Victoria Falls Safari Collection boosts MICE investment

 THE Victoria Falls Safari Collection (VFSC) says it is expanding its meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) facilities to cater for growing demand from the business community.

The resort — which regularly hosts a number of high-level events and globally acclaimed individuals — is undertaking an expansion drive that has seen the construction of a 180-seater Queen Nandi conference room, two breakaway rooms, an amphitheatre, and an additional conference room expected to be operational by June.

VFSC Head of Marketing and Sales, Anald Musonza, said investments in MICE facilities are a result of the growing need for conferencing space.

“There’s quite a lot of demand for conferences, meetings, incentives and events into the destination,” Musonza said.

“You are all aware Zimbabwe was voted the best destination to travel to by Forbes 2025, and recently at ITB as well, we were… voted the best by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association, and our minister voted the best Tourism minister.

“That… is good positive messaging coming from what’s happening in our destination. And we’ve seen that we’ve been attracting quite a lot of significant MICE business at a global level,” he added.

MICE has been driving up business for various players in the tourism sector, with the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe citing Victoria Falls and Harare as the major beneficiaries of this uptick.

“We have strategically started investing heavily in that area (MICE) because it helps us in our business in terms of picking up business when there is normally no good business.

“January to June… were actually the best months in the 30-year history of our business because of MICE business,” Musonza said.

Corporate clients remain the primary drivers of the MICE business, as the tourism sector is projected to grow by 3,1 percent in 2026.

Growth is already evident, driven by stronger international and domestic travel, alongside continued government investment in the sector.

Musonza said the introduction of more flights to Victoria Falls by airlines such as Fastjet was significantly contributing to the growth of the tourism sector.

“As a destination, I call this the golden triangle because we have three international airports that are less than an hour to our property.

“Kasane International Airport, which is 70 kilometres, which is the furthest, but from landing… within the hour you will be here.

“Victoria Falls International Airport, 20 kilometres, within 30 minutes after landing, you are on our property.

“Livingstone International Airport, 30 kilometres, again within an hour of landing, you are here,” Musonza said.

“So, you can see that there is a very good connection and connectivity into the destination, and you’re beginning to see Vic Falls becoming a proper international hub.

“And you are all aware that our government, through Air Zimbabwe, actually through Munhumutapa, has told us already… we will get this launch of the London Harare flight in June.

‘That to us is one of the most popular routes for us in terms of direct access to Europe,” he added.

Source: Victoria Falls Safari Collection boosts MICE investment (02/04/2026)

Victoria Falls to host UN Tourism events

 ZIMBABWE is fully prepared to host two major UN Tourism high-level events set for this month, with a visiting delegation from the organisation’s Madrid headquarters expressing satisfaction with the country’s state of readiness.

The events include the 23rd UN Tourism Committee on Tourism and Sustainability (CTS) Meeting and the Second UN Tourism Regional Congress on Women Empowerment in Tourism in Africa and will be held in Victoria Falls from 27 April to 1 May 2026.

This was revealed during a Press conference on Thursday in Victoria Falls, following a Preliminary Assessment Mission by UN Tourism officials who have been in the country from 1 to 3 April 2026 to evaluate preparedness.

The mission was led by UN Tourism Regional Director for Africa, Ms Elcia Grandcourt, accompanied by Senior Project Specialist Ms Rachel Monnier.

Speaking at the Press conference, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa, said the assessment mission had been both productive and encouraging.

“On behalf of the ministry, I am pleased to report that, throughout the Preliminary Mission, the visiting delegation expressed satisfaction with our level of preparedness.

“Their positive assessment is a testament to the hard work, coordination and commitment demonstrated by our teams across Government and the private sector,” she said.

“Whilst we are encouraged by this positive feedback, we remain committed to further strengthening our preparations in the lead-up to 27 April 2026. Our goal is not only to meet expectations but to exceed them, showcasing Zimbabwe as a premier destination for tourism events in the region,” said Dr Munyanyiwa.

Source: Zimbabwe ready to host UN Tourism events, visiting delegation hails First Lady’s tourism patronage (03/04/2026)

Mosi Oa Tunya Cricket Oval over 80 percent complete

 AUTHORITIES have expressed confidence that first-class cricket will be played at the Mosi Oa Tunya Cricket Oval in Victoria Falls by August, with the state-of-the-art facility now more than 80 percent complete.

The centre wicket is approximately 90 percent ready.

A tour of the project on Saturday revealed a hive of activity, showing how a former sand poaching site and animal drinking hole has been transformed into a lush sporting precinct.

Brickwork for the grandstands, media centres, players’ pavilion, and medical facilities is complete, with contractors now focused on roofing and final finishes.

The tour was led by Sports and Recreation Permanent Secretary Mr Nicholas Moyo and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) Board chairman Mr Tavengwa Mkhuhlane.

Mr Moyo hailed the rapid execution, saying the project stands as a benchmark for other sports federations.

“When one looks at this facility, this was an open space, highly damaged by sand poaching. In just under 24 months, Zimbabwe Cricket has turned this bush into something we can be proud of,” said Mr Moyo.

He credited President Mnangagwa, who officiated the groundbreaking in May 2024, and said the venue would help unearth talent from surrounding rural schools.

ZC chairman Mr Mkhuhlane said the playing field was well ahead of schedule.

“Our target is that come August 2026, we should play our first class game here,” he said.

Floodlights are on site awaiting installation, with final equipment already in transit.

The venue is being developed with an eye on hosting the 2027 World Cup, which Zimbabwe is co-hosting with Namibia and South Africa.

Source: Mosi Oa Tunya Cricket Oval over 80 percent complete (29/03/2026)

Concerns Over Degradation of the Falls Environment as Zambia and Zimbabwe Register Record Numbers of Visitors to Victoria Falls over 2024

KEEP VICTORIA FALLS WILD

Zambia have recently published their annual tourism report for 2024, providing long-awaited detail on visitors to the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site and indicating a record number of tourists visited the Falls over 2024.

Zambia recorded a record 2,199,820 international arrivals over 2024, a 35 percent increase on the 1,392,153 arrivals recorded in 2023. Visitors to the north-bank Falls visitor park, however, declined to 170,402, against 227,000 in 2023, including 45,023 international visitors, down from 51,126 recorded in 2023. The Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park recorded 11,591 visitors (Zambia Tourism Agency, 2025). The figures show a strong national recovery from the pandemic years and reflect the strength and diversity of Zambia's nationwide tourism industry.

Across the river Zimbabwe recorded 1,613,901 international arrivals in 2024, a slight increase on the 1,602,781 visitors recorded in 2023, but still significantly short of pre-pandemic highs of 2,579,974 arrivals recorded in 2019 (Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, 2025, p.8). The figures mark a sudden pause in the country’s post-Covid recovery, while global tourism levels have largely recovered to pre-pandemic levels in 2024.

Visitors to the south-bank Rainforest viewing

the lunar rainbow (ZPWMA, 2023)

Visitors to the Falls, however, showed a fuller recovery, with the south-bank Victoria Falls visitor park receiving 394,681 visitors over 2024, including 295,084 international visitors (Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, 2025, p.24). The total for 2024 is just short of the record high of 397,436 visitors to the Falls recorded in 2019 (and which included 310,732 international visitors), indicating that tourism to the Falls has recovered to pre-Covid levels, despite the poor national figures (and a reflection of the over-reliance of Zimbabwe's national tourism industry on the Falls). The Zambezi National Park recorded 202,618 visitors, up on the 170,605 visitors recorded in 2023.

The figures reported indicate a new record combined total of 565,083 visitors to the Falls over the year, surpassing the previous record total of 537.980 recorded in 2019. The figures also mark only the second time that the Falls have received over half-a-million visitors in two consecutive years, with a total of 537,980 visitors recorded in 2018 and 530,136 in 2023.

The scale of recent growth in tourism to the Falls is clearly illustrated by the numbers of visitors estimated to have visited the south bank Rainforest since the early 1900s. While there are no detailed records of visitor numbers to the Falls since Livingstone first described them to the world, estimates based on known occupancy levels at the Victoria Falls Hotel over the decades indicate that perhaps one million people had visited the south bank Rainforest by the time of independence in 1980. It is calculated that this number doubled to two million over just twenty years to 2000 and this total itself nearly tripled to close to six million visitors over the twenty years to 2020 (Roberts, 2025).

Carrying Capacity Concerns

The new record total raises concerns over the peak-season carrying capacity of the Falls visitor parks, especially on the south bank. 

The 1996 IUCN SEA report calculated the carrying capacity on both sides of the Falls to be 250 people at any one time with a daily limit of 3,000 visitors.

“The rainforest walk is the primary attraction which brings tourists from all over the world. The carrying capacity of the Rainforest walks limits the carrying capacity of the whole area... The carrying capacity of the rainforest is based upon the number of people in the rainforest at any one time. Calculations by the study team showed that on both the Zambian and Zimbabwean side, the carrying capacity was about 250 persons at any one time giving 1,250 persons on an average day and up to 3,000 persons per day on a capacity day.” (IUCN, 1996a, p.9-10) 

The 2010 State of Conservation Report confirmed the carrying capacity for the Falls visitor parks, estimating a total of 6,000 daily visitors as a maximum, split equally over the two sides of the river (UNESCO, 2010).

The 2016 Joint Plan indicated a revised carrying capacity of 500 visitors to the south bank and 250 visitors to the north bank at any one time (as opposed to Heath’s 1990 estimate of 250 visitors for each side of the river). The revised south bank figure is believed to be based on the assumption of an average visit time of one-hour, instead of the widely accepted tourism industry figure of two hours, effectively doubling the south-bank daily capacity identified in 1996 from 3,000 to 6,000 (it should be noted there have been no corresponding improvements to visitor facilities or infrastructure to justify this increased figure).

The 2024 Zambezi/Victoria Falls National Park Management Plan estimated the current tourist accommodation capacity of the south bank at between 5,000 and 6,000 beds (ZPWMA, 2023, p.59), with hotel and other developments already announced and in progress expected to easily bring this total to over 6,000 (while the centrally located Kingdom Hotel, with nearly 300 rooms, still lies empty).

Accepting a daily limit of 3,000 visitors either side of the Falls and an average stay of two days/nights, the drive to expand tourism accommodation on the south-bank resort beyond 6,000 beds would suggest that the carrying capacity of the ‘Rainforest’ is in danger of being regularly breached during peak-season periods, when hotels and lodges are often booked to near capacity. The concerns over the visitor capacity of the Falls also extend to tourism activities, with recent years seeing a significant increase in the number of cruise boats operating on the river above the Falls and helicopters offering flights over the Falls.

In 2018 ZimParks extended the daily opening times for the south-bank visitor 'Rainforest' from its traditional dusk closing time (6-7 p.m.) until 10 p.m. while also allowing night-time game drives within the Zambezi National Park and late night dining and events along the river. 

Tourism development pressures have also led to the development of inappropriate and illegitimate infrastructure within protected 'no new development' zones, such as the establishment of the riverside Baines Restaurant, opened in mid-2023 and located immediately above the Falls within the Victoria Falls National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site 'red zone.' The proposed development of a riverside 'tree lodge' complex along an undeveloped stretch of the riverine fringe surrounding the Elephant Hills Golf Course, again within the VFNP and WHS red zone, threatens to further impact the fragile ecology of the immediate area of the Falls (KVFW, 2023; 2024). These developments also risk increasing people-wildlife conflict by displacing local elephant herds from their traditional movement corridors, refuge and feeding areas and bringing them into conflict with local residents (VFCC, 2024, p.64, 91, 155).

Over-tourism risks the degradation of the Falls environment through direct physical development and disturbance, with increased noise and light/visual pollution experienced by the visitor and ultimately reducing the wilderness, and tourism, value and appeal of the Falls. The drive for short-term growth and gains are undermining the long-term tourism value and potential of the destination - as well as risking the lives of residents through the increased risks of people-wildlife conflict. 

References

Further information, downloads and links to key documents available from Keep Victoria Falls Wild website (www.keepvictoriafallswild.com).

Keep Victoria Falls Wild (2023) 2023 State of Development Final Report. August 2023. 

Keep Victoria Falls Wild (2024) 2024 State of Development Final Report. July, 2024.

IUCN (1996) Strategic Environmental Assessment of Developments Around Victoria Falls, Executive Summary. IUCN Regional Office for Southern Africa.

Roberts, P. (2025) Footsteps Through Time - A History of Travel and Tourism to the Victoria Falls. Fourth Edition. Zambezi Book Company / CreateSpace Independent Publishing. (First published 2017).

UNESCO (2010) Conservation Issues.

Victoria Falls City Council (2024) Victoria Falls City Master Plan. Draft Report of Study. April 2024.

Zambia Tourism Agency (2025) Annual Report 2024.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (October 2023) Zambezi/Victoria Falls National Park GeneralManagement Plan (2024-2034). October 2023 (approved April 2024).

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (2025) Tourism Trends and Statistics 2024.

Stakeholders unite to tackle deadly human-wildlife conflict in Vic Falls

 STAKEHOLDERS in the resort city of Victoria Falls have resolved to escalate community awareness and strengthen collaborative efforts to combat the rising tide of human-wildlife conflict that has claimed several lives in recent months.

This emerged during a high-level stakeholder meeting convened by the Victoria Falls City Council at the council chambers recently. 

The gathering brought together local authorities, Government departments, conservation partners, and residents to deliberate on practical solutions to the crisis.

City mayor, Councillor Prince Thuso Moyo, said the safety of residents remains the foremost priority, which led them to convene the meeting.

“Our residents have been attacked and killed while going about their daily lives, walking home from work, moving within communities, or carrying out routine activities,” he said.

Clr Moyo noted that while Victoria Falls is blessed with wildlife and natural heritage, co-existence must be guided by clear policies that protect human life. 

He also called for the operationalisation of the Government-driven “Human-Wildlife Conflict Compensation Fund” to ensure affected families receive timely support.

The meeting observed a minute of silence in memory of community members who have succumbed to attacks.

Delivering the technical perspective, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) senior ecologist, Ms Maxine Tadyanehondo, urged residents to exercise extreme caution. 

She advised the public to study animal behaviour and avoid moving at night, particularly while under the influence of alcohol.

“We will continue to respond to distress calls and eliminate problem animals, but there is a critical need to raise awareness so that people understand the risks,” Ms Tadyanehondo said. 

“Wild animals are unpredictable, and we must adapt our behaviour to stay safe.”

The year 2026 has already witnessed tragic incidents in and around Victoria Falls. 

Authorities have recorded at least five deaths linked to elephant and crocodile attacks in the district since the beginning of the year, intensifying fears among communities living on the fringes of wildlife habitats.

Stakeholders at the meeting agreed to intensify public awareness campaigns and foster real-time communication between Zimparks and residents. 

The City Council also pledged to explore long-term mitigation measures, including the erection of wildlife barriers and the improvement of lighting in high-risk areas.

Residents were urged to report sightings promptly and to remain vigilant at all times.

Zimparks revealed that Zimbabwe recorded a sharp rise in human-wildlife conflict (HWC), driven largely by climate-induced environmental pressures, with more than 60 lives lost in 2025 alone.

The authority also noted with deep concern the continued escalation of conflict cases since 2023, a trend directly linked to climate change and intensifying competition for dwindling water and grazing resources.

The alarming increase forms part of a wider regional and global pattern, where shifting weather patterns and habitat degradation are pushing wildlife and humans into closer, more frequent and often dangerous contact.

According to ZimParks data, reported cases increased from 1,654 in 2024 to 2,090 in 2025, a 26 percent jump.

While response teams attended to over 99 percent of reported cases, the human and economic toll has been severe.

The year 2025 saw 62 fatalities and 81 injuries, up from 49 deaths and 90 injuries the previous year. Livestock losses are more than doubled, from 362 in 2024 to 801 in 2025.

Source: Stakeholders unite to tackle deadly human-wildlife conflict in Vic Falls (18/03/2026)

Zifa mulls Victoria Falls stadium

 The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) is reportedly considering the construction of a new stadium in the tourism town of Victoria Falls.

This publication understands that Zifa president Nqobile Magwizi visited the city on Tuesday and held a meeting with the council leadership to discuss the way forward regarding the construction of a state-of-the-art football stadium.

Zimbabwe is said to be preparing a joint bid to co-host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with neighbours South Africa and Botswana.

A Facebook post by the City of Victoria Falls revealed details of the visit.

“Zifa president Nqobile Magwizi on Tuesday led a delegation to Victoria Falls to scout for land for the construction of a state-of-the-art soccer stadium as the country solidifies its bid to host the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2028,” the report said.

“Accompanied by Zifa general secretary Norman Gwangwadza, the football body’s delegation met the City of Victoria Falls management led by town clerk Ronnie Dube and several councillors, including Zifa Southern Region vice-president Cllr Tafadzwa Mutowa, putting the tourism city in the spotlight for sports tourism and infrastructure development.

“After a brief meeting, the delegation toured several pieces of land in Mkhosana and areas near the Gorges.

“Zimbabwe was among the southern African nations that expressed early interest in participating in a regional bid for the 2028 Afcon.

“The Caf executive committee is expected to decide on the 2028 host following the submission of bids by countries. 

Victoria Falls is strategically located to host world-class sporting activities, hence the need for appropriate facilities.

“Currently, the city has the Division One-classified Chinotimba Stadium, and the construction of a modern state-of-the-art stadium would raise the city’s profile, with the potential to attract clubs and activities not only for competitions, but also for camping and off-season sessions.

“With Caf and Fifa involved, plans are to construct a modern stadium with B Arena and C Arena. Zifa is therefore looking for space to build a stadium, with Victoria Falls emerging as one of the potential host cities.

“The city is also looking to public-private partnerships (PPPs) for infrastructure development in line with the Government’s thrust for partnerships with the private sector.”

At the moment Zimbabwe does not have a Caf certified stadium, forcing national teams and teams involved in continental competitions to play  their home fixtures in neighbouring countries.

Source: Zifa mulls Victoria Falls stadium (12/03/2026)

ZIFA Explores Building State-of-the-Art Stadium in Victoria Falls

ZIFA Explores Building State-of-the-Art Stadium in Victoria Falls as Zimbabwe Targets Co-Hosting AFCON 2028

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has begun scouting for land in Victoria Falls to build a state-of-the-art football stadium, a key step in strengthening Zimbabwe’s bid to co-host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations.

During a visit to the city on Tuesday, ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi led a delegation assessing potential sites, accompanied by General Secretary Norman Gwangwadza

Engagement with Local Authorities

The delegation met city officials led by Town Clerk Ronnie Dube, as well as councillors including ZIFA Southern Region Vice-President Tafadzwa Mutowa. Following discussions, the team toured prospective sites in Mkhosana and near the gorges to evaluate the best location for the proposed stadium.

Stadium Part of Larger AFCON Ambitions

The planned stadium, which will feature “B Arena and C Arena”, is part of Zimbabwe’s push to join a regional bid led by South Africa for AFCON 2028. The council highlighted the potential benefits of the project, saying it could position Victoria Falls as a center for sports tourism and attract investment in infrastructure.

“ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi on Tuesday led a delegation to Victoria Falls to scout for land for the construction of a state-of-the-art soccer stadium as the country solidifies its bid to host the next Africa Cup of Nations in 2028.”

Accompanied by ZIFA General Secretary Norman Gwangwadza, the football body delegation met the City of Victoria Falls management led by Town Clerk Mr Ronnie Dube and some councillors, including ZIFA Southern Region vice-president Cllr Tafadzwa Mutowa, putting the tourism city in the spotlight for sports tourism and infrastructure development,” Victoria Falls City Council stated.

Victoria Falls Among Potential Host Cities

With plans underway to establish a modern football stadium, Victoria Falls has emerged as one of Zimbabwe’s prime candidates to host matches should the country’s bid to co-host AFCON 2028 succeed. The project signals both a sporting and economic opportunity for the region.

“ZIFA is therefore looking for space to build a stadium and Victoria Falls becomes one of the potential host cities,” the statement concluded.

If approved, the stadium could cement Zimbabwe’s role as a co-host and bring a major continental football tournament to one of the country’s most iconic cities.

Source: ZIFA Explores Building State-of-the-Art Stadium in Victoria Falls (11/032026)