Ilala Lodge Victoria Falls

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a family run hotel. Ilala Lodge, like Pangolin Photo Safaris, has a long history of dedication to providing a quality hospitality experience. Aside from the friendly staff, the setting of Ilala Lodge is truly wonderful. The wildlife, including elephants, wander right up on to the lawn of the sprawling gardens. The rooms are spacious and well-appointed with amazing beds! The Terrace is a lovely spot to view the spray of the Falls.

The Palms restaurant is a treat for locals and visitors alike featuring local and exotic dishes with flair. Booking in advance is recommended due to its popularity. If elegant dining doesn’t catch your fancy, the poolside fare complimented by a cocktail is a wonderful alternative.

The hotel itself is a short easy walk (8 mins) from the entrance to the Victoria Falls National Park and even closer the centre of Victoria Falls Town itself which has all that you might need including ATMs, a chemist, shops, a few restaurants and cafes plus some great little curio stalls. Zimbabwean wood carvings are probably the best in the region. Remember to haggle a bit…but not too much people still have to make a living!

Visiting the Falls is the obvious highlight. Bear in mind that you will have to pay the park entrance fee in US dollars to get in as this can’t be paid in advance. There are plenty of guides who escort you around the park and this can be booked either in advance with us or through the hotel. Otherwise, it’s an easy stroll along the path opposite the falls if you want to go it alone with a guidebook! Top tip… take something waterproof as the spray can be like walking through a rainforest in a rainstorm.

One activity we would highly recommend however is a flight in a helicopter over the Falls – ideally around sunset. Only from the air can you see the Falls as one continuous natural marvel. If you haven’t booked a helicopter flight yet and it is something you would like to do, we can do that for you. Request a specific time of day rather than leaving that to chance when you get to Vic Falls.

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