N1 Hotel Review: Best Budget Place for Backpackers in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

For those who want to explore Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, N1 Hotel & Campsite – Victoria Falls is the best option. As most of you noticed, since we started our Africa trip, we usually stay in boutique and 5-star hotels but the N1 hotel is a budget place and it is like a home for us! It is great for the budget, has a convenient location, and offers wonderful experiences for all travelers.

We arrived from Harare after booking a last minute flight. It is only an hour and we were so happy that N1 Hotel was still able to reserve a room for us despite the changes on our schedule. As you know, our trip to Victoria Falls has been changed at the last minute because of what happened at the Nairobi Airport. But that is okay because we made new friends and we eventually made it to our destination.

N1 Hotel – Victoria Falls also arranged an airport pick-up for us for $25 from the airport to the main town and $20 return to the airport.

Good to know: If you are coming here to see the Victoria Falls, the best way to explore its entirety is to get a UniVisa, which allows you to multiple entries to Zimbabwe and Zambia. Victoria Falls spans both countries. A UniVisa is valid for 30 days and you can cross Zimbabwe and Zambia as frequently as you like. The standard fee is $50. Bring it in cash! You can obtain it from either of the two countries.

However, we did not have enough cash and failed to withdraw here because of the whole country, in general, has a shortage of cash. So a good tip is to use your card here or bring lots of cash.

But as we were about to cross the street, there were guys who tried to sell “old currency” to us and since haggling is my expertise, I was able to buy four different old money for 2 USD + 1 Pen + Kinder Bueno Chocolate. It was fun. And what did we do with the money? Instead of eating at a local restaurant, we opted for KFC because we saw they have gravy! HAHA!

The Fun Never Stops Here

At the hotel, we met the brilliant and charismatic General Manager, Matthew Hofmeyr. He arranged some cool stuff for us including a sundowner with his friens, and he even jumped with me for a tandem Gorge Swing by Wild Horizons – a one-of-a-kind and nerve-wracking experience! The gorge swing is a 95 m long and 120 m high swing. The gorge is about 316 m wide and 120 m deep. Is it scary? Definitely!

But that is not all, I did another crazy thing – Crocodile Cage Diving with Paul Teasdale, a Zimbabwean Athlete. I managed to touch and feed the crocodiles, which are more than 30 years old. It was my first time to dive with crocodiles just a few inches away from me! I do not usually do animal interactions like this but the crocodiles here are properly looked after. The water was so cold and I did the dive with my red lipstick!

But of course, throughout this trip, the true highlight is seeing the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Victoria Falls. We spent almost three hours strolling and taking photos in the park. Victoria Falls is 108 m high and it is located in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is spectacular. Twice the size of the Niagara Falls, it produces the world’s largest sheet of falling water.

Also in this area, we saw the famous bridge that connects Zambia and Zimbabwe. We went on a beautiful Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River, too. Again, this river is in between the two countries. We were picked up at N1 Hotel by the Flatdog Lodge shuttle who is the same company who owns and arranged the boat cruise. We saw elephants eating, playing, and swimming, and a lot of hippos, and then we watched the sunset while drinking Savanah Cider! Yum!

Every day there was just a good day filled with cool activities. I wish to come back with Jonathan but he has been here when he was a kid!

The Rooms

Obviously, we really had a great time here. We did a lot of things and days were busy. Fortunately, we found a really nice home at N1 Hotel.

It is nothing fancy but it is the answer to your prayers if you want a clean and comfortable budget accommodation that is close to Victoria Falls.

The 22 air-conditioned rooms are basic. Each has a flat-screen LCD TV with satellite channels, coffee makers, en-suite bathroom, and Wi-Fi access. Choose from Standard Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, and Superior Rooms. Double and Twin Room options are available. Daily housekeeping is provided, too.

The Facilities

The good location is the best virtue of N1 Hotel – Victoria Falls but you do not have to go outside to have your essentials taken care of.

A sparkling outdoor swimming pool with a sun terrace is on-site. It is a nice place to enjoy the sun and have some rest. It is surrounded by lush manicured gardens, too. You cannot be wandering around all the time, right? And for your downtime, this is the best place to be!

There are also barbecue facilities that you can use, as well as a shared lounge, convenience store, gift shop, and laundromat. For utmost convenience, N1 Hotel also offers 24-hour check-in and front desk services.

Meanwhile, an electric fence secures the campsite and it is patrolled at night by a security company. It has ample parking for private and overland vehicles.

The Food

Full breakfast is served at the hotel for an extra charge. If you want to eat out, the nearest restaurants are The Three Monkeys and Naam Took. You can walk to the city center and explore the many restaurants there, too.

Area Guide

Victoria Falls – A natural wonder of the world, Victoria Falls is a tourist magnet. The raging waters are a spectacle to behold. You could simply watch it or go on an adventure and try rafting or bungee jumping over it.

Victoria Falls Bridge – This famous bridge links Zimbabwe and Zambia. It crosses the Zambezi River just below Victoria Falls. It is 198 m long and was completed in 1905.

Victoria Falls National Park – This national park extends in the Zambezi River in the area of Victoria Falls. It features a lush rainforest with ferns, palms, and mahogany. Wild animals thrive here, too. On safaris, you can see elephants, antelopes, hippopotamus, and buffalos.

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park – This park is on the Zambia side. It features a section of the falls called The Eastern Cataract. But the best thing to do here is to experience crossing the Knife-Edge Bridge. It feels like you are walking along an island in the sky!

Victoria Falls Field Museum – Learn about the history of the region and the formation of the massive falls by taking a walk around this nice museum.

Helicopter Rides and Microlights – Get the best view of the thundering waterfalls from above through a helicopter ride or microlights. A microlight is a motorized hang-glider. There are no windows or screens – just the pilot, you, and the air. A must-do activity!

Devil’s Pool – Set on the edge of Victoria Falls, a bath in this pool is the ultimate adrenaline experience. It is a 100 m drop and the view is amazing but the only thing is it’s in Zambia side and you have to cross the border!

Elephant’s Walk – This is a vibrant shopping and artist villaginset on a nice tropical garden courtyard. It has a great variety of curious items that will fascinate you.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About N1 Hotel – Victoria Falls

1. How much is accommodation at N1 Hotel?

Room rates can be viewed kach.howe@gtravelgurus.com

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