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Change from Royal Livingstone to Mukwa River Lodge

tamid

Our Botswana, South Africa & Zambia tour begins June 6, 2026, and we were just informed that our stay has been changed from the Royal Livingstone to Mukwa River Lodge.

I was really looking forward to the Royal Livingstone experience, especially being able to walk to Victoria Falls and having wildlife right on the property, so this was a bit disappointing news to receive.

Has anyone stayed at Mukwa River Lodge recently or have any insights they can share? I would really appreciate hearing about the experience. I've looked online but there is not much out there about Mukwa River Lodge.

Thank you in advance for any feedback.

Comments

British

Mukwa looks great. We have stayed at the Royal Livingstone and you must realize it’s an old hotel with quite crummy rooms, it’s a place you can say you have stayed at and that’s all. We have been to Vic Falls three times, two with Tauck, one of them in Zimbabwe. The third time a couple of years ago with another company, we stayed at a fantastic hotel, much nice than either of the Tauck hotels. There were views over a waterhole where we saw many elephants gathering in the darkness. They also had a regular daily feeding of vultures which was sanctioned by the government because they are endangered. As that time approached, many many vultures of different kinds gathered ready to pounce on the food, it was a great experience. Maybe the alternate hotel has some merits too.

AlanS

Ouch! That is too bad :'( - much father than all the Falls attractions (helo and microlight flights, dining with elephants, walking with lions, bungee jumping the gorge, walk to the falls from hotel grounds (actually via Avani's grounds), walk over the bridge to Zimbabwe, etc. etc. though I suspect they will provide transit to the area of the Falls if you go early.

In 2018 taxare stayed at the Royal Chundu which is another 45 min. up-river/west of Mukwa. He thought it was nice but also far outside Livingstone. His forum thread is at the link. You can compare the resort write-up/reviews with the one for the Mukwa. Mukwa appears more like what you will experience on tour (glamping). I offer this for the distance from Livingstone info and impact. https://forums.tauck.com/discussion/comment/44555#Comment_44555

British

Oh dear, my apologies, I am getting this mixed up with the Victoria Falls hotel, That was the one I was referring to in my post. Yes, the Royal Livingstone does have all those things going for it, The accommodation still looks nicer at the Mukwa.

tamid

I am sure the Mukwa is a very nice hotel but I was so looking forward to staying at the Royal Livingstone because of its location. Mukwa is in the middle of nothing. I would much rather have a glass of wine and look at zebras walking around the grounds than a nicer room where I only plan to sleep! Just disappointed but I will get over it and we will make the best of it.

ginger_201

Tamid, based on recent rainfall data, the 2026 flood season in the Okavango Delta is forecast to be an exceptionally high-water year — and I'll be arriving just two weeks after you. This year's record floods mean our experience will look quite different from past trip reports. I'm sure Victoria Falls will be thundering well above normal!

Some outlets are already calling the 2026 Okavango Delta a once-in-a-lifetime photographer's dream, and I think they're right. It's going to be something truly rare and special to witness. The hotel may not be what you hoped for, but what's waiting for us out there absolutely will be!

tamid

Ginger_201, love, love, love your perspective!

Lotusgirl

Mukwa looks very nice - there are quite a few reviews on Trip Advisor.
With high water flowing at the Falls, you may want to consider a helicopter flight over them.
This is an amazing tour. Enjoy!

British

And prepare to get drenched even if you wear rain gear

Smiling Sam

Just back from the SA: Elegant Adventure tour. Can confirm that the water levels at Victoria Falls are amazing. I opted for the helicopter ride, which was amazing.

The people who opted for the falls walk, as British said, got drenched even with rain gear. Several people opted out of the rain gear just to keep cooler, accepting you're getting drenched with it or without it.