Zimbabwe

OVERVIEW

Zimbabwe is a small, landlocked country in Southern African bordered by Botswana to the South West, Mozambique to the East, Zambia to the North and South Africa to the South. The country relies heavily on tourism and destinations like Mana Pools National Park, Lake Kariba, the majestic UNESCO listed Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park in the North West, Chimanimani in the East and the ancient Great Zimbabwe ruins towards the South are waiting for guests to visit again. The Zimbabwean People are strong and beautiful and resilient. Together they have overcome many obstacles and pushed through the recent pandemic to put Zimbabwe back on the tourist map. The best time to visit for game viewing purposes is during the drier, winter months of April – October, as water is scarce, and the animals start to gather at the few waterholes remaining. The sub-tropical climate is beautiful all year round, but the warm winter days can get very cold in the early morning and evenings.

  • A few facts

    The country has a population of approximately 15 million people and the Capital is its largest city, Harare. The official currency is the Zimbabwe Dollar although the US Dollar is widely used. Shona and Ndebele are the two predominant local languages (out of 16!) however English is the official language.



  • Zimbabwe is proud of ...

    … its deep and diverse cultural heritage, with numerous ethnic groups, languages, and traditions. The country is known for its vibrant music, dance, and art scenes, including the iconic stone sculptures produced by artists from Zimbabwe, which have gained international recognition. The country boasts stunning natural landscapes, including the majestic Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and is home to many national parks and game reserves like Hwange National Park, known for its diverse wildlife.

  • Vaccinations

    Malaria is wide-spread in Zimbabwe and there are many recommended vaccinations to be considered prior to travel so travellers are encouraged to visit their travel doctor prior to departure.





  • Visa

    A visa is required, and must be applied for online prior to departure. Current fees are USD30.00 per Australian passport holders (please ask about fees for British, Irish and Canadian passport holders). When applying online, it is advisable that visitors regularly check the application status as you will not be advised if you application is successful or not. You must hold a passport valid for at least six months on entry with one blank visa page, and a Yellow Fever certificate is required if travelling from a Yellow Fever infected country e.g. Kenya. Please contact us for more information on how to apply.

VICTORIA FALLS

The Victoria Falls is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site and arguably one of the most spectacular Natural Wonders of the World.   The town of Victoria Falls is the hub of Zimbabwe tourism, and the actual Falls are without a doubt the highlight of any visit to Zimbabwe.  Known to the locals as “Mosi-oa-Tunya”, meaning “the smoke that thunders”, they truly are one of the most awe inspiring sights in the world.  When David Livingstone came across the falls in 1855, he wowed that “scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by Angels in their Flight” and named them after his Queen, Queen Victoria.  Whilst the falls are not the highest or the widest in the world, they are classified as the largest with their combined width of 1,708 metres and height of 108 metres making them the world’s largest sheet of falling water.

The town of Victoria Falls is known as Zimbabwe’s Adventure Capital however as well as adrenalin activities such as gorge swings, bunji jumps and incredible white water rafting, visitors can also partake in a diverse range of activities including game viewing drives, boat cruises on the Zambezi River, cultural and aerial scenic tours and of course with the town situated close to the Zambezi National Park, wild animals are abundant and can often be seen in the town itself.  The town is home to Africa’s Number 1 marathon run where it is not unusual to encounter the wildlife, including elephants, while participating in them!

VICTORIA FALLS ACCOMMODATION

Samanzi

Samanzi Luxury Cabanas are Vic Falls newest addition in the accommodation market and is the epitome of opulence and refined elegance, nestled in the heart of Victoria Falls.  This exclusive sanctuary boasts 15 poolside cabanas, each a masterpiece of design, offering unparalleled comfort and seclusion amidst lush tropical gardens. During your stay, indulge in the serene beauty of six split-level pools, gracefully interwoven with islands and cascading waterfalls, creating a symphony of tranquility and luxury.  A sophisticated swim-up bar will invite you to sip on handcrafted cocktails while immersed in the crystal-clear waters. The lodge’s underground wine cellar, a true connoisseur’s haven, will offer an exceptional selection of wines, complemented by intimate private dining experiences.  At the end of the day, relax around the sunken fire pit set into the main pool will provide a captivating ambiance, perfect for relaxed conversations or intimate gatherings under the stars.

WATERFALLS LODGE

Waterfalls Lodge is Located in the heart of Victoria Falls, the newly unveiled Wild Horizons Waterfalls Lodge offers refined, accessible accommodation that brings comfort and nature together. This sophisticated retreat is designed to immerse guests in the beauty of the Falls with its waterfall-themed designs. Just minutes from one of the world’s natural wonders as well as the city centre, the lodge provides access to adventure while offering a peaceful haven for relaxation.

NKOSI GUEST LODGE

Nkosi Guest Lodge is situated in the heart of Victoria Falls quiet, leafy residential suburbs, approximately 4km from the main town hub. The 24 guest rooms fall into the superior category, two of which are wheelchair accessible. Surrounded by green gardens, each room is spaciously designed for a comfortable stay, all with en suite bathrooms and equipped with hair dryers, tea and coffee amenities, a safe and international wall adapters. The onsite pool is overlooked by the restaurant and executive bar where top class chefs serve delicious food every day. The lodge has been designed with a focus on providing guests with adequate space for socialising and relaxing whilst on holiday in Victoria Falls. Accommodation includes a daily housekeeping service and a full English breakfast, which is served in the dining area every morning. Nkosi Guest Lodge is the newest addition to the Bayete Collection who are committed to minimising their environmental impacts, through the reduction of water wastage, electricity waste and the unnecessary production of carbon emissions in all aspects of the company.

SHEARWATER EXPLORERS VILLAGE

This delightful little village is a superb 3-star lodge situated only 400m from the Victoria Falls.  Overlooking the African bush and a waterhole frequently visited by elephant and buffalo, it is also very close to the craft markets and entertainment district.  The village chalets are stylish yet budget conscious, with each room having its own unique interiors.   Each chalet is air conditioned with en-suite shower, comfortable beds with a daily housekeeping and turn down service.  Outside each room is a patio on which to enjoy some quiet time. The chalets offer style and elegance at an affordable price, allowing you to access to more of the ‘’once in a lifetime’’ activities available in Victoria Falls.  Communal facilities include a reception, lounge, bar, pool areas are manned by helpful and friendly staff .  You’ll have time to catch up on all your socials as the free Wi-fi will allow you to share your journey with family and friends back home.  The bar and restaurant provide excellent food and drinks from an international menu.  Mainly used by overland travellers, this village offers a great alternative for the more budget conscious traveller.

DINING IN VICTORIA FALLS

DUSTY ROAD

Dusty Road is a traditional Zimbabwean restaurant situated in the heart of Chinotimba, the largest and oldest township in Victoria Falls just 2 km from the centre of the city.  Founder Sarah Lilford has brought her professional cooking skills to the town, where she has empowered the women and improved the livelihoods of them and their families by sharing and creating awareness of the Zimbabwean culture through an authentic, wholesome and tasty food experience.  Immediately on arrival, you will experience the vibrancy of the community, watch as local vendors sell their wares, and your eyes are treated to bright, inventive regional creations recycled with a heavy dose of African humour and ingenuity.  The Dusty Road style is cheerful, earthy, funky and full of soul, with a true purpose at its core, and all the food is cooked the Zimbabwean way, on open fires in cast iron pots and ovens making it authentic and wholesome.  Here is a place where you will arrive as a stranger but definitely leave as part of the family after the children have sung their way into your hearts.  You can find out more about Dusty Road’s corporate social commitment by clicking on its Community Project link below.

Dusty Road
Dusty Road Community

THE LOOKOUT CAFÉ

The Lookout Café is an iconic restaurant in Victoria Falls offering diners a unique experience with delicious food, staggering views and exceptional service.  Menus range from cocktails and canapés to diverse meal options for seated dinners, including imported South African wines and flavours foraged from nature make the ‘place on a plate’ sentiment a reality.  The restaurant, with its indoor/outdoor dining areas is a must-try place to eat out in Victoria Falls and the perfect place to stop for refreshments after a guided tour of the falls.  The Lookout Café is also the location of the Wild Horizons high wire adrenalin activities and the Victoria Falls Canopy Tour.

Overlooking the Gorge and the Victoria Falls Bridge, menus range from cocktails and canapés to diverse meal options for seated dinners, and imported wine from South African vineyards and flavours foraged from nature make the ‘place on a plate’ sentiment a reality. 

MALACHITE DINNER CRUISE

One of Victoria Falls’ newest dinner cruise options, the Malachite Dinner Cruise welcomes guests with a glass of sparkling wine to enjoy as they settle into the plush, cushioned furniture on the upper deck for game viewing while the sun sets below the surface of the Zambezi.  A selection of cocktails, imported premium spirits and canapés are served throughout the cruise by the friendly and attentative waitstaff, followed by a four course dinner served on the lower deck after sunset, expertly prepared by the onboard chefs.  Savour the rich aroma of locally sourced, fresh ingredients that waft around diners as the dishes are plated.  Relish the moment as time stands still for a couple of hours, far removed from the glare of lights and noise, the full moon and stars shine brightly in the sky as an atmosphere of mystery and romance envelopes the evening’s experience.

VICTORIA FALLS ACTIVITIES

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

A full range of activities are offered to guests and can be pre-booked prior to final payment where leisure time is available.  We strongly advise that these tours be booked in advance.