Waterberry Zambezi Lodge

Highlights

• Seven thatched, individually designed cottages on the banks of the Zambezi River
• A 45-minute drive upstream of Victoria Falls, well away from the town bustle
• Sunset and dawn river cruises, guided birding and a champagne island picnic run by the lodge
• Fresh, local cooking served on the river deck or privately on your own terrace
• The two-storey Owl cottage for families, best suited to children aged six and over
• Independent and owner-run, with a long-standing community programme
• Complimentary daily laundry and free WiFi

Information

• Lodge type: River Lodge
• Location: Zambezi River, Livingstone, Zambia
• Lodge size: 7 Thatched Cottages
• Recommended stay: 3-7 nights
• Malaria risk: Yes. Livingstone and the Zambezi Valley are a malaria area, so take prophylaxis.
• Getting there: About 28 km west of Livingstone (30 minutes by road, the last 5–6 km on a dirt track). Livingstone Airport is approximately 35 minutes away by road, and Victoria Falls is 45 minutes away. There is no airstrip; road transfers from the airport are included.

Waterberry Zambezi Lodge on the Zambezi River

Waterberry Zambezi Lodge is an independent, owner-run river lodge of seven thatched cottages on the Zambezi, about 28 km west of Livingstone and a 45-minute drive upstream of Victoria Falls. It is close enough for the Falls, the gorges and every adrenaline activity Livingstone is famous for. It is also far enough away that your evenings belong to the river, the fire pit and the hippos grunting in the shallows.

The lodge began life as a working farm on the riverbank. Its old farm buildings were turned into cottages around the garden and pool, and the farmhouse was rebuilt as a private riverside house. Waterbuck graze the lawns, sunbirds work the flowering shrubs, and the river slides past wide and slow, a world away from the thunder downstream.

It is a superb base for first-time visitors to Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and Victoria Falls. It suits keen birders and anyone who wants Livingstone's big sights by day and real peace by night.

Rooms And Suites

Waterberry has seven thatched en-suite cottages, each different in size and style. They are named after birds: Weaver, Swallow, Owl, Sunbird, Wagtail, Heron and Jacana. Each cottage has a private terrace with loungers, with views varying by cottage. Rooms are set up as doubles or twins with super king or large single beds, and some take an extra bed.

Families should ask for Owl, the two-storey cottage. Its downstairs bedroom has no ceiling fan. Private dining on your terrace can be arranged on request.

Each cottage includes:

• Air conditioning, a mosquito net and an electric blanket for winter nights
• A ceiling fan (except in Owl's downstairs bedroom)
• A bar fridge stocked with wine, beer and soft drinks
• Tea and coffee with fresh milk, and drinking water
• A sofa, chairs, coffee table, shelves, hanging space and luggage stands
• A digital safe and free WiFi
• An en-suite shower room with towels, bathrobes, hairdryer and toiletries
• A laundry basket for the complimentary daily laundry service

Cuisine And Wine

Meals at Waterberry are fresh, local and unhurried. They are served on the restaurant deck overlooking the river, or privately on your own terrace if you'd rather. Fully inclusive stays cover full board and drinks, including the wine, beer and soft drinks stocked in your cottage fridge.

The kitchen cooks with the seasons, mixing Zambian flavours with familiar international dishes. Advise the lodge of dietary requirements before arrival. The best seat of the day is at the fire pit, sundowner in hand, watching the light go gold over the Zambezi.

Facilities

The main lodge is the social heart of the property, a double-storey building facing the river. Upstairs, an airy viewing lounge looks out over the water. Downstairs and outside, tiered decks lead down to the riverbank.

• Upstairs viewing lounge with river views
• Restaurant deck and lounging areas on tiered decks
• Fire pit for pre-dinner drinks and briefings
• River deck at the water's edge
• Benches around the private dam for quiet birdwatching
• Swimming pool with sun loungers
• Complimentary daily laundry and free WiFi
• 220V square three-pin sockets, with adaptors available

Larger parties can take the operator's two sister properties next door. The River Farmhouse is a private riverside house with its own household team, and The Woodlands offers three secluded tents among the trees.

Activities

Waterberry runs its own programme of guided activities, and a morning and an afternoon activity are included on a fully inclusive stay. Victoria Falls' bigger adventures are booked through trusted local partners and charged at the end of your stay. Your host walks you through the options on arrival and builds your days around what you want to see.

Lodge activities

• Guided tour of Victoria Falls on the Zambian side
• Sunset cruise on the Zambezi with sundowners and snacks, and an optional dawn cruise
• Guided birding along the riverbank and woodland, with optional outings to Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and the Livingstone sewage ponds
• Village walk through the local community, including the school and community farm
• Livingstone town tour, taking in the early-1900s architecture, the Livingstone Museum and Maramba Market
• Champagne picnic on a sandy Zambezi island, which becomes a lunchtime cruise when the river is high

Partner activities (extra cost)

• Livingstone Island, with Devil's Pool or Angel's Pool depending on water levels
• Rhino tracking on foot for white rhino in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
• Helicopter and microlight flights over the Falls
• White-water rafting, canoeing on the upper Zambezi, and horse riding
• Historic Victoria Falls Bridge tour, bungee jump and gorge swing
• The Royal Livingstone Express steam train
• Day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana

Child Friendly

Waterberry welcomes children of all ages, but it suits families with children aged six and over best. The pool and riverfront are unfenced, some cottages sit close to open water, and wildlife wanders through the grounds. Children need an adult's supervision at all times.

For families with older children, it is a wonderful introduction to Africa. The two-storey Owl cottage gives everyone room to spread out, and bigger family groups can take the private River Farmhouse. Sunset cruises, the village walk, birding with a guide and a morning at Victoria Falls are options for families. The small team is known for making children feel at home.

Waterberry Zambezi Lodge FAQs

How far is Waterberry Zambezi Lodge from Victoria Falls?

Waterberry is about 35 km upstream of Victoria Falls, roughly a 45-minute drive from the Zambian entrance to Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. The lodge sits about 28 km west of Livingstone town, and Livingstone Airport is approximately 35 minutes away by road. The final 5–6 km is a dirt track. Road transfers to and from the airport are included in the rate.

Is Waterberry Zambezi Lodge in a malaria area?

Yes. Waterberry is in a malaria area, as are Livingstone and the whole Zambezi Valley. Speak to a travel clinic or your doctor about prophylaxis before you travel, and use repellent and cover up from dusk. The lodge's cottages have mosquito nets and repellent supplied, but medication is still strongly recommended for adults and children alike.

What activities are offered at Waterberry Zambezi Lodge?

Waterberry includes a morning and an afternoon in-house activity on fully inclusive stays. The choices are guided Victoria Falls tours, sunset and dawn Zambezi cruises, birding walks, a village walk, a Livingstone town and market tour, and a champagne island picnic. Local partners provide Devil's Pool, rhino tracking, helicopter flights, white-water rafting, canoeing, horse riding, bungee jumping and Chobe day trips, all at extra cost.

Is Waterberry Zambezi Lodge suitable for children?

Waterberry welcomes children of all ages but is best for families with children aged six and over. The pool and riverfront are unfenced, some cottages are near open water, and animals graze the grounds, so children must be supervised at all times. Families can book the two-storey Owl cottage, and larger groups can take the operator's private River Farmhouse next door.

How many rooms does Waterberry Zambezi Lodge have?

Waterberry has seven thatched en-suite cottages, each named after a bird and each with a private terrace, with views varying by cottage. They come as doubles or twins with super king or large single beds, and Owl is a two-storey family cottage. The operator also runs The River Farmhouse, a private riverside house, and The Woodlands, a camp of three secluded tents for small groups.

In Conclusion

Waterberry Zambezi Lodge is the stay we recommend when you want Victoria Falls without Livingstone's crowds. It is an owner-run lodge with seven cottages on a quiet stretch of the Zambezi.

Why go: It offers the Falls, the gorges and Livingstone's full menu of adventure within 45 minutes, but with the river, the birdlife and real tranquillity on your doorstep.

When to go: Water levels rise from February, generally peaking around March–April, when the spray is visible from kilometres away. From about August to December the water drops, and with it come Devil's Pool, the best white-water rafting and clear views of the rock face. November to March is a treat for birders, with summer migrants in full voice.

How to go: Fly into Livingstone, and we'll handle the road transfer and plan your activities around the season. We can also combine Waterberry with Chobe, the Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa or Kafue as part of a wider Zambian safari.

Uyaphi.com has been planning tailor-made African safaris from Cape Town since 1999. That is 27 years of matching travellers to the right lodges, at the right time of year, for the right price, with no booking fees and no credit card surcharges. Tell us when you'd like to travel and who's coming, and we'll build your Victoria Falls stay around you.