The Palm River Hotel is an award-winning, 5-star luxury riverside property located along the banks of the iconic Zambezi River in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Situated roughly 4 kilometers upstream from the world-famous waterfall, it provides a highly strategic and peaceful retreat where, on quiet days, guests can hear the thunder and see the spray of the falls directly from the property.
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The Palm River Hotel is highly accessible by road, situated along the paved Parkway Drive just 4 kilometers upstream from Victoria Falls Town center. Unlike remote bush camps, the entire route to the hotel consists of well-maintained, tarred roads. You do not need a 4×4 or a high-clearance vehicle; standard sedans, luxury transport vans, and large tour buses can easily access the property.
Route from Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA)
The drive from the airport to the hotel takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes (roughly 22 kilometers) under normal conditions:
The Main Road: Exit the airport and turn right onto the A8 highway (Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road) heading northwest toward the town center.
The Town Entry: Follow the A8 as it passes through Victoria Falls Town, transitioning into Livingstone Way.
The River Turnoff: Just before reaching the Zimbabwean border post/Victoria Falls Bridge, turn left onto Parkway Drive. Follow Parkway Drive along the river for about 4 kilometers until you arrive at the hotel gates on your right.
Drive Times from Key Regional Hubs
Because of its strategic location near the borders of Zambia and Botswana, the hotel acts as a central hub for cross-border road transfers:
Victoria Falls Town & Rainforest Entrance: 5 to 7 minutes (approx. 4 km).
Livingstone, Zambia (via Victoria Falls Bridge): 20 to 25 minutes (approx. 15 km, excluding customs border processing time).
Kazungula Border Post (Botswana Border): 50 to 60 minutes (approx. 75 km west via the A8 highway).
Air access to The Palm River Hotel is smooth and straightforward, primarily facilitated by Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) [1], which is located 22 kilometers (about 14 miles) southeast of the property.
Flight Connectivity: VFA is a modern international airport receiving daily direct flights from major regional hubs, including Johannesburg (JNB), Cape Town (CPT), Nairobi (NBO), and Addis Ababa (ADD) via carriers like Airlink, Fastjet, Kenya Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines.
Ground Connection: Once you land, the road transfer from the airport terminal to the hotel gates takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes along a fully paved highway.
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While staying at The Palm River Hotel, you might be wondering what activities you can engage in. Below we have listed some of the top safari accommodations you can book and do while staying at The Palm River Hotel.
On-Site Activities & Leisure
Guests can enjoy a variety of relaxing experiences without leaving the hotel grounds:
The Ra-Ikane River Cruises: The hotel group operates its own fleet of historical-style luxury boats (Ra-Ikane I, II, and III) that depart directly from the hotel’s private jetty. Guests can book upscale breakfast, lunch, bird-watching, or sunset cocktail cruises.
Riverside High Tea: A refined afternoon tradition featuring a selection of gourmet pastries, finger sandwiches, and premium teas served on the lawn overlooking the Zambezi River.
Riverside Dining Under the Stars: The hotel hosts specialized al fresco dinners on the patio and manicured lawns, offering authentic African barbecue-style (braai) or fine dining menus directly along the water’s edge.
Pool & Wellness: Guests have full access to a multi-tiered outdoor infinity pool shaded by indigenous trees, a full-service day spa for massage treatments, and a modern fitness center.
Immediate Off-Site Activities (via Complimentary Shuttle)
The hotel provides a free scheduled shuttle bus service running throughout the day to drop guests off at Victoria Falls’ primary attractions:
Victoria Falls Rainforest Guided Tours: Explore the network of paved walking trails directly opposite the massive waterfall face.
The Victoria Falls Bridge Walk: Located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, offering historical tours, bungee jumping, and bridge slides.
Local Craft Markets: Easy access to the open-air curio markets in Victoria Falls Town for authentic Zimbabwean stone carvings and woven goods. Regional Adventure Safaris (Arranged by Concierge)
The hotel’s activity desk partners with local premium operators to arrange seamless door-to-door day trips:
The “Flight of Angels” Helicopter Tours: Private flights departing from nearby helipads to view the entire expanse of the falls from the air.
White-Water Rafting & Jet Boating: High-octane excursions tackling the world-class rapids of the Batoka Gorge directly below the waterfall.
Zambezi National Park Safaris: Guided 4×4 open-vehicle morning game drives or walking safaris into the national park, which borders the hotel property.
Chobe Day Trips (Botswana): Full-day safaris crossing the border into Botswana for a river cruise and a 4×4 game drive in Chobe National Park, known for its massive elephant herds.
Explore The Palm River Hotel in gallery format to enjoy and feel the look of it. These are real photos that gets updated regulary to ensure that The Palm River Hotel remains up to date with real time information.
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