At Old Drift Lodge on the banks of the famous Zambezi, near the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, you’ll find the epitome of luxury. And that’s a real achievement, given its location in the middle of the wilderness.

Old Drift Lodge

The chalets are widely spread on the banks of the famous river, which ensures plenty of privacy. Once you arrive, the surprises keep coming your way. As if an outdoor shower, an outdoor bathtub, and a private ice machine weren’t enough, each veranda also includes a private swimming pool. 

There’s plenty of comfort at this excellent location. After all, the eye wants something too. But the unique edge of Old Drift Lodge lies in its sustainable policies. The electricity is generated by solar panels, the water is recycled, and the company supports a generous number of social and sustainable projects. In this way, they try to keep their ecological footprint and that of their guests as small as possible, and it also symbolises the harmony between man and nature. 

All of this makes the lodge special, not only according to tourists, but also according to the other regular visitors: elephants. The grey herds show themselves every day. “You’ve just missed the elephants”, says Harry, the manager. “They were just here, bathing in the Zambezi.”

Sunset Cruise

At sunrise, we’re enjoying a trip along with the current on the Sunset Cruise. The sky looks like it’s on fire, and we’re the only ones on the water. Occasionally, a hippo pokes its head out of the water. “They are the natural engineers of the Zambezi”, says our guide Fanuel. “Hippos prefer to walk rather than swim. But they easily weigh about two tonnes, so with all that weight, they keep the sludge fresh. They also pave the way to drinking water for other animals. The bush can sometimes be so dense that they’d otherwise be unable to reach the water.” 

Old Drift Lodge is named after the remains of the first settlements, on the other side of the river. “The Zambezi is at its narrowest here”, says Fanuel. “This is why, before the Victoria Bridge was built, the first pioneers crossed into Zambia here. However, it’s a swampy area, so they soon sought higher ground. That’s where Livingstone is now.”

A warthog scurries around our chalet. Monkeys hang curiously on the balustrade of the veranda. Lizards shoot across the deck. Somewhere just below the veranda, hidden by the dense bushes, a hippo makes itself heard. We secretly hope that an elephant has come to drink from the pool, but the animals are nowhere to be seen. And that’s okay – it just gives us all the more reason to return.

Review Old Drift Lodge

Location: from your private pool, you look out over the Zambezi River.
Service & facilities: excellent.
Rooms: the chalets are very stylish and luxurious.
Disabled accessibility: no.
Note: your stay at Old Drift Lodge is truly unforgettable.

Staying at Old Drift Lodge is possible from 522$ per night. You can book directly through their website or check the Wild Horizons Signature Special. You may combine two nights at Old Drift Lodge with two nights at The Elephant Camp. Safaris and activities are included. This article was made possible by Namibia Tourism Board and About Africa Safaris.