The Elephant Camp sits on a private ridge above the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary, a short drive from Victoria Falls town, with twelve tented suites looking out over the Batoka Gorge. Read through The Elephant Camp reviews and the same few things come up again and again: the view, the time guests spend with the elephants and the warmth of the team.
This article brings together what guests tell us most often, in their own words, along with the practical details that help you decide whether The Elephant Camp is right for your stay.
At a glance
| Where | On a private ridge above the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary, near Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, on 4,500 acres of private wilderness. |
| Suites | Sixteen tented suites across Main Camp and Camp West. Twelve Double Luxury Suites (three with star beds) and four Family Suites, each with a private plunge pool, outdoor shower and deck at Main Camp. |
| Stay basis | Fully inclusive: all meals, local drinks, a full range of guided activities and return transfers from Victoria Falls or Livingstone Airport. |
| Guest ratings | Tripadvisor: 4.9 out of 5 from 1,712 reviews, #3 of 26 hotels in Victoria Falls. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 142 reviews. (As of October 2026). |
| What guests mention most | The view over the Batoka Gorge, the elephants, the private plunge pools, personal service and the food. |
| Children | Aged seven and over; all ages when Camp West is booked for exclusive use. |
| Recognition | Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2026; Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best 2024, Small & Boutique Hotels, Africa; Platinum Winner for Responsible Tourism. |
Arriving on the ridge: first impressions
Most guests arrive around midday, after a transfer of about 20 minutes from Victoria Falls Airport, or a cross-border transfer from Livingstone Airport in Zambia. The first thing many mention is the moment the view opens up from the main deck: the sanctuary below, the dark line of the Batoka Gorge, and the spray of the Falls rising on the horizon. A cold drink and a welcome from the team follow, and your hosts sit down with you to plan the days ahead.
“…the location was excellent – just out of Victoria Falls Town but still able to see the “Smoke that Thunders”. The property is small enough to feel personalized; the rooms/tents were spacious with gorgeous bathrooms both inside and out.”
Kathy, July 2026, Tripadvisor
“As we pulled into the driveway, our host Bev was there to greet us, give us drinks and go through the schedule, and show us to our rooms.”
Oli, August 2026, Tripadvisor
The suites and the view over the Batoka Gorge
Each suite is a spacious tented room with its own deck, private plunge pool and outdoor shower, looking out towards the gorge. Guests often describe waking to birdsong, watching the light change over the gorge from the deck, and spending more time there than they expected. Family Suites have two en-suite bedrooms, giving parents and children their own space. Three of the suites at Main Camp are Star Bed Suites, with an elevated platform beside the suite for a night under the open sky.
“The tent platform rooms were very private: we felt immersed in the bush.”
William, October 2026, Tripadvisor
Time with the elephants: the Elephant Conservation Experience
For many guests, the time spent with the sanctuary’s elephants is the part of the stay they talk about most. The Elephant Conservation Experience is included in every stay. Guests spend unhurried time with the resident herd, guided by the people who care for them day to day, learn how each elephant came to the sanctuary and how they are looked after, and hear about the anti-poaching work that protects wildlife in the area. A visit to the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, also included, adds a closer look at wildlife rehabilitation and research.
Many reviews also mention the Elephant Encounter. For guests who would like even more time with the herd, this separate Wild Horizons activity with the same resident elephants can be added to your stay.
“The elephant experience is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity. It was also a pleasure to meet the carers of the elephants who couldn’t hide the passion for what they do.”
Peter, September 2026, Tripadvisor
What is included in a stay?
A stay at The Elephant Camp is fully inclusive. Alongside your suite, all meals, local drinks, a stocked mini bar and return transfers from Victoria Falls or Livingstone Airport, the following are included:
- Morning and afternoon game drives in the Zambezi National Park
- The Elephant Conservation Experience
- A visit to the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust
- A guided tour of the Victoria Falls
- Breakfast, brunch or lunch at The Lookout Café on the edge of the Batoka Gorge, once per stay
- A village tour
- A sunset cruise on the Zambezi aboard the Zambezi Royal
- Cocktails and canapés on the edge of the Batoka Gorge
- The Victoria Falls Canopy Tour
If you would like to add more, the team can arrange the Elephant Encounter, a helicopter flight over the Falls or white-water rafting, and selected multi-night packages include a bonus activity of your choice. Guests often say they appreciate not having to plan or pay for each activity separately, and that the pace can be as busy or as relaxed as they like. See the full list of Elephant Camp activities, or for current pricing, The Elephant Camp rates.
“With so much included, every day was a wonderful balance of relaxation and activities to get the most out of everything on offer.”
Wendy, June 2026, Tripadvisor
Food, service and the team
Reviews often name individual guides, hosts and chefs, which says a good deal about how personal the service feels. Meals are served on the deck or in the main area, and the kitchen is happy to work around dietary needs, or to cook something off the menu, when you let us know.
“The staff welcomed me warmly & nothing was too much to ensure my stay was as comfortable & as luxurious as possible. Even the chef Richard was happy to prepare an authentic dinner for me that was ‘off the menu’.”
Alan, September 2026, Tripadvisor
“We were so lucky to have Wonder as our knowledgable guide over the two days. … Also big thanks to MK, Charles, Mike, Moses and Taku for their thoughtful service and kindness.”
Jessica, October 2026, Tripadvisor
Is The Elephant Camp good for honeymoons, solo travellers and families?
Honeymoons
Many couples choose The Elephant Camp for its privacy and its setting. Sundowners on the gorge, dinner on the deck and a night on a star bed are all popular with honeymooners, and our Honeymoon Special, available year-round, adds a romantic turndown and a private dinner with sparkling wine.
“Shoutout to Takudzwa and the team for making our honeymoon stay so special. … The tent itself was luxurious, with a great view of the watering hole and a much needed splash pool.”
John, November 2025, Tripadvisor
Solo travellers
Solo guests often mention how easy it is to feel at home, with guides and hosts who make time to talk and plan each day. Read about one solo traveller’s stay in our solo traveller story.
Families
Children aged seven and over are welcome, and two children aged 7 to 16 can share a Family Suite with two adults. For families with younger children, or for larger groups of up to eight adults and four children, Camp West can be booked for exclusive use, with its own guide, chef, host and game vehicle, and children of all ages welcome. For more ideas, see our guide to planning a family safari in Victoria Falls.
“Elephant Camp West was magical… We stayed in a 2-bedroom luxury tent that was exceptionally comfortable for our family of four (including 2 teenagers), offering beautiful views from our deck and plunge pool.”
Erin, August 2026, Tripadvisor
“The game drives with Ben in Zambezi National Park were terrific. He was great with our kids. Victoria Falls is truly a wonder of the world and left the whole family in awe.”
Derek, 2026, Google
Is The Elephant Camp worth it? What the reviews say
Guests who mention value point to the inclusive rate, the number of guided activities and the level of service. On Tripadvisor, The Elephant Camp scores 4.8 out of 5 for value and 4.9 for rooms, service and cleanliness (October 2026).
The most common wish in the reviews is simply for more time: guests who stay two nights often say they wish they had booked longer, which is why we suggest three.
A few things worth knowing before you arrive
- Wildlife roams freely. The camp lies inside the sanctuary, so elephants, kudu, impala and warthog wander through the property.
- Children’s ages. Children aged seven and over are welcome at Main Camp; all ages at Camp West on exclusive use.
- Visas. Most international passport holders can buy a Zimbabwe visa on arrival, but check requirements before you travel, and for Botswana if you plan a Chobe day trip.
- How long to stay. Three nights gives you time for the included activities without rushing.
- Combining lodges. Many guests pair The Elephant Camp with Old Drift Lodge on the Zambezi; our Signature Special packages combine the two over four, six or eight nights.
See our 3-night Elephant Camp itinerary or our 4-night Signature Special itinerary, read what guests say about Old Drift Lodge, or compare all four of our lodges in Which Wild Horizons Lodge Is Right for You?
Conservation at the heart of the stay
The Elephant Camp is run by Wild Horizons, which has operated in Victoria Falls since 1981 and is a Travelife Partner and a Fair-Trade Tourism approved operator. Every stay supports the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary, including its anti-poaching team and elephant welfare programme, and we work with UNICEF Zimbabwe through a formal partnership.
Frequently asked questions
Guests most often mention the view over the Batoka Gorge, the time they spend with the sanctuary’s elephants, the private plunge pools, the personal service from guides and hosts, and the food.
Guests consistently say the inclusive rate, the number of guided activities and the level of service make it good value. On Tripadvisor it scores 4.8 out of 5 for value and 4.9 for service (October 2026).
As of October 2026, The Elephant Camp is rated 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor from 1,712 reviews, ranked #3 of 26 hotels in Victoria Falls, and holds a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award for 2026. On Google it is rated 4.8 out of 5 from 142 reviews.
Yes. Its privacy, the view over the gorge and the star beds make it a popular choice for couples, and our Honeymoon Special includes a romantic turndown and a private dinner with sparkling wine.
Children aged seven and over are welcome at Main Camp, and two children aged 7 to 16 can share a Family Suite with two adults. Families with younger children can book Camp West for exclusive use, where children of all ages are welcome.
Three nights is ideal for the included activities. Many guests combine their stay with Old Drift Lodge on a four, six or eight night Signature Special.
Our reservations team will help you choose your dates and suite, and plan your days. Explore The Elephant Camp or speak to a local expert.
