Where to Stay in Livingstone

The single biggest accommodation decision in Livingstone isn't the price tier — it's the area. Where you base yourself changes your whole trip: how close you wake up to the falls, whether you're on the river, and how much you'll spend getting around. There are essentially three zones to choose from, and they suit very different travellers. This guide breaks them down so you can pick the right base before you start comparing individual lodges.

The Riverfront — Luxury on the Zambezi

Upstream of the falls, a string of lodges sits directly on the banks of the Zambezi. This is the high-end zone: think private decks over the water, hippos surfacing at breakfast, sundowners as the river turns gold, and in some cases your own stretch of riverbank. Some of these are large polished resorts; others are small, intimate camps on private islands or quiet bends in the river.

You pay for it — this is the most expensive way to stay in Livingstone — but if your trip is a honeymoon, a special occasion, or simply a once-in-a-lifetime visit, waking up on the Zambezi is hard to beat. Most riverfront lodges include transfers to the falls and activities, so the distance from town matters less than it looks on a map.

Royal Chundu — the headline act. The only Relais & Châteaux property in Zambia, set on a private 15 km stretch of the Zambezi upstream of the falls, with just 14 suites. This is the top of the market.

Tongabezi & Sindabezi Island — a long-running favourite for honeymooners, with its sister camp on a private island midstream. Romantic, intimate, and beautifully placed on the river.

Tintswalo at Siankaba — a treehouse-style lodge spread across two private islands in the Zambezi, reached by boat. One of the more unusual stays on the river.

The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa — a 4-star lodge right on the riverbank, a little more accessible on price than the very top tier, with a spa and river-view rooms.

Waterberry Zambezi Lodge — smaller and quieter, a relaxed upper-mid option for travellers who want the river without the resort scale.

Near the National Park & Falls

A handful of properties sit close to the entrance of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, within easy reach of the falls themselves. The standout advantage here is obvious: you can be at the falls in minutes, and some of these places are close enough that you can walk to the entrance. If seeing Victoria Falls at different times of day — first light, midday rainbows, late afternoon — is a priority, basing yourself here makes that effortless.

The Royal Livingstone (Anantara) — colonial-style luxury right beside the falls, with its own path to the water's edge. The premium choice for being as close to Victoria Falls as it gets.

AVANI Victoria Falls Resort — shares the same grounds as the Royal Livingstone but at a more moderate price, and it's family-friendly. You can walk to the falls entrance from here.

Thorntree River Lodge — set on the river inside the national park, with a more intimate safari-lodge feel while still being close to the falls.

Livingstone Town — Budget & Mid-Range

Livingstone town, about 10 km from the falls, is where the budget and mid-range options cluster — guesthouses, backpacker lodges, and smaller hotels. This is the practical choice for independent travellers, longer stays, and anyone watching their spend. You're close to shops, ATMs, restaurants and the supermarket (useful if you're self-catering or heading out to the free sunset spot with your own supplies).

The trade-off is that you'll rely on taxis or the Yango app to reach the falls and activities — budget a few dollars each way. For most travellers that's a small price for the savings on the room, and town has more life and character than the resort strip.

Jollyboys Backpackers — the original. The first hostel in Zambia, running since 1996, with everything from dorms to ensuite rooms, a pool, a bar and an activity desk. The go-to for budget travellers.

Victoria Falls Backpackers Zambia (formerly Livingstone Backpackers) — central, close to the airport and town, with dorms, private rooms and camping. About as affordable as Livingstone gets.

Fawlty Towers — a long-standing mid-range option in town with a pool, popular with independent travellers who want a notch up from a hostel without resort prices.

Chanters Lodge — a solid, locally run small lodge in town. Good value mid-range, with a long track record.

How to Choose Your Area

Choose the riverfront if this is a special trip and the experience of the river itself is part of what you came for, and budget is secondary.

Choose near the park if the falls are your single biggest priority and you want to visit them more than once, at the best light.

Choose town if you're travelling on a budget, staying a while, or you like being near restaurants, shops and everyday life — and you don't mind a short ride to the falls.

Booking Tips

Whatever tier you pick, a few things hold true across Livingstone. Book ahead for the peak months (June–October and the December holidays) — the good-value places fill first. Check what's included: many lodges bundle airport transfers and falls transfers, which can quietly offset a higher room rate. And match your lodge to your season — there's no point paying for a riverfront view in the months the river is lowest. Our best time to visit guide covers exactly how the seasons play out.

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