Victoria Falls – the best view

Victoria Falls is one of those places that is on most peoples hit-list, trouble is the best and most extensive views are actually on the Zimbabwe side, and due to the current political situation and economic decline people are reluctant to visit through either perceived dangers or to avoid supporting a cruel and corrupt regime.

World Cricket is currently facing this quandary, with Australia having very recently cancelled their tour to Zimbabwe on political grounds. So where does this leave the ‘intending tourist’ for Victoria Falls?

The Zimbabwe side of the falls has 70% of the vistas that you probably want to see – and it is an adrenalin junkie’s paradise with Bunji jumping and ‘high wire’ antics making it the ‘Adventure Capital of Africa’.  It is the largest single curtain of falling water on earth and an acclaimed World Heritage Site.

So, most people probably end up half wanting to go because it is such a natural wonder (with a shed-load of activities) and half not wanting to go for ethical and safety reasons.  So it is all down to that marvellous get-out clause “Its an individual decision.”

The Mole, if given the opportunity would most likely go, but he would not be 100% comfortable about it.  Many people have been to places with questionable politics and human rights issues and overlooked what has been going on around them while reaching for a cocktail by the pool, but where do you draw the line? 

It can be argued that staying away would hugely impact the many workers involved in tourism in Zimbabwe, where having no job is far more serious than in other countries. Do the benefits to the locals (particularly where they rely totally on tourism) then outweigh the politics? Sounds like an Andrew Denton debate…!

Since all the economic & political problems, the main tourist town, called Victoria Falls has lost out big time to the town of Livingstone across the border in Zambia.  Victoria Falls is close to both the falls and the Zambezi River.

Despite the current situation, the once thriving tourism companies around Victoria Falls are trying to raise the appeal of Victoria Falls as a preferred destination. Every major property and operator has backed a ‘Go to Victoria Falls’ campaign to put the town back on the tourist map, and they came along to Indaba.

The Mole spoke with Ross Kennedy, the Managing Director of the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge Tourism Group.  The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was gold listed in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2006 World’s Best Places to stay and offers a full range of varied activities around the falls.

Kennedy says it is fantastic to see the recent re-growth in tourism, with occupancies in Victoria Falls increasing 30% in 06/07. Visitors from traditional key markets are on the increase and new markets are also developing.  Kennedy also says that safety is not an issue at Victoria Falls, with the Tourism Police operating seven days a week in all the main tourist areas, and the locals fully supporting the tourism push.

Australia is actually the third largest international source market for Victoria Falls, and Kennedy considers Australia to be an important niche market, borne out by the numbers of recent arrivals.

Visa requirements can apparently be an interesting affair with rules and costings changing regularly – but its all part of the travelling experience!

Kennedy is bringing a road show to Australia to further promote Victoria Falls, so if you have been contemplating sending your groups or individuals to one of the natural wonders of the world, contact Tara Brown on [email protected] or Ross Kennedy on [email protected]

A report by The Mole on location at Indaba