New player enters tourism sector

Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
A NEW tour operating company, Maganu Adventures, has been established in Victoria Falls, widening investment into the tourism sector. The firm was officially launched here on Saturday with its directors pledging to offer a “unique” service to the industry. The company’s two major products are game drives and canoeing while other activities include camping, safari drives and survivor camping among others. Collin Moyo, Misheck Ngwenya and Silvia Peters are the directors of the company that is situated along Pioneer Road.

“We’re a new player in the field. We thought we had gathered enough experience to start our own canoeing business and empower locals through employment,” said Moyo.

“This is like a dream come true for us because we planned this for a long time as we wished to do our own thing and give back to our own community. What makes our product different is that we’re reintroducing some of the activities that other players are not doing.

“Canoeing has been going on in this town but there are some things that were being done differently, which we’re bringing a new dimension to. Remember canoeing had been dwarfed by other activities and we’re bringing back those activities that made it popular.”

He said their company would offer tailor-made safaris around Zimbabwe and Southern Africa such as camping trips, game drives, canoeing and safari walking.

“Our top priority is safety and security. Besides being new, we’re bringing in experienced staff and as such clients should expect to enjoy an experience of the Zambezi and trips around Southern Africa,” added Moyo.

Ngwenya said Maganu was there to make a difference in tourism.

“We’re joining big players and what will make us survive is that we’re bringing in something others aren’t doing, especially on the way canoeing is being done, the time it takes in the river and the quality of the service. We’re not looking at competition but we feel tourists are being short changed. It’s the way other players are doing canoeing that we want to differ from and capitalise on,” he said.

Ngwenya said their idea was to give back to the community that groomed them to be professionals in tourism activities.

“We’re going to work with charity organisations as we want to give back to the community and also work with anti-poaching units. I’ve been in this business for 16 years and have never lost a life. As such clients should be assured of safety. We’re doing a number of activities, which we hope and trust our tourists would love,” Ngwenya said.

The new firm will compete with other operators such as Shearwater Adventures, Shockwave Adventures, Wild Horizons, Adventure Zone and Khanondo. Maganu Adventures derived its name from an indigenous amarula tree and the directors believe their company is strong inside and succulent outside like the amarula fruit.