Albida – A New Luxury Lodge Opens in Victoria Falls

by Rob
(Victoria Falls)

An intimate, all-inclusive new addition to Victoria Falls accommodation

A new luxury lodge has arrived in Victoria Falls. Albida - Victoria Falls is the latest addition to the Victoria Falls Safari Collection, bringing a more intimate and exclusive style of Victoria Falls accommodation to the group's well-established private estate just outside town.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in Victoria Falls tourism, the team behind the Victoria Falls Safari Collection has created Albida for travellers looking for privacy, personalised service and plenty of pampering, while still being within easy reach of the Falls and the town itself.

The lodge combines contemporary luxury with a distinctly African character. Natural materials, African-inspired decor and the surrounding bush have all played a part in the design, with particular care taken to retain the mature albida trees from which the lodge takes its name.

Perhaps most importantly, this is not simply another luxury hotel. With just 13 villas and a maximum of 32 guests, Albida has been designed around a much more personal, all-inclusive experience.

A New Addition to the Victoria Falls Safari Collection

The Victoria Falls Safari Collection is best known for Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and also includes Victoria Falls Safari Club, Victoria Falls Safari Suites and Lokuthula Lodges.

Albida sits within the same private estate, approximately four kilometres from Victoria Falls.

Although close to town, the setting feels distinctly more like the bush. The lodge has its own waterhole, attracting wildlife and adding a touch of the Victoria Falls safari experience without guests having to sacrifice the convenience of staying close to the Falls.

The lodge has been carefully designed to blend into this natural environment, making extensive use of natural materials and incorporating the existing trees and landscape wherever possible.

For travellers combining Victoria Falls with a longer Zimbabwe, Botswana or Southern African safari, it should make a particularly comfortable beginning or end to an African safari itinerary.

Albida at a Glance

Albida is deliberately small, exclusive and highly personalised, accommodating a maximum of just 32 guests.

13 private villas

A private plunge pool and terrace with every villa

Private butler service

All meals, teas, wines and bar beverages included

Airport transfers included

Shuttle transfers between the lodge and Victoria Falls town

Two activities per night stayed, selected from a choice of some of Victoria Falls' most popular experiences

A waterhole attracting local wildlife

Private airport lounge access at Victoria Falls International Airport

Accommodation at Albida

There are just 13 villas at Albida, divided between Deluxe Villas and larger Family Villas.

Deluxe Villas

The 10 Deluxe Villas are each approximately 70 square metres and include an extra-length king-size bed, en-suite bathroom with shower, spacious lounge, private terrace and plunge pool.

Beds can be converted to twins on request.

Family Villas

For families or guests travelling together, there are three Family Villas, each approximately 120 square metres.

These feature two bedrooms with extra-length king-size beds, en-suite bathrooms with showers, a generous lounge area, private terrace and plunge pool.

What Is Included in the Villas?

Private terrace and plunge pool

Air conditioning

Extra-length king-size beds

Twin configuration on request

En-suite bathroom with shower

Valet service

Fully stocked bar

Tea and coffee station

Healing Earth personal amenities

Complimentary Wi-Fi

An All-Inclusive Victoria Falls Experience

One of the things that makes Albida different from many other luxury accommodation options in Victoria Falls is just how much is included in the rate.

Rather than booking accommodation and then arranging activities, transfers, meals and drinks separately, Albida has deliberately adopted an all-inclusive approach.

Accommodation, meals, beverages, airport transfers, transport into town, butler service, housekeeping and laundry are all included.

Guests can also choose two activities for every night they stay, making it possible to experience many of the highlights of Victoria Falls without continually reaching for your wallet or having to organise each excursion separately.

For anyone who simply wants to arrive, unpack and let somebody else take care of the details, we think this will be one of Albida's biggest attractions.

Activities Included at Albida

The choice of activities is impressive and covers considerably more than just sightseeing around the Falls.

Private guided tour of Victoria Falls

13-minute helicopter flight over Victoria Falls

One-hour Safari Spa treatment

The Boma - Dinner & Drum Show

Chobe day safari

Sunset cruise or dinner cruise

Walk with a professional guide

Game drive in Zambezi National Park

Private game reserve visit, including rhino

Siduli Hide experience

This makes Albida an interesting option for visitors wanting to combine luxury Victoria Falls accommodation with Victoria Falls activities and safari experiences without having to build each part of the itinerary separately.

Dining at Albida

Meals are served either in the Albida dining room or outside on the deck overlooking the waterhole - and we suspect the latter will become a favourite when wildlife happens to wander in during dinner.

Menus have been created by the resort's executive chef around local produce and the culinary heritage of Africa.

Guests can choose from three four-course menus.

Zambezi River Signature

A menu inspired by the Zambezi River and featuring freshwater fish.

African Heritage Taste Journey

Traditional African flavours and dishes, including favourites such as tomato bredie.

100km Radius Menu

Perhaps the most interesting concept is the 100km Radius Menu, which focuses wherever possible on hyper-local ingredients, including locally sourced produce and venison.

It is a nice extension of the lodge's overall philosophy - creating something luxurious without losing its connection to Victoria Falls and the surrounding landscape.

Facilities and Services at Albida

The main lodge incorporates a dining room and lounge opening onto a broad terrace and pool deck overlooking the waterhole.

Dining room and lounge

Main terrace and pool deck

Waterhole views

Private terrace and plunge pool at every villa

Private butler service

All meals and beverages

Airport transfers

Shuttle service into Victoria Falls

Two activities per night stayed

Valet service

Housekeeping and laundry

Stocked in-room bar

Tea and coffee facilities

Complimentary Wi-Fi

Healing Earth bathroom amenities

Children and Families at Albida

Children are welcome at Albida, and the two-bedroom Family Villas make the lodge particularly suitable for families wanting a high-end Victoria Falls accommodation and safari experience without sacrificing space or privacy.

Children are charged at 50% of the applicable rate, subject to the lodge's current terms and conditions.

Our Opinion of Albida - Victoria Falls

We think Albida fills an interesting gap in the Victoria Falls accommodation market.

There are already some excellent luxury hotels and safari-style lodges in Victoria Falls, but Albida offers something slightly different: a very small, highly personalised lodge with an unusually comprehensive all-inclusive package.

With only 13 villas, private plunge pools, butler service and most of the major Victoria Falls experiences included, there is very little for guests to organise once they arrive.

We can see it working particularly well for travellers arriving after a long-haul flight, couples wanting privacy and a bit of spoiling, or guests coming to the end of a busy African safari and looking for somewhere to slow down for a few days.

The location is another plus. You are close enough to easily enjoy Victoria Falls and everything happening in town, but far enough out to retain that feeling of being in the African bush - particularly when there is wildlife at the waterhole.

And that, in our view, is one of the great attractions of staying on this side of Victoria Falls.

You really can have a bit of both.

Albida - Victoria Falls Rates and Inclusions

Albida operates on an all-inclusive basis, with rates including:

Villa accommodation with private plunge pool

All meals and beverages

High teas and sundowner canapes

Airport transfers

Shuttle service to and from Victoria Falls town

Private butler service

Housekeeping and laundry

Two activities for each night stayed

Access to a private lounge at Victoria Falls International Airport

Rates and seasonal dates can change, so please check with us for current prices, packages and any available special offers.