Stanley & Livingstone, Zimbabwe

Overview

The Stanley & Livingstone is set within its own the game-rich 6000 acre reserve, only 10 minutes drive away from the famous Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side. Offering the grandeur of a bygone era, this 5 star hotel allows you to experience Victoria Falls in glamour and style. It has recently been extensively remodelled. So it now offers some of the smartest accommodation in Victoria Falls. Yet the Stanley & Livingstone still has a gracious ambience conjuring the bygone era of its namesake, the intrepid early European explorers, Henry Morton Stanley and David Livingstone.

Accommodation at the Stanley & Livingstone

Walkways lead to the 16 Suites – set apart in tranquil gardens and fronted by furnished terraces. Each suite is private and stylish. And the fresh approach to colonial style encourages you to make yourself at home. Each of the suites has its own living room, with a book collection and satellite television. Facilities include air-conditioning, mini-bar, safe, telephone, satellite TV, DVD player and private patio. The romantic bathrooms combine the best of old and new. With beautiful ball and claw baths and modern a walk-in power showers. The honeymoon suite, with four-poster bed, has an outside spa bath and private view of the gardens.

Children of all ages are welcome! Two sets of inter-leading rooms can comfortably accommodate families of up to five.

Dining at Stanley & Livingstone

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on the terrace overlooking the gardens which blend in with the African bush beyond. And the waterhole, not more than 25 metres away, attracts a constant array of wildlife including elephants, buffalo, kudu and waterbuck.

In the evening the same terrace is the venue for cocktails. Inside the bar is always a popular gathering place to recount the activities of the day. Here you can choose a bottle for dinner from their well-stocked and attractive wine cellar. Before enjoying one of the finest dining experiences in Victoria Falls.

During the day you can choose to relax in the sun loungers around the inviting pool. Or sit in many secluded spots in the beautiful lush tropical gardens.

Optional activities available on the estate or nearby include game drives and elephant back safaris. Choice between one of the three complimentary transfers to Victoria Falls, only 10 minutes away.

In Pictures

Cedarberg Travel | Stanley & Livingstone Private Game Reserve

Stanley & Livingstone Private Game Reserve on the map

Rooms

Walkways lead to just 16 Suites – set apart in tranquil gardens and fronted by furnished terraces – which make up our luxury accommodation. Each is private and elegantly appointed – no one better than the last – with a fresh approach to colonial style that encourages you to make yourself at home. * King-sized bed convertible to a ¾-bed set on request, topped by a down duvet and pillows * Minibar area with a variety of nibbles and drinks, as well as a tea and MORE coffee station * En-suite bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and slipper bath, and stocked with botanical-infused * Lounge area with an interest-book collection and satellite television, showing a selection of channels * Air conditioner personally adjustable for your comfort and convenience * Private terrace furnished with a cushioned bistro set * Children of all ages are welcome, and two sets of Interleading Suites each comfortably accommodate families of up to 5 guests

Stanley and Livingstone Review

I was pleasantly surprised by the Stanley and Livingstone review. This is an unashamedly colonial lodge (rivalling Victoria Falls Lodge for period ambience). So it is a bit of a marmite experience. You either love it or you hate it. Personally I like a bit of the old colonial myself!

I was expecting it to be dated and tired but in fact it was looking surprisingly good. The new owners have begun some updating and yes there are areas where some updating would not go amiss eg. the bathrooms, but there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with them. However I would recommend the newer suites on the pool side of the lodge. These seemed to be brighter and lighter being less enclosed by dense foliage.

What the Stanley and Livingstone has going for it is period charm, if you like that, lovely tropical gardens and attractive pool, a feeling of peace and tranquillity, good food from an experienced chef, views over the game reserve and the choice of game drives into its own reserve.

The game drive was actually pretty good with sightings of elephant, black rhino, buffalo and lots of plains game, all on one drive. It seems from their sightings chart that lion are also often seen, but not guaranteed. You can choose between a morning game drive, afternoon drive and having a bush dinner followed by a night drive.