by Conor Walsh & Mahider Tadesse
At Avani Victoria Falls Resort, business meets leisure in an unparalleled blend of professional amenities, natural beauty, and luxury comfort.
The resort’s quirky architecture is a distinctive mix of red stucco walls, colorful furniture, local art, and flourishes of Oriental decadence that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who visits.
The conference center has been hosting international events for decades, providing a unique setting with all the modern equipment you’ll need and a dedicated staff on-hand to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Oh, and the Avani is just 450 meters from Victoria Falls. So, participants can spend their free time on leisurely strolls to one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders.
Quick Facts
- Avani Victoria Falls Resort is the closest hotel to Victoria Falls on the Zambia side of the Zambezi River. It’s a 10-minute drive from Livingstone and a 25-minute drive from Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport.
- The conference center has 6,387 sq ft/ 593 m² total conferencing space spread across 11 rooms and outdoor gardens.
- There’s a private path from the hotel to the entrance of the falls, which takes six minutes to walk.
- The resort has 212 sleeping rooms, ranging from standard rooms to four luxury suites.
- Avani Victoria Falls is twinned with The Royal Livingstone Hotel – the grandest, most luxurious hotel on the banks of the Zambezi. You can walk or take a golf cart between the two.
Prime Location
The Avani Victoria Falls Resort boasts a location like no other – just 450 meters away from the Falls!
However, despite being located right next to the busiest tourist attraction in Zambia, the Avani is an oasis of tranquility. The expansive gardens and lush forestry surrounding the hotel completely cut you off from the outside. The only noise you’ll hear is the chirping of the local birds.
In the evenings, the Avani enjoys breathtaking sunsets. You’ll also spot zebras and giraffes roaming freely and grazing throughout the grounds.
Guests can also pop next door to the Royal Livingstone Hotel, one of the most stunning hotels in Zambia. The hotels are a short distance apart, with golf carts available to shuttle guests and event participants between them.
When your participants are ready for sightseeing, a short stroll from the resort will bring them to the edge of Victoria Falls. Walking there takes roughly five minutes, and they can visit as often as they like – morning, noon, or night.
The resort also boasts easy access to key attractions, such as Victoria Falls Bridge (for scenic photo shoots and bungee jumping), Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, and Zambezi River cruises.
Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport is only 25 minutes away. The Avani can also organize shuttle buses to anywhere in or around Livingstone.
Versatile Events and Conference Spaces
- Meeting spaces: 11
- Largest capacity room: 500pax
The Avani Victoria Falls Resort boasts a dynamic and state-of-the-art conference center perfectly suited for a wide variety of events – from corporate retreats and exclusive private gatherings to grand international conventions.
The conference center is a stone’s throw from the main resort and seamlessly connected through beautifully designed pathways. Participants staying at the hotel will appreciate the short walk from their rooms to the event spaces.
Avani has 11 event and meeting rooms in the main conference center. Four of these can be combined into a main exhibition hall with capacity for up to 650pax. Smaller meeting rooms are available with capacities ranging from 10-100pax.
Avani Victoria Falls Resort also takes pride in its expansive outdoor venues. You have the choice between three garden areas. The gardens can be configured for up to 500pax. They can be used as standalone event spaces or combined with the indoor facilities for a post-event soiree in the crisp Zambian evening sun.
Every indoor and outdoor space has the latest AV, networking, and presentation equipment. And the hotel’s dedicated events team will be available to support you throughout.
There is also an on-site business center if you or your participants need to use a printer or find a quiet corner to work.
World-Class Design and Facilities
The Avani Victoria Falls Resort exudes a distinctly Zambian charm, blending vibrant local art and design with contemporary comforts.
Every part of the hotel is adorned with colorful motifs, quirky furniture, grand chandeliers, and plenty of stunning art.
Beyond the unique aesthetics, the Avani has every modern convenience to ensure a successful event and a relaxed stay for anyone who books a room.
4-Star Accommodation
The Avani Victoria Falls Resort has 212 sleeping rooms divided into the following standards:
- 81 Avani Standard Rooms: Spacious, breezy rooms on two levels. Upper-level rooms enjoy a private balcony, while the ground-floor Garden Rooms open up to a pleasant terrace looking towards the pool.
- 102 Avani Family Rooms: Similar to the Standard Rooms, but with an extra bed or two for the kids.
- 25 Avani Superior Rooms: Same size as the Standard Rooms, but with extra touches like complimentary express check-in, sparkling wine on arrival, and an in-room espresso machine.
- 4 Avani Suites: The most luxurious option. Guests will enjoy two balconies, a living and dining area, and a serene stay in the quietest, most picturesque corner.
Every room and suite at the Avani is tastefully decorated with colorful furnishings and textiles that seamlessly blend designs from Southern Africa, the Middle with modern amenities like mini-fridges, Wi-Fi, and dedicated workspaces.
The private balconies and terraces guarantee pleasant airflow throughout the day. While the garden setting provides a quiet night’s sleep after a busy day of events and conferences.
Food and Beverage
The Avani provides dedicated catering for every event and conference, regardless of size.
However, participants can also eat at one of its fantastic on-site restaurants:
- Shungu Pool Terrace: Casual pool-side dining with a mix of Zambian and international dishes. You can choose between covered or uncovered seating. In the evening, ask the staff to prepare a table on the grass, and you can dine under the stars, a few meters from a grazing zebra.
- The Theatre of Food: A breakfast and dinner buffet in a beautiful indoor dining room (with plenty of windows to let the breeze in). The selection of food is massive and caters to every taste or dietary restriction.
- Mukuni Boma: An authentic outdoor Zambian dining experience around a large fire pit. Enjoy sumptuous barbeque and traditional dishes, live music, and dance performances.
Avani also has three memorable dining experiences for private bookings:
- The Victoria Falls Dining Experience: A private three-course dinner for up to six people just meters from the Falls. The personal chefs prepare a unique menu just for you, accompanied by champagne, cocktails, and local craft beers. Excellent for a romantic dinner or reunion with old friends.
- Zambian Village Dining Experience: Visit a nearby village in the evening for some traditional dishes, storytelling, basket making, and a visit to a local fortune teller.
- In-room Dining: An upgrade to your usual room service, choose from a select menu of dishes prepared for munching on your balcony or in your bed. Includes drinks delivered straight to your door.
Anyone looking for the ultimate luxury dining can head next door to the Royal Livingstone, which has three dining areas – including a riverfront restaurant for dinner (pre-booking required).
Leisure
When it’s time to take a break from a busy conferencing or event schedule, Avani has plenty of options to unwind and enjoy the local sightseeing opportunities:
- Relax at the outdoor pool
- Take a walk around the hotel’s expansive gardens
- Workout and stretch at the Avani Fit gym
- Visit the Royal Livingstone’s riverfront spa just next door
- Walk to Victoria Falls through the private walkway and entrance.
- Book a tour or safari at the dedicated travel desk.
Family-Friendly
If any of your participants feel like bringing their family along for a short holiday, don’t worry. They’ll have plenty to keep them busy.
The resort has a dedicated kids’ play area – AvaniKids – open daily from 9am to 4pm. The colorful playground provides everything a kid needs: slides, sandpits, arts and crafts, games, nature walks, and more.
The dedicated kid’s staff will take care of everything, so the adults can relax and focus on their conferencing schedule. A special kids menu is also available, so no one needs to worry about empty stomachs in the evenings.
Conclusion
Avani Victoria Falls Resort’s top-tier conference facilities, eclectic design, and location a few meters from the majestic Victoria Falls make it one of the best conference venues in Southern Africa.
Organizers will appreciate the diverse event spaces, dedicated support, and modern equipment.
Your participants will appreciate the opportunity to stay in a stunning location and enjoy one of the most beautiful places on Earth: Victoria Falls and their many surrounding natural attractions.
If you’re planning an event in Livingstone, get in touch. Our local team of experts can provide you with the latest unbiased and objective advice, including which space to host your event, the best hotels, and all the logistics involved.
