About this hotel
General information
Thorntree River Lodge sits on the banks of the Zambezi inside Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, upstream of Victoria Falls. Part of the African Bush Camps collection, it has just ten suites strung out along the water's edge, so the stillness of the river is matched by the distant roar of the Falls.
The architecture borrows from local traditions and reworks them in a contemporary key: tented roofs, open, flowing shared spaces, a lounge that runs into the dining area, and the Zambezi in view throughout. A timber deck at the river's edge floats on the water and rises and falls with its level, giving the feeling of standing aboard a boat. There is no age restriction for guests, and most activities, from game drives to visits to the Falls, are included in a stay.
Location
The lodge stands on the Zambezi in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, about 20 minutes from Victoria Falls. A private road transfer from Livingstone's international airport takes 20 minutes; it can also be reached by road from Victoria Falls International Airport in Zimbabwe (around an hour) and from Kasane in Botswana (around an hour and a half).
Spa
The lodge has a wellness spa for unwinding after time in the bush, alongside a modern gym.
Sports & leisure
Days combine wildlife, the river and the Falls; the activities below are included:
- game drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park;
- rhino tracking on foot with an expert guide;
- guided visits to the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, and to the Zimbabwean side in the low-water season;
- sunrise and sunset boat cruises;
- canoe safaris on the Zambezi;
- catch-and-release fishing;
- seasonal birding outings;
- cultural visits to a neighbouring community (a surcharge may apply).
Walking and canoeing are open to guests aged 16 and over. The lodge can also book outside activities: guided rainforest walks at the Falls, bungee jumping and helicopter flights over Victoria Falls. African Bush Camps supports the primary school in nearby Maunga village with textbooks, classroom repairs and solar power for its computer lab.
For children
Younger guests have the Ngwana Club: nature walks with a guide and a parent that teach tracks, birds and plant lore and go in search of the bush's Little Five, ending with a junior guide certificate, plus traditional storytelling and a creative corner for crafts and beading.
Restaurants & bars
The lounge and bar lead into an open dining area facing the river, where the kitchen serves refined African cuisine. On the communal deck above the Zambezi is a sunken boma, a traditional open-air fire circle known here as the Acacia firepit. There is also an outdoor dining area, dinners under the stars and private sundowners on the riverbank, and each suite has its own stocked bar.
Swimming
An infinity pool sits on the communal deck above the river, and every suite has its own private plunge pool.
Rooms
Eight Luxury Suites and two Luxury Family Suites line the Zambezi riverbank, each with its own plunge pool, deck and direct river view.
Each suite has a bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers and a bathtub, bathrobes and slippers, a stocked minibar, a tea and coffee station, air conditioning, a fan, a mosquito net, a laptop safe, a hairdryer and bathroom amenities; Wi-Fi is available in the main lodge library.
Luxury Suite
A riverside suite with a bathroom offering indoor and outdoor showers and a bathtub, a private deck, its own plunge pool and a direct view of the Zambezi.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.