Victoria Falls: Luxury and Wildlife at Two Anantara Hotels

Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “The Smoke That Thunders,” is a sight that instantly overwhelms. Within 20 minutes of arrival, visitors find themselves soaked, rain jackets proving futile against the falls’ powerful spray. This year, the falls are particularly spectacular, with 4,500 cubic meters of water cascading over the 108-meter drop every second—the highest flow in over a decade.

What’s striking is its accessibility. Just three hours from Cape Town or 90 minutes from Johannesburg, this Natural World Heritage Site feels surprisingly close. Yet, many still perceive it as distant. The debate over which side, Zambia or Zimbabwe, offers the better experience becomes irrelevant after witnessing both. It’s like comparing thunder to lightning; each side unsettles in its own way.

Where Wilderness Meets Luxury

At The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara, the falls feel tangible. The hotel grounds blend seamlessly into the national park, with wildlife roaming freely. Zebras stroll past the pool, and giraffes appear unexpectedly, even pausing to inspect housekeeping supplies. The atmosphere is one of relaxed coexistence, as if such encounters are routine.

The hotel retains its safari charm, with river-facing verandas, four-poster beds, and ceiling fans, though recent updates lend a fresher, more modern feel. Guests enjoy personalized service, with butlers anticipating needs, coffee arrives unprompted, and damp shoes are dried and polished before the next giraffe passes by. The cuisine highlights local ingredients with a global twist, presented beautifully.

The Royal Livingstone Express, operated with Bushtracks Africa, offers a journey through time. The restored steam train crosses the Victoria Falls Bridge, built in 1905 as part of Cecil Rhodes’ Cape-to-Cairo vision. As mist rises from the gorge, diners enjoy a multi-course meal, the scene surreal and timeless.

A Quieter Side of the Falls

Zimbabwe presents a different experience. The environment feels broader, quieter. Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel sits within a private game reserve, the only one near the falls. Here, the focus is on conservation, particularly as a Black Rhino Intensive Protection Zone. The 4,000-hectare reserve teems with life, home to 470 bird species and opportunities to spot rhinos in the wild.

The hotel’s Restaurant 1871 is exceptional, but the real spectacle lies beyond the dining room. A nearby waterhole attracts wildlife, from giraffes to eland, creating a natural theater. From the Zimbabwean side, the falls reveal themselves in one vast sweep, their mist sustaining the surrounding rainforest and cliffside plants, a fragile ecosystem under increasing pressure from visitors.

Ultimately, the falls defy comparison. Zambia immerses you in their chaos, while Zimbabwe offers a vantage point to appreciate their scale. Together, they create an experience far greater than the sum of their parts. The true luxury lies in being close enough to feel their power.

Restoring Balance to the Falls

Plants cling to the gorge’s cliff faces. They depend on the mist for survival. The rainforest here exists entirely at the mercy of the falls. This ecosystem is increasingly sensitive to the pressure of human feet. Visitors crowd the paths daily. The gardens offer a quieter space to observe this struggle.

Conclusion

The two sides do not compete. They simply destabilise you differently. Zambia immerses one in chaos. Zimbabwe allows one to step back and absorb scale. Together, they create something transportive. The experience defies comparison. The falls remain a force of nature that rearranges nervous systems.