The Gorges Lodge is a fantastic bush retreat perched on top of Zimbabwe's Batoka Gorge, 200m above the Zambezi River. The lodge was built on private land and is roughly 24km from Victoria Falls town.
Please note that Gorges Lodge does not accept credit cards. All bills will have to be paid in cash. Guests can pay in Rands, US Dollars or Sterling.
The lodge is close enough to the Victoria Falls to allow its guests the full advantage of all the activities in the area, and far enough to create a feeling of seclusion, peace and quiet from all the tourist commotion. The lodge is easily reached by road and a mere 23km away from the Victoria Falls Airport.
This place is simply amazing and you wouldn't believe the magnificent views it affords. Be warned though if you have a fear of heights, this place might be a bit overwhelming. The bar, dining area, lounge and viewing deck are all situated in one completely open-sided thatched building with the most beautiful views directly into the Batoka Gorge. You are literally on top of a massive cliff-face!
All the rooms share this magnificent view and were built in a row on the edge of this beautiful cliff. The double storey chalets have upper level decks that were actually built onto stilts that span over the edge of the gorge! The single storey chalets are a bit tamer and have small verandas with views of the gorge, without the intense height factor. The rush of the Zambezi below is a constant background sound and is very soothing - especially at night.
There are many interesting books on the area and its inhabitants lying around for guests to read, and the setting completely encourages this way of leisurely passing the time. We liked the book on the history of the Kariba Lake which was actually signed by, and given as a gift to the Gorges by the original author.
The property itself is surrounded by indigenous riverine vegetation and blends in well with the surrounds. The gardens are fed by water pumped from the river below, explaining why everything is so green and lush even at the height of the dry season. Indigenous plants, such as aloes and acacias add to the beautiful bushveld setting and we saw hundreds of butterflies during our stay.
The lodge was built as part of the CAMPFIRE Project, a global initiative to preserve the natural fauna and flora of Africa, through the education and empowerment of local communities. This is proving very successful - evident in the various species of game and birdlife that frequent the area, in particular the Brown Eagle and rare Taita Falcon.
The Gorges sleeps a maximum of 20 guests, ensuring personalised service and attention to detail. The staff are really friendly, and go out of their way to make you feel at home.
The lodge has a large swimming pool surrounded by natural rocks and a waterfall ideal for a relaxing swim after a long day.
There are various things to keep you busy during your stay, including game drives, sundowner cruises, entrance into Victoria Falls, visits to a local village and school and traditional dancing.
The Gorges is an exceptional place with the most amazing views in Zimbabwe. This is the ideal chill-out destination for guests looking for tranquillity, peace and beautiful scenery. While there are many activities on offer we're sure you're going to find it hard to leave this place as it truly offers complete bliss. We highly recommend it!
Please note that this lodge does not accept credit cards. Please remember to take cash along when paying at Gorges. If you are arriving via Livingstone, you will be expected to pay visas for both Zambia and Zimbabwe. If you are on a South African passport, you will not be required to pay for any visas.
The emphasis at the Gorges is on the view, and everything on the property was built to accentuate this wonderful draw card.
Accommodation consists of ten chalets built right on the edge of the gorge. If youre lucky enough to go white river rafting your guide might point out The Gorges from below, and youll be able to see the thatched roofs sticking out over the lush greenery.
There are ten stone and brick chalets, of which six are single storey and four are double storey buildings. The single storey chalets have small verandas with comfy chairs that look out onto a small garden and of course the beautiful gorge. They have ensuite bathrooms and an additional hand basin and mirror in the dressing area where the built-in closets are situated. The bathrooms are quite big and have separate baths and showers.
osquito nets, insect repellent sprays and plug-in units as well as bug sprays are supplied, while the stocked bar fridge offers a selection of beers, bottled water, sweets and coldrinks.
The double storey chalets have an extra bed on the lower level - so is ideal for families or groups of friends. Their bathrooms and dressing areas are also situated downstairs. The main beds are situated upstairs, where youll find the main feature of the chalet the viewing deck. These were built on stilts OVER the 240m high gorge, and afford the most breath-taking views (if you can stomach it). As with the single storey chalets, these ones have comfy chairs that are ideal for simply lounging around and enjoying the wonderful view. We spotted quite a few predatory birds flying over the gorge and it was simply amazing to watch a cloud drift past on the wind!
Two of the rooms have queen sized beds, while the rest have twins. The decor is simple and understated and doesnt distract your attention from the great view. The rooms also come equipped with fans to keep you cool and comfortable during your stay.
The Gorges is known for its good food, and dining takes place in the large open-plan dining room with its impressive views of the gorge and the river below. The dining room forms part of the lounge and bar area and has heavy wooden tables and chairs with colourful table decorations.
Breakfast includes fruit juices, cereals, yoghurt and fruit salad plus good cooked breakfasts of bacon, egg and sausage, or a hearty omelette. The service is fabulous and they have the most interesting butter dishes. Lunch is either from the buffet table or from their light meal and snack menu depending on the amount of guests.
Dinner is a great experience and guests enjoy dishes in a Table dahote fashion. The setting is so tranquil that you might end up spending ages around the table talking to each other, the hotel's friendly managers and staff or the other guests.
Vegetarians are welcome and the chef will gladly accommodate your preferences (please ensure however, that you inform us ahead of time, as to leave ample preparation time).
The hotel's bar opens mid morning and stays open till 11.30pm. It is yet another popular relaxation spot and time seems to stand still once you sit down with a good drink.
Location:
The Gorges is situated on private land approximately 10km south east of the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The hotel is perched on the edge of a deep canyon, 200m above the Zambezi River between rapids 19 and 20. Victoria Falls Town is 23,5km away and the nearest airport is Victoria Falls Airport (23km).
General facilities:
- Swimming Pool
- Bar
- Lounge and viewing deck
- Safe
- Selection of reference books on the history, fauna and flora of the area
Room facilities:- Fans
- Mosquito nets
- En-suite bathrooms
- Verandas with comfy chairs
- Stocked bar fridges
- Extra bed in double storey rooms
- Built-in closets
Activities:- Bird watching
- Game drives
- Sundowner cruises
- Entrance into Victoria Falls
- Village and school visit
- Traditional dance shows
Open: The Gorges is open all year long.
Written by Dawn Mey 