David Livingstone Safari Lodge

Highlights

• 77 rooms, every one facing the Zambezi
• Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the doorstep
• Lady Livingstone sunset river cruise
• Free shuttle to Victoria Falls and Livingstone town
• Riverside spa and fitness centre
• Bird watching from the riverbank
• Infinity pool overlooking the Zambezi

Information

• Lodge type: Hotel
• Location: Zambezi River, Livingstone, Zambia
• Lodge size: 77 rooms (72 river-facing rooms, 5 Signature Suites)
• Recommended stay: 2–5 nights
• Malaria risk: Yes — Livingstone is in a malaria area; take prophylaxis
• Getting there: 5 km from Livingstone town and about 10 km from Victoria Falls; 20–25 minutes by road from Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport, Livingstone; 1½–2 hours by road from Kasane, Botswana. No light-aircraft transfer needed.

David Livingstone Safari Lodge on the Banks of the Zambezi

David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa sits on the Zambian bank of the Zambezi River, about 10 km upstream of Victoria Falls and 5 km from Livingstone town, and every one of its 77 rooms faces the water. It is a four-star riverside hotel rather than a bush camp. It has air-conditioned rooms, a proper spa, a conference centre and its own triple-decked river cruiser, the Lady Livingstone. Siloka Island lies across the channel, and after dark hippos come up to graze the lawns within sight of the bar.

Livingstone is Zambia's adventure capital and the gateway to Mosi-oa-Tunya, "the Smoke that Thunders". From the lodge, the Falls, the Victoria Falls Bridge, the Livingstone Museum and the town's craft markets are a short shuttle ride away. Chobe National Park in Botswana is close enough for a day trip. Two or three nights here work well at the start or end of a Zambian safari, before or after South Luangwa or the Lower Zambezi.

The David Livingstone sits comfortably in the mid-range of Livingstone's hotels. That makes it a smart choice for couples, groups and wedding parties who want river views and full hotel service without paying Falls-side prices. We include it in tailor-made Zambia safari itineraries, with transfers and activities arranged around your dates.

Rooms and Suites

All 77 rooms face the Zambezi: 72 deluxe river-facing rooms and five Signature Suites. Each deluxe room has a king or twin beds under mosquito nets, a private balcony over the river and air conditioning. The en-suite bathroom has a free-standing bath and separate shower, and every room also has a tea and coffee station, minibar, safe, satellite TV and free Wi-Fi. Six interleading rooms (three pairs) and two wheelchair-accessible rooms are among the 72.

The five Signature Suites add a separate lounge and an indoor jacuzzi. The standard balconies are narrow, so the best river-watching happens on the decks and lawns below. Book a suite if you want room to spread out.

Cuisine and Wine

Breakfast and dinner are served at Kalai Restaurant, either as a buffet or à la carte, and lighter lunches are served on the Gwembe Terrace and Sun Deck beside the river. Ujiji Bar handles sundowners and cocktails, and the terrace is the spot to watch the sun drop behind Siloka Island. The standout meal, though, is on the water. The Lady Livingstone serves drinks and snacks on its sunset cruise and can be booked for private dinners on the river, often with hippos in view.

Facilities

On site you'll find an infinity pool on the riverbank, a spa, a gym, a conference centre, a curio shop and an activity centre run by Safari Par Excellence, which is open 8am–7pm daily. The 144-seat Lady Livingstone river cruiser belongs to the lodge. Together, the lawns, decks and boat make one of the most popular Zambezi wedding venues in Livingstone. A complimentary shuttle runs to Victoria Falls and Livingstone town, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. The grounds are fenced, with a security gate and night patrols. That helps, because the resident baboons and hippos treat the place as their own.

Activities

Almost everything Livingstone offers can be booked at the lodge's activity desk, at extra cost. The essentials:

• Lady Livingstone sunset cruise on the upper Zambezi
• Guided tour of Victoria Falls, plus Devil's Pool on Livingstone Island when water levels allow (roughly mid-August to January)
• Helicopter or microlight flights over the Falls
• White-water rafting in the Batoka Gorge
• Canoeing, kayaking and tiger fishing upstream
• Game drives and walks in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
• Bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge
• Livingstone Museum and cultural village tours
• Day trip to Chobe National Park, Botswana

Child Friendly

Children of all ages are welcome, though the lodge suits families with children aged 10 and older best. Six interleading rooms (three pairs) let families stay side by side. Older children love the sunset cruise, the walk along the Falls and the Livingstone Museum. Younger children need close supervision, because the infinity pool is unfenced, the river is right there and hippos graze the lawns after dark. For families with toddlers, we can suggest Falls-side alternatives.

Spa and Wellness

The spa has five treatment rooms offering massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, using African, cruelty-free products. The treatments take their inspiration from the Falls, and a steam room and plunge pool are available before or after. A late-afternoon massage, a session in the gym and a swim in the infinity pool make an ideal recovery day after rafting the Batoka Gorge.

David Livingstone Safari Lodge FAQs

How far is David Livingstone Safari Lodge from Victoria Falls?

The David Livingstone lies about 10 km upstream of Victoria Falls on the Zambian bank of the Zambezi, 5 km from Livingstone town. The Falls are too far to walk, but a complimentary hotel shuttle runs to both the Falls and town. Guided Falls tours, helicopter flights and Devil's Pool trips can be booked at the lodge's on-site activity centre.

Is there malaria at David Livingstone Safari Lodge?

Yes. The David Livingstone is in Livingstone, Zambia, which is a malaria area all year round. Take anti-malarial prophylaxis prescribed by your doctor or travel clinic, use insect repellent at dusk, and sleep under the mosquito nets fitted over every bed. Risk peaks in the wet season, from roughly November to April.

Is David Livingstone Safari Lodge suitable for children?

The David Livingstone in Livingstone, Zambia, welcomes children of all ages but suits families with children aged 10 and over best. It has six interleading rooms in three pairs, so families can stay side by side. Parents should note that the infinity pool is unfenced, the Zambezi runs right past the lawns, and hippos graze the grounds at night, so young children need constant supervision.

How do I get to David Livingstone Safari Lodge?

Most guests fly into Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone, Zambia, which is 20–25 minutes by road from The David Livingstone. Overland transfers from Kasane in Botswana take about 1½–2 hours. No light-aircraft transfer is needed. Uyaphi.com arranges road transfers as part of every tailor-made Zambia safari itinerary.

What activities can you do at David Livingstone Safari Lodge?

The David Livingstone's highlight is the sunset cruise aboard its own triple-decked river boat, the Lady Livingstone. Its Livingstone activity centre also books Victoria Falls tours, helicopter and microlight flights, white-water rafting, canoeing, tiger fishing, Mosi-oa-Tunya game drives, the Victoria Falls Bridge bungee and day trips to Chobe National Park in Botswana. All activities cost extra.

In Conclusion

David Livingstone Safari Lodge gives you the Zambezi at your balcony, Victoria Falls 10 km down the road and full four-star comfort in between. It works best at the end of a Zambian safari. Arrive from the bush, book a spa treatment and the sunset cruise on the Lady Livingstone, then spend a day at the Falls before you fly home.

Timing shapes the experience. From February to May the Zambezi is in flood, so the Falls are at peak flow, with heavy spray and frequent rainbows. From August to December the water drops, the views open up, Devil's Pool becomes possible and the Batoka Gorge rapids are at their best. Two or three nights cover the essentials, and five lets you add Chobe or a fishing day upstream.

Uyaphi.com has been planning African safaris from Cape Town since 1999. That's 27 years of matching travellers to the right lodges. Tell us your dates and your wish list, and we'll build a tailor-made Zambia itinerary around The David Livingstone, including transfers, activities and the right room, with no booking fees and no credit card surcharges.