In 1898, the Old Drift (originally known as Sekute's Drift) was used as a crossing point across the great Zambezi River between what is known today as Zimbabwe and Zambia. This drift was located about seven kilometres or four miles upstream from the colossal Victoria Falls and was mainly used by traders, missionaries, and everyone travelling north from Bulawayo to Chief Sekute’s village – which would later become the town of Livingstone in Zambia. It became one of the busiest crossing points of its time, as supplies were ferried by swimming oxen pulling their wagons across the Zambezi. A settlement known as Old Drift took shape but was abandoned years later by the settlers who relocated to bigger towns. Mother Nature reclaimed the area and returned Old Drift to its original state.
More than a century later, Old Drift Lodge now stands on this piece of historic river bank just upstream from the world’s biggest waterfall. The front of this luxury safari lodge boasts 360-degree views over the gorgeous Zambezi River. The lodge exudes an old-world charm among modern luxuries like air conditioning, private plunge pools and Wi-Fi.
Old Drift is an unfenced, yet family-friendly lodge ideally situated in the Zambezi National Park, providing you the opportunity to explore this exquisite natural world on 4x4 game drives, river boat safaris and guided nature walks. Be humbled by nature’s supreme masterpiece on a guided tour of Victoria Falls, before sitting down for lunch at the Lookout Café – perched 120 metres or 394 feet above the renowned Batoka Gorge.
Adrenaline seekers will revel in optional adventure activities such as canopy tours, white-water rafting and visiting Livingstone Island where you can swim in Devil’s Pool. End your day with a dazzling helicopter flight over the Falls at sunset, known as the Flight of Angels.
