It is hard to imagine a more stunning location for a lodge than 250 metres over the River Zambezi. Since Gorges Lodge is also within easy reach of Victoria Falls just makes it even more appealing. As a base to explore the town or to begin or end your Zimbabwe safari, it should be high on your list.
What we tell people:
Possibly the most spectacularly sited lodges in all of Africa, Gorges Lodge is somewhere you won’t forget in a hurry. With Victoria Falls town an easy drive away you can enjoy all the activities available there while “living on the edge”.
I first visited Gorges Lodge back in 2014 and had an amazing experience – it was the first lodge I had stayed at in Southern Africa and what a start it was…
Since then a new section, Little Gorges, has opened which consists of 5 luxury tents on the other side of the main area. In the full accommodation review I will cover these rooms as well since I had the chance to photograph the new section on my latest trip.
Anyway, here is a video of my chalet, the pool, the bar and the restaurant filmed at the end of 2018:
Vital stats:
Gorges Lodge
Number of rooms: 15
- 10 chalets (4 of the chalets are two-storey and the other 6 are single-storey)
- 5 luxury tents (Little Gorges section)
Location, location, location?
10km downstream from the Victoria Falls and a 22 km road transfer from Victoria Falls town or a 19 km road transfer from Victoria Falls Airport.
And it is located right on the edge of a 250m gorge above the Zambezi River!
The room
I was accommodated in chalet number 1, which is furthest away from the central main area with the pool and restaurant. It’s not that far, of course, and like all the chalets feels very private without any close neighbours.
The room design had not changed much since my previous visit – if it ain’t broke, why fix it – but had been refreshed with a brighter and more modern style. The large bed was a joy to sleep in.
The best feature of the room was undoubtedly the vertigo-inducing balcony (which all chalets have). Beat that view!
Tea and coffee making facilities are provided…
…as is a free minibar – just help yourself! The minibar is restocked each day and you are unlikely to run out in any case.
The bathrooms have been upgraded since I was last there and the huge double shower area is an excellent touch. A full range of bathroom ameneties are provided.
The water pressure in the shower was excellent, too.
Food and drink
Usual board basis: Bed and breakfast
On this occasion I had dinner and breakfast. Our dinner was an outdoor barbecue by the pool, and the food was excellent and of course fresh.
Breakfast is a buffet with cold dishes. You can also choose from a range of English-style breakfast options.
All in all the food was very good.
Dining arrangement: Shared tables/individual tables
Dining locations: Indoor and outdoor dining
Provided the weather is fine (which is most of the time, to be honest) eating outdoors by the pool or in the open but covered restaurant area overlooking the gorge are both good options.
Activities
Relaxing in and by the pool is hard to resist, but birdwatching, school and village visits are other options. When I visited in 2014 I was there at the weekend so I went on a village visit which was very rewarding –
I have a short video here:
A local dance and drumming troupe often perform in the evening at the lodge too, again I have a video from my first trip:
There are a pair of Verreaux’s Eagles that nest at the lodge and these can be viewed while enjoying sundowners and snacks at a separate part of the property near the Little Gorges tents. There are plenty of other birds in the area and you can also take guided walks along the edge of the gorge or in the gorge itself.
And of course Victoria Falls is one of the best adventure hubs in Southern Africa – the lodge can arrange all of these, or you can do so yourself. Here are two articles from my first trip to give you an idea of waht is on offer – a morning in Victoria Falls and what I got up to in the afternoon.
Service
Service was very friendly, efficient and professional.
Conclusion:
It is hard to imagine a more stunning location for a lodge than 250 metres over the River Zambezi. Since Gorges Lodge is also within easy reach of Victoria Falls just makes it even more appealing. As a base to explore the town or to begin or end your Zimbabwe safari, it should be high on your list.