Luxury Zambia Safari Lodge | The Royal Livingstone

The place

I’m filled with a sense of excitement when we see plumes of spray from ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ casting rainbows into the sky. From our seat at The Royal Livingstone’s stunning sundeck and outdoor bar, the Zambezi River stretches in front of us, here calm and peaceful as it’s drawn inexorably downriver to its tumultuous descent at Victoria Falls. I can’t think of a better setting from which to relax over a cocktail. We’re eager to engage in some of the exciting activities on offer at the falls, so we finish our drinks and walk back over the sprawling landscaped gardens to the hotel, which still takes our breath away with its grand Victorian elegance. Beatrice, our private butler, appears magically, somehow intuiting that we need her excellent advice. After a short consultation, we decide to walk the 10 minutes to the falls rather than use the shuttle, taking advantage of the warm weather, and the hotel’s exclusive access. We’ll use the time to talk about our upcoming microlight adventure.

I’m filled with a sense of excitement when we see plumes of spray from ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ casting rainbows into the sky. From our seat at The Royal Livingstone’s stunning sundeck and outdoor bar, the Zambezi River stretches in front of us, here calm and peaceful as it’s drawn inexorably downriver to its tumultuous descent at Victoria Falls. I can’t think of a better setting from which to relax over a cocktail.

We’re eager to engage in some of the exciting activities on offer at the falls, so we finish our drinks and walk back over the sprawling landscaped gardens to the hotel, which still takes our breath away with its grand Victorian elegance. Beatrice, our private butler, appears magically, somehow intuiting that we need her excellent advice. After a short consultation, we decide to walk the 10 minutes to the falls rather than use the shuttle, taking advantage of the warm weather, and the hotel’s exclusive access. We’ll use the time to talk about our upcoming microlight adventure.

The room

After being wowed by the views that captivated David Livingstone when he ‘discovered’ the Victoria Falls in 1855, we return to The Royal Livingstone and wander through the lounge, which boasts hand-drawn maps and paintings of the legendary explorer. The hotel is vast and spacious, decorated in Victorian antiques and ornate furniture, which makes me feel like I’m walking back in time. Although one of 173, with its dark hardwood furniture, African colour-tones and outsized armchairs, our room is distinctive. Its balcony looks out over the river, and with the spray from the falls in the far distance, it allows for a dramatic and atmospheric vista. While my partner starts journaling at the writing desk, I luxuriate under a spray of my own, turning on the shower full blast as I dream of swimming in Devil’s Pool at the very edge of the falls – tomorrow morning’s planned activity!

After being wowed by the views that captivated David Livingstone when he ‘discovered’ the Victoria Falls in 1855, we return to The Royal Livingstone and wander through the lounge, which boasts hand-drawn maps and paintings of the legendary explorer. The hotel is vast and spacious, decorated in Victorian antiques and ornate furniture, which makes me feel like I’m walking back in time.

Although one of 173, with its dark hardwood furniture, African colour-tones and outsized armchairs, our room is distinctive. Its balcony looks out over the river, and with the spray from the falls in the far distance, it allows for a dramatic and atmospheric vista. While my partner starts journaling at the writing desk, I luxuriate under a spray of my own, turning on the shower full blast as I dream of swimming in Devil’s Pool at the very edge of the falls – tomorrow morning’s planned activity!

What sets it apart

Being so close to Victoria Falls meant we could see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World as many times we wanted, with ease of access facilitated by The Royal Livingstone’s private entrance for guests. Whether relaxing on the sundeck or lazing on our verandah, we always had the best possible views over the Zambezi River, with the rising mist creating a sense of drama and excitement every time we saw it. This hotel harks back to a grandly different era, with an old-world attention to detail that really distinguishes it – including having a private butler attend to your every need. They do have a nod to modernity though, offering you an electric buggy ride to your room! We loved the massages in the waterfront gazebo, the large swimming pool and of course afternoon high tea, an excuse to indulge in cucumber sandwiches, an array of cakes, pastries and desserts and fragrant teas from around the world while zebra and giraffe wander across the lawns. This was only surpassed by our spectacular sunset cruise on the river.

Being so close to Victoria Falls meant we could see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World as many times we wanted, with ease of access facilitated by The Royal Livingstone’s private entrance for guests.

Whether relaxing on the sundeck or lazing on our verandah, we always had the best possible views over the Zambezi River, with the rising mist creating a sense of drama and excitement every time we saw it.

This hotel harks back to a grandly different era, with an old-world attention to detail that really distinguishes it – including having a private butler attend to your every need. They do have a nod to modernity though, offering you an electric buggy ride to your room!

We loved the massages in the waterfront gazebo, the large swimming pool and of course afternoon high tea, an excuse to indulge in cucumber sandwiches, an array of cakes, pastries and desserts and fragrant teas from around the world while zebra and giraffe wander across the lawns. This was only surpassed by our spectacular sunset cruise on the river.

At a glance

Luxury hotel with 173 rooms (deluxe rooms, deluxe corner rooms, deluxe family room, Livingstone Suite and Presidential Suite) overlooking the Zambezi River. The hotel has a swimming pool and fitness centre.

Exclusive and complimentary access to Victoria Falls, private butler, variety of restaurants and dining locations, private dining and 24-hour in-room dining.
Swimming, gym, spa treatments (additional cost), game drives (additional cost), river cruises (additional cost), catch-and-release tiger fishing (additional cost), white-water rafting (additional cost), jet boarding (additional cost), horse riding (additional cost) and steam-train excursions (additional cost).
Children welcome.

Luxury hotel with 173 rooms (deluxe rooms, deluxe corner rooms, deluxe family room, Livingstone Suite and Presidential Suite) overlooking the Zambezi River. The hotel has a swimming pool and fitness centre.

Exclusive and complimentary access to Victoria Falls, private butler, variety of restaurants and dining locations, private dining and 24-hour in-room dining.
Swimming, gym, spa treatments (additional cost), game drives (additional cost), river cruises (additional cost), catch-and-release tiger fishing (additional cost), white-water rafting (additional cost), jet boarding (additional cost), horse riding (additional cost) and steam-train excursions (additional cost).
Children welcome.

Prices

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.