing multiple generations together in Africa. We have paced it deliberately so that grandparents and grandchildren can travel at a comfortable rhythm, balancing active days on safari with quiet afternoons to rest and talk. The journey starts at Victoria Falls, continues into the elephant country of Chobe National Park in Botswana, and ends in the quiet channels of the Okavango Delta. You will stay in small, welcoming lodges, including a private camp in a quieter, less-visited sector of Chobe. This keeps you away from the midday crowds and the rush. Because we live here and coordinate every step ourselves, you do not have to worry about the logistics of moving a family across borders. Your Verdanti host handles every transfer and detail in person. This is about giving your family the space to simply be together, sharing stories around the fire and watching the sun go down over the river.
The Luxury Triangle: Falls, Hwange & Delta
This twelve day journey is designed for those who want to see Southern Africa's most remarkable landscapes without feeling rushed or uncomfortable. We have combined the sheer scale of Victoria Falls with two of our favorite wildlife regions: Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and the Okavango Delta in Botswana. It is a classic route, but we plan it to keep you away from the crowds. You will start in Victoria Falls, staying at the quiet Victoria Falls Safari Club. It is set back from the main town, overlooking a busy woodland waterhole where elephants often come to drink. While you are here, we will take you to see the falls with a private guide and arrange an evening on the historic steam train that travels through the park. Next, a short light aircraft flight brings you into Hwange National Park to stay at Somalisa Camp. Somalisa is famous for its elephant pool right in front of the main deck, where you can sit with a tea or a gin and tonic and watch breeding herds drink just feet away from you. The final stop is a flight into the Okavango Delta to stay at Atzaró Okavango Camp. This is a spectacular, water-rich concession where you can glide through the quiet channels by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, or head out on classic game drives to find lions and leopards. Because we design and coordinate this trip personally, every flight, transfer, and local guide is managed by us. We are on the ground in the region and reachable throughout your travel, ensuring your journey is entirely comfortable and completely stress free.
Victoria Falls & Chobe Ultimate Safari
This five-day trip brings together two of Southern Africa's most remarkable places, Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park, without the rushed feeling of a typical tour. We give both destinations the time they actually need so you can slow down and take them in. You will stand at the edge of the spray with a private guide, enjoy a dinner of local flavors, and then spend two full days among Chobe's famous elephant herds, exploring both by open safari vehicle and by boat on the river. Because we are based right here in Victoria Falls, we handle every transfer and border crossing personally. Our team is with you at every step to make the transition between Zimbabwe and Botswana completely straightforward, with no logistics or paperwork for you to worry about. It is designed to feel like one continuous, well-planned journey rather than two separate trips.
Practical Info
We believe smooth logistics are the foundation of a great safari. Here is what you need to know about arriving and travelling.