Where There's Smoke... UNESCO and Conservationists divided over Victoria Falls World Heritage Site

UNESCO and Conservationists divided over tourism development impacts at Victoria Falls World Heritage Site

15th May 2026

Despite positive media headlines and tourism industry promotional gloss all is not well at the Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls UNESCO World Heritage Site, jointly managed by Zambia and Zimbabwe and a global tourism drawcard.

Last week UNESCO General Conference President, Mr Khondker Talha, visited the Falls, with media reports quoting a glowing endorsement of the Site's management. Meanwhile a new report from conservationist campaign group Keep Victoria Falls Wild highlights increasing concerns, calling for the removal of recent illegitimate tourism developments within 'no development' zones and a moratorium on all new development until a new Joint Management Plan for the Site is finalised and agreed by all parties, including UNESCO.

On the 3rd May, World Press Freedom Day, Mr Talha was in Lusaka, launching a UNESCO joint statement on press freedom calling on Member States to protect journalists and ensure an enabling environment for a free and independent media.

The next day, Mr Talha visited the Victoria Falls, touring both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides of the transboundary UNESCO World Heritage Site and commending both countries 'for their strong collaboration in preserving the Site's Outstanding Universal Value,' and apparently describing their joint management of the Site as a model of effective joint stewardship. Less significance was given, however, to his call for strengthened efforts between the two countries in safeguarding the heritage site, an admission perhaps that all is not well (Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, 5th May 2026).

Although publicly unannounced, the visit was apparently in an official capacity, with a media release from the National Her­it­age Con­ser­va­tion Com­mis­sion stating the visit was under­taken 'to appre­ci­ate and assess the con­tin­ued efforts by the gov­ern­ments of Zam­bia and Zim­b­abwe in safe­guard­ing the Site’s Out­stand­ing Uni­ver­sal Value, in line with the oper­a­tional guidelines of the UNESCO World Her­it­age Con­ven­tion' (Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, 4th May 2026).

There was no selfie at the Falls posted on the President's official 'X' account, no official statement from UNESCO and no coverage of his visit in the Zimbabwean media the next day (coincidentally African World Heritage Day). Supported by a media release from the National Her­it­age Con­ser­va­tion Com­mis­sion, the Zambian national press, however, promoted the visit as an endorsement of their management of the World Heritage Site.

"National Her­it­age Con­ser­va­tion Com­mis­sion con­ser­va­tion officer John Zulu noted that such vis­its reaf­firm the strength of bilat­eral cooper­a­tion and provide an import­ant plat­form to show­case the ongo­ing efforts towards sus­tain­able con­ser­va­tion and her­it­age man­age­ment. He emphas­ised the sig­ni­fic­ance of the visit, stat­ing that such high­-level engage­ments val­id­ate ongo­ing con­ser­va­tion ini­ti­at­ives while enhan­cing inter­na­tional recog­ni­tion and sup­port for her­it­age pre­ser­va­tion efforts in the region. 'The visit fur­ther high­lights the global import­ance of the Mosi-oa-Tunya/Vic­toria Falls as a shared nat­ural asset requir­ing con­tin­ued joint stew­ard­ship,' he said.” (Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, 5th May 2026)

Mr Talha at the Zambian side of the Falls (Source: NHCC Facebook page)

Conservation Concerns

But behind the media statements and tourism gloss, all is not well at the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, and not only are the joint State Parties of Zambia and Zimbabwe both in the spotlight, but also UNESCO's oversight - or lack of - of the Site is being increasingly questioned by conservationists.

In the week prior his visit, local conservation campaign group, Keep Victoria Falls Wild, released yet another report highlighting an increasing list of issues and concerns relating to the management of the Site and calling for a moratorium on all new developments within the Site and its surrounding Buffer Zone pending finalisation, and approval by UNESCO, of a new Joint Management Plan for the Site and repeating calls for the removal of recent controversial tourism developments within the Site's protected area (Keep Victoria Falls Wild, April 2026).

The report follows recent submission of a new Draft Joint Plan for the management of the Site, submitted by the State Parties of Zambia and Zimbabwe who share the management of the transboundary World Heritage Site. The Plan is heavily criticised for its delayed submission, contradictions, errors and missing details on key areas such as the management zonation for the Site and details of permitted/prohibited developments. The lack of detail on the zones comes after specific requests from the World Heritage Committee for the boundaries, zonation and buffer zone to be reviewed and clarified in the new document.

Conservationists also raise significant concerns over recent tourism developments on the southern, Zimbabwean, side of the Falls and within the World Heritage Site 'no new development zone' (HESZ) and in particular the lack of disclosure of these developments, as required under the Convention, to UNESCO. This continued lack of disclosure follows repeated requests from the World Heritage Committee for specific information relating to recent developments within the Site.

The report also identifies a growing list of wider issues and concerns in relation to the management of the Site before calling on the World Heritage Committee to reject the Draft Joint Management Plan submitted by the State Parties and request a final complete and consistent document as soon as possible, significantly calling for a moratorium on all tourism developments within the World Heritage Site and surrounding 500m Buffer Zone pending final submission, and approval by the Committee, of the revised Joint Plan and satisfactory resolution of a series of controversial tourism developments within and surrounding the Site.

In addition the report repeats calls for the cancellation of permits for recent illegitimate tourism developments issued by the Zimbabwe National Park Authority within the WHS HESZ and for all trace of these developments to be removed from the Site.

The report comes in the build up to the forthcoming 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, to be held in Busan, Republic of Korea over 19-29 July 2026, with conservationists urging the World Heritage Committee to consider the Site for immediate addition to the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger if the State Parties fail to adequately address these issues.

Within the context of these issues and concerns, Mr Tahla's supposed words of endorsement appear to be either a diplomatic smokescreen or a reflection of institutional, and intentional, blindness. Time will tell - although there have already been several Committee sessions in recent years and no action taken on illegitimate tourism developments within the Site.

UNESCO and the Curse of Overtourism

It appears that UNESCO has long had a blind spot for the impacts of tourism development, and overtourism, to World Heritage Sites, with a growing list of examples of overtourism following UNESCO listing, leading to questions over the benefits, or disadvantages, of the listing.

"A listing carries a great deal of prestige, and benefits include 'increased tourist visitation, increases in employment opportunities and income for local communities, and better management and protection of the place,' according to the government of Australia, which has 20 World Heritage Sites." (Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, 28th July 2021)

In 2021 Victoria Falls was identified in National Geographic as a positive example of UNESCO World Heritage Listing with the 'cancellation' of a dam proposal above the Falls (despite the fact that the dam is proposed downstream of the Victoria Falls and is in fact back on the cards). 

"The World Heritage program has scored high-profile preservation successes. It exerted pressure to halt a highway near Egypt’s Giza Pyramids, block a salt mine at a gray whale nursery in Mexico, and cancel a dam proposal above Africa’s Victoria Falls. Its funds, provided by dues from the treaty's signers, have hired park rangers, bought parkland, built visitor centers, and restored temples. It relies on persuasive powers more than legal threats, but over a period of nearly five decades, the World Heritage initiative has quietly become a force for appreciating and safeguarding the world’s special places." (National Geographic, 5th August 2021)

The drawback of over-tourism has also been well documented. In addition to the well-known examples of Venice in Italy and Machu Picchu in Peru, can be added George Town on Penang island, Laos’ Luang Prabang, Casco Viejo neighbourhood in Panama City, Nærfjord, Norway, Lamu Old Town, Stone Town of Zanzibar and many more. The increasing examples of World Heritage Sites impacted by overtourism have led to the development of a new word to describe the effect - 'unescocide' - coined by Italian writer Marco d'Eramo in 2014.

"The effects of Unesco's designations are a debated topic. A site being added to the list can be a 'kiss of death' and 'all too often cures the disease by killing the patient,' Italian journalist Marco D'Eramo wrote in 2014, coining the term 'Unescocide'. Essentially, in designating a World Heritage site worthy of protection, the destination becomes a place of unsustainable levels of tourism. This was not accounted for in the original treaty, as Unesco 'didn't have the scope of international tourism then,' Mike Robinson, a professor of cultural heritage at Nottingham Trent University, told The New York Times.

"It's also difficult for people who 'work in cultural heritage and in tourism to find that right balance between protecting objects but not destroying the experience,' Leila Amineddoleh, a lawyer specializing in cultural heritage... There's also an incentive for developing nations to get destinations added to the World Heritage list to boost tourism. 'The power of the Unesco brand can skyrocket a lesser-known destination to a different level,' wrote CNN. Despite the threat of overtourism, a Unesco World Heritage designation can 'bring much-needed money, support and global recognition to a deserving destination.'" (Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, 6th August 2023)

 A former World Heritage Director at UNESCO even described it as an 'inevitable destiny'.

"'It is an inevitable destiny: the very reasons why a property is chosen for inscription on the world heritage list are also the reasons why millions of tourists flock to those sites year after year,' wrote Francesco Bandarin, the former World Heritage Director at Unesco." (The Guardian, 30th August 2017)

References

Keep Victoria Falls Wild, April 2026. Serious Concerns Over Management of Victoria Falls World Heritage Site. 31st April 2026. (pdf download, 1.3 mb)

National Geographic (5th August 2021) Here’s how World Heritage status helps destinations around the world. National Geographic. 

The Guardian (30th August 2017) 'Unesco-cide': does world heritage status do cities more harm than good?.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (6th August 2023) The significance and benefits of being on Unesco's World Heritage list.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (28th July 2021) Are World Heritage Site listings a blessing or a curse?

Read more on the wave of tourism developments currently threatening the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site on the Keep Victoria Falls Wild website.

New luxury boutique retreat to open in Vic Falls

A NEW luxury boutique retreat featuring private villas is set to open in Victoria Falls on September 1, as tourism operator Africa Albida Tourism expands its high-end offerings in the resort town.

The development, to be known as Albida – Victoria Falls, will form part of the Victoria Falls Safari Collection and is expected to strengthen the destination’s appeal to premium international travellers.

The all-inclusive retreat will comprise 13 villas, including two double-bedroom units, each designed to offer privacy, space and an exclusive guest experience.

According to the operator, the project responds to growing demand for intimate, high-end accommodation in Victoria Falls, one of the region’s leading tourism hubs.

“This new retreat is a carefully planned addition to our portfolio,” said Ross Kennedy.

“It responds to the demand for private accommodation in Victoria Falls and speaks to the modern high-end traveller that prioritises space and a genuine sense of place.”

Each villa will feature spacious living areas and a private plunge pool, with packages including guided access to the Victoria Falls and curated experiences within the destination.

Managing Director Nigel Frost said the development would enhance the group’s premium portfolio while supporting the growth of Victoria Falls as a top-tier tourism destination.

“Albida – Victoria Falls strengthens our premium offering and supports the growth of Victoria Falls as a premium destination for discerning travellers, while upholding the high standards that define the Victoria Falls Safari Collection,” he said.

The retreat, inspired by the Albida tree known for enriching its surrounding environment, is designed to offer a tranquil setting that promotes relaxation and connection with nature.

Located about four kilometres from the Falls, the Victoria Falls Safari Collection comprises a range of hospitality facilities, including lodges, suites, restaurants, wellness and conferencing venues.

Experts say the new development is expected to further consolidate Victoria Falls’ position as one of Southern Africa’s leading destinations, while raising the bar for luxury accommodation in Zimbabwe.

Source: New luxury boutique retreat to open in Vic Falls (13/05/2026)

Jeal­ously guard envir­on­ment to sus­tain tour­ism says EMA

(Zimbabwe) The Envir­on­mental Man­age­ment Agency (EMA) has called on Zim­b­ab­weans to jeal­ously guard the coun­try’s nat­ural resources, warn­ing that a thriv­ing tour­ism industry can­not sur­vive without a healthy envir­on­ment.

Speak­ing on the side­lines of the recent United Nations Tour­ism con­gress in Vic­toria Falls, EMA Matabele­land North Pro­vin­cial man­ager Mrs Chipo Mpo­fuZuze said tour­ism in Zim­b­abwe is wholly depend­ent on the use of nat­ural assets such as water, veget­a­tion and biod­iversity.

“We can­not have a boom­ing tour­ism industry when we do not have the nat­ural resources. So what I’m see­ing or what I have learnt is that we are going to be called upon to jeal­ously guard our envir­on­ment so that we are able to sus­tain our tour­ism,” said Mrs Mpofu-Zuze.

The UN Tour­ism Con­gress, which brought together global play­ers, also high­lighted the role of women in tour­ism.

Mrs Mpofu-Zuze noted that envir­on­mental degrad­a­tion hits women hard­est because their daily duties, fetch­ing water, col­lect­ing fire­wood and basic agri­cul­ture all depend on a healthy envir­on­ment.

“If the envir­on­ment is degraded, it means our roles as women are com­prom­ised,” she said.

Mrs Mpofu-Zuze said the con­fer­ence had rein­forced a crit­ical les­son as pro­tect­ing the envir­on­ment now car­ries a tan­gible dol­lar value through tour­ism, which will make EMA’s work easier when per­suad­ing com­munit­ies to become stew­ards of nature.

“People have always asked, ‘why should I pro­tect the envir­on­ment?’ Yes, it gives me basic needs, but this con­fer­ence has brought to light that tour­ism is going to bring the dol­lar value to the need of pro­tect­ing the envir­on­ment,” she said.

“So whenever we are going out there, we are going to encour­age people to pro­tect the envir­on­ment and also to ven­ture into tour­ism as women, as girls, as every­one who has to do with pro­tect­ing the envir­on­ment.”

Mrs Mpofu-Zuze said EMA would now broaden its approach, put­ting value on pro­tec­tion against pol­lu­tion, land degrad­a­tion and invas­ive alien spe­cies.

“If we des­troy or if we allow our envir­on­ment to degrade, allow invas­ive spe­cies to grow, it means we are cut on the ‘busy city’ com­ing to an area full of lantana camara,” she warned.

“So it means people will be forced to remove spe­cies to improve spe­cificity. People will be encour­aged to pro­tect their wet­lands so that they can also attract more biod­iversity, and this will also help them attract tour­ists to our areas.”

Mrs Mpofu-Zuze stressed that the mes­sage goes bey­ond Vic­toria Falls or major towns.

“The other thing that also encour­aged me is we are not only talk­ing tour­ism in Vic­toria Falls, a town or another city, but we are talk­ing about tour­ism. So it means our nat­ural resources in the rural areas are going to have a basis to be pro­tec­ted even more, to be guarded gen­er­ously even more,” she said.

Turn­ing to gender, Mrs Mpo­fuZuze said empower­ing women in envir­on­mental pro­tec­tion and tour­ism had a mul­ti­plier effect.

“If you capa­cit­ate or empower a woman, you have empowered the com­munity, you have empowered the nation, you have empowered the whole world,” she said.

The agency has pledged to broaden its stake­holder par­ti­cip­a­tion and put meas­ur­able eco­nomic value on con­ser­va­tion, turn­ing envir­on­ment­al­ism from a duty into an oppor­tun­ity.

Source: Jeal­ouslyguard envir­on­ment to sus­tain tour­ism EMA (10/05/2026)

Victoria Falls river levels continue to drop

The Zambezi River Authority latest figures for Zambezi River levels (up to 11th May), recorded at Nana's Farm Hyrdrological Station (located on the north bank about 20 km above the Falls) show that river levels continue to drop, ending the period at 3,526 m3/s (against 2,773 m3/s at same date last year), with no sign of a second peak.

[click to open higher res version in new window]

See also

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (24/04/2026) Zambezi River levels at Victoria Falls experience early peak.

Read more on the hydrology of the Upper Zambezi and Victoria Falls on the Keep Victoria Falls Wild website.

US$5 million project ends Victoria Falls water woes

 Government yesterday commissioned a US$5 million water reservoir project and two refuse collection trucks in Victoria Falls, ending years of water shortages that have plagued the resort city’s Mkhosana suburb.

The project, delivered by the City of Victoria Falls using internal resources, comprises a 5-megalitres ground reservoir and a 750-kilolitre elevated tank, alongside 12 kilometres of new pipelines, upgraded pump stations at Aerodrome, and new fire hydrants.

Officiating at the commissioning event, the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, said the upgraded infrastructure would guarantee reliable water access for 25 000 residents.

“These reservoirs will ensure improved reliability and sustainable access to safe water for an estimated population of about 25 000 residents who, for long, had endured persistent water shortages due to inadequate storage capacity and rapid population growth,” said the minister.

The reservoirs form the first phase of the city’s broader US$18 million multi-phase Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme.

The shift to a gravity-fed system means consistent water pressure across Mkhosana, ending the distress of direct pumping systems that failed during power outages. Residents who spoke to Zimpapers confirmed the transformation.

“For years, we woke up before dawn to fetch water. Now the taps run day and night. It feels like we are finally living in a real city,” said Mrs Nomsa Ndlovu from Mkhosana.
Another resident, Mr Tendai Sibanda, said the project had brought dignity back to the community.

“We used to go for days without water. You could not plan your day. Now we have an adequate supply, and we are grateful to the council and Government for listening to our cries,” he said.

Minister Garwe said the investment aligns with the National Development Strategy (NDS2) and President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 of an empowered upper-middle-income economy.

“It’s our desire that all local authorities across the country emulate such efforts. I want to assert that Victoria Falls yakhiwa ngabahlali bayo,” he said.

Alongside the water infrastructure, the city commissioned two refuse trucks, a 15-cubic-metre unit procured by council and an 18-cubic-metre unit donated by African Sun Limited as part of its corporate social responsibility.

“This gesture is a shining example of the sound partnerships that can be forged between local authorities and the private sector for the benefit of our communities,” Minister Garwe said.

Victoria Falls Town Clerk Mr Ronnie Dube said the project had catapulted the city above national minimum service delivery standards.

“We have achieved 100 percent water coverage, which is above the 2026 target of 90 percent. For too long, the residents of our beloved city, particularly here in Mkhosana, have endured the heavy burden of water scarcity. Today, we turn that page,” said Mr Dube.

He said the city had also partnered with Eagle Heights, whose purchase of a stand directly funded the reservoirs.

The reservoirs now serve 3,696 households in Mkhosana, with capacity to support future growth as the tourism hub continues to expand.

Council has indicated it requires timely devolution fund support to sustain momentum on remaining projects, including road tarring, storm drains, and construction of Mosi 2 High School.

Source: US$5 million project ends Victoria Falls water woes (07/05/2026)

Conservationists Call Time On Illegitimate Tourism Developments At Victoria Falls

Conservation Campaign Group Call for Moratorium on Tourism Developments within Victoria Falls World Heritage Site and Removal of Recent Illegitimate Tourism Developments within the Site's 'No New Development Zone'

Keep Victoria Falls Wild (31st April 2026)

A new report by conservation campaign group Keep Victoria Falls Wild highlights increasing concerns over the management of the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site and threat from tourism development, calling for a moratorium on all new developments within the Site and its surrounding Buffer Zone pending finalisation, and approval by UNESCO, of a new Joint Management Plan for the Site and repeats calls for the removal of recent controversial tourism developments within the Site's protected area.

The controversial Baines Restaurant, located within the Victoria Falls National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site 'no new development' zone

The report comes in the build up to the forthcoming 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, to be held in Busan, Republic of Korea over 19-29 July 2026 and recent submission of a new Draft Joint Plan for the management of the Site, submitted by the State Parties of Zambia and Zimbabwe who share the management of the transboundary World Heritage Site.

The report highlights significant concerns over recent tourism developments on the southern, Zimbabwean, side of the Falls and within the World Heritage Site 'no new development zone' (HESZ) and in particular the lack of disclosure of these developments, and of recent tourism visitor figures, to UNESCO within recent State of Conservation Reports. This continued lack of disclosure follows specific and repeated requests from the World Heritage Committee for information relating to recent developments within the World Heritage Site.

The new Draft Joint Management Plan for the Site is also heavily criticised by conservationists for its delayed submission, contradictions, errors and missing details on key areas such as the management zonation for the Site and details of permitted/prohibited developments. The lack of detail on the zones comes after specific requests from the World Heritage Committee for the boundaries, zonation and buffer zone to be reviewed and clarified in the new document.

The report also identifies a growing list of wider issues and concerns in relation to the management of the Site before calling on the World Heritage Committee to reject the Draft Joint Management Plan submitted by the State Parties and request a final complete and consistent document as soon as possible, significantly calling for a moratorium on all tourism developments within the World Heritage Site and surrounding 500m Buffer Zone pending final submission, and approval by the Committee, of the revised Joint Plan and satisfactory resolution of a series of controversial tourism developments within and surrounding the Site.

In addition the report repeats calls for the cancellation of permits for recent illegitimate tourism developments issued by the Zimbabwe National Park Authority within the WHS HESZ and for all trace of these developments to be removed from the Site. This specifically relates to the recently constructed Baines Restaurant and ‘Rock Pool’ developments, as well as the proposed riverside ‘tree lodges’ development, reportedly to be managed under the InterContinental Hotel Group's exclusive Six Senses brand.

Finally the report recommends to the World Heritage Committee that the Site should be considered for immediate addition to the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger if the State Parties fail to adequately address these issues.

Download the full report: Keep Victoria Falls Wild (April 2026) Serious Concerns Over Management of Victoria Falls World Heritage Site (pdf, 1.3mb).

UNESCO hails Zambia, Zim joint efforts to safeguard Victoria Falls

 The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has hailed the Zambian Government for preserving and safeguarding the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site (VFWHS).

UNESCO General Conference President Khondker Talha, said Zambia had earned global recognition for its efforts and commitment to safeguarding one of the world's most treasured heritage sites.

Speaking after touring the site in Livingstone yesterday [3rd May], Mr Talha praised the National Heritage Conservation for effectively managing the facility. 

He also commended Zambia and Zimbabwe for their strong collaboration in preserving the site's outstanding universal value, describing it as a model of effective joint stewardship.

'I am particularly impressed by the collaboration between Zambia and Zimbabwe in preserving the outstanding universal value of the property,' he said.

The conference president who toured key sections of the falls, including the Eastern Cataracts on the Zambian side, called for strengthened efforts between the two countries in safeguarding the heritage site.

He said his visit to both Zambia and Zimbabwe further underscored the shared responsibility between the two neighbouring countries in managing the globally celebrated natural wonder, which was inscribed under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

NHCC conservation officer John Zulu said the visit reaffirmed the strength of bilateral cooperation and provided an important platform to showcase ongoing conservation efforts.

Mr Zulu said such high-level engagements not only validated Zambia's conservation initiatives, but also enhanced international recognition and support for heritage preservation.

He said the continued protection of the falls remains critical, given its global significance as a shared natural asset.

'The visit highlights Zambia's growing reputation as a responsible custodian of natural heritage and reinforces its position on the global stage as a leader in sustainable tourism and conservation.' he said.

He said the commission was looking forward to more collaboration between the two neighbouring countries.

Source: UNESCO hails Zambia, Zim joint efforts to safeguard Victoria Falls (The Times of Zambia, 4th May 2026)

See also:

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (5th May 2026) UNESCO com­mends Zam­bia, Zim­b­abwe ties.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (4th May 2026) UNESCO General Conference President CommendsZambia-Zimbabwe Cooperation At Mosi-Oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls.

 

UNESCO com­mends Zam­bia, Zim­b­abwe ties

Talha impressed with coun­tries’ pre­ser­va­tion of prop­erty

UNITED Nations Edu­ca­tional, Sci­entific and Cul­tural Organ­isa­tion (UNESCO) gen­eral con­fer­ence pres­id­ent Khondker Mohammad Talha has com­men­ded Zam­bia and Zim­b­abwe’s col­lab­or­a­tion in pre­serving the integ­rity and global sig­ni­fic­ance of the Vic­toria Falls.

He said this dur­ing a high-level visit to the Vic­toria Falls World Her­it­age Site.

The visit was under­taken to appre­ci­ate and assess the con­tin­ued efforts by the gov­ern­ments of Zam­bia and Zim­b­abwe in safe­guard­ing the site’s out­stand­ing uni­ver­sal value, in line with the oper­a­tional guidelines of the UNESCO World Her­it­age Con­ven­tion.

The high-level tour star­ted on the Zim­b­ab­wean side of the trans­bound­ary prop­erty and con­cluded in Zam­bia, demon­strat­ing the shared respons­ib­il­ity and coordin­ated man­age­ment of one of the world’s most cel­eb­rated nat­ural her­it­age sites.

Speak­ing after tour­ing key sec­tions of the site, includ­ing the East­ern Catar­act where the rain­forest is on the Zam­bian side, Mr Talha expressed admir­a­tion for the strong spirit of col­lab­or­a­tion between the two coun­tries in pre­serving the prop­erty.

“I am par­tic­u­larly impressed by the col­lab­or­a­tion between Zam­bia and Zim­b­abwe in pre­serving the out­stand­ing uni­ver­sal value of the prop­erty,” he said.

National Her­it­age Con­ser­va­tion Com­mis­sion con­ser­va­tion officer John Zulu noted that such vis­its reaf­firm the strength of bilat­eral cooper­a­tion and provide an import­ant plat­form to show­case the ongo­ing efforts towards sus­tain­able con­ser­va­tion and her­it­age man­age­ment.

He emphas­ised the sig­ni­fic­ance of the visit, stat­ing that such high­level engage­ments val­id­ate ongo­ing con­ser­va­tion ini­ti­at­ives while enhan­cing inter­na­tional recog­ni­tion and sup­port for her­it­age pre­ser­va­tion efforts in the region.

“The visit fur­ther high­lights the global import­ance of the Mosi-oaTunya/Vic­toria Falls as a shared nat­ural asset requir­ing con­tin­ued joint stew­ard­ship,” he said, accord­ing to a state­ment issued by the National Her­it­age Con­ser­va­tion Com­mis­sion com­mu­nic­a­tion unit.

Source: UNESCO com­mends Zam­bia, Zim­b­abwe ties (Zambia Daily Mail, 4th May 2026)

See also:

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (5th May 2026) UNESCO hails Zambia, Zim joint efforts to safeguard Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (4th May 2026) UNESCO General Conference President CommendsZambia-Zimbabwe Cooperation At Mosi-Oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls.

First Capital finalises US$30m Kingdom Hotel disposal to ASB

 First Capital Bank Limited has completed the long-awaited disposal of Makasa Sun, drawing the curtain on a US$30 million transaction and handing control of the iconic Kingdom Hotel in Victoria Falls to United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based ASB Hospitality.

The Victoria Falls Stock Exchange-listed lender announced that the transaction had been successfully concluded following months of regulatory approvals and shareholder cautionary statements dating back to September last year.

In a notice signed by company secretary Ms Sarudzai Binha, the bank said, “The Board of Directors of First Capital Bank Limited wishes to advise shareholders and the investing public that the disposal transaction has been successfully completed.”

The company also confirmed the withdrawal of the cautionary announcement that had remained in place during negotiations and regulatory processes.

Shareholders were initially advised in September 2025 that the bank and its co-shareholder were engaged in discussions regarding the disposal of their interest in Makasa Sun.

The transaction marks one of the more significant hospitality-sector acquisitions in Zimbabwe in recent years and reinforces growing Gulf investor interest in the country’s tourism assets, particularly in Victoria Falls and Harare.

Under the agreement, ASB Hospitality acquired the entire shareholding in Makasa Sun from First Capital Bank and the First Capital Bank Staff Pension Fund. Makasa Sun’s principal asset is the Kingdom Hotel, one of Victoria Falls’ best-known hospitality properties.

The finalisation of the transaction follows exchange control approval granted earlier this year by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, while competition clearances and tax approvals were also required before the transaction could be finalised.

Earlier this year, the bank confirmed progress on the deal, saying, “The transaction has now received exchange control approval and is awaiting the remaining regulatory approvals.”

The parties had agreed that ASB Hospitality would pay US$30 million for the asset, with an initial US$3 million deposit having already been placed in escrow pending completion. The balance of US$27 million would be released once all conditions precedent had been satisfied.

The deal adds to ASB Hospitality’s expanding footprint in Zimbabwe’s hospitality industry. The UAE investor acquired the Meikles Hotel in Harare in 2019, which was later rebranded as Hyatt Regency The Meikles Harare following refurbishment and repositioning efforts.

Its latest acquisition comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s tourism industry continues to rebound strongly after the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

International arrivals and tourism receipts have been recovering rapidly, aided by aggressive destination marketing, improved regional air connectivity and Government-backed investment incentives.

Victoria Falls, in particular, has become a focal point for international hospitality capital, benefiting from its status as Zimbabwe’s premier tourism destination and its strategic positioning within the regional safari and conferencing market.

Industry analysts say foreign investor appetite for high-end tourism assets has remained resilient despite broader macroeconomic pressures affecting the country.

The transaction also provides First Capital Bank with an opportunity to unlock value from a non-core investment while strengthening liquidity and capital flexibility at a time when banks are increasingly focusing on core financial services operations.

At the time the transaction was initially announced, Makasa Sun had a consolidated net asset value of approximately US$27,98 million. First Capital Bank held a 50 percent economic interest in the company valued at around US$15 million, with the balance owned by the bank’s staff pension fund.

The bank had previously classified Makasa Sun as a dormant entity and did not consolidate it into group financial statements, suggesting limited operational integration with its banking activities.

First Capital had also indicated earlier this year that the disposal was not expected to materially affect earnings, headline earnings per share or net asset value, aside from transaction-related costs and taxation adjustments.

Source: First Capital finalises US$30m Kingdom Hotel disposal to ASB (03/05/2026)

ZimParks Rock Pool Development Ruffles Feathers

 We had hoped that with a new Director General (Professor Edson Gandiwa was announced as the new Director-General of the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority in January 2025) inappropriate events at the ZimParks developed riverside 'Rock Pool', located a short distance above the Victoria Falls and within the Victoria Falls National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, would perhaps stop. Clearly Professor Gandiwa has the same lack of understanding on the sensitivity of this conservation area as his predecessor, who authorised this unwanted and inappropriate development.

The event will include light and noise pollution which will echo over the river and surrounding area, which in addition to being within the UNESCO World Heritage Site is also designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site of International Importance and an Internationally Important Bird Area. Bird species of conservation concern occurring along the river include African Skimmer and Rock Pratincole, which breed on the exposed rocks sandy islands during low water, and the nocturnal Pel's Fishing Owl, White-backed Night Heron which breed on the islands above the Falls such as Loanda or Long Island, located immediately opposite the 'Rock Pool' development. Both these latter species are extremely sensitive to disturbance.

Read more on this controversial development within the Victoria Falls National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site high conservation and protection area on the Keep Victoria Falls Wild website.

UNESCO General Conference President Commends Zambia-Zimbabwe Cooperation At Mosi-Oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls

LIVINGSTONE, Zambia, Sunday, May 3, 2026 

The National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) has successfully hosted the President of the UNESCO General Conference, Mr. KHONDKER MOHAMMAD TALHA, during a high-level visit to the iconic Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls World Heritage Site.

The visit was undertaken to appreciate and assess the continued efforts by the Governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe in safeguarding the site’s Outstanding Universal Value, in line with the operational guidelines of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

The high-level tour commenced on the Zimbabwean side of the transboundary property and concluded in Zambia, demonstrating the shared responsibility and coordinated management of one of the world’s most celebrated natural heritage sites.

Speaking after touring key sections of the site, including the Eastern Cataract where the rainforest is on the Zambian side, Ambassador Talha expressed admiration for the strong spirit of collaboration between the two nations in preserving the integrity and global significance of the property.

“I am particularly impressed by the collaboration between Zambia and Zimbabwe in preserving the Outstanding Universal Value of the property,” he said.

The NHCC, a statutory body of the Ministry of Tourism, notes that such visits reaffirm the strength of bilateral cooperation and provide an important platform to showcase ongoing efforts toward sustainable conservation and heritage management. The visit further highlights the global importance of Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls as a shared natural asset requiring continued joint stewardship.

NHCC Conservation Officer Mr. John Zulu, emphasised the significance of the visit, stating that such high-level engagements validate ongoing conservation initiatives while enhancing international recognition and support for heritage preservation efforts in the region.

Also, in the Zambian delegation that welcomed Mr. Talha, was Dr. Samson Kantini, Senior Programme Officer – Culture, Zambia National Commission for UNESCO.

Source:  National Heritage Conservation Commission Press Release, 3rd May 2026.

See also:

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (5th May 2026) UNESCO hails Zambia, Zim joint efforts to safeguard Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (5th May 2026) UNESCO com­mends Zam­bia, Zim­b­abwe ties.

African Sun defers Elephant Hills refurbishment ahead of 2027 Cricket World Cup

 AFRICAN Sun has confirmed the postponement of the planned major refurbishment of the Elephant Hills Resort, originally scheduled for November 2026, ensuring the property remains open during Zimbabwe’s co-hosting of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls, is renowned for its championship golf course, panoramic views of the Zambezi River valley, and extensive conference facilities.

As one of the largest hotels in the resort town, it plays a critical role in accommodating international, regional and domestic tourists drawn to the majestic Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Its operational capacity is especially vital during major global events.

African Sun confirmed the postponement in a statement.

“African Sun has confirmed that it will defer its planned major refurbishment of the Elephant Hills Resort, originally scheduled for November 2026, in support of Zimbabwe’s role as co-host of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. The Resort will remain fully operational during 2026 and 2027 to ensure that Victoria Falls retains essential room capacity during this significant period of increased international demand,” reads the statement.

The hospitality group added that the refurbishment programme remains a key priority and will proceed immediately after the tournament, with a continued focus on enhancing guest experience and strengthening the property’s positioning.

Room availability in Victoria Falls is crucial for hosting cricket fans and teams from around the world.

African Sun expressed enthusiasm for working closely with trade partners as they prepare to welcome visitors to Victoria Falls.

Source: African Sun defers Elephant Hills refurbishment ahead of 2027 Cricket World Cup (01/05/2026)

See also:

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (23/04/2026) AfricanSun exits VFEX, opts for unlisted status.

 Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (10/03/2026) African Sun to Delist.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (12/12/2025) African Sun to shut down Elephant Hills for major overhaul.

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)

Fatal Human–Elephant Encounter Recorded In Mukuni Chiefdom

Lusaka, 25th April 2026 —

The Ministry of Tourism, through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), regrets to confirm a fatal human-wildlife conflict incident involving an African elephant in Mukuni Chiefdom,Siamapa Village, in Livingstone District.

The incident occurred between 22:00 hours and 23:00 hours on the night of 24th April 2026. The deceased has been identified as Ms. Lozia Ngawaka, aged 54, a resident of Siamapa Village.

Preliminary reports indicate that the victim, in the company of her husband, was walking from Mukuni Palace towards Siamapa Village when they encountered a roaming elephant within a known wildlife movement corridor. The elephant is believed to have charged during the encounter, resulting in the fatality. The husband survived the incident.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife has since dispatched a field team to the area to verify details, assess the situation on the ground and ensure the safety of surrounding communities. The remains of the deceased have been collected and deposited at Batoka Mortuary pending burial arrangements.

Initial assessments suggest that the incident may have been a defensive reaction by the animal, possibly triggered by close proximity and reduced visibility during night hours, which are typically periods of increased elephant activity.

The Ministry extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family and the community of Siamapa Village during this difficult time.

The Ministry further urges members of the public, particularly those living in or near wildlife corridors, to exercise heightened caution. Movement during late hours in such areas should be avoided, as it significantly increases the risk of encounters with wild animals.

In response to the incident, the Ministry, through DNPW, is intensifying community sensitization programmes, strengthening early warning systems and promoting the use of appropriate deterrent measures in high-risk areas.

Issaued by

Nelly Banda, Principal Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Tourism

Banda.Nelly@mot.gov.zm

Read more: Paying the Price - Living with Giants on the Keep Victoria Falls Wild website.  

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.