Old Drift Lodge

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about visiting Victoria Falls and staying at Old Drift Lodge — especially if you’re planning from the USA.

Planning a trip to Victoria Falls can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time visiting Africa. We’ve answered the questions our guests — particularly those travelling from the United States — ask most often. If you don’t find your answer here, our reservations team is always happy to help.
1. How many days do I need at Victoria Falls?

Everything you need to know about visiting Victoria Falls and staying at Old Drift Lodge — especially if you’re planning from the USA.

Planning a trip to Victoria Falls can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time visiting Africa. We’ve answered the questions our guests — particularly those travelling from the United States — ask most often. If you don’t find your answer here, our reservations team is always happy to help.

June through September is the most popular period — the weather is cool and dry, wildlife viewing is exceptional, and the Falls offer clear, unobstructed views. March through May is best for witnessing the Falls at full power, with dramatic spray and rainbows. January through March (green season) offers the best rates and lush, uncrowded landscapes. There’s no wrong time to visit — each season offers something unique.
The most common route is to fly from a major US city (New York, Atlanta, Washington D.C., or Dallas) to Johannesburg, South Africa, on a direct overnight flight (approximately 15–16 hours). From Johannesburg, take a connecting flight to Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) — about 1 hour 45 minutes on Airlink, Fastjet or South African Airways. Total travel time from the US East Coast is approximately 18–22 hours. An alternative route goes via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines, which works well from the West Coast.

Old Drift Lodge includes complimentary return airport transfers from Victoria Falls Airport. From the moment you land, we take care of everything.
We recommend booking 3–6 months ahead for peak season (June–October), as Old Drift Lodge has only 14 suites and they fill quickly. Green season (November–March) is more flexible, but booking early ensures your preferred suite type and dates. Flights from the US to Johannesburg should also be booked well in advance for the best fares.
Yes, but it’s simple. US citizens can purchase a single-entry visa on arrival at Victoria Falls Airport for $30 USD. If you plan to visit both Zimbabwe and Zambia (to see the Falls from both sides) or take a day trip to Chobe in Botswana, the KAZA UniVisa ($50 USD) is excellent value — it allows unlimited border crossings between Zimbabwe and Zambia for 30 days and includes Botswana day trips. No advance application is required. Just bring your passport with at least 6 months’ validity and 2 blank pages, plus cash for the visa fee.
Victoria Falls is a popular and welcoming destination for American travelers and international visitors alike, with hundreds of thousands enjoying the area each year without incident. The town benefits from a strong tourism focus, including a dedicated tourism police presence, maintained infrastructure and a community geared toward guest hospitality.

At Old Drift Lodge, your stay is within the protected boundaries of Zambezi National Park, offering added peace of mind through professional, experienced guides, 24-hour on-site staff and escorted movements after dark. While no travel destination is entirely without risks — such as opportunistic petty crime in busier tourist zones or the natural presence of wildlife — Victoria Falls’ main areas are well-patrolled and visitor-oriented. We always recommend following standard travel precautions: stay aware of your surroundings, use lodge transport, secure valuables and consult current government travel advisories (e.g., U.S. State Department) before your trip.
Victoria Falls is in a malaria area, though the risk is considered low, especially during the dry season (May–October). We recommend consulting your doctor before travel. At Old Drift Lodge, all suites are fully screened and air-conditioned and we provide mosquito nets and insect repellent.
No vaccinations are legally required to enter Zimbabwe from the United States (unless you’re arriving from a yellow fever endemic country, in which case a yellow fever certificate is needed). Consult your doctor or a travel health clinic at least 4–6 weeks before departure.
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering medical expenses, trip cancellation, and curtailment. Your all-inclusive rate at Old Drift Lodge already includes emergency medical evacuation cover, but personal travel insurance provides additional peace of mind. Victoria Falls town has a well-equipped private medical clinic for minor issues.
At Old Drift Lodge, yes — we provide filtered, purified drinking water. Your suite is stocked with bottled water, and the lodge restaurant serves filtered water. In Victoria Falls town, we recommend sticking to bottled or purified water as a general precaution.

Your all-inclusive rate covers:

  • Accommodation in a luxury riverside suite with private plunge pool
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and drinks (including alcoholic beverages)
  • Complimentary stocked minibar and ice maker in your suite
  • Daily game drives in Zambezi National Park
  • River safaris on the Zambezi
  • Guided walking safaris
  • A guided tour of Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe side)
  • Breakfast, brunch or lunch at the Lookout Café
  • Return airport transfers from Victoria Falls Airport
  • Shuttle transfers to Victoria Falls town
  • Emergency medical evacuation cover
  • WiFi
A conservation levy of US$50 per person per night applies to all stays. This standard contribution supports vital conservation efforts and community initiatives in the protected areas around Victoria Falls, including wildlife protection, anti-poaching measures, and local development programs. As part of responsible tourism in this UNESCO-recognized region and within Zambezi National Park concessions, the levy helps preserve the incredible wildlife and communities that make experiences here so special — ensuring the natural beauty remains for future generations. Every guest’s stay plays a direct role in these ongoing efforts.
Standard Suites: Spacious luxury tented suites with private plunge pool, open-air shower, indoor shower, air conditioning and panoramic Zambezi River views. Ideal for couples

Family Suites: Same luxury as the Standard Suites, with an interleading section connecting to a children’s room. Ideal for families with children aged 7+.

Star Suites: Our signature experience. All the luxury of a Standard Suite, plus a raised rooftop star bed where you can sleep under the African sky. Ideal for couples, honeymooners, and romantics.

View our suites
Yes! Old Drift Lodge welcomes children aged 7 and older. Children stay in our Family Suites with interleading access. Please note that children under 12 cannot participate in walking safaris, but all other activities — game drives, river safaris, the Falls tour, and the Lookout Café experience — are open to children.
Yes! Our Honeymoon Special is available year-round: the second guest pays just 50% of the nightly per person rate, and your stay includes a romantic turndown and a private dinner with sparkling wine. We recommend pairing this with a Star Suite for an unforgettable honeymoon experience.
Yes, WiFi is available in the main lodge areas and suites. It’s suitable for messaging, email and social media, though we encourage guests to disconnect and enjoy the extraordinary surroundings. This is one of the few places on earth where being offline is the greatest luxury.
Absolutely. Our chefs cater to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary requirements. Please let us know when booking or at least 72 hours before arrival so we can prepare accordingly.
Zimbabwe uses Type D and Type G sockets (similar to South Africa and the UK). However, Old Drift Lodge provides international plug adapters in every suite, so you don’t need to bring your own. Your US devices will work fine.
The US dollar is a widely accepted currency in Zimbabwe, making things exceptionally easy for American travellers. You’ll pay for virtually everything in USD — including visa fees, restaurant bills, market purchases, and tips. We recommend bringing smaller denominations ($1, $5, $10, $20 bills) as change for larger notes can sometimes be limited. At Old Drift Lodge, your all-inclusive rate means you won’t need to carry much cash at all.
Major credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at most hotels, lodges, and larger establishments in Victoria Falls town. However, smaller vendors, craft markets, and some activity operators prefer cash. We recommend carrying some US dollar cash for tips, market shopping, and the Victoria Falls Rainforest entry fee.

Tipping is appreciated and customary in Zimbabwe. Here’s a general guide:

  • Safari guides: $10–15 USD per person, per day
  • Lodge staff: $5–10 USD per person, per day (usually placed in a communal tip box)
  • Transfer drivers: $2–5 USD per transfer
  • Activity guides: $5–10 USD per activity
  • Restaurants in town: 10–15% of the bill

Your lodge team can provide specific guidance on arrival. Tipping is always at your discretion.

Victoria Falls offers a mix of adventure, wildlife, and the dramatic mist from the falls themselves, so pack versatile, practical items for comfort and enjoyment.

Essentials:

  • Lightweight, neutral-coloured clothing for game drives and activities (khaki, olive, beige — avoid bright whites and blues to blend in and stay cooler).

  • A warm fleece or jacket for early morning game drives (especially May–August when mornings can be chilly).

  • Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes suitable for trails and uneven paths.

  • Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat for strong sun protection.

  • Insect repellent

  • A waterproof phone case to safeguard devices from the Vic Falls spray.

  • Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens for capturing wildlife and scenery.

For the Victoria Falls rainforest experience: The constant mist creates a refreshing (but often drenching) “rainforest” effect as you walk the viewpoints. As part of our commitment to responsible tourism and community support through Wild Horizons’ CSR initiatives, we source and donate high-quality raincoats to an association of independent local vendors. These vendors then hire them out affordably to guests exploring the falls — currently supporting a total of 56 vendors, which benefits approximately 224 people and their families. Many visitors find this convenient and eco-friendly option perfect, so you may not need to bring your own rain poncho or jacket unless you prefer a personal one.

At the lodge: Old Drift Lodge is relaxed and casual — there’s no formal dress code for dinner. Smart casual is perfect

Internal flights between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls on airlines like Airlink typically allow 20–23 kg checked luggage and 7–8 kg carry-on. If you’re connecting from a long-haul international flight, check with your airline whether your luggage is checked through to Victoria Falls or whether you need to collect and re-check in Johannesburg. We recommend packing a small carry-on with one change of clothes, medication and essentials in case of luggage delays.
Victoria Falls is in Central Africa Time (CAT), which is UTC+2. That’s 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Time, 8 hours ahead of Central, 9 ahead of Mountain, and 10 ahead of Pacific Time. Zimbabwe does not observe daylight saving time.
English is widely spoken throughout Victoria Falls and is the primary language used at all lodges, restaurants and tourism operations. You’ll have absolutely no language barrier. Our guides and staff also speak Shona and Ndebele.

All of the following are included in your daily rate at no extra cost:

  • Morning or afternoon game drives in Zambezi National Park
  • Morning or afternoon river safaris on the Zambezi
  • Walking safaris
  • A guided tour of Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe side, excluding Rainforest entry fee)
  • Breakfast, brunch, or lunch at the Lookout Café (including drinks)

View Activities

Old Drift Lodge can arrange a wide range of additional activities at extra cost, including: helicopter flights over the Falls, white-water rafting on the Zambezi, bungee jumping from Victoria Falls Bridge, zipline experiences, canopy tours, Chobe National Park day trips (Botswana) and more. Our team can help you plan the perfect mix of included and optional activities.
Zambezi National Park bursts with incredible wildlife: elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, spotted hyena, and a dazzling array of antelope species like kudu, waterbuck, impala, and sable antelope. And for the truly lucky adventurers? Lion and leopard sightings are possible — and when they happen, they’re pure magic! Spotting these majestic big cats prowling the bush or draped in a tree is one of those heart-racing safari moments that guests talk about for years.

The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 400 species recorded in the Victoria Falls area. During the dry season (June–October), wildlife gathers around the Zambezi River, making game drives and river safaris especially rewarding and full of surprises.
Yes! If you have the KAZA UniVisa ($50 USD), you can cross between Zimbabwe and Zambia as many times as you like during your 30-day stay. The Zimbabwe side offers the most iconic panoramic views (with 75% of the Falls visible from 13 viewpoints), while the Zambia side allows you to get closer to the edge and access Devil’s Pool during low water season. We can arrange a tour of the Zambian side for you (please contact our reservations team for more information).
The Lookout Café is a Wild Horizons-exclusive restaurant perched on the edge of Batoka Gorge, offering breathtaking views of the Zambezi River churning through the gorge below. Every Old Drift Lodge guest is treated to a complimentary meal here during their stay — it’s one of the most spectacular dining locations in Africa.
Old Drift Lodge is located just 4.5 kilometres from Victoria Falls, inside Zambezi National Park on the banks of the Zambezi River. It’s approximately a 30-minute drive from Victoria Falls Airport and a short shuttle ride to Victoria Falls town. Shuttle transfers to town are included in your stay.

Absolutely. Popular combinations include:

  • Chobe National Park, Botswana: A day trip or overnight from Victoria Falls, famous for its enormous elephant herds.

  • Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe’s largest game reserve, approximately 3 hours from Victoria Falls. Overnight stays in Hwange are recommended (No Day trips).

  • The Elephant Camp by Wild Horizons: Our flagship luxury lodge on a ridge above the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary, perfect for a multi-property Victoria Falls experience. Our fantastic Signature Stay offers a longer stay discount and complimentary bonus experiences.
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  • Cape Town or Johannesburg, South Africa: Combine your Victoria Falls safari with a South African city or wine country experience.

Still have questions? Our reservations team responds to all enquiries within 24 hours. Contact us

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Lister, Reservations Manager for Transfers, Touring and Activities at Wild Horizons

Lister

Reservations Manager: Transfers, Touring & Activities.

Romantic private dining setup on the Zambezi riverbank at Old Drift Lodge
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Honeymoon Special

Bride pays a reduced rate (50% of nightly per person rate).

Stay includes a romantic turn down & private dinner with sparkling wine

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Manager, Old Drift Lodge