Crocodile stuns Victoria Falls lodge staff in early morning visit

Staff at A'Zambezi River Lodge in Victoria Falls were left startled on Saturday morning after a Nile crocodile was discovered inside the hotel premises, in an unusual but not unprecedented wildlife encounter.

The reptile is believed to have moved in from the nearby Zambezi River, with staff spotting it early in the morning and immediately alerting authorities to prevent any risk to guests or employees.

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) responded swiftly to the scene, where officers safely immobilised the crocodile before relocating it back to its natural habitat in the river. No injuries or property damage were reported.

ZimParks spokesperson Luckmore Safuli said the animal, identified as a Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), was handled professionally and returned to the wild.

"The crocodile was safely immobilised and translocated by trained authority personnel. It was subsequently released back into the river. No human injuries or property damage were recorded," he said.

He added that such incidents are consistent with natural behaviour, given the lodge's location within a riverine ecosystem where crocodiles frequently move between water and land for basking, nesting, and territorial activity.

The lodge confirmed the incident occurred on April 17, 2026, noting that the crocodile had entered one of its water features before being safely removed.

"A'Zambezi River Lodge can confirm that a crocodile was sighted on the property… The situation was promptly managed in close coordination with ZimParks," said corporate affairs manager Pride Khumbula.

She emphasised that the lodge operates within a protected wildlife corridor and regularly experiences animal movement across its grounds.

"The hotel is uniquely located within the Zambezi National Park, where we coexist with wildlife as part of a protected natural ecosystem," she said, adding that elephants, hippos, warthogs and monkeys are commonly seen on the property.

Khumbula reassured guests that safety remains the top priority, noting that staff are trained to respond quickly to wildlife incidents.

While the unexpected visitor caused initial alarm, management said some international guests were thrilled by the rare sighting, describing it as part of the authentic wilderness experience that defines tourism in Victoria Falls.