Our base in Victoria Falls was the splendid Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. I had visited the lodge in the past for sundowners and to see the vulture feeding, but never as a bona fide hotel guest. Well, this time I got my chance – and the real thing definitely lived up to my expectations.
Our room was a standard twin. The decor was bold and imaginative – even the mosquito net looked glamorous. The bathroom had a big, luxurious bath as well as a shower and an enormous mirror adorned with colourful tiles. All 72 rooms of the lodge were renovated before our visit in August 2013 and I was very impressed with how they looked. Some African hotels can fall into the trap of overdoing the decor, making them mote Afro-kitsch than Afro-chic – but there was no danger of that here. Our room felt fresh and modern without compromising on African flair.
We had our own balcony and a fantastic view of the water hole and the Zimbabwean bush, which was golden in the dry August sun.
We spent our first few hours in Victoria Falls lazily eating and relaxing at the Safari Lodge. We had lunch and cocktails at the open-air Buffalo Bar, which has an appetising snack menu with an African twist. A firm favourite is the eponymous Buffalo Burger. The Buffalo Bar was renovated in 2012 and it now looks much classier and edgier. The copper-coloured beading and textures on the columns around the bar were especially beautiful, and they added a feel of elegance to the place without feeling tacky.
After lunch, we moved to the pool area (after waiting the requisite 30 minutes after eating, of course). We lay on the sun beds, took a dip in the pool, and watched the impala cavorting around the waterhole in front of the lodge: the perfect way to re-charge those batteries before the action-packed schedule ahead of us.
Throughout our stay, the Safari Lodge proved to be a haven for us, with its friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere. Each morning we had a breakfast of kings: there was a buffet of fruits, cereals, pastries, meats, breads and juices, as well as a carefully crafted, creative menu of hot meals. If that wasn’t enough, there was a pancake station and bloody Mary table. Each evening, when we returned to the lodge, we were greeted as if old friends and then we invariably went to the deck to drink up the view and catch a few moments of peace.
This post is proudly sponsored by Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, a product of Africa Albida Tourism. Sponsored posts are written with the understanding that the writer can express her opinions honestly and openly.
Africa Albida Tourism (AAT) is widely recognised as one of southern Africa’s foremost hospitality developers and operators. AAT’s group’s name has, for 20 years, been synonymous with superior facilities and service as well as earning and sustaining a pedigree of excellence in trust and environmental ethics. The world-renowned Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and the new and exclusive Safari Club are two of the group’s premium properties in Victoria Falls.
