Hannah Tan-Gillies ventured into the lush African landscapes of Zambia for a magical stay at Avani Victoria Falls, where she met wild animals, jumped off a 128sq m bridge and went on a private helicopter ride above a Seven Natural Wonder.

If you have ever dreamed of travelling to Zambia/Zimbabwe to visit Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, then Avani Victoria Falls is just the place for you. This magical hotel is the closest hotel to the falls’ most eastern point, where you can access the falls via a quick five-minute walk from your room.

Part of the hugely expanding Minor Hotels Group, Avani Victoria Falls is all about offering a warm and friendly luxurious stays minus all the pomp of other five-star luxury hotels. It is approachable luxury without being too stuffy and we are totally here for the low-key vibes.

Upon check-in, guests are greeted by a group of traditional Zambian tribal dancers – a characteristically warm Avani welcome and a precursor for what’s to come. Unlike most five-star hotels in Southern Africa, which predominantly boast a more colonial style of architecture, Avani Victoria Falls embraces African culture and all its colours too. Most of the buildings feature red earth, which reflects the traditional materials used to construct the African palaces of the past.

Check-in is done at the grand lobby, which gives you a view of the estate. From here you are driven via buggy through the grounds, meeting wild giraffes, impalas and zebras along the way. Believe us, the novelty of waking up and opening your windows to wild zebras grazing right outside your doorstep does not fade away.

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Most of the rooms and suites boast garden views, and all look towards the central courtyard which is home to these magnificent beasts. We stayed in one of the classic rooms, which are cosy, colourful and reflect the same Arabian/African influences as the public spaces. There is air-conditioning (a must), free wifi, and a suite of luxury amenities. All the rooms face a large lagoon-like pool which sits at the centre of the space here and is the perfect spot to relax, read a book and work on your tan.

In terms of dining options, there is the Theatre of Food, Poolside Restaurant and the incredible Makani Boma Dinner – which invites guests to indulge in a traditional Zambian feast under the stars. It is truly the best way to discover the region’s colourful cuisine.

Thanks to its Victoria Falls location, there is plenty for travellers to do at Avani Victoria Falls. You can go bungee jumping off Victoria Falls Bridge, you can go on a river sunset cruise (with unlimited drinks) and watch the hippos and crocs by the Zambezi River. Shying away from the bungee, we tried the ‘Golden Swing’ which is a less extreme though no less death-defying feat than. After all, what better place to go into a 128sq m freefall than above one of Seven Natural Wonders of the World?

During our stay, we were lucky enough to embark on a private helicopter ride over Victoria Falls. The helicopter gave us an incredible bird’s eye view of the falls, giving perspective to its majesty. It was truly a bucket-list worthy experience to remember and we highly recommend it for honeymooners looking to make once-in-a-lifetime memories.

While our stay at Avani Victoria Falls may have been brief, it is truly one we will never forget – and that is thanks to the incredible natural surroundings, incredible animals and people that have made our stay truly magical. Avani Victoria Falls is a true African dream – one that we wish we didn’t have to wake up from.

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Rooms at Avani Victoria Falls Resort start from USD 396 per room per night based on two sharing. To book, please call +260 213 321 122, email victoriafalls@avanihotels.com or visit avanihotels.com/en/victoria-falls

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