Zim, UN to collaborate in tourism growth

 Zimbabwe remains committed to working closely with UN Tourism to showcase its beauty, endowments and hospitality, and will continue collaborating to enhance the country’s standing as a premier global destination, President Mnangagwa has said.

The President said this on his X handle soon after meeting visiting United Nations Tourism Secretary General Ms Shaikha al Noiwas at his Munhumutapa offices in Harare.

Ms Nowais is the first female to steer the organisation since its inception in 1975.

She arrived in the country on Sunday, through Victoria Falls, and is leading a high-level UN Tourism delegation set to hold a series of meetings in the country’s tourism hub.

The meetings seek to advance sustainable and inclusive tourism.

“It was an honour to welcome Ms Shaikha al Nowais, the recently appointed Secretary-General of UN Tourism, this afternoon. Her appointment marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first woman to helm the organisation in its 50-year history,” said President Mnangagwa.

“We discussed enhancing Zimbabwe’s standing as a premier global destination and harnessing sustainable tourism as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation. Zimbabwe remains committed to collaborating closely with UN Tourism to showcase the beauty and hospitality of our nation to the world.”

In an interview soon after meeting President Mnangagwa, Ms Nowais commended Zimbabwe’s efforts to boost the sector, saying it was paying dividends given the rise in tourist arrivals coupled with a surge in revenue.

She commended President Mnangagwa’s administration for driving the tourism industry, saying the country was set to achieve its national objectives.

“Look, I think Zimbabwe has come a long way with the leadership of the President and with the Honourable Minister executing and having a plan in place. I think they are on the right path. They have done a lot over the years. They have witnessed a growth of 10 percent of tourism arrivals only in 2025, which is a testament to the plan they have and the vision they have for tourism in Zimbabwe,” said Ms Nowais.

Commenting on her discussion with President Mnangagwa, she said he emphasised the importance of the sector.

“The President said that tourism is a driver, a key driver for the national economy of Zimbabwe. His belief in the sector is instrumental in what we see today for Zimbabwe,” she said.

Ms Nowais said she was visiting member countries to have an appreciation of their tourism ecosystem. “It is my first time to be in Zimbabwe, yes, but it will not be my last, that’s for sure. I will be visiting other countries. We have 161 member states from five different regions, so I have to visit as many as I can,” said Ms Nowais, who said she will be returning to Victoria Falls for a series of meetings.

Furthermore, she said she took her new responsibility with humility.

“It is not an easy job, but I feel that where there is a will, there is a way and when you are dedicated and committed to something, anything is possible,” she said.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi said several meetings had been earmarked for the UN Tourism Secretary General with the sector’s stakeholders. “Today (yesterday), this morning, the Secretary-General opened a committee on Sustainable Tourism, which is an existing committee in the UN Tourism and it was an important meeting. It speaks more about sustaining and resilience in the sector.

“But one big highlight for us as a country is that today the UN Tourism Secretary General unveiled the logo for the next year UN General Assembly 2027, which speaks to tourism resilience and sustainability, and the logo was unveiled here in Zimbabwe to the world, for the first time, it was in Victoria Falls,” said Minister Rwodzi.

“We are very proud of that and it speaks volumes about our destination; it also speaks volumes about the relationship between the Government of Zimbabwe through our President, Dr ED Mnangagwa, and the United Nations Tourism, so it is an endorsement of a destination. We are very excited and very grateful to UN Tourism.”

Zimbabwe’s tourism industry is experiencing a strong resurgence, with 2024 seeing over 1,6 million international arrivals and $1,2 billion in revenue. Growth is driven by infrastructure upgrades, such as the expanded Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, alongside increased investment, rising 11 percent to $190 million in 2024.

Source: ‘Zim, UN to collaborate in tourism growth’ (28/04/2026)

Zambezi River levels at Victoria Falls experience early peak

Lots of talk on social media about the volume of the Falls at the moment - some are even claiming highest levels in seventy years - tourism media hype or reality? Zambezi River Authority data shows river levels at the Falls have experienced an early rise in levels, and levels are high, with flow rates exceeding 4,000 cubic metres a second, but within normal ranges and by no means exceptional. The trend is much as per 2019-20, which also experienced an early peak to similar levels, followed by a second peak in June - but not many people experienced the Falls during this high season due to the global pandemic (Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, 23rd April 2020). It remains to be seen whether this year will follow with a similar second peak.

The 2017/8 flood cycle experienced a slightly higher peak, but later in May, while 2009/10 recorded a yet higher 'double peak' (but still below 5,000 cubic metres/second) and 2008/9 recorded an even higher early peak (exceeding 5,500 cubic metres/second). Individual years prior to this date are not shown, with the long-term mean indicated by the dashed red line (partially obscured by subsequent data), but the exceptional flood years of 1977/8 and 1968/9 are shown, when flow rates exceeded 6,000 and 8,000 cubic metres a second respectively. The highest recorded flood levels at the Falls was 9,346 cubic metres/second in March 1958 (not shown on hydrograph).

Source: Zambezi River Authority website. [click to enlarge]

What is abundantly clear from the hydrograph is the extreme variability in seasonal flow over the Falls - from lows of 300 cubic metres/second to highs of 3,000 cubic metres/second, and huge variability in annual flood levels, reflecting variability in seasonal rainfall across the vast catchment area of the Upper Zambezi, covering western Zambia, including the vast Barotse Floodplains, and into south-eastern Angola (covering over 515,000 square kilomertres). What is of particular note from the hydrograph is that 2023-24 was an exceptionally 'flat' year, with peak flows hardly exceeding 1,000 cubic metres/second, and highlighting the extreme variability between flood years.

Data on river flow levels has been collected at the Victoria Falls since 1907, providing a huge data set of information on historical flow levels - and showing the large variation in annual rainfall.

Zambezi River mean annual flow, Victoria Falls (1907-2002)

(Source: Moore et al, 2007, Fig.15.11c) [click to enlarge]

The authors Moore et al (2007) recorded a mean annual flow at the Victoria Falls (!907-2002) of 1,087 cubic metres/second.

"Records of water level from the hydrological station at Victoria Falls, taken since 1907 are illustrated in Figure 15.11c. These indicate lower than normal years for 1907-46, above normal for the years 1947-81, and again below normal for 1982-1997. A major flood of 1958, during the construction of Kariba Dam, followed heavy rains in the upper catchment and also the local catchment below Victoria Falls. A coffer dam was overtopped and a road bridge washed away – at its peak some 9,000 m3 s−1 were passing over the Victoria Falls. In magnitude it was equivalent to the 1 in 100 year flood, which in turn is roughly half the probable maximum flood of 21,000 m3 s−1." (Moore et al, 2007)

In late 2025, new research revealed the previously unrecognised significance of the Angolan headwaters as the dominant and geographic source of the Zambezi, identifying a new source of the Zambezi (as defined by the furthest distance from its mouth), the Lungwebungu River headwaters in Angola, located about 1,440 m (4,720 ft) above sea level, and also increasing the defined length of the river (Lourenço et al, 2025). The total length from the Lungwebungu source to the Indian Ocean is 3,421 km, whereas the total length from the traditional or mainstem Zambezi source to the Indian Ocean is now calculated to be 3,079 km.

The research showed that during the 2023 flood season the majority of the water flowing over the Falls and into Lake Kariba originated from the Angolan Headwaters (the 'Angolan Heights Water Tower'), highlighting the importance of these tributary sources to downstream water flow and security.

"Based on point-in-time measurements conducted during the late rainfall season between March and May 2023, we estimate that approximately 70% of the water entering the Kariba Reservoir, below Victoria Falls, originates in the AHWT [Angolan Heights Water Tower]. While preliminary, these initial findings suggest a potentially substantial Angolan contribution to downstream flows, with important but previously underappreciated implications for transboundary river management and policy." (Lourenço et al, 2025)

References

Lourenço, M, Boyes, R.S, Cotterill, F.P.D, Flügel, T, Nyoni, F.C, Ramatlapeng, G J, & Von Brandis, R. (2025) Assessment of source regions of the Zambezi river: Implications for regional water security. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 29(18), 4557-4583.

Moore, A E, Fenton P.D, Cotterill F.P.D, Main, M.P. L. and Williams H.B. (2007) The Zambezi River. In Gupta, A [Editor] (2007) Large Rivers - Geomorphology and Management. Chapter 15. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, England.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (23rd April 2020) Victoria Falls Reaches It’s Highest Level In A Decade.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (8th April 2026) Vic Falls allure spawns tourist rush.

ZRA calls for public input on development of Batoka Gorge Hydro-electric Power Station

 The Zambezi River Authority has called on the public and other interested stakeholders to a consultative meeting next Tuesday in Victoria Falls on the proposed Batoka Gorge Hydro-electric Power Station to be jointly developed by Zimbabwe and Zambia on the Zambezi River.

The US$5 billion project is expected to generate 2 400 MW for the two countries that have endured power shortages, negatively affecting their respective economies.

“The ZRA proposes to develop the Batoka Gorge Hydro-electric Scheme, a major power generation project with an installed capacity of up to 2,400 MW, along the Zambezi River, which forms the common boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe,” read part of a statement from ZRA.

“The project involves the construction of a dam wall across the Zambezi River, approximately 47 km downstream of Victoria Falls, and the development of two power stations, one on the Zambian side and the other on the Zimbabwean side of the River. The project will also include the development of townships on both sides of the River.

“The consultations are being done in accordance with the Environmental Management Act and the Environmental Management (Environmental impact Assessment and Ecosystems Protection) Regulations (S17 of 2007), which compels ZRA to conduct public consultation meetings for such projects

“As part of the Environmental Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process, these meetings aim to inform stakeholders about the proposed project and provide an opportunity to submit views, concerns, and recommendations.

“The ZRA, therefore, cordially invites members of the public, Traditional Leaders, Government Agencies, Local Authorities, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), the business community, and all other interested and affected parties to attend the public meetings,” read part of the statement.

The two countries have already committed US$440 million as seed capital for the project.

Zimbabwe and Zambia also share the Kariba Dam Hydro-electric Power Station.

Source: ZRA calls for public input on development of Batoka Gorge Hydro-electric Power Station (23/08/2026)

Read more:

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (23rd April 2026) ZRA calls for public input on development of Batoka Gorge Hydro-electric Power Station.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (1st April 2026) $4.2BN Power Play: Zambia and Zimbabwe Partner on Batoka Gorge Hydropower Project.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (15th February 2026) Fresh momentum for Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (31st December 2025) Zimbabwe, Zambia commit US$440m to Batoka Gorge project.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (4th December 2025) AFRY to update key studies for Batoka Gorge project, Zambia.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (2nd June 2025) Zimbabwe And Zambia Renew Investor Search For Batoka Gorge Project.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (3rd May 2025) Zambia, Zimbabwe Court Investors to Revive $5 Billion Hydro Dam.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (22nd November 2024) Zambezi River Authority updates Batoka project feasibility studies.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (27th March 2024) Zambia and Zimbabwe to retender $5bn Batoka Gorge hydropower plant

See also the Keep Victoria Falls Wild website.

JR Goddard consortium clinches deal to develop 271ha Victoria Falls commercial zone

 HARARE – The government has approved a joint venture deal with a consortium led by construction magnate JR Goddard to develop 271.5 hectares of commercial land near Victoria Falls.

The parcel – Lot 1 of Jafuta Estate – sits within the Masuwe Special Economic Zone, which is located inside the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, one of southern Africa’s premier tourism corridors.

Under the agreement announced following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the state investment arm Mosi Oa Tunya Development Company will contribute the land as equity, valued at US$25.6 million, giving government a 39 percent stake in the project. The JR Goddard (JRG) consortium will take 61 percent in return for committing US$66.9 million in infrastructure investment.

The partners will recoup profits over a 25-year period.

The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) ran the competitive tender last year.

The consortium’s infrastructure obligations include construction of roads, a 13-kilometre water pipeline, a water treatment plant, sewerage systems, and a power substation to service the estate.

ZIDA investment promotion documents show the broader development vision for the Masuwe SEZ includes hotels, villas, flats and holiday homes at an estimated cost of US$79.8 million; core infrastructure for US$81.6 million; two medical centres at US$15 million; a commercial centre and international financial services hub worth US$17 million; a tourism and hospitality school for US$10.7 million; a golf estate for US$10 million; and a multipurpose international cricket stadium at a cost of US$7.5 million which is already under construction.

The SEZ was gazetted on September 28, 2018, with the declared objective of creating a tourism and financial services hub integrating tourism, recreation, sporting facilities, commercial amenities, and an International Finance Centre.

The JRG consortium includes project managers Sesani, civil and structural engineers Stewart Scott Zimbabwe, and financial advisors Genesis Global Finance.

It is the same grouping that is separately raising capital to build the Glass Block Dam on Umzingwane River in Matabeleland South intended to alleviate Bulawayo’s chronic water shortages.

Victoria Falls, which straddles the Zimbabwe-Zambia border, draws hundreds of thousands of tourists annually and is regarded as Zimbabwe’s most bankable tourism asset.

Source: JR Goddard consortium clinches deal to develop 271ha Victoria Falls commercial zone (21/04/2026)

Read more on the Masuwe Special Economic Zone development proposals on the Keep Victoria Falls Wild website.

Cabinet approves PPP for Masuwe SEZ bulk infrastructure development, Victoria Falls

(Zimbabwe) CABINET has approved a landmark Public-Private Partnership for the development of bulk infrastructure on Lot 1 of Jafuta Estate in the Masuwe Special Economic Zone in Victoria Falls, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda has said.

Masuwe Special Economic Zone development area

Speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting in Harare, Dr Soda said the proposal was endorsed between Mosi Oa Tunya Development Company (MTDC) and JR Goddard Private Limited (JRG).

“Cabinet approved the proposed Public-Private Partnership for the Development of Bulk Infrastructure on Lot 1 of Jafuta Estate in Masuwe Special Economic Zone, Victoria Falls, between Mosi Oa Tunya Development Company (MTDC) and JR Goddard Private Limited (JRG),” said Dr Soda.

“The Masuwe Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) is a flagship National Development Project which the Second Republic established in September 2018 with a strategic intent to transform Victoria Falls into a diversified, high-value hub integrating tourism, financial services and sustainable real estate.

“The Special Economic Zone encompasses a total of 1 200 hectares of Jafuta Estate, outside Victoria Falls City and is strategically located within the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA)”.

He said the proposed project will entail the surfacing of an eight-kilometre internal road network, the upgrading of nine kilometres of gravel roads, and the construction of a 13-kilometre water pipeline covering the entire 1 200 hectares and neighbouring communities.

Other components include the construction of a package water treatment plant, a sewerage reticulation system, effluent reuse storage ponds, a power substation and the provision of management services for the Special Economic Zone.

“A rigorous evaluation of the project proposal was undertaken in line with the Zimbabwe Investment Development Authority (ZIDA) Act and the Public-Private Partnership Guidelines,” said Dr Soda.

Source: Cabinet approves PPP for bulk infrastructure development (22/04/2026)

Read more on the Masuwe Special Economic Zone development proposals on the Keep Victoria Falls Wild website.

No more heavy traffic across iconic Victoria Falls bridge

 THE Governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe have resolved to that no heavy trucks or train will use the iconic century old Victoria Falls Bridge which links the two countries.

President Hakainde Hichilema said the two sister nations have agreed to restrict the use of the bridge and will build an alternative route.

Mr Hichilema said during the Engineering Institution of Zambia(EIZ) conference in Livingstone, the historic bridge built in 1905 is no longer suitable to accommodate for heavy duty traffic.

“This bridge you see here, this road and rail bridge over the falls here, we have taken a decision with Zimbabwe, our partners, that we don’t want heavy traffic anymore here, it’s not a new bridge, it’s over 100 years.

“We don’t want 30 tonne trucks going through this bridge,” the President said.

He and in the alternative, there are plans to build another road and rail bridge, “a few kilometres down stream here”.

“…and divert traffic as you enter Livingstone. All the heavy traffic must be diverted from there. As we want to rehabilitate the Zambia Railways,” Mr Hichilema said.

And the head of State said Government still targets to grow Zambia’s economy to US$80million , adding that the economy has nearly doubled over the past four and a half years.

He said efforts are underway to ensure all provinces contribute significantly to the country’s gross domestic product by engaging in various economic activities.

Mr Hichilema also proposed linking the Luapula River to the Kafue River to increase power generation, in line with Government’s energy mix agenda

At the same event, Minister of Infrastructure and Urban Development Minister Charles Milupi said Zambia seeks to be a proactive and forward-looking infrastructure planning which anticipates demand driven by climate change, urbanisation and technological advancement.

(Mwebantu, Sunday, 19th April, 2026)

Source: No more heavy traffic across iconic Victoria Falls bridge (19/04/2026)

Crocodile slips into Victoria Falls hotel

 STAFF at Victoria Falls’ A’Zambezi River Lodge were jolted out of the calm of the early morning hours on Saturday by an extraordinary and wholly unexpected visitor when a Nile crocodile was discovered calmly occupying part of the hotel precincts. In a destination famed for its closeness to nature, the encounter was nonetheless startling, unfolding just as the day was beginning to stir.

The reptile, believed to have quietly made its way from the mighty Zambezi River nearby, was first spotted by alert hotel employees, whose swift response ensured the situation did not escalate. The alarm was raised immediately, setting in motion a carefully coordinated response designed to protect both people and wildlife.

The Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) moved swiftly to the scene, acting decisively to neutralise any risk while handling the animal with care and professionalism befitting the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Zimparks spokesperson Mr Luckmore Safuli confirmed the incident, providing reassurance about both the outcome and the process involved.

“The animal, identified as a Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) originating from the Zambezi River system, was safely immobilised and translocated by trained authority personnel.

The crocodile was subsequently released back into the river. No human injuries or property damage were recorded.”
According to Mr Safuli, while the sight may have startled lodge staff and guests alike, the crocodile’s appearance was not as unusual as it might seem within such a natural setting.

“The authority notes that the incident occurred within the species’ natural range and habitat. The lodge is situated in a riverine environment along the Zambezi River, which supports established crocodile populations. Terrestrial movement by crocodiles is normal behaviour and is commonly associated with basking, nesting, dispersal, or territorial activity.”

Mrs Pride Khumbula, RTG corporate affairs and quality manager, confirmed that the reptile had ventured into one of the lodge’s water features, seamlessly blending into an environment shaped to mirror the natural world around it.

“A’Zambezi River Lodge can confirm that a crocodile was sighted on the property on Friday 17 April 2026. The situation was promptly managed in close coordination with Zimparks, who responded swiftly, safely apprehended the animal from the hotel’s water feature where it had made its way into, and relocated it back into its natural habitat.”

Mrs Khumbula emphasised that the lodge’s proximity to wildlife is not accidental but intrinsic to its identity, set within a protected landscape that celebrates coexistence rather than separation.

“The hotel is uniquely located within the Zambezi National Park, where we proudly coexist with wildlife as part of a protected natural ecosystem. We are fully cognisant of our position within a designated wildlife corridor and actively support biodiversity by allowing animals to move freely within their natural habitat.

Source: Crocodile slips into Victoria Falls hotel (19/04/2026)