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Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
5.0
#7 of 23 hotels in Victoria Falls
Location
4.7
Cleanliness
4.9
Service
4.8
Value
4.8
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.
Set in lush gardens with beautifully manicured lawns, this fifty room lodge is a great option for those who value comfort and elegance. The rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated in a classic style, and each has a clear and open view of the garden. As well as comfortable furniture, multi plugs and good lighting, they all feature air-conditioners, fans, room safes, mosquito nets and tea/coffee making facilities. Each room has its own bathroom en-suite with shower, toilet and a double vanity unit. Pioneers is a family friendly property with four family rooms available. Wifi is available throughout the lodge. We have two swimming pools on the property, as well as a Spa.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Quaint
Languages Spoken
English
Location
657 Mahogany Road, Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
Pioneers Lodge
349 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
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.
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Pioneers Lodge garners high marks for its exemplary service, with guests frequently lauding the warm and welcoming staff. The value is applauded by many, including the hotel's cost-effective amenities like the on-site shop and dining options. While the amenities such as the comfortable lodgings and picturesque gardens receive praise, some suggest the addition of fridges could enhance the experience.
The hotel's elegant atmosphere and cleanliness are consistently highlighted, contributing to a tranquil stay. Its proximity to Victoria Falls underscores the hotel's appeal, although a handful of guests mention the rooms could benefit from an update.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Well-appointed
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We stopped here for two nights to view Victoria Falls after our trip to Kruger national Park. I wish we would have started our trip with this hotel in mind and do all of our visiting from here not only for Victoria falls but also game drives in nearby Botswana. We would have saved a lot of traveling time and still accomplished our goals to visit these beautiful places. The hotel is extremely comfortable and the staff are very accommodating and helpful. The rooms are beautifully appointed with excellent air conditioning, large shower with soap and shampoo as well as hairdryer. Very comfortable beds and an overall beautiful atmosphere. Breakfast is excellent as well. Loved their scrambled eggs that are much better than we were getting on our cruise ship. Also, amazingly enough, only an hour away from the hotel we were able to see a black rhino. We highly recommend this place and if ever we are in this area again we will definitely stay here.
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Date of stay: November 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.
Response from Suzanne Smith, Marketing at Pioneers Lodge
Responded Nov 23, 2022
Gosh - what a wonderful start to our day to read this lovely review. We are so pleased that you really enjoyed your stay with us and we would have loved it if you had more time with us too. We hope you get back for another visit one day in the near future. Warm regards, Suzanne
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One of the best medium-range hotels my wife and I have ever stayed at. A bungalow-styled layout in a serene landscape amidst lush greenery, with a modest swimming pool and a more generous wading pool. We really felt pampered by the impeccable service from the GM right down to the room cleaners, not to omit the excellently trained masseuse Essie. The rooms are well-appointed, tastefully designed, and comfortable. The bar and dining area is beautiful, as are the entire premises. We would go back in a heartbeat.
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Date of stay: April 2022
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.
Response from Suzanne Smith, Marketing at Pioneers Lodge
Responded May 3, 2022
Dear Mr Venkov, Many thanks for the wonderful review. We were so pleased that you chose to stay with us at Pioneers, and even happier than you really enjoyed your stay. We hope that you return to visit us again one day very soon. Warm regards, Suzanne
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We were a group of 16. The hotel checked us in efficiently, The porters took all the bags to the rooms as my guests were checking in and the meals at the lodge were delicious. The front desk helped me organize trips to Chobe, the Flight of Angels, and transfers to and from the airport. They were great to deal with.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip 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.
Response from Suzanne Smith, Marketing at Pioneers Lodge
Responded Oct 7, 2022
Good day, Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review. We are so pleased to read that you enjoyed your time at Pioneers, and the activities that were organised for you. Please come see us again soon. Warm regards, Suzanne
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Unlike other reviewers who say that this is a fantastic and welcoming place, my husband and I did not feel very welcomed by any of the staff. The woman whose name we don't know but seemed to be the manager acted almost as though she didn't want us there but didn't want to be rude so she checked us in and said hello, but that's about it. Absolutely no going above and beyond for anything, let alone checking if we were ok or needed anything during our stay. We had a great holiday at Deteema Springs in Hwange and Paradise Cove in Mauritius with great people who really exemplified amazing service and displayed friendliness, so it was a complete disappointment to end our honeymoon at a place like Pioneers. They showed absolutely no interest in us and how we ended up there. Don't get me wrong, we both thought the property is beautifully manicured, but the amenities and rooms are at the "motel" level and just meet the basic needs. Our room was clean, but the A/C unit rattled loudly so we had to turn it off. Fortunately, it was cold at night and didn't need it. The staff seemed great, but the saying that staff will mirror and become like the leader comes to light at this lodge. It's as if they are scared to be their true self and are very serious -- just like the manager woman. Another thing to consider is that the location of the lodge is not very close to town. If you are looking for a basic room to stay in, this lodge will do, but if we ever return to Vic Falls this is not where we will stay.
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Date of stay: July 2022
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 Suzanne Smith, Marketing at Pioneers Lodge
Responded Aug 2, 2022
Dear Vivian, We are so sorry to read that you had a disappointing stay with us - we will definitely look into the issues that you have written about above, and they will be addressed. We already have all the air conditioners being looked at and serviced. Once again please accept our apologise. Regards, Suzanne
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Pioneers Lodge in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe was a good choice for us. It is peaceful and clean lodge situated in a safe residential area of town. Easy shuttle/ taxi access to the Falls, shopping, and restaurants. On-site large outdoor covered dining areas serve: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The staff is great, helpful, and prompt. I appreciated the extra care Suzanne (manager/ shift leader) took for us and the other guests as countries rapidly changed their entry requirements and COVID policies. The beautiful grounds include short walking paths, 2 outdoor swimming pools, and soothing sound of a small waterfall. Bed-netting helped provide safe sleeping from insects. Room was clean, water in the sink is safe for drinking. Enjoy your stay at Pioneers Lodge! If you see Suzanne, Adrian, or the staff, say to them for me.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: November 2021
Value
Rooms
Location
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.
Response from Suzanne Smith, Marketing at Pioneers Lodge
Responded Dec 20, 2021
Good day, It was an absolute pleasure to have you stay with us at Pioneers. Travelling in these ever changing conditions can be a little challenging so we are happy that we were able to keep on top of things and guide you in the right way. We always love to hear that our staff did a great job. We look forward to welcoming you back to the lodge one day soon. Kind regards, Suzanne
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Upon arrival, you are greeted with a beautiful entryway with local art and a friendly staff. The Lodge was spotless and even had hand towels in lobby restrooms! There is gift shop that supports local artisans (in case you forgot something at the market). We needed to meet as a large group a few times over the course of our stay. The Lodge was very accommodating and has the space for large groups. Breakfast was fresh and ready on time every morning. Lunch and dinner were AMAZING and the menu varied from day to day. The bar stayed open until around 10PM and featured local libations and competent bartenders. Each and every member of the staff ensured a luxurious and comfortable stay. They helped secure transportation, assisted with luggage, and closed the mosquito net at night as a type of "turndown service". I look forward to returning to Pioneers Lodge when I revisit beautiful Vic Falls.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip 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.
Response from Suzanne Smith, Marketing at Pioneers Lodge
Responded Jul 19, 2022
Dear Yolanda, What a wonderful way for us to start our day - getting a review like this! We are so pleased the you enjoyed your time with us as much as you did and we really look forward to a return visit from you one day very soon. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review. Warm regards, Suzanne
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We had and incredible stay! The hotel is gorgeous, the rooms are spacious and well decorated. There are two pools and the grounds are spread out enough to feel quiet and secluded. Fantastic service, the staff are kind and attentive. We had breakfast daily and lunch and dinner once each in the restaurant and everything we ate was delicious and at great prices. Absolutely would recommend!
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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.
Response from Suzanne Smith, Marketing at Pioneers Lodge
Responded Feb 21, 2023
Dear Onessia, When a review has the word incredible in it, it makes us smile all day! We are so happy that you enjoyed your time at Pioneers, and that you enjoyed all aspects of the lodge. Please make a return trip to Vic Falls one day soon. Warm regards, Suzanne
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Set in lush gardens with two pools and rooms with all amenities this is a well designed comfortable hotel. In hindsight somewhere a little closer to town would have been a better choice for a trip to the Falls. The food is good but not excellent but the restaurant setting more than makes up for this. The administration here proved, at least for us, to be poor. We were booked dinner, bed and breakfast but the hotel reservation team had incorrectly booked us a bed and breakfast only. When we queried this we met with a rather unpleasant reaction from the lady on duty that night. Even after we’d wasted time on our holidays contacting our agent who managed to sort out the discrepancy the hotel still tried to charge us for the 2nd nights dinner and then again at checkout. Such a shame as it did mar the last couple of days of holiday. An apology would have been nice but was not forthcoming. Also note that the hotel charges 3% if you want to pay your bill by credit card.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Rooms
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 Suzanne Smith, Marketing at Pioneers Lodge
Responded Sep 25, 2022
Good day, We are pleased that you enjoyed the restaurant setting - we love that it overlooks out gardens too. There was a miscommunication with the correspondence we received initially and we were not informed that your booking was half board, but once we had been notified after your first dinner we should have made changes on your reservation, and apologised while you were in house. Please accept our apologise now. We know that these admin issues add anxiety to all parties so we are terribly sorry. Warm regards, Suzanne
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The hotel is spotless and the gardens are well maintained. The en suite room is spacious, with fans A.C. and good mosquito netting. There was only one chair in the room but plenty of seating in the garden and around the 2 pools. Food is tasty with very generous portions. The lodge oranises taxis to town with much better rates and excursions were well organised. You really dont need a guide for the Falls as it is self explanatory, but we enjoyed the sunset river tour. Worth getting a smaller boat rather than the big ones to really see the birds and hippos up close. Guides were very well informed about the river and wildlife to be found. The town's cafes are reasonable value, given the touristic nature of the place, but the prices in the shops were, in my opinion, outrageous. I know its a tourist trap but they must thnk we are completely out of touch with value of the $US! The street market is better value, if you haggle a bit, and any major currency was taken. The Falls park is clean and well kept and certainly worth seeing. $US30 per person. Credit cards taken. Be aware that the visa for Zimbawe is $US 55 p.p ( For British nationals ) and only cash or VISA ( no other credit cards) is taken and there was no ATM at the border point from Botswana where we crossed.
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Date of stay: January 2023
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:All rooms face the garden, have easy pool and restaurant access.
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 Suzanne Smith, Marketing at Pioneers Lodge
Responded Jan 9, 2023
Dear Jann, Thank you for your feedback and for taking the time to review. We are pleased that you enjoyed your time at the lodge, and that you were happy with how your excursions were organised. Have a good day. Warm regards, Suzanne
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Two words describe Pioneers Lodge - absolutely fabulous. We've just spent 3 nights at Pioneers and everything was first class. The beautiful, well appointed rooms had everything we needed. The gardens are a well maintained mini oasis - the kids loved the pools and we enjoyed sitting out on the main verandah after a busy day around Vic Falls enjoying a drink. The food for breakfast & dinner was great. Gift shop has a great selection. The highlight though was the staff - everyone was so professional & friendly and went above and beyond to make our stay a memorable one. Thank you.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip 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.
Response from Suzanne Smith, Marketing at Pioneers Lodge
Responded Dec 27, 2022
G'day, What an 'absolutely fabulous' review ' to start our day. We love that you had such a good stay with us at the lodge, and that your kids enjoyed their time too. Thanks for all the lovely words - we will be sure to pass your praises on to the staff. Thanks for taking the time to review us. All the best for 2023 and we hope that you plan a return trip in the near future. Warm regards, Suzanne
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Hi Linda,
Sorry for the delayed response - I must have missed your message. We have universal plug points and USB points in all the rooms - although I think the standard US plug shape is slightly different to what we have. You will need to use a step down convertor at our power is 220v. As Sherry said, we do have hairdryers in all the rooms, as well as USB ports for charging phones. Hope this helps.
There are more places to choose from in the Victoria Falls area.
PRICE RANGE
$256 - $280 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
ZimbabweMatabeleland North ProvinceVictoria Falls
NUMBER OF ROOMS
50
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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