Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Shongwe Lookout is an award-winning lodge roughly 1 kilometre from Victoria Falls town, and 2 kilometres from the world famous Victoria Falls Waterfall. We target discerning guests, offering contemporary African decor and modern comfort. A unique two-platform viewing tower offers vistas of the Zambezi River and falls' spray.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
We celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary on this African trip and the team at Shongwe made it special with flower petals on the bed and a nice bottle of welcoming bubbly. Much appreciated. The location is a little in the suburbs but don't let this put you off. The Falls are only a short taxi ride away and this boutique hotel is small but perfectly formed. The room was fantastic and staff great. The lookout is well worth ascending though don't expect to see much of the falls apart from rising mist. A wonderful stay. Thank you so much.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had four wonderful nights and days here, in the past always at Victoria Falls Hotel which sadly has become tired and sad along with charging very silly prices. We went for supper to the VFH and the place was almost empty, I’m not surprised. The Shongwe Lookout, or in our case next door at The Oasis, is simply wonderful. The rooms are newly constructed with absolutely every care and attention to detail you could wish for. Spacious rooms, serviced every day to a high standard. Big two basin bathroom with both shower and egg shaped bath (admittedly the bath took a long time to fill but who cares when you’re on holiday, the shower had a good pressure). Little things make a big difference, a hairdryer plugged in by a large mirror, ample storage for clothes and luggage, usb points for charging phones etc. The grounds are immaculate and the two pools small but adequate along with being very attractive. The staff are friendly, helpful and very efficient so what’s not to like. Breakfasts were superb each morning, it really was a treat to stay here and luckily getting a taxi into town was not expensive so the slightly off the beaten track location really didn’t matter. We would’ve loved to stay longer, this is possibly the best hotel we will stay in during our trip but let’s keep an open mind as still plenty to see and do.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
About a 15 minute walk from town (safe walk), this hotel had a comfortable room with large bathroom and reasonably good shower pressure. The platform lookout at the hotel is a nice place to have a drink though you cannot see the Falls from there. You can see water spray/ mist though. The food and drinks were excellent. The staff was mixed. Some very professional and excellent staff who were attentive and others who were less so.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jamie Shongwe Lookout, Owner at Shongwe Lookout
Responded Jul 25, 2022
Hi Jenn, thanks for your constructive feedback. At the time we had taken on a few new staff who are in training, so we apologize for any shortfall in service.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I'm so pleased that we decided to stay at Shongwe Lookout for three nights during a recent African holiday. The property is beautiful, the rooms are especially gorgeous, and I thought that the staff is doing such a wonderful job. Mitchell, at the front desk, was especially helpful with helping us decide where to go in town and how to book our day trip to Chobe National Park (which is a must-do, by the way!). They're always happy to help you arrange taxis to the various sights around town (ask for Richard), and you can also walk on your own during daylight. (A walk to or from the Zimbabwe side of the falls takes about 25 minutes.) Breakfasts were always nice, and the one dinner we had at the hotel was truly delicious. Would definitely recommend this hotel to friends and family visiting Victoria Falls for the first time.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed in Kingfisher 3. Big bath, rain shower head, king-size comfy bed. The hotel is based in the suburbs about 6kms from the Falls. A lookout deck, above the tree tops, is a lovely place to have a sundowner with a 360 degree view of the setting sun and the Falls spray to the East. The food menu is small, well thought out and deliciously executed. A small range of South African wine is available which we found adequate. Local Zimbabwean filter coffee and a variety of teas are available at no charge. Good WIFI allowed us to keep connected and activities of every kind can be arranged through reception.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled on business
Room Tip:Bath soap tablets not supplied due to eco-friendly status. Hand wash and shampoo supplied in pump...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from William Henson, General Manager at Shongwe Lookout
Responded Aug 4, 2021
Thanks Annetta, it was lovely to have you here at Shongwe. Look forward to hosting you again in the future.
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Shongwe exceeded all our expectations, what a beautiful place to stay in Vic Falls. The rooms are decorated beautifully with lots of Zimbabwean touches, very comfortable beds and everything you could possibly need is provided. The main area is charming with different areas to sit and chat and a well stocked bar to enjoy. Chef Jason cooked us a delicious dinner, the menu is extensive and we wish we could have tried more on it. Jamie was more than attentive to our needs as were all the other staff. Unfortunately we were only in the Falls for a night on our way from Hwange to Harare, but we would love to stay longer next time. We got up early to see the Falls, a great time of the day when it isn't too hot! The breakfast when we came back to Shongwe was absolutely delicious. Thank you to you all. I would highly recommend this stunning lodge.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jamie Shongwe Lookout, Owner at Shongwe Lookout
Responded Jul 26, 2022
Thanks Pam, such a nice review!
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This was the first stop following 18hrs of travelling time for my wife and I...it was exactly what we needed. Attentive and very friendly staff, alongside the peace and tranquility of the place itself, make this something special and we would highly recommend for couples.
The rooms are very spacious and clean, with the decoration another added touch of class. Beds are exceptionally comfortable and the shower was so good it was hard to leave.
The viewing tower is an added bonus, where you can enjoy a drink and take in the fantastic views of the Zambezi and also a sneak preview of “The Smoke that Thunders”.
Special mention to the specific staff who made our stay extra special. Wiled, the barman, who makes a lovely cocktail and is always smiling and chatty. Fadzai, who waited on us with a smile for all the great food through our stay. She was on point with taking our orders and also clearing our table.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shongwe Lookout was recommended by a parent of one of the boys in the traveling team, and we were not disappointed. Shongwe Lookout was absolutely amazing. Great rooms, clean, comfortable and spacious. We were treated like royalty from the moment we arrived. The staff are incredibly friendly and are happy to help with any and all enquiries, as well as, just having a friendly conversation about the beautiful country you can explore. The food was incredible, delicious and ample, we wanted for nothing. When we had an issue with our transport to Bulawayo the staff came together and within minutes we had new transport arranged for us. I can only praise the establishment and it's beauty. Jamie and his staff have done and are doing an incredible job. Thank you for looking after us and our cricket boys.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had the most wonderful stay at this quiet, boutique of a property. While our check-in was a little confusing, once we got past that it was an excellent day. We loved the location as it was about a 15 minute walk into the center of town. But while we were at the hotel, we felt like we were in a very peaceful oasis. The rooms were nicely appointed, the cleaning staff was incredibly friendly, the front desk was very helpful, and the general manager made sure that we were very happy. The food was unbelievable. We were very surprised at the excellent menu and the freshness of all of the fruits and vegetables, etc. We wish we could’ve had more time to spend at the hotel but we were so busy that we didn’t get to enjoy it as much as we would like. That being said it was so wonderful to be there that we wanted more time to just enjoy the property. We loved the lookout point and the whole staff was incredibly friendly, conversational, helpful and absolutely delightful. Definitely recommend.!
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We spent five perfect days at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Staying at Shongwe Lookout Lodge made it beyond perfect. Arriving at Shongwe Lookout Lodge, we had zero plans. But, in a matter of an hour we had a perfect plan organized by Shongwe’s knowledgeable and competent staff. From visiting the Falls, to exhilarating immersion at the Devil’s Pool, to face to face experience with elephants, hippos and rhinos, it was an experience of a life-time. On top of it, lodging at Shongwe is such a pleasure from our beautiful room to the well-kept grounds and gourmet food; we were reluctant to leave. Finally the attentive and sincere manner we were severed by Jamie, the General Manager, made our travel extremely pleasurable. Thank you, Jamie. We highly recommend Shongwe Lookout Lodge.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes, fly into Victoria Falls Airport Zimbabwe and arrange transportation through Shongwe Lookout Lodge. If you plan to visit Zambia to view the falls from that side, you need a multiple entry visa into Zimbabwe. Important when you enter Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls Airport for the first time and get your visa!
There are more places to choose from in the Victoria Falls area.
PRICE RANGE
$220 - $302 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
ZimbabweMatabeleland North ProvinceVictoria Falls
NUMBER OF ROOMS
23
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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