When taking the entire family on vacation, there are a few key factors you’ll want ticked off: Safe spaces for the littlies to run around, convenient amenities that minimise your need to plan, and luxurious lodgings that offer all the comforts of home – plus a little extra.
As a family-run hotel, we strive to provide you with all of these things, plus more, to ensure you enjoy a holiday that doesn’t feel like a battle for compromise, but a relaxing break where you make wonderful memories together as a family.
When you leave, we hope it’s with a memory card full of photos and a cup that’s running over.
Here are a few family-friendly features to look forward to at Ilala Lodge Hotel.
The Hotel Itself
Location, location, location.
We’re a mere 8-minute walk away from Victoria Falls National Park, minimising your need to organise additional transportation while on holiday. (However, if you do need a lift somewhere, the hotel is happy to assist in arranging transfers to anywhere you’re interested in visiting..)
Being situated in the heart of town places you in the perfect position to explore all that Victoria Falls has to offer, from craft markets and galleries to quaint eateries.
While relaxing at the hotel (next to one of our dreamy swimming pools, perhaps?) there are spacious lawns for the children to run around while you enjoy a meal at our award-winning Cassia Restaurant – no need to worry about cooking! Our menus also include meals suited to young palettes, like toasted sandwiches and (dare we say it) chocolate brownies with ice-cream…
Family-Friendly Activities in Victoria Falls
As one of the primary resorts in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, we’ve got an exciting list of activities up our sleeve, ranging from adrenaline-inducing to scenic and relaxing.
Planning an itinerary is easy. Mention your activity preferences when booking or swing past our in-house Ilala Lodge Hotel Activities Desk and pick from a list of activities everyone will enjoy. This is Africa’s ‘Adventure Capital,’ after all!
Ra-Ikane River Cruise
Our fleet of river cruise boats are the perfect place from which to enjoy a legendary Zimbabwean sunset. These boats exude old-world charm and give you the opportunity to get up-close and personal with the animals and birdlife of the Zambezi River.
There are 16 seats available on each – perfect for small or large families.
See The Falls
This is the ideal activity for all ages and the mighty falls are, after all, why you’re here!
After entering the park, there are a myriad of walkways that lead you through the rainforest as well as a main Cliff Path that skirts the ravine of the falls and offers you plenty of viewing points from which to gawk at ‘The Smoke That Thunders’. The pathways are well-maintained and suited to all walking abilities.
Prepare for shrieks of joy when the spray off the water soaks you through when walking along the rainforest pathways. Or pick up a rain poncho at the entrance to the rainforest to ensure you don’t get fully soaked. This is not a drill – it gets really wet out there – and that’s part of the fun.
We also offer guided tours of the falls for those who want to get the most out of this experience.
Game-Viewing
Ilala Lodge Hotel is close to The Victoria Falls National Park and the Zambezi National Park, both of which boast a large variety of animals, including large mammals like elephant, leopard, lion and buffalo.
Game drives are a hit among old and young alike. We can arrange a variety of packages depending on your needs, from a 3-hour morning or afternoon game drive to a full day trip including a game-viewing cruise, lunch and a game drive. Speak to our Activities Desk or reservations team for more information when booking.
Cultural Dining
Our sister property, Palm River Hotel, offers an authentic, African-style barbeque dinner right on the banks of the Zambezi River.
Enjoy a 3-course meal al fresco as river cruises pass you by on the Zambezi. As the sun sets, your feast will be illuminated by lanterns and the starry night sky. This is a brand new, unmissable offering!
For more cultural experiences, enquire about the Dusty Roads Township Experience at our Activities desk. For the full list of our adventure-related activities (plus rates), click here.
Family-Friendly Accommodation in Victoria Falls
Standard Suites
Our Standard Suites are located on the top floor of the hotel and have private balconies that offer magnificent views overlooking our gorgeous grounds and Victoria Falls itself. The suites have an ultra-comfortable King-sized bed and an additional ¾ bed is neatly tucked around the corner in a private section of the room.
For families of 3 +, the Standard Suite is connected to a Standard Twin bedroom via an interleading door. The interconnecting room is equipped with a private bathroom and balcony that overlooks the mist that rises from Victoria Falls.
Interleading Deluxe Rooms
Situated in the stylish West Wing, the Deluxe Rooms at Ilala Lodge Hotel ooze old-world charm and sophistication. Ideal for couples, solo travellers and families alike, the Deluxe Rooms feature either twin or double configurations. Guests can opt for interleading rooms offering a door between Double or Twin room configurations.
The Twin Deluxe Rooms have two three-quarter beds and an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower. The Double Deluxe Rooms have one King-size bed and an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower. All bathrooms have double vanities.
All rooms have a private patio off the bedrooms where guests can enjoy the stunning sunrise in Victoria Falls.
Strathearn Suite
In addition to offering an ideal romantic retreat, this suite can also be transformed into a comfortable and spacious family villa via a pair of interleading doors into a secondary suite and deluxe guest room.
Stay With Us
To book your family-friendly vacation with us, simply email reservations@ilalalodge.co.zw with any enquiries.
If you’re already sold, make use of our seamless online booking platform to lock in your dates.
We can’t wait to show you all that Victoria Falls has to offer!
