Travel: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge [Zimbabwe]

[Image credit: The Victoria Falls – Illustrations Photography]

Last summer I spent four amazing days representing Zimbabwe with my jewellery at an art fair in Oxfordshire; amongst the memories I left with were the number of people who stopped by my table to reminisce on their visit to Zimbabwe, frequently mentioning Victoria Falls; and what really made my day was hearing how most of them had visited within the last few years. Victoria Falls is a place that holds a special place in my heart; not only did I get to work on some of the brands established in the area including the luxurious Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and Elephants Walk Shopping Village; I won a competition to visit it when I was about ten and made the exciting trip with my Dad having such a wonderful day that I vividly remember to this day. Providing a spectacular backdrop to an area filled with legend and creativity; the thundering Victoria Falls is also known as the  ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’, which translates as the ‘smoke that thunders’ in the local dialect, words that aptly describe it.

There is no denying Victoria Falls is a big draw, however over the last decade much of Zimbabwe has suffered from a decline in tourists, but ‘the Falls’ to give them their nickname have been holding their own, continuing to pull in visitors and have been predicted to become one of 2011 must-see destinations, sources tell me the area is getting busier which is fantastic news for a place that needs to be seen as words cannot describe the feeling you get watching volumes of water thundering down the mighty gorge, filling the air with its deafening noise; it truly is amazing. 

The Victoria Falls, formed where the waters of the mighty Zambezi River go crashing down a deep gorge that divides Zimbabwe and Zambia are a UNESCO world heritage site. and have earned Zimbabwe recognition as the ‘undisputed adventure capital of Africa’; there is a lot going on from the expected safari drives taking in the spectacular wildlife, to flying over the Falls for a spectacular birds-eye view; or for those into extreme sports and have nerves of steel bungee jumping from the bridge that connects Zimbabwe and Zambia to white water rafting in some crazy frothing waters that include the infamous boiling point which is exactly as the name suggests… definitely not for the faint-hearted but thrilling for those in search of adventure! Being a popular tourist destination there are many high-quality lodges, camps and hotels to choose from, including the stunning Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.

[Image credits: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge]

Set high up on a natural plateau and located four kilometres from the Falls are the luxurious lodges of the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge that border the Zambezi National Park. Designed to create a memorable experience for visitors, aspects of the local culture are infused into the sprawling complex, which comprises clusters of comfortable well-appointed lodges and self-catering lodges arranged around a central hub. The rooms are furnished to complement the surroundings; picking up on the colours of nature and combined with natural materials each comes with a balcony that either overlooks the Zambezi National Park or the watering hole for prime wildlife viewing. The Lokuthula Lodges are ideal for those wishing to engage in the self-catering option and comes with areas equipped for outside entertaining. 

[Image credits: The Boma Restaurant – Victoria Falls]

The hub includes two restaurants, areas designed to introduce visitors to some of the vibrant local culture and traditions. Dine at the award-winning MaKuwa-Kuwa restaurant, which takes its name from a Royal Drum in local legend, spread over two floors the restaurant is perfectly situated to take advantage of the sun setting over the watering hole; very much a focal point for the complex. However, it is the Boma Restaurant that offers a more involved cultural experience, inviting diners to physically engage in various activities throughout the evening’s entertainment which sees you working up an appetite dancing with traditional dancers from the local community, sharing in some of the local legends with the local storytellers and dining while acapella singers serenade you. Offering traditional Zimbabwean dishes and beverages, upon arrival diners are welcomed with traditional greetings and draped in traditional Chitenge cloth robes.    

[Image credit: Entrance at Night – Victoria Falls Safari Lodge]

…humbling and awe-inspiring the Victoria Falls is nature at its most powerful

Additional Details:
Current prices range from: USD$245-USD$485 per person per night
For further information and bookings visit: www.victoria-falls-safari-lodge.com
To find out more about self-catering visit: www.lokuthulalodges.com
To find out more about the Boma restaurant visit: www.thebomarestaurant.com
To find out more about MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant visit: www.africaalbidatourism.com