Nestled in lush gardens and just an eight-minute walk from the famous waterfall, Ilala Lodge offers an exceptional experience for those looking to stay at a Victoria Falls hotel. As the closest hotel to Victoria Falls, guests have easy access to the area’s remarkable natural beauty and exhilarating activities. With attentive staff, luxurious rooms, and a welcoming ambience, Ilala Lodge is an excellent base for exploring the marvels of Victoria Falls. Whether you are looking to relax or seek adventure, this hotel provides comfort and convenience in equal measure

Elegant Accommodation at Ilala Lodge

Ilala Lodge Hotel boasts a range of accommodation options designed to suit different tastes and group sizes. Standard Rooms, both twin and double, are spacious, with en-suite bathrooms and cooling air conditioning. These rooms open onto a communal garden, giving guests easy access to the hotel’s tranquil green spaces. For those seeking more luxury, the Deluxe Rooms and Executive Suites in the West Wing offer additional features such as private patios, spacious bathrooms with walk-in showers, and his-and-her basins. One of the highlights is the Strathearn Suite, which offers a private lounge, kitchen, and an outdoor spa bath with stunning views of Victoria Falls.

Dining and Leisure Facilities

Guests staying at Ilala Lodge, a premier Victoria Falls hotel, can enjoy a range of dining options. The Palm Restaurant is renowned for its gourmet menu and locally sourced ingredients, providing a memorable dining experience. For those looking for a more intimate setting, the Strathearn Suite offers an exclusive private dining experience on the balcony, prepared by skilled chefs. The Ra-Ikane river cruises, a part of Ilala Lodge, offer guests the chance to experience a sunset on the Zambezi while enjoying refreshments on board.

The hotel also features leisure facilities including a swimming pool and a business centre, ensuring both relaxation and convenience for visitors. Guests can unwind by the pool, indulge in a soothing massage, or simply enjoy the view of the beautiful gardens. For a touch of adventure, the hotel’s Tours Desk provides information on a wide array of activities and excursions in the Victoria Falls area.

Unforgettable Activities and Experiences

Victoria Falls, widely known as the adventure capital of Africa, offers activities that cater to all levels of thrill-seekers. From the Victoria Falls hotel, guests can book a range of activities, including bungee jumping from the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge and white-water rafting on the Zambezi River. For a truly unique experience, visitors can try the Devil’s Pool, a natural infinity pool at the edge of the falls.

For those looking for a more relaxed adventure, Ilala Lodge provides options such as guided tours of Victoria Falls and river cruises on the Ra-Ikane. These cruises offer a close view of the Zambezi’s diverse wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, and various bird species. Scenic helicopter flights over the falls, known as the “Flight of Angels,” give guests a breathtaking view from above, while guided walking tours of the falls allow visitors to explore on foot.

Wildlife and Day Trips

Victoria Falls hotel guests at Ilala Lodge can also embark on day trips to nearby national parks for game viewing. The Victoria Falls National Park and the Zambezi National Park are home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and buffalo. Full and half-day game drives can be arranged, with the option to include meals for a complete experience.

Ilala Lodge’s location makes it an ideal starting point for day trips to the Chobe National Park in Botswana and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. These parks offer unique safari experiences, where visitors can see Africa’s iconic wildlife in their natural habitats. The lodge’s Tours Desk can help arrange these excursions, providing travellers with memorable day trips into the African wilderness.

Unique River Cruises and Scenic Flights

The Ra-Ikane river cruise, exclusive to Ilala Lodge, is a highlight for those staying at this Victoria Falls hotel. This river cruise brings guests back to the era of David Livingstone, allowing them to experience the Zambezi’s beauty in a classic setting. The cruise is perfect for birdwatching and wildlife viewing, offering a glimpse into the diverse ecosystem along the river’s edge.

For an extraordinary aerial view, guests can book a scenic flight over Victoria Falls. The helicopter tours, especially the popular “Flight of Angels,” provide an exhilarating perspective of the falls and the surrounding landscape. For an added thrill, microlight flights are also available, offering an open-air flying experience above the falls.

Victoria Falls is a destination like no other, and Ilala Lodge Hotel ensures that guests have access to both luxury and adventure. With a range of on-site amenities, beautifully decorated rooms, and exclusive activities, this Victoria Falls hotel provides an unforgettable experience in one of Africa’s most stunning natural settings.

Rooms

  • Standard Rooms
    The Twin Standard Rooms at Ilala Lodge Hotel are complete with two comfortable ¾ beds set within an expansive space, and an en-suite bathroom with a separate shower. The Double Standard Rooms are ideal for couples, as they have one cosy king-size bed and an en-suite bathroom with a separate shower. Both room types are decorated with railway teak furnishings, allowing you to experience the grandeur of days gone by. With air conditioning units installed in all Standard Rooms, guests are treated to a cool sanctuary from the African heat. Sliding doors open onto a luscious communal garden, providing you with a gateway to nature. Make yourself at home by unpacking your belongings and locking away your valuables in an in-room, secure safe.
  • Standard Suites
    The Standard Suites are located on the top floor and have private balconies that offer magnificent views overlooking the hotel’s gorgeous grounds and Victoria Falls itself. The suites have an ultra-comfortable King-size bed and an additional ¾ bed is neatly tucked around the corner in a private section of the room.
  • Deluxe Rooms
    Situated in the stylish West Wing, the Deluxe Rooms at Ilala Lodge Hotel ooze old-world charm and sophistication. Ideal for couples, solo travellers and families alike, the Deluxe Rooms feature either twin or double configurations. The Twin Deluxe Rooms at this Vic Falls lodge have two three-quarter beds and an
  •  en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower. The bathrooms have his and her basins. The Double Deluxe Rooms have one King-size bed and an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower. The bathrooms have his and her basins. All Deluxe rooms have a private patio off the bedrooms where guests can enjoy the stunning sunrise in Victoria Falls.
  • Executive Suites
    The Executive Suites in our West Wing have a lounge and a separate bedroom. The bedroom contains a luxurious King-size 4-poster bed and the bathroom is an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, his & her basins and a separate bathtub. Visitors in the Executive Suites have a private patio that opens off the bedroom where guests can enjoy the magnificent sunrise over the mighty Victoria Falls.
  • Strathearn Suite
    The all-new Strathearn Suite is named after hotel founder, Strathearn Brown, who opened Ilala Lodge Hotel in 1989. Fashioned with modern and sophisticated décor, the Strathearn Suite delivers a tranquil haven of relaxation and luxury. The suite comes complete with a private lounge, kitchen, en-suite bathroom with double vanity basins, a walk-in shower and an indulgent bathtub. There is a private balcony, where guests can indulge in a large spa bath while enjoying world-class views of the spray rising above the mighty Victoria Falls waterfall. Guests will also receive an inclusive private balcony dining experience, prepared for by chefs from the award-winning Palm Restaurant, as well as a complimentary in-room couples’ massage and an intimate breakfast or lunch cruise on board the hotel’s luxury cruise boat, the Ra-Ikane River Cruise. In addition to offering an ideal romantic retreat, the suite can also be transformed into a comfortable and spacious family villa, via a pair of interleading doors into a secondary suite and deluxe guest room.

Dining

Experience fine dining in Victoria Falls at the top-rated Cassia Restaurant. Centrally located only minutes away from the Victoria Falls at Ilala Lodge Hotel, the newly-renamed restaurant offers a delicious breakfast buffet, lunch and alfresco evening dining under the stary African sky. The Cassia Restaurant delivers an unmatched menu, paired with an extensive wine list comprised of carefully selected wines from South Africa’s top vineyards.

The calming and tranquil ambience is further complemented by the gentle rumble of Victoria Falls in the background. A truly unforgettable dining experience not to be missed. In January 2022 we welcomed announced of the re-naming of our highly acclaimed fine-dining restaurant, previously known as the Palm Restaurant.

The new name – The Cassia Restaurant – derives from a duo of bold and beautiful Cassia Fistula trees poised in front of the hotel, facing the direction of the mighty Victoria Falls. The trees – also known as an Indian Laburnum or Golden Shower trees – are a common feature by which the restaurant is fondly recognised and remembered.

In full bloom, the trees become decorated with a golden crown. Along each branch blossom beautiful flower clusters attached to a central stem – known as pendulous racemes. Hundreds of plump golden pendulums hang from the branches of the tall trees, casting a sheltering shadow over the restaurant’s alfresco dining area. The Cassia Restaurant will continue to serve an unparalleled fine-dining experience in Victoria Falls, where guests can enjoy a delicious á la carte menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The idyllic location of the Cassia Restaurant makes the restaurant a favourite among visitors with its close proximity to Victoria Falls. Guests can start their day with a delicious continental buffet and order off the breakfast menu while enjoying the morning sunshine.

The popular lunch menu can be enjoyed under the shade of the Cassia Trees or while relaxing nearby the pool-side bar. The lunch menu includes a wide range of delicious options from succulent signature burgers to lighter lunchtime bites. Compliment your meal with a selection of local and imported beers, wine, gins, cocktails and more available. For a gourmet al-fresco dining experience, the Cassia Restaurant offers a calming evening ambience where guests can enjoy fine dining under the stary African skies while listening to the rumble of the Falls in the background. An extensive range of South Africa’s best wines is also available to accompany your meal.

The calming ambience of the restaurant, superb cuisine and attentive world-class service allows for an unforgettable dining experience at the Cassia Restaurant. If you’re looking for Victoria Falls restaurants, we look forward to welcoming you to this elegant eatery.

Facilities

Ilala Lodge Hotel is perfectly placed to make the most of your Victoria Falls holiday. Victoria Falls has a lot to offer the visitor and is known as Africa’s adventure capital. From high adrenaline activities like bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge and white-water rafting down the Zambezi River to more sedate pastimes like Ra-Ikane river cruises, or fishing, there is something for everyone. Book your next big adventure at the Ilala Lodge Hotel Tours Desk, or contact our Tours Manager here, and we will advise you on the best options available.

  • RA-IKANE RIVER CRUISE
    Relive the historical journey taken by David Livingstone by exploring the mighty Zambezi River aboard the Ra-Ikane. Named after his guide, the boats are full of old-world charm, setting a romantic and intimate scene whilst you sit back, relax and take in the surrounding views. With a maximum of 16 seats available, the Ra-Ikane offers a unique vantage point for viewing birdlife and wildlife up-close on the islands along the river. This is unquestionably an activity to add to your bucket list when in Victoria Falls.
  • TOUR OF VICTORIA FALLS
    A tour of the mighty ‘Smoke That Thunders’, is an unforgettable experience, worthy of any Bucket List. Embark upon a leisurely 10-minute stroll from Ilala Lodge Hotel to enjoy the Falls at your own pace, or simply visit the Ilala Lodge Hotel Activity Centre to arrange a guided tour. The team will be sure to put you in touch with only the best and most experienced tour guides.
  • SCENIC FLIGHTS
    Viewing the spectacular Victoria Falls from the air is one of the most breathtaking and exhilarating activities in Africa. By far the most popular option is the “Flight of Angels” helicopter trip over the Falls. However, guests can also enjoy 22-minute and 30-minute helicopter flights. Another option is a slightly more thrilling microlight flight over Victoria Falls.
  • RIVER ACTIVITIES
    Tour operators and activity providers in Victoria Falls offer a wide range of activities along the mighty Zambezi River. The most popular of these is adrenalin-filled White Water Rafting in the rapids below Victoria Falls. Half & Full day trip options are available, including lunch and refreshments. A calmer, but no less memorable, the option is the upper Zambezi canoe trips.
  • ADRENALINE ACTIVITIES
    The town of Victoria Falls is the undisputed adventure capital of Africa. To get your heart racing in the best possible way, try out the 111m Bungee Jump off the world-famous Victoria Falls Bridge – one of the most popular activities in Zimbabwe. Otherwise, opt for the gut-wrenching Gorge Swing, the adrenaline-pumping Zip Line across the Batoka Gorge or the legendary Flying Fox.
  • SIGHTSEEING
    Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the Victoria Falls to learn about the history from an experienced local guide, or opt to walk to the town and explore what it has to offer on your own. The nature sanctuary has many species of interest, including lions, and there is a full leather workshop that sells its goods on-site, as well as in our curio shop located at the lodge itself.
  • DAY TRIPS
    Victoria Falls in located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe is a mere hour’s drive from the border with Botswana and is only 1-hour drive from the Hwange National Park. This convenient location renders it the perfect destination for two incredible day trips: the Chobe Day Trip and the Hwange Day Trip. On these excursions, enjoy game viewing, cultural tours and more.
  • GAME VIEWING ACTIVITIES
    The Victoria Falls National Park and the Zambezi National Park boast a vast array of wildlife, including elephants, impala, kudu, leopard, lion and buffalo. Visit the Activity Centre to arrange either a 3-hour game drive in the morning or afternoon, a 4-hour game drive including a 3-course dinner, or a full day trip including a game-viewing cruise, lunch and a game drive.
  • DEVIL’S POOL
    The Devil’s Pool in Victoria Falls is known as the world’s ultimate infinity pool. Located on the edge of the Victoria Falls, the natural rock walls have created a barrier, preventing swimmers from being carried over the edge of the thundering falls. If you are a thrill-seeker looking to experience an adrenaline activity, swimming in the Devil’s Pool is a must.

Brochure

 

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