One of the biggest questions people planning a trip to Victoria Falls ask is where to stay in Livingstone, Zambia. After spending several hours travelling, they need a clean and comfortable place to rest. A poor location, constant noise, or a disappointing room can spoil the visit.
There are about 123 hotels and places to stay in Livingstone. But we will review three of the most talked-about hotels: The Victoria Falls Waterfront, Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort, and Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara.
This guide reviews the rooms, food, service, facilities, and current prices at all three hotels. You will also see the main complaints guests raise and who each property suits. By the end, you should know where to stay in Livingstone, Zambia, whenever you visit.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- The Victoria Falls Waterfront is the best value of the three. Its 2026 high-season rates start from US$15 per person for camping and US$190 per night for two people in a square room.
- Radisson Blu is the strongest all-round resort. It has 200 rooms and suites, several pools, a spa, a children’s club, and six places to eat or drink.
- Royal Livingstone has the best location. Guests have direct access to Victoria Falls, which is about a five-minute walk from the hotel.
- Room type matters at every property. A standard booking does not always include a river view, and the cheapest waterfront options use shared bathrooms.
- Breakfast is included in the main Waterfront room rates and Royal Livingstone’s flexible offer. Radisson rates vary by booking package.
- The advertised price may not be your final cost. Royal Livingstone adds government tax, a tourism levy, and a service charge to its flexible rate.
What Is It Like to Stay in Livingstone, Zambia?
Staying in Livingstone is relaxing. At a riverfront property, you can have breakfast and evenings near the Zambezi. Choosing where to stay in Livingstone, Zambia starts with whether you want the river or the city outside your room.
The three hotels in Livingstone, Zambia, reviewed here are outside the busy center. The Waterfront and Radisson Blu are beside the Zambezi, while Royal Livingstone is inside the Victoria Falls resort area. You will need a taxi or hotel transfer when you want to visit central Livingstone.
Livingstone also works as a base for river cruises, Victoria Falls, and trips into Botswana.
If a safari is part of your plan, this Chobe National Park day-trip guide explains how the journey from Livingstone works.
How Do the Three Livingstone Hotels Compare at a Glance?
These three hotels in Livingstone, Zambia offer very different stays. The waterfront works well when you spend most days exploring. The best hotels in Livingstone are not identical, so the right choice depends on how you plan to use the hotel.
| Hotel | Current price guide | What the price usually includes | Best for | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Victoria Falls Waterfront | From US$15 per person for camping; high-season rooms from US$190 for two | Breakfast with rooms and tents; campsite breakfast costs extra | Budget travellers, groups and active visitors | Room standards vary widely, and some areas can be noisy |
| Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya | From US$282.20 per night on the official site when checked | Depends on the rate; breakfast packages are available | Couples, families and travellers who want a full resort | Food and drink service receives mixed recent feedback |
| Royal Livingstone by Anantara | Flexible offers from about US$453 before compulsory charges | Breakfast, Wi-Fi and direct Falls access on eligible rates | Special trips, luxury stays and easy Falls visits | High room and food prices |
The prices above are a guide. If you are deciding where to stay in Livingstone Zambia, compare the same travel dates and booking terms. Check the final amount and inclusions before paying.
For more help choosing the wider trip, see our guide to the best places to visit in Africa.
Where to Stay in Livingstone Zambia: Three Honest Hotel Reviews
For each of the three hotels, I assessed the same things: location, rooms, food, facilities, service, price, and recurring guest complaints. I believe it made the reviews fair. Here is what you need to know about three of the best hotels in Livingstone.
1. The Victoria Falls Waterfront Lodge
The Victoria Falls Waterfront is the most relaxed hotel on this list. Among hotels in Livingstone, Zambia, it also has one of the widest ranges of room prices. You can camp, book a simple tent, or pay more for a proper room overlooking the Zambezi.
The hotel is inside Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, about three kilometers upstream from Victoria Falls. That location keeps you close to the main attraction without placing you in the formal resort area. The atmosphere is active and social because campers, overland travellers, and hotel guests share the same facilities.
What can you find inside?
The property has 12 Riverside Rooms, 24 Garden Rooms, and 16 Square Rooms. It also has adventure tents and a campground. Two swimming pools, free Wi-Fi, a riverside bar, a restaurant, and an activity center are available to guests.
The rooms do not offer the same experience. Riverside rooms have a private veranda or balcony facing the Zambezi. Garden rooms face the gardens or a small water area, while the Square Rooms are compact and do not have a television.
The adventure tents are the most basic ready-made option. Some have private bathrooms, while others use shared bathrooms. Campers bring their own equipment and have access to washing points, electricity, fire pits, and shared facilities.
Food and service
Breakfast is included when you book a Riverside, Garden, or Square Room. It is also included with the adventure tents. Campers pay separately.
The riverside restaurant handles breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while Peppinos serves pizza. Many guests affirm the delicious breakfast served and the setting beside the river. The service feels friendly and informal, which matches the hotel.
Current prices
The official 2026 high-season rate is US$310 per night for two people in a Riverside Room. A Garden Room costs US$270, while a Square Room costs US$190. Ready-made tents start from US$100 for two people with shared bathrooms, and camping costs US$15 per person.
High season runs from 1 May to 16 November and from 22 December to 4 January. The room rates include 16% VAT, a 10% service fee, and a 1.5% tourism levy. The Waterfront may change its prices when operating costs rise.
What could disappoint you?
The lower room categories are basic, so study the photographs before booking. Noise can also travel between rooms, tents, and the campsite. Some guests mention worn linen or smaller maintenance problems.
The hotel does not give every guest a free transfer to Victoria Falls. Ask for the current shuttle or taxi price when you book. This is still one of the best hotels in Livingstone when value and activities matter more than polished luxury.
Verdict: Choose The Victoria Falls Waterfront when you want to keep the room cost sensible and spend your days outside the hotel. It is where to stay in Livingstone, Zambia, on a smaller budget. Book a Riverside Room when you want the Zambezi view matters.
Related article: Kalandula Falls Angola: Full Guide
2. Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort
Radisson Blu feels like a modern resort from the moment you arrive. Of the three hotels in Livingstone, Zambia, reviewed here, it has the most facilities. It is also one of the best hotels in Livingstone for families.
There are 200 rooms, suites, and villas. A Superior Room with a terrace measures 30 square meters, and the Premium Room is the same size with a river view. The larger river-view suite measures 62 square meters.
What can you find inside?
The resort has swimming pools, a spa, a gym, an activity center, and a children’s club. You will also find tennis, mini golf, volleyball, yoga, and a sports pavilion. Families have more to do here than at the other two hotels.
There are six main places to eat or drink. Kuomboka handles all-day dining, while The Boma focuses on African food. You can also use the main bar, viewing deck, pool bar, or the hotel’s river cruiser.
The standard rooms look clean and current. A terrace comes with every entry-level room, but you need to book the Premium category for a confirmed Zambezi view. This difference matters because room names can look similar on booking websites.
Food and service
Breakfast runs as a daily buffet, and some room rates include it. Kuomboka opens for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Boma and river-cruiser meals depend on availability, so ask before building an evening around either one.
Guests praise the staff, comfortable rooms, and river views. The main weakness is the food service. Several reviews mention slow orders, uneven food quality, or delays at the restaurants.
Current prices
Radisson does not publish one fixed room price. As at the time of writing this, the website showed US$282.20 per night as the lowest rate available within the following 60 days. Flexible bookings, river-view rooms, villas, and family suites cost more.
Check whether breakfast and taxes are included in the total shown on the booking page. Also compare the Superior and Premium categories before paying. The cheaper room gives you the same 30-square-meter size without the promised river view.
What could disappoint you?
This is a 200-room resort, and its conference center can host up to 250 people. The restaurant and shared areas may feel busy when a large group is staying. The repeated food-service complaints also matter if you plan to eat every meal at the hotel.
Radisson Blu remains the easiest all-round choice in this comparison. It gives you newer rooms and more facilities than the Waterfront. It also costs less than many Royal Livingstone dates.
Verdict: Choose Radisson Blu when you want a proper resort with modern rooms, family facilities and several places to eat. It is my strongest all-round answer to where to stay in Livingstone, Zambia. Book a premium room if you want a confirmed Zambezi view.
Related article: Lemala Wildwaters Lodge Uganda review
3. Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara
Royal Livingstone is the hotel to choose when Victoria Falls is the center of the trip. Few hotels in Livingstone, Zambia put you this close to the Falls. A private path takes hotel guests there in about five minutes.
Zebras, giraffes and impalas often move across the lawns. From the river terrace, you can look towards the spray from Victoria Falls. Royal Livingstone often appears in searches for hotels near Victoria Falls, Zambia, because of this location.
What can you find inside?
The entry-level rooms measure 30 square meters and come with either a balcony or a terrace. You can choose garden-facing or river-facing categories. Junior and larger suites give you more indoor space.
The hotel has a swimming pool, spa, gym, running trail, several dining options, and butler service. You can also book river safaris, helicopter flights, high tea and other experiences. Many of these activities cost extra.
Pay close attention to your room category. The hotel has refreshed 93 rooms and introduced new categories. Ask whether the room shown in your booking photographs is renovated.
Food and service
Breakfast is included in the hotel’s flexible offer. The main restaurant serves European and African dishes, while the terrace is popular for drinks and high tea. Guests often praise the breakfast, attentive staff, and special-occasion service.
Food and drinks are expensive. Some reviews also describe the main restaurant as limited for the price. Check menu prices before deciding to eat every meal at the hotel.
Current prices
The official flexible offer currently starts from about US$453 per night on eligible dates. It includes daily breakfast, Wi-Fi, free cancellation up to two days before arrival and up to US$100 in resort credit for direct bookings.
The starting figure is not the final amount. The hotel adds 16% government tax, a 1.5% tourism levy and a 10% service charge. At a US$453 base rate, those charges can add roughly US$125 before any meals, drinks or activities.
What could disappoint you?
The smallest rooms may feel modest for the price. Some guests describe older rooms as dark or different from the room they expected. Confirm the full category name in writing.
You may hear helicopters during the day because scenic flights operate around Victoria Falls. The noise can become annoying if you plan to spend long afternoons by the pool. Flights normally stop before evening.
Verdict: Choose Royal Livingstone when direct Falls access and traditional luxury are worth the cost to you. It is one of the best hotels in Livingstone for a honeymoon or a short visit built around Victoria Falls. It answers where to stay in Livingstone, Zambia, when location matters more than price.
Related article: Tawi Lodge Amboseli: An Honest Review
Three Booking Mistakes to Avoid in Livingstone
These mistakes can leave you paying for a hotel that does not fit your trip. Avoid them when deciding where to stay in Livingstone, Zambia.
1. Comparing the first price you see
One website may show a room-only price, while another includes breakfast and taxes. Royal Livingstone’s compulsory charges alone add 27.5% to the base rate. Compare the final amount for the same room and cancellation terms.
2. Booking a standard room and expecting a river view
A hotel can be beside the Zambezi without giving every room a view of it. Waterfront Square Rooms face a garden, and Radisson’s Superior Rooms do not promise a river view. Choose the exact category you want.
3. Choosing the hotel before planning your days
The Waterfront works well when activities will keep you out for most of the day. Radisson gives families and resort guests more to use inside the property. Royal Livingstone earns its price when you value the Falls access and plan to enjoy the hotel.
Conclusion
The best answer to the question, “where to stay in Livingstone, Zambia” depends on the trip you want. The Victoria Falls Waterfront gives you the widest price range and an active riverside atmosphere. Radisson Blu offers the best balance of modern rooms, facilities, and comfort.
Royal Livingstone wins on location. The hotel’s path to Victoria Falls is its strongest advantage, but the room rate and compulsory charges are high. Pay for it when that access will improve your trip.
If you ask me where to stay in Livingstone, Zambia, Radisson Blu is the strongest all-round choice. Choose the Waterfront for a busy trip on a smaller budget, and save Royal Livingstone for a special visit centered on the Falls.
Continue planning with our guide to the 101 best places to visit in Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Better to Stay in Livingstone or Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe?
Livingstone works well for the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, Livingstone Island, and Chobe day trips. Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe has more hotels within walking distance of restaurants and the Zimbabwean viewpoints.
How Many Nights Do You Need in Livingstone?
Three nights give you enough time for Victoria Falls, a river activity, and one longer excursion. Add another night if you want a Chobe day trip without rushing the rest of the visit. A hotel with good facilities also makes a slower day enjoyable.
Are Livingstone Hotel Rates All-Inclusive?
Most hotels in Livingstone, Zambia, are not all-inclusive. Breakfast may be included, but lunch, dinner, drinks, transfers, and activities usually cost extra. Read the written inclusions before paying.
Which of These Hotels Is Best for Families?
Radisson Blu is the strongest family choice of the three. It has family suites, a children’s club, pools, and several sports facilities.
Do Livingstone Hotels Arrange Airport and Activity Transfers?
Yes, most larger Livingstone hotels can arrange airport transfers and activity pickups. The service may be private, shared, or handled by an outside operator.
Sources
- The Victoria Falls Waterfront accommodation page – official 2026 rate sheet
- Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort — rooms, facilities and dining
- Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara – Best Flexible Rate
- Tripadvisor Livingstone hotel reviews — recurring guest feedback checked across the three properties
