The key aspect of Victoria Falls

As the biggest waterfall on this planet, Victoria Falls wants little in the way in which of introduction – over 1,000,000 vacationers and thrill-seekers flock right here yearly. Even to the uninitiated, the identify Victoria Falls conjures up visions of thundering cascading water, mist-soaked rainforests, and towering columns of spray seen from kilometres away. At 1.7km extensive and over 100m tall, the falls are spectacular whichever means you take a look at them – you actually need to see them for your self to know their enormity.

Full of life Victoria Falls city, on the Zimbabwean aspect of the Falls, is a enjoyable city, full of actions and experiences for each kind of traveller – younger and previous, adrenaline seekers, budget-strapped backpackers, solo travellers, {couples} and households. There’s a myriad of issues to do and see right here, some higher recognized than others. Let’s dive into the extra secret aspect of this tiny vacationer city and uncover just a few of the particular experiences you’ll be able to have when you’re right here.   

1. Dusty Highway Township Expertise

Within the coronary heart of the buzzing Chinotimba township, simply 2km from city, Dusty Highway provides a eating expertise like no different in Victoria Falls – introducing worldwide vacationers to conventional Zimbabwean delicacies.

The meals right here is not only a meal, it’s a cultural journey that makes use of indigenous elements, some acquainted and others shocking, to create an expertise that gives a style of Zimbabwe’s culinary heritage. For these ‘tamer tummies’, there’s hen in peanut butter sauce, or bream with native greens and lemon, however for the extra adventurous, there are the sudden delights of mopane worms and cricket and cornflake crunchies.

Meals just isn’t the one distinctive aspect at Dusty Highway; the funky upcycled and recycled décor is an actual winner. Every thing from doorways to cable reels, tins, pots and extra is repurposed into furnishings – bathtub tubs grow to be chairs, tin cups grow to be chandeliers, recycled bottles grow to be glasses. Importantly, Dusty Highway helps native ladies by way of employment and small-scale craft gross sales, in addition to empowering the local people by sourcing elements from native farmers and markets. Each meal here’s a style and a celebration of Zimbabwean tradition.

2. Chef Simba’s Bakery

Within the coronary heart of Victoria Falls is the most recent culinary gem remodeling the city’s meals scene. Based by Chef Simba Musiyiwa, the bakery provides a scrumptious vary of artisanal breads, pies, pastries, and mouthwatering desserts. With a pleasant ambiance and a helpful outside seating space, that is the right spot to cease to take pleasure in freshly baked treats, whereas doing a bit of individuals watching.

3. Excessive Tea on the Stanley & Livingstone

In the tranquil environment of the Victoria Falls Non-public Recreation Reserve, 20 minutes from city, the Stanley & Livingstone Resort provides afternoon tea every day on the lodge’s terrace, overlooking manicured gardens and a waterhole the place wildlife can usually be noticed having a drink of their very own.

Towering cake stands, laden with scrumptious desserts and savoury treats, a wide range of teas and a glass of champagne. Whether or not you’re staying at one of many lodge’s luxurious suites or visiting for the day, the excessive tea on the Stanley & Livingstone is a should and the right solution to unwind after a day spent exploring one of many Seven Pure Wonders of the World.

4. Dinner at Pure Africa

On the banks of the Zambezi River, you’ll discover The Eatery on the Pure Africa Waterfront. Whether or not you’ve began your night with a sundown cruise on the river, otherwise you’re searching for someplace particular to have dinner, observe the lantern-lit path to the Eatery, the place a three-course African-flavour-infused meal awaits.  Perched on the riverbank, this open-air eating spot has a beautiful ambiance – the distant roar of the Victoria Falls, the grunting of close by hippos, and the calls of nightjars all accompany your meal.

5. The Vulture Tradition Expertise

For a very completely different eating expertise, head to the ‘vulture restaurant’ at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, simply 4km from city. Every day at 1pm guests can witness tons of of endangered vultures swooping all the way down to feed on leftover meat scraps from the lodge’s kitchens. This free expertise showcases a wide range of vulture species and begins off with a briefing on the ecological significance of vultures, in addition to the hazards they face, together with poisoning, electrocution, and using physique elements in conventional drugs.

This supplementary feeding program performs a vital position in serving to maintain native vulture populations, that are in decline because of human affect. The Vulture Tradition Expertise is a family-friendly exercise that’s not solely an exhilarating spectacle but in addition helps vulture conservation.

6. Sundowners on the Shongwe Lookout

On the Shongwe Lookout Visitor Lodge a spotlight for company and guests alike is the lookout itself, an elevated viewing tower with panoramic views of the encircling panorama, the Zambezi River and the distant spray of the Victoria Falls. Whether or not it’s a gin and tonic, a neighborhood Zambezi Lager, or a cocktail, that is the right spot for a sundowner because the day winds down – what an awesome spot to toast one other unimaginable day in Victoria Falls.

As you ascend the four-storey tower, take your time to admire the hanging artworks of Nicole Sanderson that line the partitions, spiralling upwards. Nicole is a Zimbabwean-born artist, famend for the colourful designs, daring colors and complicated element in her work of native birds and flora. The Shongwe Lookout is residence to Nicole’s gallery, and a surprising collection of her work will be bought right here. (They simply roll up for transport). 

7. Simunye – the spirit of Africa

The Simunye present, on the Victoria Fall’s Ndlovu Theatre, is a charming efficiency designed to showcase Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage by way of dance, storytelling, and gorgeous visuals. That includes a proficient native forged, an incredible set, gorgeous costumes, intelligent puppets, and a few spectacular and immersive lighting and sound results, the present emphasises themes of cultural concord, battle decision, and wealthy African traditions.

Simunye is appropriate for all ages, making it an awesome family-friendly exercise, and after the present, company can meet, mingle and take images with the forged. Simunye – the spirit of Africa is assured to go away a long-lasting impression.

8. Victoria Falls Safari Spa

For some leisure and pampering, the Victoria Falls Safari Spa is a serene retreat positioned throughout the grounds of the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. That is the primary purpose-built spa property in Victoria Falls and is tucked away amongst indigenous woodland and designed to mix into the pure environment – fortunate guests may even spot warthogs or bushbucks wandering close by.

There are some fairly luxurious services right here, together with therapeutic massage remedy rooms, manicure and pedicure stations, a hair and make-up studio, a leisure lounge, and a splash pool with a scenic deck. Visitors can take pleasure in a spread of therapies from therapeutic massage, to facials, physique waxing and even bridal occasion make-up. A tranquil escape with uninterrupted views of the bush, it is a good spot to unwind after a safari journey.

9. Victoria Falls Boxing Academy

The Victoria Falls Boxing Academy is greater than only a place to coach; it’s a supply of hope and alternative for a few of Zimbabwe’s orphaned youth. Based by Tobius Mupfuti, himself as soon as an deserted little one, lots of the youngsters who come to the academy had been as soon as homeless.

The Academy provides boxing classes and private coaching periods to the general public, but it surely additionally it offers a secure haven and alternatives for youngsters who want it probably the most. Via boxing, Tobius teaches self-discipline, perseverance and life values to his college students, shaping them as athletes and as people. At its core, the Victoria Falls Boxing Academy is a narrative of resilience and neighborhood, the place boxing serves as each a sport and a path to a brighter future for Zimbabwe’s deprived youth.

10. Bamba Bikes

Among the best methods to discover Victoria Falls is on a Bamba Bike – a enjoyable and eco-friendly solution to expertise this iconic vacation spot. The retro-style e-bikes, with their balloon tyres, are a simple and reasonably priced solution to get round, and the peddle-assist function means even on the most popular of days you’ll be able to glide round city with out elevating a sweat.

Bamba Bike will be rented for half days or full days, or you’ll be able to take a customized guided tour. Widespread stops embody Dusty Highway, the Large Baobab Tree, the Vulture Feeding Expertise, the bustling native market, and scenic viewpoints alongside the Zambezi River. Bamba Bikes is a versatile and thrilling solution to see the sights of Victoria Falls and free supply to your lodging makes it handy for everybody.

The place to remain in Victoria Falls

For a quiet and cozy keep simply minutes from the falls, proprietor run Pamarah Lodge is a trendy boutique choice tucked away, on half an acre, within the leafy suburbs of Victoria Falls.

With simply 14 thoughtfully designed rooms—together with a non-public honeymoon suite and spacious household models—it provides a peaceable base with fashionable comforts, heat service, and quick access to native sights.

Whether or not you’re ending a day of adrenaline adventures or cultural explorations, the lodge’s tranquil gardens and relaxed ambiance make it a perfect place to unwind.

Whether or not it’s eating beneath the celebs beside the Zambezi River, watching vultures swoop in for a noon feast, or biking previous native landmarks on an e-bike, Victoria Falls provides extra than simply its iconic waterfall. These lesser-known experiences reveal the city’s cultural character, neighborhood spirit, and the numerous inventive methods locals are sharing their city. Past the roar of the falls, a secret aspect of Victoria Falls awaits—one that can linger in your reminiscence lengthy after the mist has settled.

Sarah Kingdom

Sarah Kingdom is a journey author from Sydney, Australia. When she just isn’t climbing or touring, she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia.