For a Victoria Falls trip, the choice is not only how to see the cascades, but where to stay between excursions. In a Condé Nast Traveler report by Charukesi Ramadurai, Mpala Jena Private Villas emerge as a quieter, river-centered base, while the town offers restaurants, tours and easier proximity to the falls.
The distinction is useful if you are deciding between a stay focused on town and one built around time on the Zambezi. Ramadurai describes Victoria Falls town as busier than expected, while her stay at Mpala Jena brought wildlife encounters, including elephants swimming across the river during the boat transfer. Those sightings are personal experiences, not a guarantee for future guests.
What a Villa Stay Includes
The report says two private villas opened in late 2025, a few minutes upstream from Mpala Jena safari camp. Ramadurai stayed in a three-bedroom villa on a private island. Its design combines Puglia-inspired drystone walls and conical roofs with African decor and thatching.
The villa has a central living and dining area, three suites with outdoor bathing areas and verandahs, and a swimming pool beside a bar with river views. Its hospitality team includes a butler, bartender, chef and nature guide. Camp manager Savanah Du Preez told Ramadurai that guests could choose when and what to eat, as well as which activities to do.
The boat transfer itself may be part of the experience: Ramadurai saw two elephants crossing the Zambezi. The falls are reachable from the villa by boat in about 30 minutes or by 4x4 in about 90 minutes through the national park. The drive can also function as a game drive, although conditions matter. During the writer’s visit at the end of the monsoon season, many trails were muddy and closed to vehicles; the main route still offered wildlife sightings.
Compare the Stay to Your Priorities
A private, three-bedroom setup with a pool and shared spaces may suit travelers who want room to spend time at the property. If you expect to spend most of your time in town or want to be near its restaurants and activities, a town hotel may fit better.
The article lists Mpala Jena Private Villas at $6,370, all-inclusive, but does not state the price period or occupancy basis. It lists the 149-room Victoria Falls Hotel in town at doubles from $760, with views of the gorge. Those figures describe different accommodations and should not be treated as a direct comparison without clarifying dates, occupancy and what is included.
Before choosing, ask the property or a travel planner for a dated quote that confirms the villa’s occupancy, inclusions, transfer arrangements and available park routes. Then compare that with a town stay based on how much time you want to spend near the falls versus beside the river. Which would shape your trip more: town access or a private riverside base?
Source image: Condé Nast Traveler.