Anantara Stanley & Livingstone sits on Old Ursula Road, just south of Victoria Falls town, on the edge of a private game reserve, so a safari can begin at the end of the lawn. The waterfall is about 15 minutes away by car, with the Zambian border close behind it. There are 16 suites, each of around 70 square metres with a private entrance, and two of them interconnect for families. In feel it is closer to a small country hotel than a bush camp, with classic furnishing, an outdoor pool, a gym and an Anantara spa, and the suites look over a waterhole that giraffe favour. Days divide easily between the reserve, with game drives and guided walks in search of black rhino, and the falls themselves, reached through Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meals are taken at 1871, which uses produce from the hotel's own garden and serves breakfast on the lawn while animals move about nearby. Gin tastings, a chef's table and afternoon tea fill the slower hours, and a kids' club keeps younger guests busy.
- Nearest airport
- Victoria Falls Airport (VFA), 6 Miles / 9 Kilometres
- Rooms
- 16 suites
Insider tip Keep one evening for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi and another for a game drive in the reserve, where black rhino are the sighting to hope for.
Why I choose it It pairs the falls with a private reserve on the doorstep, in a hotel small enough at 16 suites to feel personal, and it works well for families.