Hornbill Lodge

Hornbill Lodge

Lovely room
Traveller (69)
Double Room
Room & Suite (21)
Dining (6)

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Avg. R 4,535 /night, 2/14 - 2/15
R 4,646
per night
R 4,489
per night
R 4,331
per night

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About

#1 of 2 B&Bs in Kariba
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Value
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
Is a small intimate lodge, situated on Mic Point, Kariba. Hornbill Lodge offers very comfortable accommodation for twelve with spectacular views of Lake Kariba. The main building houses the bar, dining and lounge area.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Bar / lounge
Bicycle rental
Bicycles available
Airport transportation
Baggage storage
Secured parking
Wifi
Hot bath
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Plunge pool
Breakfast available
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Wine / champagne
Board games / puzzles
Concierge
Mosquito net
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Air conditioning
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
3.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Business

Location

797 Mica Point, Kariba Zimbabwe
Traveller rating
  • 77
  • 5
  • 3
  • 0
  • 0
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Detailed Reviews
Kristen M wrote a review Jan 2022
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Hornbill Lodge is a lovely intimate place to spend a few days. The grounds are beautiful with views of the lake and several gorgeous birds. The food was very good, the chef was able to accommodate my pescatarian diet with really tasty dishes. Sunny, the owner/operator was wonderful to work with a very helpful in guiding us through our time in Kariba. If you are lucky enough to meet her dogs, they are also a real treat :)
The rooms are lovely with great shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and insect repellent. The bed was very comfy and the veranda was equipped with a mosquito repellent coil! We will be sure to be back the next time we are in town.
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Date of stay: December 2021
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wade V wrote a review Dec 2021
Mae Ai, Thailand
4.0 of 5 bubbles
My four day stay at Hornbill lodge was incredibly restful and the perfect little slice of luxury I needed. Staff were helpful and friendly, the menu quite extravagant and the amenities most satisfactory. Whether you want to lounge by the pool, keep to your room (every one has a view of the lake) or even catch up on current events in the TV lounge Hornbill offers all of that and more. There is a small beach about 30 mins walk downhill (bear in mind walking back up the hill in Kariba heat is no joke), but I found it the perfect place to rest and relax with no plans. Would definitely return for another stay.
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Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip: If you find yourself here without a vehicle, there is an option to rent a bicycle to see the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucinda T wrote a review Feb 2020
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Hornbills provided a very comfortable and accommodating place to stay for the night. The chalets are beautiful and the open plan design means you can watch the lake from your bedroom.
The food was superb and staff all went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable at all times.
We will definitely return
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Date of stay: December 2019
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kulsum Zim wrote a review Jan 2020
Harare, Zimbabwe
+1
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Visited in December 2019 with my husband. We stayed for 2 nights in the Delux King Room. It's a lovely place to relax and unwind, very peaceful.. the complex only houses 5 lodges so it's very small and hospitable, ideal setting for couples wanting to be away from all the noise... the lodges have no doors, that's right I said no doors;) dont be alarmed, the lodges are set in a way that allows privacy. The Delux King Room had a vantage point, watching the sunrise in the comfort of your bed :) There are curtains and roll down blinds for those who still need the extra privacy. The plunge pool is small and communal set in the middle of all the lodges and close to the bar and eating area. Food served was cooked fresh and always tasty,they cater for halal meals upon request. All meals were prepared by our host Sunny/ Sunera. A very welcoming, lovely lady along with the staff, very friendly and go out of their way to make your stay wonderful. We had no issue with safety, the complex is secured with electric fences so no wild animals or people wander into the complex or into the rooms.Daily housekeeping was provided. Thank you for a lovely stay Sunny, wish we could have stayed longer!
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LinBulawayo wrote a review Jan 2024
Zimbabwe
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This is such a wonderful place to stay in Kariba. The rooms are stunning with a view of Lake Kariba from your bed. The hostess Sunny was warm and friendly, nothing was too much trouble. The dinner and the breakfast was delicious. I wish we could have stayed for longer than one night. I Would highly recommend.
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Date of stay: December 2023
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen K wrote a review Aug 2022
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Hornbill is such a neat place with amazing staff and a skilled chef. The food was lovely and well prepared. Their room service was always on point. Sunny,the host, is such a vibe and always available when needed.
We will definitely call again.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lindera wrote a review Sept 2014
Pearl River, New York
3.0 of 5 bubbles
very pretty, good cooking. But hold the racism. That leaves visitors with a bad taste.

Not sure how people with no car amuse themselves outside of the confines of the property. very neat to have wildlife drifting through the streets, though
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Date of stay: September 2014
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
4.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin D wrote a review Jun 2015
Glen Waverley, Australia
3.0 of 5 bubbles
We had very high expectations for our stay at Hornbill Lodge, based on the price we were paying (280 USD/night bed, breakfast and dinner) and the high ratings on Tripadvisor. These expectations were not met.

We were met by Jackie and staff when we arrived and offered a cooling refreshment which was most welcome. We were given a choice of two rooms. We chose the family room, as it was larger and any other guests did not pass it on the way to their room and have a view inside (there is no front wall or curtain on the rooms). The rooms have thatched roofs and are open at the front with a view of Lake Kariba, although you cannot see the lake's edge.

It is possible to explore the locality by walking further along Mica Point Road towards the water's edge, and back towards Kariba. This gave us some great views over the lake into Zambia. However it is not close to the town (which is pretty spread out anyway).

Jackie offered crocodile tails, chips and salad for dinner with home-made icecream for dessert. My wife is a non-chips and icecream eater because of cholesterol problems, but no alternative was offered (no vegetables or fruit even). The crocodile tails were very buttery, as were the mushrooms with the next morning's breakfast. Wine was offered with dinner and the breakfast was substantial.

The room had quality bedding, towels and toiletries. The shower and toilet are behind the open bedroom and are private, but the bedroom is not, so it is not the spot to stay if you would like a sleep in or afternoon nap. And make sure you pack respectable jammies - particularly if you are in one of the rooms which others need to walk past in order to get between their room and the dining room.

Like some others, we found aspects of the visit difficult. Non-drinkers will feel they are subsidising those whose approval seems based upon "more complimentary booze than you can shake a stick at". Jackie appears quite burned out, and her comments and actions suggest she would rather not have visitors than have to deal with them. Her statements about non-white Zimbabweans will not sit easily with many, and made us feel awkward. We also got the feeling that the resort was something Jackie needed to run to bring in income in order to spend as much time fishing as she could, and that maximum income from few guests would suit her fine. Knowing that Zim. residents get a much reduced rate also did not help us feel like other than an imposition that was only a source of income.
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Date of stay: May 2015
3.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
3.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BokkieM wrote a review Aug 2011
Langebaan, South Africa
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed here during August 2009 and had PERSONAL SERVICE from our hosts Jackie, Tommy and Sunera. We really liked the "all inclusive" treatment we received. The rooms were very neat, the food and drinks SUPERIOR, the fishing trip on the lake to hunt for the Tigerfish GREAT. If you want to really relax and like to make friends while staying with them, this is the place to go!
Eddie and Annemarie Marais Cape Town South Africa
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Date of stay: August 2011
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roamingspirit wrote a review Sept 2016
Melbourne, Australia
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I stayed here for just one night on my way to the Matusadona national park, and wished I had stayed a few more days here. Hornbill is a creatively designed lodge, within a beautifully landscaped garden and perched up on Mica point providing panoramic views of lake Kariba.
It is a place that you could use as a base to explore the surrounding area, a starting point for you fishing adventure or just a lovely place to relax in. The thatched rooms are cool and comfortable. They are also uniquely designed with no door at the entrance, just spectacular views of the lake instead, with stunning sun rises and sun sets to be enjoyed whilst in bed!! Your privacy whilst in the shower or toilet is however not compromised as there is a half wall separating that area from the rest of the room.
Sunny is an excellent host and goes out of her way to ensure your stay is a very enjoyable one. The meals too are superb.
I will be coming back for a longer stay next time.
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Date of stay: July 2016
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip: All rooms have excellent rooms.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
…
Wade V wrote a tip Dec 2021
Mae Ai, Thailand29 contributions2 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"If you find yourself here without a vehicle, there is an option to rent a bicycle to see the sights. Kariba Dam Wall is within a bike ride away. "
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clifford747 wrote a tip Dec 2021
London, United Kingdom2 contributions2 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"All rooms are great!"
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Jessica D wrote a tip Jul 2018
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia6 contributions9 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"No dud rooms"
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Aqeel S wrote a tip Mar 2018
Harare, Zimbabwe15 contributions8 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"All the rooms are private and secluded"
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Mountainmann wrote a tip May 2017
Tacoma, Washington598 contributions250 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"We had the deluxe family room for the two of us. Great location and comfy beds."
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Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Kariba area.
PRICE RANGE
R 3,998 - R 4,442 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
ZimbabweMashonaland West ProvinceKariba
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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HORNBILL LODGE - UPDATED 2024 B&B Reviews & Price Comparison (Kariba, Zimbabwe)

Frequently Asked Questions about Hornbill Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Hornbill Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Lake Kariba (1.9 km), Kariba Heights View Point (2.0 km), and Moonraker Houseboat Zambezi Drift (1.8 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Hornbill Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Hornbill Lodge?
Guests can enjoy a lounge, breakfast, and complimentary tea during their stay.
Is parking available at Hornbill Lodge?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Hornbill Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Hornbill Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Hornbill Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Hornbill Lodge have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the lake view available here.
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