Ko Panashe in major facelift

THE placid sounds of the untamed wild of the majestic Victoria Falls probably sprung the idea of turning a hidden leisure centre in the resort town into the ideal traveller’s destination.

Ko Panashe Leisure Centre situated about 15 kilometres from Victoria Falls town, and about three kilometres from the airport, has over the past couple of months been undergoing major renovations to turn the drinking spot into the ultimate traveller’s motel, offering a vast number of services.

Stealthily tucked along the Vic Falls highway, Ko Panashe, once every man’s ideal getaway and drinking and barbeque spot now has been turned into a motel.

Catherine Phiri, Ko Panashe manageress, told Sunday Life that the vision behind developing the spot into a motel was to offer tourists affordable accommodation and also to promote domestic tourism.

“Most hotels have exorbitant prices, we are for the view that people need to be offered affordable prices. We want to offer accommodation and services affordable to ordinary people,” she said.

Ko Panashe has also partnered with other stakeholders in the business and now offers services such as conference facilities, game drives, hunting and rafting, among many other tourist activities.

“We have since partnered with other players in the industry to offer flexible and affordable services to those wishing to travel. While we will be offering affordable rates we won’t compromise the quality of our standards.

“We are strategically situated next to the Falls and this is an advantage to us. We have injected a lot of capital into this project and hope it will yield results,” said Phiri.

There are 23 functional rooms so far.

“So far there are 23 rooms and we are working on constructing an additional 37 to make them 60,” said Phiri.

Situated a few kilometres from the game park, guests have the opportunity to view different animal species.

“We are also working towards constructing a bush restaurant, where guests will be served meals in the bush and can be viewing the wildlife,” she said.

Ko Panashe offers DStv, tea/coffee making facilities in each unit; it also provides free WiFi and on-site car parking.

All units are serviced daily and include an en suite bathroom with hot water.

Guest laundry facilities are available.

Phiri added that they would soon also offer wedding services and other entertainment services.

“We want to host weddings where adventurous couples can wed in a bush environment. We will also be offering entertainment such as live bands on special days,as we are not entirely shying away from entertainment,” she concluded.