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)