In the past five years, Livingstone has experienced a boom in tourism and now offers a great variety of places to stay for all types of travellers and budgets. Whereas, previously, accommodation was limited to a handful of luxury lodges, a few backpackers and guesthouses and several hotels of widely varying standards, now you will find excellent choices in all price ranges, with many providing the service, standards and amenities that international visitors have come to expect, If the choice is overwhelming, knowing the options in advance will make finding the right place much easier.

The Zambian side of the Falls is spread out and has numerous bush lodges in lovely situations on the Zambezi River, a short distance from town yet close enough to enjoy the attractions and activities of the Falls. Further upstream, near the Botswana border, the lodges and camps of the Kazungula area are ideal for those seeking a more remote getaway with river-based diversions. Zimbabwe has very few equivalents.

At the cheaper end of the market, staying in a guesthouse, where you may meet African travellers, adds a multi-cultural dimension to your visit, while backpacker accommodation tends to cater strictly to the international budget traveller.


Below you will find a list of the various accommodations in and around Livingstone. They have been split into sections based on area and type to make it easier for you to search through them. More detailed information about each accommodation can be found in the left hand navigation bar under Where to Stay

In town

Hotels

New Fairmount Hotel
Ngolide Lodge
Wasawange Lodge

Guesthouses in town

Even the most unobservant visitor in Livingstone can't help but notice the multitude of signs pointing to guesthouses all over town, but standards vary immensely. Many are new to tourism and others cater to the local market rather than to overseas visitors. One thing is for certain, the Western image of a 'guesthouse' – ie: a charming bed and breakfast inn – is not to be found here…yet. Rather, a 'guesthouse' can be anything from a small, rustic hostel (or worse) to a converted house or quasi mini-hotel. Although none can be described as charming or quaint, they are functional and offer yet another alternative in the budget and mid-range category. Some are old, converted homes with smallish rooms, limited facilities and lower prices; others are newly-constructed with restaurant, bar, pool, air conditioning and other mod-cons, priced accordingly. Interior decorating leans toward the basic and functional (a few have ethnic touches), or tends to be overblown, with an abundance of velvet, chrome and multi-patterned fabrics. Places listed have been personally inspected and meet basic standards. As new ones crop up all time, make sure you ask to see the room and facilities before booking in.

Chanter's Guesthouse
Guestmate Inn
Likute Guesthouse
Namel's Guest Lodge
Rite Inn
Southern Comfort Lodge
Wane Guest Lodge
Zambezi Ultima Guesthouse
Zig Zag

Backpackers

For the budget-minded, nothing beats Livingstone's popular backpackers' hostels. Generally clean, convenient and cheap, they are ideal for independent travellers – but can be crowded at times. As a 'one-stop' shop, they offer shared and private rooms, camping, booking agency, restaurant, bar, kitchen, laundry, pool, and even a built-in social life.

Fawlty Towers Lodge & International Backpackers
The Grotto Overland Paradise
Jollyboys Backpackers

Beside the Zambezi – upriver

Livingstone's riverside lodges are for the most part spread along the shores of the Zambezi leading west from the town off Nakatindi Road. The lodges here are listed as if heading out of Livingstone.

Sussi & Chuma Lodge
Thorntree River Lodge
The River Club
Tongabezi
Sindabezi Island
Tangala House
Natural Mystic Lodge
Chundukwa River Lodge
Islands of Siankaba
Tree-Tops River Lodge
Zambezi Royal Chundu Safari & Fishing Lodge
Jungle Junction Bovu Island
Kingfisher Houseboat

Game Park, Falls and gorge environs

The development by Sun International of a prime spot close to the Falls has introduced a whole new style of accommodation to Livingstone. Other accommodation to the south of town has in recent years been augmented by lodges built away from the river, affording the advantages of open bush but without the high prices associated with a riverside location. Many of the following are actually much closer to the Falls than those situated on the upper river to the west of Livingstone, and are listed as if heading south from Livingstone towards the Falls, then out towards the gorges.

The Zambezi Waterfront
Royal Livingstone
Zambezi Sun
Songwe Point Village
Taita Falcon Lodge
Peregrine's Nest Bush Camp
Livingstone Safari Lodge
Stanley Safari Lodge
Lost Horizons