Post Last updated on September 30, 2026
Victoria Falls is easy to add to a safari itinerary on paper. On the ground, the lodge setting changes the stay, and activities with similar names can deliver very different experiences.
SAFARI FRANK sales consultant Sabrina Krattinger recently travelled to Victoria Falls on an educational trip, visiting Waterfalls Lodge, Elephant Camp, Old Drift, and The Wallow. I sat down with her to discuss what she experienced first-hand and the details that can make a real difference to your stay.
Where would you recommend staying in Victoria Falls?
It depends on what you want from your stay. I visited Waterfalls Lodge in town, as well as Elephant Camp and The Wallow on a small private concession just outside Victoria Falls. The settings feel completely different. From Waterfalls Lodge, you can walk to the markets and the falls during the day, which is a useful convenience. Its central location does mean less seclusion. If you prefer calmer evenings and a more secluded setting, Elephant Camp or The Wallow will likely suit you better.
Is Waterfalls Lodge a good choice for families?
Yes. Waterfalls Lodge works well for families because it has interleading rooms, making it easier to stay close while having separate spaces. It is a larger property than Elephant Camp and The Wallow, but the garden and pool area never felt crowded during my stay. I also thought the food was excellent. There is an in-house spa, and the on-site activities desk gives you the flexibility to add an excursion after you arrive.
What makes Elephant Camp and The Wallow different from staying in town?
Space and views, mostly. From Elephant Camp, you can see the spray of the falls in the distance, along with part of the town below, which is a wonderful sight to wake up to. The Wallow overlooks the Masuwe River, where water was still flowing when I visited, giving it a more intimate setting.
Both properties include a good number of activities, which adds real value to the stay. At Elephant Camp, these included a tour of the falls, a Zambezi River sunset cruise, a canopy tour, and a village cultural tour. The Wallow offers a similar range.
Can you sleep under the stars at Elephant Camp or The Wallow?
Yes. Some rooms at Elephant Camp and The Wallow feature a star bed. A star bed is a private outdoor platform with an additional bed, giving you the option to spend the night beneath the open African sky. If this appeals to you, please mention it in your enquiry so we can plan your stay around one of these rooms.
Which Victoria Falls lodge offers both river activities and game drives?
Old Drift, and it might be my favourite for combining the two. It sits directly on the Zambezi River within Zambezi National Park, with water-based activities available alongside game drives. Selected rooms also feature a star bed, giving you the same opportunity to spend a night outdoors beside the Zambezi River.
Can Old Drift and Elephant Camp be combined in one Victoria Falls itinerary?
Yes. A combined stay can start from four nights and can extend to eight, with a six-night version available. The number of complimentary activities increases with the length of your stay. Choices can include a helicopter flight, white-water rafting, a Chobe day trip, or the Malachite Dinner Cruise.
The two lodge stays can also sit at different points in a longer itinerary rather than running consecutively. This can work well when Victoria Falls forms part of a wider safari route.
What is the best time of day to visit Victoria Falls?
I recommend the early tour, at around 08:00, before the larger groups begin to arrive. It may mean missing breakfast at your lodge, but some stays allow breakfast to be moved to The Lookout Cafe, which overlooks Batoka Gorge. This works well straight after the tour, when the restaurant is calmer than it tends to be over lunch. If you would like a table along the railing, we will arrange it in advance because those seats fill quickly.
Which Zambezi River cruise should you choose?
That depends on your personal preference and what you would like to experience. The standard sundowner cruise focuses on the sunset itself, with local drinks and finger food. The Zambezi Royal serves around six warm and cold snack platters during the cruise, along with a wide selection of drinks. There is enough food that you may not want dinner afterwards.
The dinner cruise runs a little longer. You begin with sundowners on the upper deck, then move to the lower deck for a full dinner after sunset. For most people who want generous food without turning the cruise into the whole evening, the Zambezi Royal is the one I would choose.
Are helicopter flights over Victoria Falls worth it, and which flight should you choose?
Yes. I think the shortest flight is the best fit for most people. It lasts around 12 to 13 minutes, circles the falls several times, and gives you the aerial view you came for. We even spotted elephant from the air.
Longer flights continue along the Zambezi River or include part of Zambezi National Park. Once you have seen the falls from above, the extra time feels less essential unless you particularly want the wider landscape. A premium lounge can also be arranged at the helipad, with snacks and drinks before and after the flight in a separate waiting area.
How noticeable is helicopter noise in Victoria Falls?
From around 08:00 until the final flights near 17:00, there is usually a helicopter audible somewhere overhead. You can hear them even from Elephant Camp and The Wallow. I did not find the sound unpleasant after experiencing the flight myself, but it is part of the daytime atmosphere and worth knowing before choosing a lodge.
How can you make arriving at Victoria Falls Airport easier?
Flights often arrive close together, so queues at immigration can build quickly. A meet and greet service makes the arrival easier by guiding you through the process and reducing waiting time where possible. It is a small addition, but it can make the first hour of the trip feel far less tiring. We can include it when planning an itinerary.
Plan your Victoria Falls stay
Victoria Falls rewards a little thought before you arrive. The best lodge or activity is the one that fits how you want the stay to feel and how Victoria Falls fits into the wider safari.
If Sabrina’s time in Victoria Falls has sparked an idea, or you are still working out where to begin, tell us what matters most to you. From there, we will shape the whole trip around how you want to travel, day by day.
Enquire now and let us start planning your Victoria Falls safari.
