Imagine waking up in the morning to the sounds of nature, stepping out of your room and seeing a bunch of giraffes having their breakfast just in front of your doorstep! Our stay at the Royal Livingstone by Anantara Hotels in Zambia has been one of my absolute favorite travel moments of the whole year! In this hotel review you’ll find out why you have to put this hotel to your bucket list!

My Hotel Review of The Royal Livingstone by Anantara

Location

Nestled within the breathtaking Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park at the Zambezi River, The Royal Livingstone by Anantara is a jewel just a quick 20-minute drive from the Livingstone Airport in Zambia where we got welcomed and picked up by one of the incredibly friendly staff members. The hotel is just steps away from the majestic Victoria Falls and close to the border to Zimbabwe.

The Concept: Where Luxury Meets the Wild

While staying at the Royal Livingstone, you will literally sleep in the heart of the national park alongside the Zambezi River, where zebras, giraffes, and monkeys freely roam the grounds. Each morning we woke up to up to another animal encounter just outside our room. Dinners by the Zambezi river will treat you to the sight of hippos while you’re fully immersed in the beauty of this unique nature. This perfect mix of relaxation and adventure creates an unforgettable stay which we never experienced anywhere else.

The animals living in the resort are truly wild and can not be touched or feed which makes it a truly unique experience to be so close to these gracious beings. Luckily there are no wild cats living in this park and hippos will kept put thanks to fences at the river bank. This is to keep the animals and visitors safe while you can still watch them in their natural habitat from a close but safe distance.

The hotel sparks a wonderful 1900’s style safari elegance which will make you feel like stepping back in time. You feel the special energy from the very moment you set foot in the open lobby to see the first glimpse of the lush garden with the pool and the Zambezi river behind it.

The Pool

The resort’s beautiful pool, adorned with elegant sun beds, offers a spectacular panorama of the Zambezi River, which is especially breathtaking at sunset. Wild Zebras occasionally walk around the pool to eat the fresh green grass on the property, adding a touch of the wild to your leisurely poolside relaxation

The Royal Livingstone Spa

I absolutely loved the Royal Livingstone Spa, where all treatments take place in wooden cabanas, right by the Zambezi River. The soothing sounds of flowing water accompanied with a heavenly Zambian massage, let me dream away after our long travel day and I felt really connected to nature. I highly recommend to schedule an appointment during your visit – you will love it!

Activities

During your stay at the Royal Livingstone you can enjoy a daily dose of adventure if you’re in the mood for it, thanks to its unique location next to the Victoria Falls. With a private entrance to the falls, guests can explore the iconic landmark from sunrise to sunset, free of charge. Other thrilling options include a boat tour to the thrilling Devils Pool, a helicopter ride over the falls or crossing the border to Zimbabwe for an unparalleled views over the falls or a safari. That’s why I’d highly recommend to stay at least 5 nights at the Royal Livingstone in Zambia to have enough time to fully enjoy and experience this amazing part of Zambia.

→ Here you can find my whole guide about how to visit the Victoria Falls

Rooms & Suites at The Royal Livingstone Hotel

Premier Garden Balcony Room

We stayed in a Premier Garden Balcony Room on the first floor which is the entry level room category but still luxurious. The spacious bedroom features a cozy bed surrounded by mosquito nets, complemented by a safari-style interior. The bathroom has a rain shower and even a bathtub. From the balcony you overlook the Zambezi River and often you can even watch the playful monkeys.

While tap water in Zambia should generally not be consumed or even used to brush your teeth you can DRINK the water straight from the sink during your stay at the Royal Livingstone. This is thanks to a filtration & purification system the hotel uses for all their water outlets so yo never have to worry about upsetting your stomach.

Livingstone Junior Suite

Our final night was elevated with an upgrade to the Livingstone Junior Suite. Located on the ground floor with a terrace offering river views, this 52 sqm haven featured an open layout, a freestanding bathtub, and a living area. The open bathroom, discreetly tucked behind a wall, added an extra touch of elegance.

Breakfast & Restaurants

The Old Drift Restaurant

The main restaurant, Old Drift, offers a buffet breakfast and à la carte lunch and dinner, showcasing a blend of international and locally inspired cuisine. The breakfast buffet had a fresh cooking station for omelettes and Co as well as international choices. I loved to enjoy the breakfast outside on the terrace overlooking the green garden and Zambezi River.

Kubu

Kubu, our personal favorite, stands on a dock by the river bank, offering unparalleled sunset views and glimpses of hippos in the water. The menu features local dishes, creating a culinary experience as mesmerizing as the surroundings. The number of tables is very limited and the service is exceptional for a truly luxurious feeling. Nevertheless the menu wasn’t overpriced but surprisingly affordable!

Dining by Design

For an intimate dining experience, the Royal Livingstone offers private dining at stunning spots such as a swimming pier in the Zambezi River or a private Zambian BBQ under the stars, which is the absolute dream definition of a romantic dinner. You can even enjoy your breakfast at the floating pier which is super peaceful!

The Royal Livingstone Lounge

In true 1920s style, The Royal Livingstone Lounge and Bar is an elegant space for evening drinks or light snacks during the day.

Résumé of our stay at The Royal Livingstone by Anantara

The Royal Livingstone by Anantara Hotels is not just a stay; it’s a captivating journey into the heart of Africa, where luxury seamlessly merges with wildlife and adventures, creating memories that are unforgettable. It is an extraordinary place for a romantic getaway for everyone who loves to enjoy the wilderness and natural beauty of Africa like nowhere else!

→ Click here to book your stay at The Royal Livingstone by Anantara Hotels

We had a sponsored stay at The Royal Livingstone by Anantara which doesn’t influence my opinion in this hotel review.

Over the last few years, we’ve had the privilege to stay in numerous unique hotels around the world. I am often asked about my absolute favorite hotel and although I can’t answer this question easily, one hotel comes always to mind: The Kruger Shalati, better known as the “Train on the Bridge” hotel in the middle of the Kruger National Park in South Africa. In this hotel review, you’ll find out what makes the Kruger Shalati so unique!

My Hotel Review of the Kruger Shalati, Train on the Bridge Hotel

Location & Accessibility

The location of the Kruger Shalati is one of the reasons that make this safari boutique hotel so unique: It is located in the heart of the Kruger National Park in South Africa with a fantastic view over the valley of the Sabie River.

The Kruger Shalati is only 5km from Skukuza Airport or 110km from Kruger Mpumalanga Airport. From Skukuza Airport a free transfer is offered for hotel guests. However, we were traveling with our own car as we had been exploring the beautiful Mpumalanga area beforehand, which I highly recommend!

The Concept of the Kruger Shalati

As the name “Kruger Shalati – The Train on the Bridge” suggests, most of the rooms are in fact located in a train on a historic train connection bridge from the 1920s. Although the Kruger Shalati was only opened in its current form 100 years later in 2020, it still exudes the elegant charm of the Golden 20s. At the same time, the interior is top modern & the rooms in the train are much more spacious than one might expect. But you will find more details about it in the section “Suites” of the hotel review.

The direct contact to the animal world can be felt constantly during your visit of the Kruger Shalati! Due to the unique location on a bridge, above the Sabie River valley, wildlife can be seen and heard at any time of the day. At noon, herds of elephants move along the river to eat fresh grass and cool off. While doing so, they walk directly under the bridge. But also hippos, crocodiles, water buffalos and many other species can be observed directly from the room or restaurant.

photos by Janik Alheit

Pools

There are a total of three pools at Kruger Shalati, which provide an ideal way to cool off in the afternoon. The most impressive pool is without a doubt the one located in the center of the train bridge. The middle train compartments have been converted into a bar and lounge, and on the attached outdoor platform is the terrace with the pool at a lofty height. It is also the ideal location to enjoy the view over the valley and wildlife. The view is especially beautiful during the early morning sunrise.

Safari

Due to its unique location, the Kruger Shalati is the ideal starting point for safari game drives, which take place twice a day and are included for all guests. The whole experience takes place in a very small and personal setting. On each drive you have the same personal guide and in each car there is only a small number of guests, which is usually not the case on other safari tours.

The first game drive takes place early in the morning at sunrise and the second in the late afternoon until sunset. This is due to the fact that the animals are most active during dawn and dusk and therefore easier to spot.

Of course, there is no obligation to participate and those who prefer to sleep in on a day can do so as well. But we did not miss a single game drive! It is an incredible feeling to get so close to nature. Unfortunately we didn’t see the whole Big Five, as the leopards & rhinos were hiding from us. But we were lucky to see many other highlights, such as a pack of wild dogs, which are extremely rare to see. There are only about 150 individuals living in the 20,000 square kilometer (215,000 square ft) area of the Kruger National Park. → To put this number into perspective, Kruger National Park is home to 14,000 elephants and 1,500 lions.

photos by Janik Alheit

Unlike other safari destinations, the National Park has strict rules to protect the flora & fauna. This includes that you have to stay in the car at all times (you are only allowed to get out at certain points) and you are never allowed to leave the roads during the safari. It is therefore not possible to follow or approach a wild animal as soon as it retreats back into the bush. Also, the guides must never intentionally attract the attention of a wild animal by calling or making sounds. Humans should have as little impact on wildlife as possible. But don’t worry, you will still have incredible encounters!

photos by Janik Alheit

The Suites at the Kruger Shalati

The Kruger Shalati is a small and cozy hotel. There are only 31 rooms in total, 24 of which are the popular Train Suites and seven Bridge House Suites, which are not directly on the bridge.

The Train Suites

Upon entering our train suite number 22, my first thought was “Wow, I wouldn’t have imagined it to be so spacious!”. Beyond the small entry area is the bedroom with huge windows and a balcony. Following this is the bathroom with rain shower, separate toilet and a bathtub with a view! In addition, there is a small chill lounge with minibar. You almost forget that you are in a train compartment as it has been so cleverly designed. The decor is also cozy, stylish and modern. It combines historical elements from the 1920s with African art.

The hotel does not have its own spa area, but wellness treatments can be booked in the room.

photos by Janik Alheit

Breakfast & Restaurant

The Kruger Shalati is an all-inclusive safari hotel of a special kind, because not only the daily game drives are included, but also any meals and high-quality wines and spirits. The food left us speechless: the dishes are new every day and incredibly high in quality. The hotel is recommended by the MICHELIN Guide for good reason!

It all starts with a pre-safari snack in the early morning with coffee and tea, followed by an extensive à la carte & buffet breakfast upon return. Lunch was always light for me to leave room for Afternoon High Tea on the pool deck. The highlight each day was dinner after the last game drive: right by the campfire, under the stars, while reviewing the day and enjoying the unique, daily different food. Local ingredients are used and there is a choice of at least three hot dishes, plus appetizers and dessert. Additional choices are available for vegetarians.

So you see, you will not have to be hungry at any time and thanks to the changing menu, the food is always varied.

photos by Janik Alheit

Additionally, there is a break during each safari and snacks and drinks are served here as well. I especially remember our last sunset, which we enjoyed high on a hill above the savannah, with an Amarula in hand, while the sky shone in the greatest colors. A moment I will never forget in my life!

photo by Janik Alheit

Résumé of our stay at the Kruger Shalati, Train on the Bridge Hotel.

An unforgettable safari experience in the heart of the Kruger National Park! The warmth we experienced at the Kruger Shalati, the wonderful service, the lovingly prepared food, the top qualified guides and of course the luxurious setting and the special location, make the Kruger Shalati one of the best hotels I have ever had the pleasure to experience! It is the many small details that make the Kruger Shalati, Train on the Bridge Hotel so unique. The hotel is especially suitable for couples and friends who want to enjoy complete tranquility and retreat into nature.

→ Book your stay at the Kruger Shalati here!

We had a sponsored stay at the Kruger Shalati, but this does not influence my opinion and review about the hotel. On my blog I share only my personal and unbiased opinion!