The site of Old Drift Lodge is steeped in history, once serving as the first European settlement in Victoria Falls. Known as “Old Drift,” it was a bustling trade hub in the late 19th century, where goods were ferried across the Zambezi River on dugout canoes.
However, settlers faced harsh conditions, including malaria and wildlife encounters, leading to the relocation of the settlement to higher ground, now Livingstone.
The area also played a role in the construction of the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge, part of Cecil Rhodes’s ambitious Cape-to-Cairo railway. Long before colonial influence, the land was sacred to local tribes, a legacy that endures today. Over time, nature reclaimed the area, transforming it into a thriving wildlife corridor and serene wilderness haven. Old Drift Lodge now stands as a luxurious tribute to this fascinating past, offering guests an immersive connection to history and nature.
