AVANI Victoria Falls

As it is some time since we were at the hotel, I cannot remember a lot about the experience. However, it was very evident that it was a commercial hotel with lots of business meetings. Our first day there we went to the pool bar for lunch. Food was simple but that was okay as it was just lunch. However, that night we wanted to go to the main restaurant (which I think was buffet style--not really what one would expect from such a high priced property.) We were told that we could not dine in that restaurant as there was a business dinner going on. We didn't want to go back to the pool bar (although we ended up there) and so were directed to what I guess was called the boma. It was impossible for us to dine there owing to the vast amount of mosquitos. The buffet restaurant was open for breakfast the next morning and that was okay -- lots of choices. If I were to return, I definitely would go to the Royal Livingston even though it is more expensive. The animals roaming around were nice although one had to be careful as they are wild animals and you had to make sure that you didn't inadvertently get to close. Read less

The administration and useless contact centre are not worth the frustration. They blocked funds in my credit card for preauthorisation. The bill was settled in full on check out. But they never cleared the authorization block. 3 weeks later the funds are still tied up and it is impossible to call them to solve it. The phone number on the invoice is never answered, the call centre on the website cannot connect or keeps breaking in when when the call is finally connected so the line is lost. Spent two days on innumerable international calls on this with no success and now restored to posting my feelings. I a good stay at Avani. Nice room, friendly people, good surroundings. But now I am so angry I can’t remember any of that. Stay somewhere else so you can enjoy the visit even after you return home. Read less

We had 3 nights here and location to falls excellent as you can walk through grounds to Zambian falls and get in free. Lots of zebras giraffes and impala wander around freely. Baboons and monkeys too and these can be aggressive so be aware. Room ok but had to report toilet fault 3 times and still not right when left. Food ok but for some reason the main restaurant was closed on the Tuesday with no warning. Breakfasts are very good. The outdoor bar does bar type food and has entertainment each night. Staff very helpful and courteous. It’s a bit isolated so you can’t walk to another bar or restaurant other than The Royal Livingstone Hotel which is a sister hotel about a 15 minute walk through grounds. You need a taxi to get to the Zambezi side of falls costing $20 each way. Read less

We had a disappointing start. A very unfriendly check-in. First my friend gets allocated a nice room straight away but I have to wait half an hour for mine and when it comes it is a back room with no view. After complaining, they move me! It then took half an hour to get my luggage moved from one room to another! There are no bathrobe, no slippers, no notepad/pen, no turn down service. Not quite up to 4* service. They have animals around the pool area – zebra and impala, not to mention baboon and monkeys. Unusual as it is, I don’t think it is very healthy to have animals such as zebra and impala around the pool – children play on the grass where they are leaving their ‘trademarks’, and not the least the smell from zebra ‘poo’ is not the best. There was a lovely boma dinner on one evening, but poorly attended, probably because it is not advertised anywhere in the hotel. I read about it on the website. The bonus is being able to walk to the Falls from the Hotel. Read less

We enjoyed our four-night stay at the African themed Avani Resort in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. We had requested an airport pick-up and the driver was waiting; quickly and comfortably we were on our way to the resort – wet towels, water, lemon tarts, dried bananas and mango, wifi and plugs were all offered, along with interesting conversation. On arrival, the wonderful African dance trio welcomed us. Check-in started well with a welcome cinnamon drink. Our room was not quite ready, so we used the time to book an excursion at one of the three excursion desks in the lobby. Soon our card key was brought to us and we were told our room was behind the pool. The key did not work but one of the cleaning staff kindly let us into our room, 3319. The ground floor room was spacious, spotlessly clean with two double beds (the large beds were appreciated). There was a tv, mini bar, safe and two bottles of water that were replaced daily. The bathroom was spacious with a bath, a separate walk-in shower and nice amenities. We had an extended issue with room access but to us the sign of a great hotel is how issues are dealt with, not that issues can arise: in this instance, Rob, the hotel manager resolved them perfectly. The property is gorgeous at least partly because of the zebra, impala, monkeys and giraffe on site: they are habituated but still wild animals. Another part of the park with the viewing sites for Victoria Falls is just across the road from the hotel side gate, (if you wish to stroll to Zimbabwe, the Zambian immigration is about 300 meters from this gate. Be aware it is much longer walk to Zimbabwean immigration). We recommend that you get a poncho from reception if you want to remain reasonably dry when walking near the falls and don’t forget to carry your white card which gives you free entry into the national park (even when we went for a safari drive/walk with the rhino in another part of the park). There are some great amenities and experiences to enjoy at the resort: one afternoon as we were relaxing poolside with a drink between activities, a dance troupe came and the entertainment outlasted the 20 minutes we had. It is an easy stroll or shuttle to the Avani’s sister hotel, the Royal Livingstone (it has a European feel) and you can charge to your room. Ours was a last-minute trip and we had not prearranged any tours, so were delighted that tour desks were in the hotel and we were able to book 3 safaris (get the Kaza visa for Zambia which includes 30 day multiple entry to Zimbabwe and 1 entry to Botswana), and swimming in Angels Pool in the last minute. Breakfast is excellent with a great variety including gluten free, omelette and waffle stations and friendly, attentive staff. We had some very good wood fired pizza and club sandwiches at the Shungu Pool Terrace and sunset drinks and dinner at the Royal Livingstone at the river’s edge. We ended our evenings at Shungu as well, with drinks. The WOW dinner was the ultimate dining experience of private cocktails and dinner overlooking Victoria Falls. From the buggy to the gate; walking the short distance to the view where cocktails were served; being greeting by Gerald the Executive Chef; and then being attended by Keegan, Happy, James, Charles, Munya, Perry and Victor; the beautiful dining table; the excellent dishes especially grandma’s eggplant and the grilled prawns; the sight and sound of the falls at sunset; and the buggy driver taking us to see the giraffes on the way back – it was a magical experience that we will not forget! The staff elevate the experience at the resort, they welcome you into their world – just one example, when we were watching the zebra near the pool, a groundkeeper offered to take us to see the giraffe and then ensured that he found every one of them with us. There were so many similar actions by the staff which made our stay extraordinary. Perfect location, great atmosphere, comfortable rooms, and fantastic staff makes this the ideal resort to enjoy and explore the area. We recommend that you book the ultimate dining experience at the when making your room booking (it is weather dependent) as it truly is a very unique and special event! Read less