Victoria Falls Backpackers Lodge — Attraction in Victoria Falls Municipality

Firstly, plenty of positives: the pool is great, so refreshing when it's 40oC outside. Don't worry it's treated. the food and drinks are pretty well priced (for Victoria falls) The staff are all really nice and friendly (seriously - if you take the time to chat they are lovely) There is a nice community feel to the place. We stayed at Vic Falls rest camp in town for a couple nights before we came here which is similarly priced but this place was much nicer, smaller and cuter.

The only things that stopped me from giving it five stars are: Because it's quite small and there is lots of communal areas it really depends on who else is staying as to how safe it is. Make sure you bring a few locks. They have lockers in the reception area where you can store your valuables if you have a lock. we stayed in the ensuite rooms which have no windows and the front wall is half open. It helps with the heat but there are SO MANY MOSQUITOES in the evenings and it doesn't help that the front bit is the bathroom so it's damper which attracts them. They did have a mosquito net but even through we kept it down all day and checked it before we went to bed in the evenings, they always managed to get in. I imagine in the raining season it's even worse.

Basically to make sure it's a five class stay bring locks, repellent and insecticide - this advice prior to coming would have made it 5 stars for me.

Also: make sure you have enough dollars because you can't get any in Zimbabwe and if you can bring food too because the supermarket is limited and what they do have...

I did not like my experience at all, unfortunately. No card payment possible. Had to scream from the gate because nobody would come greet us in the sun after ringing. Then being told ; just dial the code... We are checking in, don't know any code. Then had to pay by PayPal (?!) but they offer all paying services like restaurant, massages, spa, tours, airport transfers, but can't take cards ? Room was in open air, a lot of mosquitoes. Shower we just didn't shower it didn't look inviting at all so we showered at our next destination (the airport lounge actually). Always pushing for sales like bottles of water. Even the transport we asked for 10:30 they said well checkout is 10:00 why not take airport shuttle at this time. Little did I know that they chartered the 30$ van to put 4 of us in... Asking 13$ each. Yet another scam. Always pressure. There is a dog on premises in case you are allergic. The lady at reception wasn't very welcoming as well. Pool wasn't clean a good net would have been helpful. Braai station closed... And so so far from anything. 25 minutes walk for basic Nando's. I know it's cheap yet not...

Good location, a bit far from the city centre but in a pretty nice and safe location, around 20 min walk from town.

The staff was very friendly and welcoming, they make you feel like at home always with a smile in their faces. At the reception, you can also book all kind of activities very easily. All payments are in cash which makes things a bit more complicated due to the situation in Zimbabwe, where you need to bring US dollars because of the issues they've had with their own currency. You also have to pay $3 for the WIFI per day which is a bit too high, but it is actually very good, super fast and reliable, except when they have power cuts.

The pool area is the best part of the hostel, right next to the bar so you can order food and drinks directly from your sun bed.

It is a big hostel, so sometimes is not the most social but it was low season when I was there, so I guess it is more lively in peak season.

All beds have mosquito nets and the bathrooms are ok, nothing special. The kitchen is a bit old but well equipped, which in my case is very important as...