Set in a private concession within Victoria Falls National Park, The Elephant Camp is just a short distance from the famous waterfall. This luxurious safari camp offers a truly unique and awe-inspiring experience, combining the feel of a remote safari lodge with modern comforts and conveniences.
Victoria Falls
A Safari Lodge Experience Near Victoria Falls
Designed to match the style of a safari camp rather than that of the larger hotels within the town, it was built to maximise the views towards the dramatic Batoka Gorge and the spray of the Victoria Falls. It’s a peaceful yet impressive location, with panoramic views over the park towards the Batoka Gorge. More like a safari lodge than a city hotel, The Elephant Camp is conveniently located a short drive from the Zimbabwean town of Victoria Falls and the waterfall itself, and is a good choice for visitors wanting to see the Victoria Falls.
Luxurious Accommodations
With a canvas structure, and panoramic views across the national park, the The Elephant Camp feels like a smart safari lodge, matching the style of lodges in Zimbabwe's more remote national parks, yet with the bonus of mains electricity, air conditioning and WiFi. Each of the 12 luxury tents is identical, split into two sections with a private deck and plunge pool in front. They’re decorated in neutral safari tones, with rich pops of colour throughout.
The open-plan bedroom and living area are separated from the bathroom by a canvas sliding door, which when opened, makes the whole tent feel more spacious and breezy. The same is true of the glass sliding doors leading out onto the viewing deck, so that guests anywhere in the tent can enjoy the views. Mesh windows keep insects out but allow light and air in, or the whole tent can be closed up and cooled with air conditioning and fans.
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Inside, the original concrete floors have been replaced with wood-laminate and are scattered with rugs and mats to add colour and warmth. In the lounge area, an old teak chest acts as a coffee table, with a comfortable settee and chair offering a spot to relax, perhaps with a book. There's a tea and coffee station here, too, along with a well-stocked minibar. The bedroom features a double bed beneath a four-poster frame and mosquito net, and a ceiling fan above. There's a dressing table with a hairdryer and international plug points, and a full-length mirror.
The clean lines and subtle decoration of the bedrooms are evident in the en-suite bathrooms as well, where you'll find a free-standing ball-and-claw bath, indoor and outdoor showers, a flush toilet, a deep porcelain washbasin with complimentary toiletries, dressing gowns and slippers.
Camp Facilities
The spacious main area at The Elephant Camp is also tented, the ceiling draped in white fabric to give an elegant feel. Here you’ll find a comfortable lounge with a couple of seating areas, a dining area and a central bar. New wooden floors lead out through glass sliding doors to an expansive deck, which was replaced with recycled plastic decking in early 2019. There is an outside dining area, a pizza oven, and more comfortable couches for relaxing and taking in the views.
Down a few steps you’ll come to the swimming pool, where they’ve new added a new sunken boma area around a small firepit. Brand new for 2019 is The Elephant Camp’s spa, offering a range of beauty treatments in two treatment rooms, from facials and massages to manicures and pedicures.
Spa Treatments
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Activities and Experiences
A stay here includes a range of activities, as well as transfers to/from town and local airports. Since the camp is situated in its own private concession, guests don't have to be back in camp before the national park gates close, so can choose to eat out in town - although dinner at the camp is included in your stay!
Also included in your stay are several activities, among them game drives within the camp’s private concession, birding and nature walks, and cocktails and canapés beside the Batoka Gorge. Probably one of the most memorable experiences is their elephant encounter, thanks to an elephant sanctuary on the concession that is run byWild Horizons. Elephants orphaned in the 1990s have been raised and habituated here, and in the early afternoon it is possible to meet them and the staff who look after them, as well as to touch the elephants and feed them by hand.
For a very personal encounter with elephants, head to The Elephant Camp near Victoria Falls.
Experience The Elephant Camp, Victoria Falls
Dining at The Elephant Camp
The food at The Elephant Camp was very good when we last stayed in 2016, but we didn’t have a chance to eat here on our most recent visit in October 2019. We know that their meals are varied and interesting, with game meat often appearing on the menu.
Breakfast is served between 8.00am and 10.30am, with earlier breakfasts available on request. There's both a continental and a cooked buffet, and a chef is on hand to cook eggs to order. Lunch is served between 12.30pm and 2.30pm from a set menu, with red meat, white meat and vegetarian options available. In the past, we’ve enjoyed stir-fried beef with peppers and fragrant rice, followed by homemade ice-cream.
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Dinner is a three-course meal, with the same menu format as lunch. Soft drinks and wines, spirits and beers are included in the price. High-end liqueurs, champagne, imported wines (except most South African wines) and spirits are not. Each guest is provided with a glass water bottle, which can be refilled with filtered water.
Safety and Practical Information
An electric fence around the camp’s perimeter stops bigger animals from coming into camp, but smaller wildlife can still wander through. The pool is also unfenced, so, children should therefore be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Cellphone reception is available at The Elephant Camp, and there is free WiFi in the main area.
Every safari involves some risk, though the type and level vary depending on where you stay and the activities you take part in. Camps are often unfenced, wildlife often passes through, and medical care in remote areas can be distant. With sensible precautions, safaris are unforgettable and rewarding.
Management staff are trained in first aid. The nearest doctor is in Victoria Falls. Guests are escorted to their rooms by security guards after dark. Fire extinguishers are positioned throughout the camp. Credit cards are not accepted at The Elephant Camp.
Optional Excursions
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at The Elephant Camp.
- The Bushtracks Express Train starts its journey at Zimbabwe’s iconic Victoria Falls Station before departing on its route through Victoria Falls National Park the Victoria Falls Bridge, where guests enjoy the stunning view of the Falls.
- For a top safari experience while visiting the Victoria Falls, don’t miss a day trip to Botswana’s Chobe National Park.
- Make a traditional Southern African ‘potjie dinner’ on the banks of the Zambezi River.
- A feat of engineering the Victoria Falls Bridge was built in 1905 as part of Cecil Rhodes' vision to link the Cape to Cairo.
- Victoria Falls is one of the world's natural wonders, and a huge attraction for many visitors to southern Africa.
- Cruising the upper sections of the Zambezi reveals another dimension to the river's beauty, adding a sense of serenity to the thrill of watching it cascade over the Victoria Falls.
- Watching the sunset from the middle of the Zambezi River, with the spray of the falls behind you, is an incredibly popular activity.
Guest Reviews
Here’s what some guests have said about their experience at The Elephant Camp:
- "Elephant Camp - very nice. The room was really lovely. We had the furthest away room with a viewing deck which was great. We also loved the plunge pool. The food was good and the staff were great."
- "Elephant Camp provides a really special way to experience a Victoria Falls vacation. You’ll be spoilt with beautiful tented accommodation (with a private plunge pool), friendly service, gorgeous views and sundowners."
- "The Elephant Camp was beautiful. As I had seen pictures of the camp prior to our arrival, it was exactly what I expected."
- "Elephant Camp in Zimbabwe was a really great time. Beautiful and resting place, kind and helpful staff and management, many activities at our disposal and the falls. We really enjoyed this place and would appreciate to come back again in a few years."
These are just a few examples of the many positive reviews The Elephant Camp has received. With its luxurious accommodations, stunning location, and exceptional service, it's no wonder that this camp is a popular choice for visitors to Victoria Falls.
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