Zimbabwe has appointed Nqobizita Mangaliso Ndlovu Acting Minister of Environment Tourism and Hospitality Industry, pending the finalisation of the incumbent, Prisca Mupfumira’s court processes.

Mupfumira, who is currently in custody, is facing a litany of corruption charges in Zimbabwe’s courts.

Ndlovu is also Zimbabwe’s Industry and Commerce Minister.

Langton Masunda, a conservationist from Gwayi, near Hwange National Park, says the appointment of an acting minister is a move in the right direction.

“The arrest of Mupfumira is one way of stopping rot in government ministries. Given the nature of tourism, it cannot be run by someone facing corruption allegations. The appointment of Ndlovu will restore credibility of the Tourism Ministry, its parastatals and the industry in general,” Masunda says.

The acting minister, he says, may not immediately change things in the Ministry but sanity and confidence will be restored.

Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe President, Innocent Manyera, says: “We appreciate as an industry the fact that we have been given an acting minister to ensure government business continues in the meantime. I believe due diligence was done to pick the Honourable Minister in an acting capacity.”

Manyera says business at the Tourism Ministry is likely to continue as the acting minister will be guided by plans and officers already in the Ministry. – Tourism Update

The Zambezi River, the fourth-longest in Africa, offers some memorable one-of-a-kind experiences. Liesl Venter looks at some of the options.
Devil’s Pool

This is an experience unlike any other, says Natasha Parker, Marketing and Communications Manager of Tongabezi Lodge. It is, after all, the world’s most insane infinity pool. “You are literally swimming on the very edge of Victoria Falls. The immensity of the waterfall is awe-inspiring when you are taking a dip. Clients can look over the edge, to the boiling pools below, and take a selfie that nobody would ever believe.”

This experience, like many on the Zambezi, offers unparalleled natural beauty and authenticity, says Betty Mumba Chabala, Zambia Tourism Agency’s Communications and Corporate Affairs Manager. “This is as close to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world, that you can get.”

Rafting
Sean Edington, activities manager at Safpar Zambia, says the Zambezi River in the Batoka Gorge is arguably the finest one-day white-water rafting trip on the planet. “The rapids are closely stacked, with minimal flat water between them. The adrenaline doesn’t stop for 24 kilometres of pure fun, starting directly below Victoria Falls.”

The second secret gem, he says, are the multi-day trips. “This involves four days of exploring the Zambezi River, expedition-style.”

Travelling 56 kilometres in total, tackling ominous-sounding rapids such as ‘Upper Moemba’ and ‘Chimamba’, these trips are a must-do for adventure-minded clients.

Boat cruises
Whether it is dinner or just to watch the sunset, cruising the upper Zambezi River in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is almost a rite of passage for the savvy traveller, says Edington. “Expect to see river-dwelling wildlife up close from the comfort of the boats, while indulging in a variety of local snacks and beverages.”

Fishing
The Zambezi offers some of the best fishing spots for the very popular tiger fish, says Parker. “It is one of the most thrilling fishing experiences to be had. Tigerfish are beautiful but also lethal, with razor-sharp teeth and an extremely strong pull.”

Canoeing down the river
This, says Honour Schram de Jong, Director of Honour Way, is possible in the Upper Zambezi area but especially favoured in the Lower Zambezi National Park region. “This is a safari from a different angle. It also takes a different type of adrenaline because of the slow pace. It is incredible for sighting birds and smaller animals, but hippos and elephants crossing the river are often seen.” – Tourism Update

Shongwe Lookout in the suburbs of Victoria Falls has been opened by the Mayor, S Dhlamini, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The lodge has 23 bedrooms, a restaurant area, a bar, an outdoor infinity pool and a firepit. Deluxe and Executive rooms have a shower and a bath, and the studio rooms have a shower. All rooms have an en-suite bathroom, desk, free WiFi, safe, USB and universal plugs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, fan, mosquito nets, air-conditioner and toiletries. A two-storey Lookout Tower has views of the Zambezi River and the spray from the Victoria Falls.

Activities include tours of the Falls, game drives, walking safaris, white-water rafting, helicopter rides and river cruises.

Manager, Jamie Henson, said building over the past nine months had been a challenge, but already the lodge had close to 50% occupancy for the next few months, with plenty of bookings rolling in for 2020 and 2021.

“We are very pleased with the reservations, as they indicate that tourism remains strong for Victoria Falls and that this town is a great place to invest,” he said.

Shongwe Lookout was designed and built to showcase as much of Zimbabwe’s artisan talent as possible with all timber sourced and manufactured locally.

The lodge is a kilometre from town and two kilometres from the Falls. – Tourism Update