Situated roughly an hour's drive upstream from Victoria Falls, within the little-visited western reaches of Zambezi National Park, Zambezi Sands is one of the more quietly compelling properties in the region. Operated by the female-founded Batoka Hospitality Group, the lodge sits directly on the Zambezi riverbank, its 11 Bedouin-style tented suites blending naturally into the surrounding mopane and riverine woodland without any sense of contrivance.
The park itself is often overlooked by visitors drawn straight to the falls, which works very much in guests' favour — game drives and guided walks here feel genuinely unhurried, with elephant, buffalo, hippo, and excellent birdlife all regular companions along the water's edge.
Refurbished and relaunched in 2022, the lodge carries a distinctly modern character beneath its canvas exterior, with strong sustainability credentials, solar power, and a community development fund built into its operational philosophy. It's a refreshing combination of conscience and comfort in equal measure.
