Heavy rains but festive mood in Victoria Falls

VICTORIA Falls was a hive of activity during the Christmas Day holidays with hotels and lodges in the country’s tourism destination recording almost 100 percent occupancy.

Tourism executives said average bookings in most hotels and lodges were 100 percent in the past week with locals constituting the majority of tourists as the city gears up for the Mapopoma Festival that kicks off tomorrow until Sunday at Baobab Primary School.

Event organisers said all is set and promised those who will attend an unforgettable experience with a diverse line-up of musicians from different genres.

For the next three days, national attention will be on the resort city where fun lovers will seek to shut down the year.

However, the heavy rains that have been pounding the city in the past few days almost dampened the mood in the country’s tourist destination as it became difficult for tourists to do outdoor activities such as helicopter flights, game drives and bungee jumping.

Hotels and eateries were a hive of activity with a mixture of tourists.

Victoria Falls is Zimbabwe’s prime tourism destination and there are efforts by various stakeholders to market the destination and make it a world destination of choice.

Tourism executive Ms Shelley Cox who is co-ordinator of We Are Victoria Falls said there is a mixture of tourists enjoying the holiday and leisure in the destination.

“Victoria Falls has been a hive of activity during the festive period with a mix of international, regional, and local visitors all eager to explore the diverse array of experiences on offer in the destination. Several restaurants ran a variety of specials for visitors,” she said.

“Baines ran a ’12 days of Christmas’ special with each of the 12 days leading up to Christmas offering a complementary value add for visitors, and Lookout Cafe having a special visit from Santa who even embarked on the thrilling zipline activity across the famous Batoka Gorge.”

Most facilities including Victoria Falls Hotel and other accommodations and shops hosted special Christmas carols for their guests.

Those on game drives in Zambezi National Park have sighted lions climbing trees, and the bountiful new life of the wildlife that comes with this time of year, positioning Victoria Falls as the destination of choice for safari adventure.

“Certainly the festivities have not been in short supply in the heart of adventure, Victoria Falls despite the blessings of rain which have been welcomed by all,” said Ms Cox.

Shearwater Adventures spokesperson Mr Clement Mukwasi said the heavy rains affected activities.

He said while the rains were good and welcome, activities were affected as tourists could not do most of the outdoor activities such as helicopter flights, game drives and bridge activities.

Mr Mukwasi said statistics show that the upcoming New Year’s Day bookings are largely dominated by foreign tourists.

Domestic tourists are expected also to throng the resort city for the Mapopoma Festival.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi has since arrived in Victoria Falls ahead of today’s official opening of the 5th edition of SEAL and Mapopoma Festivals which she is expected to preside over.

The line-up of Mapopoma artistes includes Yo Maps, Murumba Pitch, Nutty O, Boohle, Holy Ten, Tebza De DJ, Baba Harare, Mzoe 7, Jeys Marabini, Gwevedzi, DT Bio Mudimba, Sky Root, Muffia King, Nizhe Desoul, Travellers Band, Shabach the Band, Novuyo Seagal, Diana Samkange, Gule Motion, TRP and Asante Mo.

DJ Skimboh, DJ Ashley, Jerry Springer, DJ Lexxy and DJ Taylor complete the list.

The hosts will be Simba Saints, SYD and Vokal.

Spokesperson for the event Mr Leslie Phiri said preparations are at an advanced stage.

Mapopoma Festival embodies the spirit of togetherness and camaraderie. It is a celebration of life, culture and unity, bringing people from all walks of life together to cherish the beauty of music and art, and carries the rainbow province of Matabeleland North’s aspirations as the country’s top tourism destination.