THE ISLANDS OF SIANKABA LODGE

We wanted to include a trip to see the Victoria Falls on our latest visit to Africa. Our travel agent recommended the Islands of Siankaba, and - since the agent is usually to be relied on - we agreed. We were not disappointed. The location is absolutely wonderful. You arrive over a dirt road after a 50 minute drive from Livingstone airport and are greeted very warmly at the reception. Then you transfer to a boat to be ferried to the island. Here you are again greeted most warmly. The location is gorgeous (on the Zambesi) and the rooms are little stilt houses accessed via a series of rope bridges from the communal area. The food is brilliant, the drinks are generous (and included) and we took advantage of the sundowner cruise on each evening to see hippos and other creatures (e.g. a crocodile) before landing on a small island where drinks and nibbles are served. We also went on the village discovery walk - crossing to Siankaba village by dugout canoe and being taken on foot to see the church, school and the head man. The walk continued to the next village (Mandia) where we saw another school and the clinic. After that, we had a ride (1 hour) in a dugout back to the Islands of Siankaba. I could write much more, but that will do for now. If you have the chance, go here.

We had a great time staying here, beautiful setting, welcoming staff and great food! Would recommend to anyone who is looking to chill out either end of their holiday or using the hotel as a base to explore the surrounding areas. The staff were really helpful in planning our activities and we all felt sad to leave after only 4 nights here. A true home away from home. Hopefully we will be back soon!

We wanted to visit Victoria Falls and were surprised when our travel agent recommended this lodge as it is not exactly near the falls being a 45 minute journey. However the lodge is in a spectacular location on the Zambezi river, you only need a few hours at the falls anyway so there is little point actually staying at the falls, and the journey is not a problem as we spotted wild animals including Zebra on the journey. The rooms are all in cabins overlooking the wide river and the walkways around camp include rope bridges, which are also used by the local monkeys, which provides great entertainment. The food was good, the sunset cruise on the river was great but what really made our stay was the friendliness and professionalism of all the staff.

We loved our stay at the Islands of Siankaba! Staff was wonderful, to rooms were really fun, especially walking on the bridges to get there, and the food was great. The only drawback is that you are a bit of a distance from Livingstone and Victoria Falls. Regardless, we made the Zimbabwe side walk in the morning, had a helicopter ride after that, lunch with our guides, a visit to the Royal Livingstone and then a hike and a swim in the Devils Pool all in one day.

Arriving and Islands of Siankaba after 2 flights from London we were greeted by the welcoming staff full of smiles to take us on a boat ride to the lodge. We had to pinch ourselves to believe we had arrived in such a tranquil beautiful setting. The rooms are wonder and very comfortable, being able to wake up on the Zambezi is just breath taking. During our stay many activities were planned and coming back to relax at the lodge after a busy day was just what we needed. The sundowners on hippo island are not to be missed. All the food and drink was amazing. The biggest thank you to all the wonderful staff! Cannot wait to visit again!