Palm River Hotel sits along the Zambezi about four kilometers upstream from the falls, occupying that interesting middle ground between town hotel and riverside lodge. The same team behind Ilala Lodge opened this property in 2021, bringing their hospitality experience to a more spacious riverside setting.
The architecture nods to Queensland design—wide verandas, high ceilings, plenty of timber and iron—adapted for the Zambezi climate. On quiet mornings you can actually hear the falls rumbling in the distance, and the spray sometimes catches the light above the treeline when conditions are right.
Seventy-three rooms spread across low-rise buildings surrounded by indigenous trees, with an infinity pool stretching toward the river view. The property feels distinctly hotel rather than safari camp, which suits its purpose as a comfortable base between waterfall excursions. Regular shuttles run into town and to the falls entrance, though the riverside location means you're trading walkability for space and tranquility.
Wildlife wanders through occasionally—warthogs, mongoose—but this isn't a game-viewing property despite the Zambezi frontage.
