Ilala Lodge Backend

Category: Blog

  • New Baboon-Proof Bins in Victoria Falls

    New Baboon-Proof Bins in Victoria Falls

    Tackling the Local Litter Issue

    The Palm Hospitality Group (PHG) Foundation has unveiled a new community initiative to address an ongoing issue with baboons raiding and emptying public litter bins in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

    The Problem: The Litter-Bin Raiders

    Placed as it is within a wildlife national park, the community of Victoria Falls faces mild human and wildlife conflict, one of which includes the rummaging and overturning of litter bins throughout the town centre by baboon troops.

    The baboons dig through the bins, emptying the contents and spreading them across the town centre. Not only does this create an unsightly mess, but more worryingly poses a threat to other wildlife who might stumble across the litter (much of which is plastic) and ingest it.

    Previously, the PHG Foundation attempted to deter the primates by installing tall, narrow, metal bins with small deposit openings. Unfortunately, the mischievous baboons were able to tip these bins over and pry them open in search of food scraps.

    A Clever Solution: Primate-Proof Litter Bins

    To combat this, the PHG Foundation has introduced a new series of specialised baboon-proof bins throughout the Victoria Falls town centre. The 15 new bins are made of durable material and feature a closed deposit section with a rotating wheel that allows contents to fall in, but keeps baboons out. The bins are also significantly larger than previous bins and are weighty enough to prevent being tipped over easily.

    This week the PHG Foundation handed over the specialised bins to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority at the entrance to the iconic Victoria Falls Rainforest. Guests are encouraged to dispose of their litter correctly in aid of preserving our Natural World Wonder. Other bins can be spotted throughout the Victoria Falls town centre for ease of access.

    This initiative supports the efforts of the Pristine Victoria Falls Society, a local community organisation working towards making Victoria Falls a clean, green city in Africa by creating a litter-free and sustainable environment.

    The PHG Foundation

    Formed in 2022, the PHG Foundation combines the successful track record of Ilala Lodge Hotel‘s community projects with the passionate staff of Palm River Hotel. The baboon-proof bins are part of the PHG Foundation’s broader mission to aid the local Victoria Falls community.

    Other PHG Foundation initiatives include monthly litter clean-ups throughout designated sections of the town centre, recycling programmes, wildlife protection, cultural heritage preservation, and local fundraisers.

    The group is dedicated to sustainable tourism and minimising environmental impact. Their efforts endeavour to make Victoria Falls a better place to live and visit for all!

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  • The Story Behind The Ilala Palm

    The Story Behind The Ilala Palm

    You might think it strange that our beautiful hotel is named after a palm tree. After all, aren’t palm trees best suited to tropical locations? Not this one.

    The Ilala Palm, also known locally as the Molala or Vegetable Ivory Palm, is native to this region. Look out for it in Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana, Namibia and northern South Africa.

    Not only is it lovely to look at, growing up to 7 m tall (15 m in rare cases) with broad, fan-shaped leaves, but the fruit is also highly sought-after by humans and animals alike.

    Young fruit, which are generally green in colour, contain a white fluid similar to coconut milk. As the fruit matures over two years, it darkens to an orange colour and finally settles on a rich, dark brown. The fruit’s exterior is hard and needs to be broken using force to access the sweet gingery pulp inside. Baboons will often use rocks to accomplish this task.

    The crown heart of the tree is also edible and is known in Botswana as ‘gau,’ where they prepare and consume it much like a vegetable. Although the fruit of the Ilala Palm takes a long time to ripen, a mature tree can produce up to 2000 at a time, making them a rich food source for large animals like elephants, who also like to eat the leaves. Its seeds are dispersed by elephants and baboons, who consume and deposit them over long distances.

    Where humans are concerned, the Ilala Palm is commonly tapped for what’s known as “Palm Wine.” The sap is fermented for a few days before the drink is ready to consume. The liquor is rather sour and has a slight effervescence to it – sample at your own risk!

    Young Ilala Palms are useful for other reasons, too. Their fronds are used in basketry and their hard, white seeds are perfect for carving into trinkets, tools and jewellery. In this way, the Ilala Palm also creates industry for local communities.

    Here at Ilala Lodge Hotel, we boast a number of young and mature examples of the Ilala Palm on our grounds. Our sister property, Palm River Hotel, also derives its name from the Ilala Palm. You could say it’s become something of a symbol for us…

    The name was originally suggested by Thelma Newmarch, an interior designer with close ties to our hotel family. She suggested the name because of the abundance of Ilala Palms in our area.

    In a fitting twist, ilala is actually the Ndebele (local language) word for “lie down,” the perfect moniker for us as a hospitality provider. Ilala Lodge Hotel is indeed a place to lay down your head and soak up our warm hospitality.

    Ilala Lodge Hotel, Victoria Falls

    Ilala Lodge Hotel is a luxury, 5-star property conveniently located in the heart of Victoria Falls. We are walking distance from most attractions in town and offer unparalleled service to local and international travellers.

    If you’d like a front seat to Africa’s Adventure Capital, contact us today and start planning your Zimbabwean vacation.

    You can choose between making use of our seamless online booking platform or contacting our friendly reservations team directly via email at onlinereservations@palmriverhotel.com.

    We look forward to welcoming you to Victoria Falls, home to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World!

    Sources: krugerpark.co.za; roundglass.com

  • Your Family-Friendly Vacation at Ilala Lodge Hotel

    Your Family-Friendly Vacation at Ilala Lodge Hotel

    When taking the entire family on vacation, there are a few key factors you’ll want ticked off: Safe spaces for the littlies to run around, convenient amenities that minimise your need to plan, and luxurious lodgings that offer all the comforts of home – plus a little extra.

    As a family-run hotel, we strive to provide you with all of these things, plus more, to ensure you enjoy a holiday that doesn’t feel like a battle for compromise, but a relaxing break where you make wonderful memories together as a family.

    When you leave, we hope it’s with a memory card full of photos and a cup that’s running over.

    Here are a few family-friendly features to look forward to at Ilala Lodge Hotel.

    The Hotel Itself

    Location, location, location.

    We’re a mere 8-minute walk away from Victoria Falls National Park, minimising your need to organise additional transportation while on holiday. (However, if you do need a lift somewhere, the hotel is happy to assist in arranging transfers to anywhere you’re interested in visiting..)

    Being situated in the heart of town places you in the perfect position to explore all that Victoria Falls has to offer, from craft markets and galleries to quaint eateries.

    While relaxing at the hotel (next to one of our dreamy swimming pools, perhaps?) there are spacious lawns for the children to run around while you enjoy a meal at our award-winning Cassia Restaurant – no need to worry about cooking! Our menus also include meals suited to young palettes, like toasted sandwiches and (dare we say it) chocolate brownies with ice-cream…

    Family-Friendly Activities in Victoria Falls

    As one of the primary resorts in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, we’ve got an exciting list of activities up our sleeve, ranging from adrenaline-inducing to scenic and relaxing.

    Planning an itinerary is easy. Mention your activity preferences when booking or swing past our in-house Ilala Lodge Hotel Activities Desk and pick from a list of activities everyone will enjoy. This is Africa’s ‘Adventure Capital,’ after all!

    Ra-Ikane River Cruise

    Our fleet of river cruise boats are the perfect place from which to enjoy a legendary Zimbabwean sunset. These boats exude old-world charm and give you the opportunity to get up-close and personal with the animals and birdlife of the Zambezi River.

    There are 16 seats available on each – perfect for small or large families.

    See The Falls

    This is the ideal activity for all ages and the mighty falls are, after all, why you’re here!

    After entering the park, there are a myriad of walkways that lead you through the rainforest as well as a main Cliff Path that skirts the ravine of the falls and offers you plenty of viewing points from which to gawk at ‘The Smoke That Thunders’. The pathways are well-maintained and suited to all walking abilities.

    Prepare for shrieks of joy when the spray off the water soaks you through when walking along the rainforest pathways. Or pick up a rain poncho at the entrance to the rainforest to ensure you don’t get fully soaked. This is not a drill – it gets really wet out there – and that’s part of the fun.

    We also offer guided tours of the falls for those who want to get the most out of this experience.

    Game-Viewing

    Ilala Lodge Hotel is close to The Victoria Falls National Park and the Zambezi National Park, both of which boast a large variety of animals, including large mammals like elephant, leopard, lion and buffalo.

    Game drives are a hit among old and young alike. We can arrange a variety of packages depending on your needs, from a 3-hour morning or afternoon game drive to a full day trip including a game-viewing cruise, lunch and a game drive. Speak to our Activities Desk or reservations team for more information when booking.

    Cultural Dining

    Our sister property, Palm River Hotel, offers an authentic, African-style barbeque dinner right on the banks of the Zambezi River.
    Enjoy a 3-course meal al fresco as river cruises pass you by on the Zambezi. As the sun sets, your feast will be illuminated by lanterns and the starry night sky. This is a brand new, unmissable offering!

    For more cultural experiences, enquire about the Dusty Roads Township Experience at our Activities desk. For the full list of our adventure-related activities (plus rates), click here.

    Family-Friendly Accommodation in Victoria Falls

    Standard Suites

    Our Standard Suites are located on the top floor of the hotel and have private balconies that offer magnificent views overlooking our gorgeous grounds and Victoria Falls itself. The suites have an ultra-comfortable King-sized bed and an additional ¾ bed is neatly tucked around the corner in a private section of the room.

    For families of 3 +, the Standard Suite is connected to a Standard Twin bedroom via an interleading door. The interconnecting room is equipped with a private bathroom and balcony that overlooks the mist that rises from Victoria Falls.

    Interleading Deluxe Rooms

    Situated in the stylish West Wing, the Deluxe Rooms at Ilala Lodge Hotel ooze old-world charm and sophistication. Ideal for couples, solo travellers and families alike, the Deluxe Rooms feature either twin or double configurations. Guests can opt for interleading rooms offering a door between Double or Twin room configurations.

    The Twin Deluxe Rooms have two three-quarter beds and an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower. The Double Deluxe Rooms have one King-size bed and an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower. All bathrooms have double vanities.

    All rooms have a private patio off the bedrooms where guests can enjoy the stunning sunrise in Victoria Falls.

    Strathearn Suite

    In addition to offering an ideal romantic retreat, this suite can also be transformed into a comfortable and spacious family villa via a pair of interleading doors into a secondary suite and deluxe guest room.

    Stay With Us

    To book your family-friendly vacation with us, simply email reservations@ilalalodge.co.zw with any enquiries.

    If you’re already sold, make use of our seamless online booking platform to lock in your dates.

    We can’t wait to show you all that Victoria Falls has to offer!

  • A First-Timer’s “Must-Do List” in Victoria Falls

    A First-Timer’s “Must-Do List” in Victoria Falls

    If you are looking for an adventurous holiday, Victoria Falls is the perfect destination. (more…)

  • Inspiring the Young Girls of Lupinyo Village

    Inspiring the Young Girls of Lupinyo Village

    We recently had the privilege of hosting a group of young girls from Lupinyo Village for lunch and a tour of Ilala Lodge Hotel. The tour was arranged by the Managing Director of Africa Travel Tours, Leana as well as her husband Lovemore Machipisa. Together the pair are involved in selflessly helping transform the lives of underprivileged girls and orphans from Lupinyo Village in Victoria Falls.

    The Girls of Lupinyo Village visit Victoria Falls with Travel Africa Tours

    Ranging in age from 10 to 14 years old, the girls attend various different schools – Jabulani Primary School, Jabulani Secondary School as well as Mosi Oa Tunya High School. Their tour included a visit to the Natural World Wonder, Victoria Falls as well as lunch and a visit of Ilala Lodge Hotel, as part of an inspiring, motivating, and engaging opportunity that most young individuals living in the town are never afforded. The group of girls visited the waterfall for the very first time. Needless to say they were blown away by what they saw and experienced.

    Experiencing a World Wonder for the very first time!

    Following the tour of the falls, the girls were treated to lunch at Ilala Lodge Hotel and arrived full of stories of what they had seen and done; their eyes were dancing with delight.

    It was also their very first visit to a hotel and they couldn’t contain their excitement. They were astounded at just how luxurious Ilala is and it was so wonderful to witness the sheer joy on their faces as they did their walk around the hotel.  For many, the bathrooms created much excitement, to see both a bath and a shower in one room, a sight they are not familiar with.

    An inspiring tour of Ilala Lodge Hotel 

    It was a heart-warming experience to witness these intelligent and humble young girls on their tour around the hotel. Absolutely everything was a completely new experience for them, and each little element from the chocolates in the mini bar, to the patio to the number of towels turned into sheer delight.  There was much laughter, shrieks of joy and lively chatter on seeing the different room types.

    When they sat down for lunch at the Cassia Restaurant and had their lunch served to them, one could see that this too was an alien yet delightful concept for them.  They dutifully bowed their heads to pray and give thanks before starting to eat.

    A hearty lunch and refreshments enjoyed by the girls at Ilala Lodge Hotel’s Cassia Restaurant

    These girls come from an array of different family backgrounds – each with their own challenges; however, under the guidance of Leana and Lovemore, they are being exposed to so much more of what life can really entail.  Leana has instilled in them a burning desire to yearn for more, to excel in all areas of their lives (especially education) and to not necessarily have to settle for what traditionally is expected of young girls in Zimbabwe.

    Leana feels very passionate about this as she too came from a rural village similar to Lupinyo yet she didn’t let that stand in her way and through hard work, sheer determination and incredible focus she has gone on to become the Managing Director of Africa Travel Tours.

    Leana sets a great example and is a superb role model for such a great initiative as she personally knows exactly how hard it can be to be born a girl in Africa.  She assists in providing school stationary for the girls, helps to provide sanitary ware and ensures they have ample clothing and education. We wish all these girls everything of the very best for their future and look forward to following their journey along the way.

    If you would like to find out more about the work that Leana and Lovemore do for these young girls, or to support them. Please email info@africatravelvicfalls.com.

  • Ilala Cares – November 2021

    Ilala Cares – November 2021

    Linen donations to Victoria Falls District Hospital’s Maternity Ward

    On 2nd November 2021, Ilala Lodge Hotel received a request by the newly-established Hwange District Residents Association (HDRA) to assist with resources for the Victoria Falls District Hospital.

    The hospital was in desperate need of linen donations which would be used to dress the beds of the Maternity Ward of Victoria Falls District Hospital. In swift response, Ilala Lodge Hotel sourced 120 pillowcases and 71 duvet covers and sheets that no longer met the hotel’s standards, though were still adequate for use.

    120 pillowcases and 71 duvet covers and sheets were donated

    Working alongside the Hwange District Residents Association the hotel delivered the donations to the hospital. Sister Patience Lagube received the linen on behalf of the District Medical Officer, Head Sister.

    The linen will be used across the ward to dress the beds that are available to the high number of mothers who visit the hospital.  New and expecting mothers present during the donation were also delighted to see the arrival of the linen, knowing this would make their stay, and many mothers to follow, more comfortable during their prenatal, delivery and antenatal care at the hospital.

    The linen will be used to dress the beds of the Victoria Falls District Hospital Maternity Ward

    The dedicated team of midwives at the Maternity Ward of Victoria Falls District Hospital work tirelessly to safely deliver over 100 babies per month. As part of our #IlalaCares initiative, we look forward to continuing to support the Victoria Falls Hospital and other worthy causes wherever we can.

  • Ilala Lodge Hotel celebrates 30 years!

    Ilala Lodge Hotel celebrates 30 years!

    Our family hotel in the heart of Victoria Falls has bloomed into a popular accommodation choice for tourists from across the world, amounting from decades of combined expertise, passion and determination.

    To honour 30 years of Ilala Lodge Hotel, we hosted an intimate event at the hotel on Monday 4th October, to share our appreciation to our travel industry partners who have kept Ilala flourishing over the decades.

    The evening event saw the Ilala Lodge Hotel pool side lounge decorated with 60 of our long-standing travel partners made up of agents, Destination Management Companies (DMC’s) and industry providers who have been part of the hotel’s great journey. Guests travelled from locations across the region including Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Livingstone, Maun, Harare and Victoria Falls to join the celebrations.

    Opening the event, hotel owner Jim Brown expressed his gratitude to guests for their contribution to the on-going success and longevity of the establishment, in particular for their loyalty in the past 18 months during Covid-19.

    Jim continued to express his appreciation to the commitment of the Ilala Lodge Hotel staff, as he commented, “Our most important cog in the machinery of a successful hotel is its staff. Hospitality is a people business, but the staff and management are by far the most essential ingredient in making for a prosperous hotel.

    During the event, two of the hotel’s longest serving members of staff were praised for their loyal service, having been with the company since it began in 1991. Peter (Front of House) and Basil (Barman) have worked at the hotel and watched it develop through the past three decades overcoming good times and bad. In recent Covid-19 times, the pair showed admirable willingness to adapt and diversify their job positions, taking on new roles as builders assistants, gardeners and painters during quieter times of Covid last year.

    An evening of networking and reconnecting with fellow colleagues unfolded and guests expressed their excitement to Ilala for providing the opportunity for industry partners to be reunited after months of separation due to travel restrictions.

    In addition to delicious canapes and drinks, the evening was filled with much laughter and joy – in honour of the grand milestone Ilala has achieved in the past 30 years. And on that celebratory note, we thoroughly look forward to entering the next chapter of the Ilala Lodge Hotel legacy.

    30 years of Ilala Lodge Hotel

    The hotel’s history dates back to 1991 where it first began as a boutique hotel with 16 rooms, owned by the Brown family. Since then, the hotel has grown from 16 rooms to 32 in 1994, and then in 2015 it expanded to a total of 56 rooms with the newest Deluxe wing. In 2018 we welcomed the latest expansion bringing the hotel to a total of 73 rooms made up of standard, deluxe rooms and suites.

    Front of Hotel – THEN
    Front of Hotel – NOW

     

    Due to a global social media blackout, the livestream shared with travel colleagues around the world was interrupted, however we were able to capture the joy and excitement of the event in the images included here.

  • 5 Romantic Things to do in Vic Falls

    5 Romantic Things to do in Vic Falls

    The most romantic day of the year is just days away and if you are looking for a special place to celebrate, be sure to check out our most luxurious offering, the Strathearn Suite. And if you are looking for things to do in Victoria Falls, we have 5 ideas that will appeal to the romantic in you, whenever you visit Victoria Falls!


    (more…)

  • A Series of Sunrises Over Victoria Falls

    A Series of Sunrises Over Victoria Falls

    Victoria Falls has an abundance of beauty – from magical rainbows, incredible sunsets and thundering sheets of water, it is a truly spectacular sight. What the Victoria Falls also does really well is show-stopping sunrises! However, these are a little harder to see in person as our beds are so super comfortable, we completely understand if you want to lie in them for a little longer! That is why we are putting together a year-long series showcasing the spectacular sunrises of the Victoria Falls so you can watch the changing of the seasons…and all captured by drone just for you.

    April

    The dawn of a new video series!

    May

    See a stunning rainbow and a tower of rising pink spray in this month’s sunrise

    June

    At the mid-point through winter, the majestic Victoria Falls continues to cascade with its mighty grandeur

    July

    July In this month’s sunrise video ☀️ you will notice a lot less spray AND less water falling over the edge of Victoria Falls. This is because the Zambezi River has recorded its lowest water levels for July 2019, compared to previous years!

    Low water levels mean you’ll experience spectacular sightings of the rock formation behind the falls, as well as the perfect conditions for many water activities such as white-water rafting!

    August

    August marks the midpoint of the dry season in Victoria Falls! Months without rainfall result in the lowest water levels of the Zambezi River in decades! Wildlife, such as the buffalo seen in this video, scour the dry landscape in search of water to drink. While the Falls are at their lowest, this Natural World Wonder is still an incredible sight to behold!

    September

    We thought that August would be the lowest point of the year, but the Zambezi River has dropped further this month, but it is still as impressive as ever in September!

    October

    The mighty Victoria Falls waterfall is flowing at its lowest since 1996! Even during the driest season of the year, the Zimbabwean side of this World Wonder is still a breathtaking sight to see. Water levels are expected to drop further until the rains begin to fill the catchment areas upstream, so keep watching our monthly videos to see these dramatic changes!

    November

    This month, the water levels of the Zambezi River are starting to increase ever so slightly with the first rains arriving!

  • Ilala Cares – November 2019

    Ilala Cares – November 2019

    At Ilala Lodge Hotel, we like to try and do “our bit” of good where we can for our staff, community and environment.

    VFAPU Pop-Up Dinner

    For the last five years, Ilala Lodge Hotel has been part of the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit’s fundraising dinner. This is quite the event on the local calendar, as all the top chefs from all of the top restaurants in Victoria Falls team up together to do a combined dinner at different locations. This year, around 140 people who were taken to various secret locations around Victoria Falls, each reflecting travel and various countries e.g one location they were on a plane, then arrived in France which was hosted by Ilala Lodge Hotel, hen Mexico, then Afro Asia and finally Italy for dessert which was by The 3 Monkeys.

    Tree Planting

    As part of a Greenline Africa initiative, we have been busy planting mahogany trees around Victoria Falls this month.