About this hotel
General information
This small Anantara safari hotel sits inside the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve, a short drive from the Falls themselves. There are just sixteen suites, each opening onto its own terrace over the gardens or the bush, with interiors that pair contemporary comfort with classic touches and décor drawn from Zimbabwe's heritage. A waterhole lies in view of the restaurant lawn, so breakfast often comes with visiting wildlife.
The reserve is the hotel's great asset. It is home to the Big Five along with buffalo, giraffe, zebra, kudu, rare sable antelope and eland, and Nile crocodiles, and it runs an active conservation programme for black rhino. The hotel runs with a light footprint: its own vegetable garden supplies most of the kitchen's fresh produce, food waste goes to compost, water is served in glass bottles and solar power covers part of the energy use.
Location
The hotel lies within a private game reserve close to the town of Victoria Falls, about 15 minutes' drive from the Falls. Victoria Falls International Airport, the nearer of two airports, is a scenic 20-minute drive away. The hotel arranges transfers from both airports when booked in advance.
Spa
Anantara Spa makes the most of the reserve's quiet: treatments take place in the open air to the sound of birdsong or privately in the suite, with a relaxation area for afterwards. Massages and facials use organic, locally sourced products from the South African TheraNaka and TheraVine ranges. Signatures include a couple's ritual that begins with an exfoliating wrap before side-by-side massages with local medicinal herbs, and an African wood massage using carved wooden tools and a warm olive and shea butter balm.
Sports & leisure
Days divide between the reserve and the Falls:
- morning and afternoon game drives across the reserve, home to the Big Five, eland and rare sable antelope
- guided nature walks through the reserve with an expert guide
- an introduction to the black rhino conservation programme on a guided game drive
- a personalised three-hour tour of Victoria Falls, focused on its geology, wildlife or history
- a crossing of the Zambezi to the very edge of the Falls, with a swim in Devil's Pool when the water is low
- helicopter flights over the Falls of 13 or 25 minutes
- ziplines across the Batoka Gorge or over the treetops towards the Zambezi rapids
- a sunset cruise on the Zambezi past hippos and crocodiles
- visits to the Woodlands community, four farming villages and their primary school, and a chance to join the hotel's community projects
- an outdoor swimming pool in the gardens
For children
Younger guests have their own indoor and outdoor activities, from learning to identify the animals that live nearby to games in the gardens, and a childminding service is available while parents spend time at the spa.
Restaurants & bars
The kitchen cooks with the seasons, drawing on the land around the Masuwe River and the hotel's own vegetable garden:
- 1871 Restaurant — international, farm-to-fork cooking: breakfast on the lawn overlooking the waterhole, afternoon tea on the terrace with scones, tarts and finger sandwiches, and in the evening local dishes such as Zambezi crayfish and venison loin with garden vegetables
- 1871 Bar & Lounge — a bar and lounge pouring fine wines from the cellar, top-shelf spirits and light bites
- Designer Dining — a private dinner planned with the chef, at a table overlooking the reserve or as a picnic beneath old trees
- boma dinners around the fire under the stars, gin tastings, a chef's table with wine pairings and in-suite dining
Swimming
An outdoor pool with loungers sits in the gardens, where wildlife sometimes wanders past, and the Anantara Pool Suites each have a private heated pool looking out over the reserve.
Pets
Pets are not permitted.
Rooms
Sixteen suites in three categories, each 70 m² with a private entrance and its own terrace; some can be connected.
Every suite has a king-size bed, a spacious bathroom, a private terrace for breakfast and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Garden View Suite
A suite looking onto the gardens, with a private entrance and a terrace set up for breakfast; king-size bed and a spacious bathroom. Sleeps two adults and one child.
Reserve View Suite
A suite facing the game reserve, with a private entrance and terrace; king-size bed, with a connecting option available. Sleeps two adults and one child.
Anantara Pool Suite
A suite with a private entrance, a terrace and its own heated pool overlooking the bush; king-size bed, separate bathtub and rain shower, and a flat-screen TV. Sleeps two adults and one child.
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.