DESTINATIONS ZIMBABWE AND ZAMBIA | AFRICA 3
PLACES TO STAY
The Palm River Hotel: This Queenslander-style property has 73 river-facing rooms (including two that are wheelchair- accessible) set in three-storey blocks with a spa and fitness centre. Rooms from $426, B&B, based on two sharing.
palmriverhotel.com
Pioneers Victoria Falls: A four-star hotel with 50 rooms, plus a one-room spa and a restaurant serving ostrich and kudu. Rooms from $250, B&B, based on two sharing.
pioneersvicfalls.com
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Palm River Hotel; Pioneers Victoria Falls; Victoria Falls Safari Lodge PICTURE: Elsa Young
into town. If your taxi driver arrives late and says, “Sorry, there was an elephant on the road,” he isn’t lying.
NEW OPENINGS “My vision was to create an elegant camp in town,” says Mati Nyazema, owner of the high-end, all-suite Mbano Manor Hotel, which became part of Accor’s conservation-focused Mantis Collection in June. Set in a four-acre teak forest with a small pool, it’s one of several impressive new or upgraded properties to emerge from the doldrums of Covid. Of these, the standout newcomer
is the five-star Palm River Hotel on the banks of the Zambezi. Here guests can take a dreamy sunset cruise aboard Ra-Ikane, a 40ft, vintage-style boat, then enjoy a riverside barbecue with hippos and elephants just yards away. Further plus points are a cut-above buffet breakfast, complimentary afternoon tea and an on-demand shuttle to and from town during the day.
travelweekly.co.uk
Not to be outdone, the large and well-established Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, which has fabulous views over a waterhole, has been steadily refurbishing its rooms and added an excellent standalone spa last November. “Our guests asked for it,” says general manager Anald Musonza, “and more of them now stay for three nights.” To escape the tour-group rush
here, consider checking clients into the adjacent Victoria Falls Safari Club, which is more exclusive with a mere 20 rooms and perks galore. For those who appreciate spacious gardens, new-build Pioneers Victoria Falls has a gracious feel with two pools and an airy terrace restaurant, while luxury lodge The Elephant Camp, 20 minutes out of town, has added highly romantic star beds to three of its tented suites.
LOCAL FLAVOUR These days you’re nothing if you don’t have a locally made gin and craft beer. Victoria Falls now has both at the River Brewing Co, which
also has live music at the weekends. For a taste of Zimbabwean cuisine, seek out the colourfully decorated Dusty Road restaurant in the Chinotimba neighbourhood, where dishes include Zambezi bream and a hearty beef stew with a thick cornmeal porridge called sazda. Find time too for a sundowner at
the venerable Victoria Falls Hotel, with killer views of the railway bridge and clouds of spray rising from the falls. Even here there is evidence of the destination’s revival, as rooms are steadily upgraded ahead of the grande dame’s 120th anniversary next year.
² BOOK IT
Lusso Travel offers four nights at Victoria Falls Safari Club from £3,358 per person including BA flights via Johannesburg, transfers, park fees, breakfast and laundry. The holiday also includes a guided visit to the falls, helicopter flight, bike tour, Ra-Ikane river cruise and lunch at Dusty Road.
lussotravel.com
Mbano Manor Hotel Victoria Falls by Mantis: Surrounded by trees and birdlife, Mbano’s 18 suites and one butler-service villa come with uniformed staff and an inviting sense of sanctuary. Rooms from $415, B&B, based on two sharing.
mantiscollection.com
NEED TO KNOW
E Fly overnight via Johannesburg (BA), Nairobi (Kenya Airways), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airways) or Frankfurt (Eurowings Discover).
E Visas ($55) are available on arrival.
E High season is July to November when it is dry. The falls are most impressive in May/June; September to November is good for wildlife.
E Take US dollars. Credit cards may attract a surcharge.
E Malaria precautions are advised. E Learn more:
wearevictoriafalls.com
2 NOVEMBER 2023 49
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