Zambezi Sands by Batoka

We’ve travelled across Africa before, but this was by far the most unforgettable safari experience we’ve ever had. From the moment we arrived, we were treated with the highest level of service, warmth, and care.

Percy and Rose went above and beyond to plan every detail of our itinerary, and it was flawless from start to finish. Every day was a dream.

We stayed at the most beautifully decorated lodge, with rooms that were both luxurious and full of character. The lodge is set right on the Zambezi River, which makes this location truly special and unlike anywhere else we’ve stayed. Waking up each morning to breakfast overlooking the river felt like something out of a movie.

The food was absolutely spectacular. It was fresh, healthy, and full of flavour. The wholesome menu offered something delicious at every meal, and we were especially impressed by the thoughtful wine list featuring some excellent pairings. Every meal felt like a treat.

Our safari guides, Martin and Robert, were incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and so much fun. Thanks to them, we saw everything we hoped for: leopard, giraffe, zebra, hippo, and buffalo, all in just a few days.

We even had the chance to go on a guided bush walk, a first for us, and it was absolutely thrilling to experience the wild from a whole new perspective.
The highlight of our stay was a complete surprise. A magical bush dinner was arranged for our 10-year anniversary. It was so special and emotional, it brought me to tears. We felt truly celebrated and cared for.

A huge thank you also to Marzi, our amazing hostess, who made everything feel effortless. She even arranged for our laundry to be done and had delicious, lazy lunches delivered to our room so we could completely relax between activities.
We also explored Victoria Falls, took a breathtaking helicopter flight over the falls, and enjoyed a sunset boat drift on the Zambezi with Batoka, sipping drinks as the sky turned gold. Pure bliss.

This was more than a holiday. It was an experience we’ll treasure forever. Three days of magic, thanks to an outstanding team who made every moment count.
If you are considering a safari or a special trip in Africa, this is the one. We cannot recommend it highly enough.

This was our first safari experience and it set the bar very high. The ‘tent’ was out of this world, very luxurious and stylishly decorated. With the option of river cruise or game drive in mornings and evenings it offers best of both worlds. The food was fantastic and we loved how the chef introduced the meal each day and described it with so much passion. All staff were amazing really.

What we particularly liked is the lack of fences, both around the national park as well as the lodge (or even the town of Victoria Falls for that matter), which gave a much more authentic feel than some of the reserves we visited afterwards in South Africa.

Last but not least our guide, Martin, was fantastic. We thoroughly enjoyed every drive and the passion and knowledge he showed about the fauna and flora. He delivered with sightings of all the animals in the park and provided a lot of information about each animal. You could tell he loves his job.

We would highly recommend Betoka Zambezi Sands.

Zambezi Sands Batoka Africa is absolutely amazing! The river views are stunning, the tents are super luxurious, and we even saw impalas and monkeys right from our private deck. Every meal was thoughtfully prepared by the amazing chef and brought out by the “Minister of Happiness.”Dining under the stars with the sounds of the African bush and the Zambezi river in the background was exquisite.

The staff were beyond exceptional—warm, professional, and always going the extra mile to make us feel welcome. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, and the game drives were filled with adrenaline and unforgettable moments, from close encounters with buffalos to hearing roars from elephants that are inches away. Cruising into the African sunset was such a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Can’t wait to come back! I have been to many African countries but Zambezi Sands Batoka tops it all!