KEEP VICTORIA FALLS WILD

KEEP VICTORIA FALLS WILD
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Wednesday 27 October 2010

Boat sinks in Zambezi River

No-one was injured and no tourists were on board. The boat captain and two crew members were testing it when the accident occurred.

The police officer commanding Victoria Falls, Chief Superintendent Regis Munya-radzi, on Monday said, “We received a report and the concerned party has enlisted the services of our sub-aqua unit to retrieve the boat from the river.”

The boat is lodged in the gorges beneath the mighty Victoria Falls and people standing on the bridge can see it.

Sources said the boat was supposed to do a pre-run before tourists boarded it.

“The boat rode a wave and the engine just stopped. The boat filled with water and when it started sinking, the crew jumped into the river.

“They swam to the river bank,” said the source.

Late on Monday, the Police Sub-Aqua Unit was still trying to retrieve the boat.

Jet boat cruises are popular with tourists.

Source: Boat sinks in Zambezi River (26/10/10)

Thursday 14 October 2010

Vic Falls on the rebound

After several years of losing ground to Livingstone, Zambia, “Vic Falls” is once again popular and the town can still claim to be the adventure capital of Africa, given the steady supply of adventure activities.

And since the coming in of the inclusive Government, the resort town has witnessed an upsurge in arrivals.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has also indicated that the sector has grown by seven percent this year.

The rise has also been noted by travel magazines and publications of note such as Getaway travel magazine and the gotovictoriafalls.com which are part of stakeholders complementing Government’s efforts in marketing the country regionally and internationally.

According to Getaway magazine, “Vic Falls” is now the place to be as it is very accessible, has beautiful hotels and lodges among packages thus making the destination stand above other destinations.

“Getting there, SAA, BA Comair and Air Zimbabwe fly to Victoria Falls every day. You can also fly into Livingstone in Zambia, from where it is a short transfer across the border to Vic Falls.

“Citizens of South Africa and other Sadc countries don’t need visas to visit,” reads magazine.
According to the gotovictoriafalls.com, safety has never been an issue in the resort town and the country at large. “Friendliness is endemic — a major reality, not an empty word, 70 percent of the views of the Falls are from the Zimbabwean side, the infrastructure of properties and products is as pristine, even better than ever,” reads the publication.

Overland truck companies such as Kananga, Wild Touch, Drifters and Nomad that had relocated to Livingstone are now bringing in tourists straight into Victoria Falls.

Other companies that had also opened offices in Livingstone have also returned here.

Whether one is an adrenalin “junkie” or someone who would rather stroll through the rainforest or admire the sunset on a river cruise, Victoria Falls has something for everyone.

There are more than 50 activities to choose from which include air activities, land activities, water activities and scenic activities. On the other hand, Zambians are also coming here for shopping.

The opening of TM Supermarket brought about competition of the retail sector and prices of basic commodities are now affordable to the extent of attracting Zambians.

Source: Vic Falls on the rebound (13/10/10)

Wednesday 13 October 2010

Vic Falls Bridge Company introduces guided tours

The company recently took agents from tour and adventure companies in Victoria Falls on a familiarisation tour of the bridge that straddles the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In an interview at the bridge, the bridge company’s marketing manager, Mrs Sonja Clay, said a visit to the Victoria Falls area was not complete without a trip to Victoria Falls Bridge.

“It is for a good reason that the bridge is the area’s second most visited landmark. Built in 1905, it was at the time the highest railway bridge in the world.

“It is truly a wonder of Victorian engineering and provides striking views of the falls, Batoka Gorge and Zambezi River,” she said.

“Our bridge tour includes a special presentation on the history of the bridge and the men who built it, a guided tour of the bridge, visitor centre and a rare opportunity to walk on the catwalks used in the original construction of the bridge.” She said tours were conducted three times daily at 9.15am, 12.15pm and 3.15pm.

Victoria Falls Bridge was part of Cecil John Rhodes’ dream of a railway line linking the Cape to
Cairo, which was fuelled by investment and speculation about the potential of central Africa. This famous bridge was designed by GA Hobson, and the preliminary calculations were made by Ralph Freeman, who would rise to fame as the designer of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932.
It was built by Cleveland Bridge Company, and cost 72 000 pounds at the time.

Source: Vic Falls Bridge Company introduces guided tours (12/10/10)