The Imbabala main lodge is a charming thatched structure, consisting of a lounge, dining room and bar area. This offers fantastic views of both the river and a nearby waterhole, which attracts game throughout the year.

A swimming pool and al fresco eating area nestle under ancient trees. There are no fences to prevent animal movement, so expect to see game and wonderful bird life along the river bank as well as in and around the Lodge.

Imbabala  offers exclusive accommodation for only 20 guests in 9 individual stone and thatch lodges with en-suite facilities. Each lodge is beautifully positioned with spacious verandas opening onto sweeping views of the Zambezi River. Imbabala has one family lodge – double, (Sleeps 4), two double and six twin-bedded lodges.

Family Lodge           1

Doubles                   2

Twin bedded            6

• 7 rooms with shower
• 2 rooms with shower and bath tub
• universal adaptors provided – fits American and European adaptors
• Tea and coffee station in room
• Electronic safe in room
• Mosquito nets provided around bed
• Each room has hammock
• Veranda furniture on deck – 2 chairs, 1 side table with ashtray
• No air conditioning
• Ceiling fan

Located 70 kilometers west of Victoria Falls town.  Access is by transfer or self-drive from Victoria Falls, Livingstone or Kasane.

Victoria Falls airport to Imbabala is 89 kms (55.6 miles). Approx 1hr 15 min

Livingstone airport to Imbabala is 91 kms (56.9 miles) 1 hr 15 min + Zambian passport control time

Guests can fly into Victoria Falls or Livingstone in Zambia and transfers can be arranged.

The new Victoria Falls International Airport was recently opened. It is a wonderful new facility and caters for all domestic and international flights.

Victoria Falls Airport is approximately 22 kms out of Victoria Falls Town and the journey from Livingstone to Victoria Falls is also a short drive over the bridge.

Guests coming across from Zambia will require visas. Pick ups from the airport  can be arranged with local transfer companies at an additional cost.

Victoria Falls Town to Imbabala Safari Lodge 71 kms (44.4 miles)

Victoria Falls Airport to Imbabala Safari Lodge 89 kms (56 miles)

Livingstone Airport to Victoria Falls Town 20.6 kms (13 miles)

Livingstone airport to Imbabala Safari Lodge is 91 kms (57 miles)

Bulawayo – Hwange 337 kms (210.63 miles)

Hwange – Victoria Falls Town 102 kms (64 miles)

Hwange – Imbabala Safari Lodge 186 kms (116.3 miles)

Bulawayo – Victoria Falls Town 438 kms (274 miles)

Bulawayo – Imbabala Safari Lodge 509 kms (318 miles)

Harare – Victoria Falls 878 kms (548.75 miles)

Harare – Imbabala Safari Lodge 777 kms (486 miles)

Kariba – Victoria Falls Town 778 kms (486 miles)

Kariba – Imbabala Safari Lodge 847 kms (529 miles)

Gweru – Imbabala Safari Lodge 609 kms (381 miles)

Gweru – Victoria Falls Town 539 kms (337 miles)

Bulawayo – Matopas 35 kms (22 miles)

Bulawayo – Beitbridge 320 kms (200 miles)

Bulawayo –  Gweru 164 kms (102 miles)

Bulawayo – Harare 440 kms (274 miles)

Bulawayo – Kariba 803 kms (502 miles)

Harare – Gweru 277 kms (172 miles)

Experienced guides are on hand for all activities which centre around tracking game on morning, afternoon and night game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles. Exploring the Zambezi River by boat affords guests an exclusive river experience. Bird-watching is exceptional, as birdlife is prolific and varied, ranging from water birds to shy forest dwellers.

Walking Safaris and fishing excursions for the renowned Tiger Fish, are available by prior arrangement.

For guests spending a longer time with us at Imbabala, day trips to Victoria Falls and the Chobe National Park are available.

• Safari Drives
• River Safaris
• Walking Safaris
• Fishing
• Birding

Spa

The bush Spa at Imbabala opened in July 2014, and offers a range of spa treatments to guests staying at Imbabala Zambezi Safari lodge in a tranquil, and serene setting overlooking the Zambezi River. There is a qualified beauty therapist on site, and a range of beauty and skin care products on offer.

The spa building is set away from the main lodge area, and is partially open to allow for a soft breeze to filter through.

The treatments available include, but are not limited to manicures, pedicures, massages and skin treatments. Guests should enquire upon arrival as to what treatments and products are available at the time and book their treatment in advance with lodge management.

The Imbabala Spa brings another dimension to relaxation in the bush.  

Victoria Falls is approximately 80 kms from Imbabala. Transfers can be arranged.

There are a number of things to see and do in Victoria Falls.

These include:

• Sunset river cruises
• Elephant rides
• Walking with lions
• Micro-lite rides
• Helicopter rides
• White water rafting
• Bungy jumping
• Flying fox
• Safari drives in the National Park
• Golf
• Fishing trips
• Abseiling
• Gorge swing
• Foofie slide
• Canoeing
• Curio shopping
• Crocodile farm
• The Big Tree
• Larry Norton Art Gallery (Victoria Falls Hotel)
• Curio centre

Trips into Chobe in Botswana and Zambia can also be arranged. Guests will need to go through passport control formalities.

Animals:

Elephant, Hippopotamus, Buffalo, Impala, Waterbuck, Kudu, Eland, Bushbuck, Common Duiker, Sharpe’s Grysbok, Reedbuck, Klipspringer, Sable, Roan, Tsessebe, Leopard,  Cheetah,  Spotted Hyaena, Wild dog, Side-striped Jackal, Genet, Civet, Caracal, Serval, Wildcat, Baboon, Vervet monkey,  Lesser Bushbaby, Warthog,  Banded Grey Mongoose, Slender mongoose, Yellow-spotted Dassie, Cape Clawless Otters

Several other species of mongoose are present, as well as many smaller species of rodents and bats.

Birds:

The Victoria Falls area offers a variety of birding habitats and opportunities including the Zambezi National Park,  Rain forest next to the Falls itself, the Zambezi river, the gorges below the Falls and the woodland around the various hotels.

More than 470 species of birds have been recorded in the Zambezi NP and it is a particularly popular place with birders. The riverine habitat is home to many specials, including the African Finfoot, Collared Palm-Thrush and Pel’s Fishing Owl. African Skimmers can be found on the sandbanks or skimming the water in the Wet season. Migratory birds are present from November to April. The hot and wet summer months between November and March is the best time for birding in the area as resident species are boasting their breeding plumage and the intra-African and Palaearctic migrants are still around.

Birds include: Schalow’s Turaco, Brown Firefinch, White-backed Night-Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, Grey-headed Parrot, White-crowned Lapwing, Racket-tailed Roller, Taita Falcon, Augur Buzzard, Red-necked Falcon, Bat Hawk, Broad-tailed Paradise-Whydah, Orange-winged Pytilia, Northern Grey-headed Sparrow. Lanner Falcon, Goliath Heron, Long-Toed Plover, Collared Palm-Thrush, Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Skimmer, Rock Pratincole, Long-Toed Lapwing, Schalow’s Turaco, African Finfoot, Half Collared Kingfisher, Thick Billed Weaver, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Schalow’s Turaco, Trumpeter Hornbill, African Black Swift, Rock Martin, Bearded Scrub-Robin, Collared Sunbird ,  Brown Firefinch, Black Heron, Little Egret, Great Egret, Grey-headed Parrot, Osprey, Verreaux’s Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Red-necked Falcon, Bat Hawk, Broad-tailed Paradise-Whydah, Orange-winged Pytilia, African Pygmy-Goose, Kori Bustard, Denham’s Bustard, Racket-tailed Roller .

The Zambezi National Park area enjoys warm to hot temperatures. The warmest time occurs during September to March and the coldest is May to August. April to October (the Dry season) is full of sunny, clear weather. The Wet season is from November to March and is characterized by afternoon showers with sunshine following. Likewise, it can also come in the form of successive days of drizzle. The winter and summer seasons are experienced at opposite times than in Europe and North America, going hand-in-hand with the dry and Wet seasons.

Dry season – April to October – Winter

April – The temperatures cool down, particularly during the night time. Rains occur less and less often.

May, June, July, August – These are the coldest winter months but August brings a slight increase in temperature. Drought increases as time goes on, causing the air to get dusty. Daytime temperatures are around 27°C/81°F, but at night and in the early morning the temperature cools to around 8°C/46°F. Be sure to bring winter clothing for the cold morning game drives.

September, October – The drought finally ends with the first rains by late October, although the rest of these months is generally very dry. The rain brings much relief to the vegetation. It gets hot during the day, with temperatures reaching over 32°C/90°F, resulting in warmer morning game drives. October is the hottest month with an average daytime temperature of 35°C/95°F. It can feel uncomfortably hot once the rains have started because of the increased humidity.

Wet season – November to March – Summer

November – The rains start more heavily, although it won’t rain every day. It can still get uncomfortably hot because of the increased humidity and high average daytime temperatures, usually hovering around 33°C/91°F.

December, January & February – These months are the wettest, although it rarely rains the whole day. Afternoon showers are common and are often followed by hours of sunshine. Alternately it can drizzle for a few days in a row. Daytime temperatures average 30°C/86°F while night and early morning average 18°C/64°F.

March – Temperatures average between 29°C/84°F and 18°C/64°F as the Wet season comes to its end.

Monthly Average High Temperatures

• January         31°C
• February       30°C
• March            31°C
• April               30°C
• May                29°C
• June               26°C
• July                26°C
• August           29°C
• September    33°C
• October         34°C
• November     33°C
• December     31°C

Summer highs can reach 38° to 40°c Winter lows can reach 8° to 10°c