Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve
Online Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has reported a surge in tourist arrivals at the Victoria Falls Rainforest in the first quarter of the year.
The increase has been attributed to a rise in international tourism that has inspired greater visitor numbers.
ZimParks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the growth in a statement on Monday.
“Victoria Falls Rainforest has seen an increase in tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2025, recording a total of 61,139 compared to 59,718 during the same period in 2024.
“The surge is largely attributed to a notable rise in international tourism, with international arrivals reaching 47,633 in 2025, an increase from 44,110 the previous year,” said Mr Farawo.
He said key source markets driving international interest in Victoria Falls include Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany, largely due to the availability of dedicated tour packages.
Mr Farawo highlighted that enhanced accessibility through the expansion of Victoria Falls Airport, along with the introduction of new flight routes including direct flights from Frankfurt, Germany, has further facilitated growing interest among German tourists.
“The implementation of the KAZA visa (UniVisa), which simplifies cross-border travel between Zimbabwe and Zambia, has also played a pivotal role in encouraging visitors to explore both sides of the falls, offering a more seamless travel experience for tourists from many countries,” said Mr Farawo.
Regionally, Mr Farawo said South Africa continues to be the largest source of visitors, followed closely by Botswana, contributing to the thriving tourism landscape of Victoria Falls.
Meanwhile, domestic tourism experienced a decline, with numbers dropping from 15,608 in 2024 to 13,506 in 2025.
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