Best hotels and hostels in Victoria Falls (town)

Top ChoiceLodging in Victoria Falls (town)

Built in 1904, this historic hotel (the oldest in Zimbabwe) oozes elegance and sophistication. It occupies an impossibly scenic location, looking across manicured lawns (with roaming warthogs) to the gorge and bridge. You can’t see the falls as such, but you do see the spray from some rooms. Taking high tea here at Stanley's Terrace is an institution.

Top ChoiceLodging in Victoria Falls (town)

One of the best budget choices in town, this long-standing backpackers received a much-needed revamp when the original owners returned. The eclectic mix of rooms are scattered among the well-tended garden property full of quirky touches. Other notable features are its bar, small inviting pool, games room and TV lounge, plus self-catering kitchen, massage and fish spa.

Lodging in Victoria Falls (town)

Set on a private game reserve 15km from Victoria Falls, this luxury lodge will suit visitors without the time to visit a national park but who want to be surrounded by wildlife. Rooms on the luxurious grounds feature all the modern comforts combined with Victorian-style bathrooms featuring claw-foot tubs, lounge suite and patio.

Lodging in Victoria Falls (town)

A great alternative for independent travellers wanting to avoid the backpacker scene, it has a relaxed holiday-camp-style feel, within secure grassy grounds, where you've got a choice of no-frills dorms, lodge-style rooms (or pricier air-con rooms with bathroom) and varying types of safari tents. There's a lovely pool and fantastic open-air restaurant, In Da Belly. Wi-fi available (for a fee).

Lodging in Victoria Falls (town)

Mixing modern comforts with colonial charm, Batonka is an excellent choice for those not wanting a large-scale resort. It has a relaxed ambience, with rooms overlooking a landscaped lawn and inviting pool. Rooms have stylish bathrooms, cable TV and filter coffee. The reception/bar/restaurant is in a homestead-style building with wraparound veranda and a boutique interior design with original artwork throughout.

Lodging in Victoria Falls (town)

One of the best spots to splash out; the luxurious ‘tents’ have a classic lodge feel and are set on a private concession within the Victoria Falls National Park. Each room has its own outdoor private plunge pool and balcony decking to spot grazing animals or the spray of the falls. You might get to meet Sylvester, the resident cheetah.

Lodging in Victoria Falls (town)

These wonderful two-bedroom cottages are right in the national park spread on the Zambezi river. You'll need to bring your own food, but all come with fridges, full kitchen, couches, TV, bathtubs and even air-con. There's an outdoor barbecue area if that all sounds too plush. Further into the park are basic bush campsites (firewood US$5), but with no water or ablutions.

Lodging in Victoria Falls (town)

The only accommodation on the Zimbabwe side boasting a waterfront location, the resort-like A'Zambezi has all the mod-cons and will suit families and those on package tours. It's worth paying extra for an upstairs river-facing room – downstairs rooms are a bit generic. Its sprawling grounds are frequented by warthog and hippo, and it has a popular pool, bar and restaurant.

Lodging in Victoria Falls (town)

With a commanding location overlooking Zambezi National Park, here you can spy wildlife gathering at the watering hole in the distance. It has a resort-like atmosphere, but it's all about the views: whether from the natural swimming pool, outdoor terrace – or the rooms themselves, if you upgrade: well worth it, especially given the game plains are floodlit at night.

Lodging in Victoria Falls (town)

In an appealingly leafy residential location away from the touristy main strip. The large, comfortable rooms are within an impressive high-ceiling thatched house set among a relaxed garden with a pool. It's used by overlander trucks, so it's either super busy or ultra relaxed depending if they're in town or not. Wi-fi costs an additional $US5 per day.

Lodging in Victoria Falls (town)

A perennial favourite for backpackers, both the overland truck crowd and independent variety, who are here for its laid-back ambience, swimming pool and social bar (things gets rowdy here on weekends). Rooms are a mix of dorms and privates – plus there's the option to pitch a tent. They also book all activities.