Batoka Zambezi Sands Lodge
CEDARBERG RATING
Luxury
Overview
The Zambezi Sands Lodge is only a 45-60 minute road transfer from the vibrant town of Victoria Falls, with its variety of shopping and activities. But it is the breath-taking setting which attracts you. It lies within the Zambezi National Park right on the banks of the Zambezi River.
The camp combines water-based activities based around the river with game walks and game drives in the National Park. And you can opt to head to the town to see the Victoria Falls. It is perfect for those who want to see the Victoria Falls but also to feel that they are still on safari!
The Camp and Accommodation
The main tented camp has a sitting/dining area and bar under canvas. This opens out onto multi-level wooden decks which make the most of its stunning setting right on the mighty Zambezi river.
On either side are eight luxurious suites, seven with twin bed and one with double bed. They all have a separate sitting area with minibar and tea/coffee station. And a bathroom with Victoria ball and claw bar, outside shower and outside toilet. In front of the suite is an expansive deck with its own private plunge pool and sun loungers.
Activities
Activities hereΒ are centred around the water and the land. Enjoy guided canoe trips in stable inflatable canoes or boating excursions followed by sundowner drinks on the river bank. You can also try your luck at some tiger fishing.
On land you can enjoy game drives and bush walks with experienced guides in the Zambezi National Park. Elephant can be found loitering on the mainland or crossing the river. Whilst hippo, waterbuck and bushbuck frequent the reed banks and islands. Lions can be heard calling at night and we were lucky to see both lion and cheetah here. Finally the birdlife is prolific. You may see the African finfoot, African skimmer, pratincoles and Pel’s fishing owl.
A guided tour to the magnificent Victoria Falls rainforest (park fees being extra) is also on offer. But we recommend that you stay a night close to the Falls and then come here for two or three nights to enjoy the river safari. However, relaxing in your private splash pool on your deck overlooking the Zambezi, can be just as enjoyable!
At A Glance
Off the beaten track
Birding hotspot
Good Food & Wine
Swimming pool
Rural location
In Pictures
Batoka Zambezi Sands Lodge on the map
Rooms
Pool Suite Room
Private splash pool & viewing deck
Deck Suite Room
Private viewing deck
Zambezi river canoeing by Kate
I have been lucky enough to do many of the excursions at Victoria Falls over the years (including the white water rafting, bridge swing, βflying foxβ, the helicopter flip and elephant back safaris) butΒ one of my favourites has got to be Zambezi river canoeing on the upper Zambezi above the Fallsβ¦
I first went canoeing here far too many years ago to mention but the magical combination of languid paddling with the occasional shot of adrenalin-inspiring rapids never fails.
The Zambezi river is vast and much of the time you are floating along, looking at the kingfishers on the river bank, silently paddling past grazing elephants and keeping a watch-out for hippos. But every now and then the river divides into a number of tributaries and you find yourself negotiating some small rapids. However the canoes feel very stable and so the adrenalin rush is not tinged with actual fear.
Mostly recently I stayed at Zambezi Sands River Camp where guided canoe trips were one of the many activities on over. I always felt in good hands as we were guided by two expert river guides who were adept at getting us back on track if we had gone slightly off course. (This happens when your partner in the front insisting on trying to steer from the front. Never a good idea in a canoeβ¦ but I digressβ¦)
There are plenty of riverside camps which offer this as an activity both on the Zimbabwe side and the Zambian side (Think Tongabez LodgeΒ or Sindabezi Island).Β However you donβt have to stay at a specific camp in order to to enjoy canoeing. You can easily opt for a morning or full day excursion from Victoria Falls or, even better, a late afternoon canoe trip which ends with sundowners on the river bank. Hard to beat a gin and tonic as the sun sets over the Zambeziβ¦
