Thursday 22 December 2011

GO TO VICTORIA FALLS MEMBERS ARE TOP TOURISM EXPORTERS IN MATABELELAND NORTH

Three Go to Victoria Falls members came out tops as tourism Exporters of the Year in an awards ceremony honouring Matabeleland North’s Outstanding Businesses. Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was named Exporter of the Year at the ceremony held at Elephant Hills on Friday 16 December 2011. 


The inaugural regional awards were launched by the Zimbabwe Chamber of Commerce and have been introduced as a way of recognizing outstanding businesses and leadership, who excelled during the year and should be awarded for helping to revive the economy.


Victoria Falls Safari Lodge now goes through to the Regional semis in March 2012 to be held in Bulawayo, and from there to the Finals in Harare in mid-2012.

Other Go to Victoria Falls members came in as runners up, with The Victoria Falls Hotel as first and Wild Horizons as second.

Members of the Victoria Falls community were obviously clear favourites as another five were also recognized for their outstanding achievements:

Manager of the Year went to Trythings (GM of Ele Hills)
Entrepreneur of the Year went to Geoff Gover (Seven to Eleven Superette)
Woman of the year went to Mrs Mhlanga - Vic Falls Education Centre – for consistency of her duties over the last 5 years.
Exporter Agriculture – Spencers Creek Victoria Falls
New Business of the year – Comoil Lupane

It is once again evident that members of this amazing community are succeeding in bringing tourism back to Zimbabwe and it is wonderful that they are being recognized for their achievements.

Wednesday 14 December 2011

ENJOY AN AFRICAN SUN DOWNER

Summer is here and what better way to enjoy those hot Zimbabwean afternoons than sipping on a cocktail, overlooking a magnificent waterhole. Victoria Falls Safari Lodge has to have one of the most spectacular settings to enjoy a sun downer, while at the same time witnessing elephant, buffalo and other wildlife coming to drink at the waterhole.

The new cocktail menu at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge offers all the classic options such as a Mojito, Pina Colada or Margarita as well as those with an African twist, perfect for the hot summer in Vic Falls. Why not try a Victoria Falls Ice Tea, African Sunset, Summer Fruit G & T or one of the other tasty options.

The lodge is also proud to present its summer menus at both the Buffalo Bar and the Makuwa Kuwa restaurants. Offering a wide variety of dishes to suit even the most conservative of diners, you’ll find everything from light snacks to more elaborate meals. The more adventurous diners, looking for a taste of Africa can try out the warthog, impala or crocodile.

After a day of activities in Africa’s adventure capital, guests will be spoilt for choice at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, as they enjoy the warm summer evening and take in the beauty of this spectacular area.

Friday 9 December 2011

DISCOVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF THE VICTORIA FALLS BRIDGE

The Victoria Falls Bridge Tour is an alternative bridge activity, available to those visitors who don’t quite have the nerve (or stomach) to jump off the famous bridge. The activity, organised by Shearwater Victoria Falls, has become a popular alternative to the bungi, bridge swing or slide but is also becoming a “must see” for those adrenalin junkies wanting to know more about the bridge they’re jumping off.

Guests are taken on a journey, as an actor playing the part of Georges Imbault (chief construction engineer of the bridge) gives a history of the bridge and explains how it came to be the magnificent structure is today. Participants discover Cecil John Rhodes plans for his Cape to Cairo Railway, learn how the bridge was constructed and understand how and why a full locomotive was transported across the gorge before the actual completion of the bridge.

After the historical introduction, guests are strapped into harnesses and taken under the remarkable piece of engineering to enjoy a walking tour of the bridge, while taking in spectacular views of the Falls and the Batoka Gorge below. Why walk over the bridge when you can walk under it? Tour guide “Georges Imbault” will elaborate on the construction while at the same time describing the surroundings and points of interesting around the bridge. All the while the highly trained and experienced guides will ensure a safe and informative 2½ hours on and around the bridge.

To learn more about the one hundred years of Victorian Engineering, a book entitled “Sun, Steel & Spray: A history of the Victoria Falls Bridge” written by Peter Roberts, was published this year and is now available to purchase.

So why not try a bridge activity with a difference and take part in one of Shearwater Victoria Falls' Bridge Tours. Come away having learnt more about this magnificent bridge that has become an icon of grandeur throughout the world.


Friday 2 December 2011

BRING IN THE NEW YEAR AT VIC FALLS

With only a month until Falls Fest, the town of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe is gearing up for an influx of local and international visitors, set to celebrate New Year in style.

Now in its third year, Falls Fest will be taking place on 30 and 31 December 2011, to tie in with the New Year festivities. The two day festival was introduced as a way to increase the number of visitors to Victoria Falls and last year saw over 4000 people attending each day. This year has already seen overwhelming support for Falls Fest and organisers hope to see the destination boosted even further.

The headline act at this year’s festival is South African Music Award (SAMA) nominated and winners in the "NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR" category, Locnville. This Cape Town based electro hop music duo will be joined on stage by a number of support acts from South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Roddy Meiring, General Manager of Ilala Lodge, one of the primary sponsors of Falls Fest and a Go To Victoria Falls member, believes that the positive outcome of the music festival is undeniable. “Hotels and local adventure companies had their best season in several years and business in the falls is booming,” says Meiring.

Travellers visiting the Falls will of course be spoilt for choice when it comes to activities and day trips outside of the music festival. Go To Victoria Falls’ tour operators and adventure companies, will be offering white water rafting, river cruises, high wire activities, safari activities and lots more, allowing visitors the opportunity to experience Africa’s adventure capital at its best. Booking in advance will be necessary, as last year rafting companies saw their busiest day ever with over 600 people rafting in 1 single day.

The increase in visitors last year was not only seen in Vic Falls but throughout the country. “It got people travelling through Zimbabwe and received great international exposure, as people from all over the world came to experience the area and the country as a whole. It showed that Zim is still a safe destination and what better way to spend New Year than seeing one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and making a holiday of it,” concluded Meiring.

Following on from the success of 2010, this year’s Falls Fest and New Year period is set to be another excellent one for Victoria Falls.