Cresta Sprayview Vic Falls completes major refurbishment

 All 65 bedrooms and suites at Cresta Sprayview in Victoria Falls have been completely refurbished as part of a major upgrade programme taking place in the hotel.

Cresta Hotels’ managing director Rutendo Badenhorst said the programme was aimed at maintaining competitive status and enhancing the guest experience in one of the resort city’s best-known hotels.

“Within the Cresta group we have a standard policy of regular refurbishment programmes in all our hotels, to allow for maintenance of the highest standards of physical infrastructure and to meet ever-increasing guest expectations,” she said.

In the 60 bedrooms and five suites decor and fittings have been changed, with a new feature of open closets, while bathrooms have been renovated and exteriors given a makeover. Gardens across the property have been extensively revamped, making full use of the trees, flowerbeds and lawns to enhance the ‘clean and green’ look of the bedroom wings that stretch out across the grounds.

Built originally by the well-known Gardini family and we long one of the resort’s best-known establishments, Cresta Sprayview was first opened as Peter’s Motel, the third hotel to be built in the resort. It later became the Victoria Falls Motel, and has since 2013 been operated by the Cresta Group as Cresta Sprayview.  it features prominently in the Cresta Hotels portfolio, which includes operations in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.

“We are very proud of the ongoing success and achievements of Cresta Sprayview, which fills an important niche in Victoria Falls as a destination for international, regional and local tourists, as well as hosting small to medium conferences and banqueting events,” said Mrs Badenhorst.

“The exciting growth of travel and tourism into and across Zimbabwe is a major boat for all of us in the sector and it is important for us to remain industry leaders in our field of operations, which means continuous improvement to physical infrastructure, service and operational activity. “

Next up in the refurbishment programme are upgrades to the restaurant, lounge and bars, work which has already started and will end in 2026.

Cresta Sprayview general manager Patience Musonza plays an important role in the hospitality industry in Victoris Falls, chairing the local branch of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe.

Source: Cresta Sprayview Vic Falls completes major refurbishment (November 2025)

Victoria Falls a 2026 “must-visit” destination

 THE country continues to win on the tourism front after the Condé Nast Traveller listed Zimbabwe, particularly the Victoria Falls, on the buffet of “must-visit” destinations in 2026.

Condé Nast is a leading global media company with interests straddling print, digital and digital products, including Vogue, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Architectural Digest and Condé Nast Traveller.

In its latest edition, the magazine named Victoria Falls as a must-visit destination for 2026, charmed by the majesty of the Falls and a catalogue of old and strategically positioned new hotels.

It is the latest accolade and worldwide acclaim after the recent listing by Forbes Magazine, deeming Zimbabwe the best destination to visit in 2025.

“Long celebrated for “Mosi-oa-Tunya”, “the smoke that thunders”, the city of Victoria Falls is reinventing itself as one of southern Africa’s most exciting destinations in 2026,” read an extract from the magazine.

“Travellers come not just to behold the Falls but for the adventure, culture, and conservation experiences.

“And a spate of new hotels have arrived to meet the demand, including Anantara’s first Zimbabwean property, the plush Stanley & Livingstone Victoria Falls, which debuted last December; adventure operator Wild Horizons’ Waterfalls Lodge, which followed in July; and Samanzi Luxury Cabanas, a boutique retreat that opened in August with intimate cabanas and tranquil pools.”

The impressive list is not exhaustive and the magazine took its time to name them one by one.

“This past June, the Palm River Hotel unveiled a stunning new riverside deck that overlooks the Zambezi, offering scenic dining experiences and a beautifully curated high tea,” noted the magazine.

“Looking ahead, Bupenyu Lodge by Newmark Hotels & Reserves (opening at the end of 2025) and the House of Chinhara-Vignette Collection (opening in January 2026) promise ultra-luxury options that will transform the region from a stopover to a destination in its own right.”

Going forward, Victoria Falls provides a compelling destination and sheds off any reason to make it a stopover resort, notes Condé Nast Traveller.

With an increase in the number of private villas set on the sandy banks of the Zambezi, the Victoria Falls is offering secluded sanctuaries with amenities such as private pools, riverfront suites, personalised butlers and guide services.

It also offers easy access to the falls by road or boat.

The major takeaway from the magazine was the Government’s investment in infrastructure development, particularly rehabilitation of the Bulawayo to Victoria Falls Highway.

“Infrastructure is also keeping pace with this growth as the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway is under rehabilitation, Fastjet has just launched the new Bulawayo-Victoria Falls route, and the construction of the Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium, poised to host the 2026 ICC under-19 World Cup, is underway, “ noted the magazine.

Recently, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi said President Mnangagwa’s policies were beginning to yield positive results for the sector.

Source: Victoria Falls a 2026 “must-visit” destination (05/11/2025)

UAE’s ASB Hospitality Snaps Up Zimbabwe’s Iconic Kingdom Hotel for $30 Million

In a big win for Zimbabwe’s growing tourism scene, Dubai-based ASB Hospitality has bought the famous Kingdom Hotel in Victoria Falls for $30 million. This marks the company’s second major move in the country, following its $20 million purchase of the Meikles Hotel in Harare back in 2019. The 294-room property, which sits right by the stunning Victoria Falls—a UNESCO World Heritage site that draws about 400,000 visitors each year—shut down in 2023 over a lease dispute but now looks set for a fresh start under new branding. Seller First Capital Bank, along with its pension fund, is cashing out to sharpen its focus on core banking, using the money to pay taxes and strengthen operations. For everyday Zimbabweans and travellers, this deal could mean more jobs in hospitality and better spots to stay, as the sector bounces back with 1.6 million visitors bringing in $1.2 billion in 2024. It also shows stronger ties between Gulf investors and Africa, especially as Forbes named Zimbabwe the world’s top travel spot for 2025 for its wildlife safaris and cultural treasures.

ASB Hospitality, a unit of Albwardy Investment, manages 18 luxury properties across four continents with over 1,300 rooms. This buy expands its African footprint, coming hot on the heels of grabbing a majority stake in Lusaka’s Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Zambia. For Zimbabwe, hit hard by economic woes but rich in natural wonders, such investments signal hope for revival in a sector key to earning foreign cash and creating work for locals.

The Kingdom Hotel: A Riverside Gem Ready for Rebirth

The Kingdom Hotel, now owned by Makasa Sun Private Limited before the sale, boasts 294 rooms and prime views of the Zambezi River, just minutes from Victoria Falls—one of the world’s largest waterfalls. Built in the 1990s with an African-inspired design mixing modern comforts and local vibes, it has long been a favourite for tourists seeking adventure like bungee jumps or wildlife safaris. But a lease row led to its closure in 2023, leaving the site idle and hurting local jobs.

ASB plans a grand relaunch, likely rebranding it to fit its luxury style, similar to turning Meikles into Hyatt Regency Harare—The Meikles. This could include upgrades to rooms, dining, and facilities to attract high-end visitors. With Victoria Falls pulling in crowds year-round, the hotel’s comeback could add to Zimbabwe’s tourism push, which aims for $5 billion in revenue by 2025 through spots like Hwange National Park and Mana Pools.

ASB Hospitality: Expanding Footprint in Africa’s Hospitality Boom

ASB Hospitality, based in Dubai, is part of Albwardy Investment—a family-owned group with roots in East Africa and a focus on luxury stays. Led by Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Aldhaheri, it runs upscale spots like the Hyatt Regency in Harare and now eyes more in the region. The company’s buy of Taj Pamodzi in Zambia shows a plan to grow in southern Africa, where tourism is rebounding post-COVID.

For Zimbabwe, ASB’s involvement brings know-how in running top hotels, potentially creating hundreds of jobs in services, maintenance, and supply chains. Local suppliers could benefit from deals for food, linens, and crafts, helping small businesses grow. This fits Zimbabwe’s goal to hit 5 million tourists by 2025, up from 1.6 million in 2024, bringing in more dollars to ease economic strains.

First Capital Bank’s sale lets it drop a non-core asset, focusing on banking while pocketing cash to boost lending and operations. The bank’s pension fund, a joint owner, also gains from the deal, securing funds for retirees.

A Closer Look: Facts Behind the Deal

In a major deal set to breathe new life into Zimbabwe’s hospitality scene, Dubai-based ASB Hospitality has acquired the renowned Kingdom Hotel in Victoria Falls for $30 million. This marks the company’s second significant investment in the country, following its $20 million purchase of the Meikles Hotel in Harare in 2019. The 294-room riverside property, which closed in 2023 due to a lease dispute, is now poised for a grand relaunch under fresh branding, potentially attracting more visitors to one of Africa’s top natural wonders. For everyday Zimbabweans, this could mean fresh job opportunities in tourism, a sector that welcomed 1.6 million visitors in 2024 and generated $1.2 billion in revenue. The transaction also signals deepening ties between Gulf investors and African markets, especially as Zimbabwe earns global praise for its wildlife safaris and cultural treasures, recently crowned by Forbes as the world’s top travel destination for 2025.

ASB Hospitality, a subsidiary of Albwardy Investment, manages 18 luxury properties across four continents with over 1,300 rooms. The acquisition expands its African footprint, coming shortly after securing a majority stake in Lusaka’s Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Zambia. For Zimbabwe, grappling with economic challenges but rich in attractions like Victoria Falls—a UNESCO World Heritage site drawing 400,000 visitors yearly—this investment offers hope for revival in a key industry that supports thousands of livelihoods.

The Kingdom Hotel: A Prime Asset Ready for Rebirth

Nestled along the Zambezi River just minutes from the majestic Victoria Falls, the Kingdom Hotel boasts 294 rooms designed with an African-inspired aesthetic that blends modern comfort with local charm. Built in the 1990s, it has long been a favourite for tourists seeking adventures like helicopter rides over the falls or wildlife safaris in nearby reserves. However, a lease disagreement led to its closure in 2023, leaving the site dormant and impacting local employment.

Under ASB’s ownership through Makasa Sun (Private) Limited—the previous operator jointly held by First Capital Bank and its pension fund—the hotel is expected to undergo upgrades and rebranding. This mirrors ASB’s successful revamp of the Meikles Hotel into the Hyatt Regency Harare – The Meikles, which has elevated standards and drawn international guests. The relaunch could include enhanced facilities like spas, conference spaces, and eco-friendly features to appeal to modern travellers, potentially creating hundreds of jobs in housekeeping, guiding, and supply chains.

The property’s location near Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, positions it perfectly for Zimbabwe’s tourism push. The falls alone generate significant revenue, with activities like bungee jumping and river cruises adding to the allure.

ASB Hospitality’s African Expansion: Building a Luxury Network

ASB Hospitality, headquartered in Dubai, is part of the family-owned Albwardy Investment group, which has roots in East Africa and a focus on upscale accommodations. Led by Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Aldhaheri, the firm emphasises sustainable operations and community benefits, aligning with Zimbabwe’s goals for eco-tourism.

The company’s entry into Zimbabwe began with the $20 million Meikles acquisition in 2019, transforming it into a five-star Hyatt property that has boosted Harare’s appeal for business travellers. More recently, ASB expanded in Zambia with the Taj Pamodzi stake, showing a clear strategy to grow in southern Africa. With 18 properties worldwide, ASB brings expertise in managing high-end resorts, which could help elevate Zimbabwe’s offerings to compete with regional hotspots like South Africa’s Kruger or Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

For First Capital Bank, the sale allows a shift back to core banking activities, using proceeds to cover taxes and enhance operations. The bank’s pension fund, a co-owner, also benefits, securing returns for members in a volatile economy.

A Closer Look: Key Facts on the Deal and Its Impact

1/ ASB Hospitality, a Dubai-based arm of Albwardy Investment, manages 18 luxury properties across four continents with over 1,300 rooms.

2/ The Kingdom Hotel boasts 294 rooms and sits just minutes from Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site drawing 400,000 visitors yearly.

3/ ASB’s first Zimbabwe buy was the Meikles Hotel in Harare for $20-million in 2019, now rebranded as Hyatt Regency Harare – The Meikles.

4/ ASB recently grabbed a majority stake in Lusaka’s Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Zambia, expanding its African holdings.

This acquisition not only revives a key asset but also hints at more investments in Zimbabwe’s tourism, supporting the nation’s recovery and creating opportunities for communities around iconic sites like Victoria Falls. As ASB plans the relaunch, locals and travellers alike can look forward to upgraded experiences that blend luxury with Zimbabwe’s natural beauty.

Source:  UAE’s ASB Hospitality Snaps Up Zimbabwe’s Iconic Kingdom Hotel for $30 Million (24/11/2025)

First Capital Bank to sell former ‘Kingdom Hotel’ stake in USD 30m deal

 First Capital Bank has announced a binding agreement to dispose of its full shareholding in Makasa Sun (Private) Limited, the company that owns the Makasa Sun Hotel, in a transaction valued at USD 30 million.

The Makasa Sun Hotel is the one formerly known as The Kingdom Hotel in Victoria Falls.

The deal, signed with ASB Hospitality LLC of the United Arab Emirates, will see the foreign investor acquire 100% of the hotel operator’s issued shares once all conditions precedent are met.

According to the bank’s latest statement, the purchaser has already placed a USD 3 million deposit into escrow, with the remaining USD 27 million to be paid upon completion. The sale is subject to regulatory approvals, including clearance from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the Competition and Tariff Commission, COMESA, and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

First Capital Bank said the disposal forms part of a strategic shift to unlock shareholder value by exiting non-core assets and refocusing on mainstream banking activities. ASB Hospitality, backed by an international hotel group, is expected to reposition the Makasa Sun Hotel and stimulate further investment in Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.

The bank emphasised that the sale will not have a significant impact on its historical or future earnings, as Makasa Sun has been recorded as a dormant entity. As at October 2024, Makasa Sun had a consolidated net asset value of approximately USD 27.9 million, though it has not been significantly reflected in the bank’s consolidated financials.

Proceeds from the transaction will be used to settle capital gains tax obligations and to distribute net receipts to both the bank and its staff pension fund, which jointly owned the hospitality asset. No securities are being exchanged as part of the agreement, and the deal will be settled entirely in cash.

The transaction qualifies as a Category 3 transaction on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange. First Capital Bank advised shareholders and investors to continue exercising caution until full regulatory approval is confirmed and the disposal is finalised.

Source: First Capital Bank to sell former ‘Kingdom Hotel’ stake in USD 30m deal (20/11/25)

New train dining experience in Vic Falls

 Bushtracks Africa has launched a new dining experience in Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls called Stimela Trackside Dining.

The dining experience aims to deliver a sophisticated experience, offering a three-course meal served aboard a restored train stationed on the siding in the centre of Victoria Falls. The menu features locally inspired dishes.

The experience is ideal for couples, families and small groups. It is open for dinner on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays but advance reservations are recommended as seating is limited.

“Stimela is our newest dining experience in Victoria Falls, offering guests a chance to enjoy fine dining aboard a heritage train on nights when the iconic Express trains aren’t running to the bridge,” said Christopher Tett, Bushtracks Africa CEO. 

Source: New train dining experience in Vic Falls (20/11/25)

The cost of Victoria Falls’ colonial name

 This week marks 170 years since one of history’s most consequential acts of cultural erasure in tourism.

On November 16, 1855, David Livingstone stood at the edge of a magnificent waterfall and, in a moment that would reverberate through centuries, stripped away its indigenous identity to honour a distant British monarch.

Today, millions of tourists still flock to what the world knows as Victoria Falls, unaware that this very week commemorates not a discovery, but a dispossession, one that continues to generate profits while silencing the authentic tourism legacy of Mosi-oa-Tunya.

When Scottish missionary David Livingstone arrived at the majestic waterfall that November day in 1855, he was hardly making a discovery. The Toka-Leya people had lived beside these falls for centuries, calling them Mosi-oa-Tunya; “The Smoke That Thunders”.

Yet Livingstone, guided to the site by local inhabitants, claimed the distinction of being the first Europeans to encounter it and promptly renamed the natural wonder after Queen Victoria, a monarch the indigenous population knew nothing about or cared about.

This was not merely an act of naming. It was what scholars now recognise as a silencing act: a deliberate erasure that transformed a sacred landscape into a symbol of imperial power.

The timing of this anniversary is haunting: in the very week we should be celebrating 170 years of tourism at one of Africa’s most sacred sites, we instead commemorate the moment Livingstone removed its authentic identity.

That colonial name has since become so economically valuable that even independent African nations struggle to reclaim their own heritage, trapped by the commercial success of a brand born from cultural theft.

The architecture of erasure

The renaming of Mosi-oa-Tunya established what can only be described as a colonial ecosystem of place names. Following the waterfall’s appropriation, the adjacent town was named Livingstone.

A museum, built using ethnographic materials provided by the very communities it marginalised, became the David Livingstone Museum in 1934.

This systematic alignment, Victoria Falls, Livingstone Town, Livingstone Museum, was not coincidental. It was a comprehensive governmental project designed to anchor colonial narratives into the physical and psychological landscape, pushing the Toka-Leya people’s histories into obscurity.

As political scientist Dr  Chipo Dendere observes, this colonial naming stripped away “a lot of the sense of ownership that locals had”, fundamentally altering the relationship between  indigenous communities and their ancestral landmarks.

The “myth of discovery” was not just historical inaccuracy; it was a foundational tool of dispossession that legitimised European control over African spaces.

Similar patterns emerge across the continent. Lake Victoria, known locally as Nnalubaale (“mother of guardian gods”) or Nam Lolwe (“endless lake”), was renamed by British explorer John Hanning Speke in 1858.

Lake Albert, originally called Mwitanzige (“the lake that defeated the locusts”), suffered the same fate. These were not neutral geographic designations but instruments of colonial power that systematically disconnected Africans from their cultural heritage.

The economic trap

Nearly half a century after independence, both Zambia and Zimbabwe face a peculiar dilemma. Zambia adopted Mosi-oa-Tunya for official use and named its conservation area, accordingly, prioritising cultural restoration. Zimbabwe, however, retained Victoria Falls as its official designation, heavily influenced by established tourism infrastructure and global brand recognition.

This divergence was not merely symbolic; it is a multi-billion-dollar question.

The tourism industry’s resistance to renaming reveals how colonial nomenclature has been transformed into economic leverage. When Zimbabwe’s ruling party proposed officially renaming the falls, tourism operators cited substantial costs, including rebranding physical assets, advertising materials, website domains, and re-establishing search engine optimisation.

The core argument from industry stakeholders is brutally pragmatic: most international tourists know only the colonial name and discover the indigenous designation only upon arrival.

A comprehensive name change, they argue, risks hampering tourism recovery by creating market confusion. Some operators have pre-emptively adopted co-branding strategies, but the overall resistance demonstrates what scholars call “brand capture”, where a colonial name becomes such a valuable economic asset that it actively resists political and cultural correction.

Even UNESCO’s diplomatic compromise, listing the site as “Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls”, creates ambiguity about which name holds priority in international

communication.

The slash between names may appear inclusive, but it functionally maintains the colonial designation’s prominence in global tourism markets.

The real cost of colonial tourism

The implications extend far beyond a single waterfall. Colonial-era hotels like The Victoria Falls Hotel were originally built to provide Western-style comforts for colonial administrators and now market their colonial heritage as a selling point, offering romanticised colonial experiences while glossing over problematic historical aspects.

This commodification of colonial nostalgia creates what researchers identify as ongoing patterns of economic exclusion that mirror the structural inequalities imposed during colonial rule.

The private sector benefits directly from this historical injustice. As one commentator noted, the argument that renaming “should have been done at Independence, along with all the other town and city name changes,” clearly prioritises established revenue streams over necessary historical reparation.

The colonial name, successfully integrated into global tourism since the mid-20th century, now functions as a pervasive form of economic capture whose market value is leveraged to resist change.

Breaking the cycle

The strategic solution requires demonstrating that Mosi-oa-Tunya can achieve not just equal but superior commercial success by marketing the site’s authentic cultural significance and spiritual essence.

Some advocates argue that this alignment with values like Ubuntu could actually enhance the destination’s appeal to increasingly conscious travellers seeking authentic cultural experiences rather than colonial nostalgia.

Grassroots efforts are already underway, with local chiefs running educational tours after waterfall visits to teach visitors about indigenous landmarks and culture.

These initiatives represent what scholars call a “quiet but powerful movement of reclaiming cultural identity through education and daily language.”

The battle over Victoria Falls’ name illuminates a broader truth about modern tourism: colonial infrastructure, both physical and linguistic, continues to generate profits while the descendants of dispossessed communities remain economically marginalised.

Until the global tourism industry confronts this legacy, the thundering mist of Mosi-oa-Tunya will continue to carry not just water vapour, but the unresolved contradictions of Africa’s incomplete decolonisation.

The question is not whether Mosi-oa-Tunya can compete with Victoria Falls as a brand. The question is whether the tourism industry values justice and authenticity enough to help it do so, or whether profit will continue to silence the voices that named these waters long before any European arrived to “discover” them.

Source: The cost of Victoria Falls’ colonial name (20/11/2025)

Tourism Minister Urges Speedy Completion of Victoria Falls Border Works

(Zambia) Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba has called for the swift completion of rehabilitation works at the Victoria Falls Border, citing congestion and frustration among tourists due to delays.

Mr. Sikumba made the appeal after visiting the construction site, accompanied by a delegation from the World Bank. He said he will urgently engage the Commissioner General of the Zambia Revenue Authority and the Finance Minister to fast-track the project and restore the smooth flow of traffic.

Meanwhile, World Bank Group Division Director for Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe Nathan Belete reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting Zambia through the Great Zambia Tourism Development Project.

Mr. Belete emphasized that improving cross-border trade facilitation is key to unlocking greater benefits for local entrepreneurs and businesses on both sides of the Victoria Falls.

Source: Tourism Minister Urges Speedy Completion of Victoria Falls Border Works (19/11/2025)