The Royal Livingstone Hotel | Luxury Hotel | Victoria Falls

With our flights booked and feeling enthusiastic about visiting Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, one of the hotels Tebogo and I were really looking forward to was The Royal Livingstone Hotel, a luxurious five-star hotel tucked on the banks of the Zambezi River in Livingstone, Zambia. The colonial-style resort hotel is situated just a few minutes walk away from the well-known Mosi-oa-Tunya (Tokaleya Tonga: the Smoke that Thunders) Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The Royal Livingstone Hotel is an opulent resort-style hotel that combines comfort, wildlife, and African history with the calm natural beauty of Africa.

The Royal Livingstone Hotel was named after the Scottish explorer and missionary, David Livingstone. The hotel consists of over 170 luxurious units and offers a distinctive and exquisite experience by fusing colonial-style architecture with contemporary conveniences. Just like their sister hotel, Avani Victoria Falls, where we had spent three memorable nights before moving to The Royal, you may spot zebras, antelopes, monkeys, and giraffes, wandering around and grazing near the rooms.

On arrival, we were welcomed by a group of enthusiastic traditional dancers and singers. Immediately after check-in, we were ushered to the hotel’s lounge and offered a refreshing home-made iced tea, toasted sandwiches, and a complimentary glass of wine each.

ROOMS AND SUITES

Rooms and suites at The Royal Livingstone Hotel, many of which have stunning views of the Zambezi River, are elegant and spacious and combine Victorian grandeur and African charm. The units are beautifully decorated and equipped with king-size beds and contemporary comforts like air conditioning, Wi-Fi, minibars, and a bathroom with bathtubs and showers. There is a butler assigned to each block who will show you around your room when you arrive, tuck you in at night, and be there to help you with anything you might need during your stay. The private patio outside of our room was screened in to keep mosquitoes away.

Mosi-oa-Tunya Falls’ thunderous smoke is clearly visible from The Royal Livingstone Hotel, thanks to its close proximity to the hotel. One advantage of staying at The Royal is that your entrance to the falls is free and you get unlimited access. Let me tell you, the falls are so amazing that even though we visited them multiple times, each visit felt like our first.

The hotel offers a variety of dining options, including a fine dining restaurant that serves a wide range of international and local cuisine, dinner under the Monkey Tree, and sundowners on the sundecks overlooking the Zambezi River and Mosi-oa-Tunya Falls. You can also enjoy a drink at the hotel’s bar or indulge in a traditional high tea experience. A sumptuous breakfast buffet, which may be enjoyed inside the restaurant or outside on the terrace with views of the Zambezi River and the falls is included in the room rate.

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES

We were treated to a couple’s full body massage. The massage rooms are located near the Zambezi River, and for an added special touch, the massage beds have mirrors underneath them so you can enjoy the massage as well as the wildlife, and the views of the river and waterfalls. Other facilities include a large swimming pool, a gym, a business centre, and a gift shop where you can stock up on some souvenirs. The hotel can also arrange a variety of activities and excursions, including the ultimate dining experience next to the falls, breakfast on the jetty, wine pairing, cultural boma dinner, wildlife safaris, helicopter rides, light microlights, guided tours of the falls, and sunset cruises on the Zambezi River. See the gallery here.

The Royal Livingstone Hotel is the ideal haven for relaxation and provides a perfect base for exploring the thunderous Mosi-oa-Tunya Falls and taking advantage of the abundant wildlife and adventure opportunities in and around Livingstone and Zimbabwe. This is one of the hotels we would highly recommend and the one we would return to in the future because of the fantastic amenities and excellent customer service provided by their staff.