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If you have money to burn then do not look for your passport this December. Go against the tide and head out to some of the most exclusive destinations in Zimbabwe that foreigners wax lyrical about.
Of course they are all in places where you will get the best when it comes to game viewing and other holiday activities. There are many wonderful places to stay which suit every pocket, but in no particular order here are some of Zimbabwe’s best accommodations:
Victoria Falls Hotel
Just a few metres from the mighty Mosi-oa-Tunya, this hotel is definitely one of the best in the country. The Victoria Falls Hotel, popularly known as “the grand old lady of the Falls”, is situated in the Victoria Falls National Park, a world heritage site, and is a member of the exclusive Leading Hotels of the World group. It is one of only three IS0-accredited hotels in Zimbabwe. The Edwardian-style five-star hotel, built in 1904, was recently redecorated and refurbished and now combines the charm of the old with the convenience of the new. Set in lush tropical gardens with lily ponds, palm trees and semi-tropical shrubs, it provides the tranquillity and seclusion that many guests seek.
The famous Victoria Falls are just a 10-minute walk away using the hotel’s private pathway, and “the smoke that thunders” or “Mosi-O-Tunya” in the local dialect, is clearly audible and visible from this luxurious landmark.
World-class service, and food and beverage choice and preparation second to none, make the hotel a magnet for international visitors and locals alike. The opulent Livingstone Room for fine dining and dancing, the Jungle Junction with its famous breakfast and dinner buffets and ethnic entertainment in the evenings, offer variety and wide choice.
Stanley’s Terrace, with its clear view of the Victoria Falls Bridge, connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia, is renowned for its cocktails and afternoon teas. The Terrace has been a rendezvous for adventurers in Africa for over a century.
The ambience of the hotel is steeped in that history with all suites decorated in the gracious Edwardian style of Zimbabwe’s colonial era. It has 161 rooms comprising 37 standard rooms, 58 traditional rooms, 48 deluxe rooms, seven junior suites, four honeymoon suites, six executive suites and the Royal Suite.
The latter, as the name suggests, has seen reigning monarchs, presidents and, more recently, many famous Hollywood stars among its privileged occupants. The corridors reflect and tell the history of this unique part of Africa, with particular reference to the building of the railway from Cape Town to what is now Zambia. It is very much part of the unrealised “Cape to Cairo” dream of Cecil John Rhodes.
A large swimming pool, two tennis courts, a library, reading rooms and chapel are part of the complex. Golfers can enjoy 18 holes on the championship course of the nearby sister hotel, Elephant Hills Resort.
Singita Pamushana Lodge
This is the place where Shakira headed to when she came in for the SA World Football extravaganza in 2010. It is also the preferred destination for many other international travellers who like to be cosseted in the lap of luxury as the commune with nature or just take time away from the madding crowd.
In 1994, the not-for-profit Malilangwe Trust was established as a result of the largest ever single donor investment in Zimbabwe, in order to purchase, protect, and manage the extraordinary wilderness area next to the Gonarezhou National Park in southeastern Zimbabwe. Singita Pamushana Lodge is the ecotourism arm of this 130 000-acre reserve, and its role is to help foster the sustainability of the wildlife and broader ecology, while enabling guests to share the magic of the lodge and the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve. Accommodation space is very limited in the form of 4 x 1-bedroom suites, 1 x 2-bedroomfamily suite, 1 x 3-bedroom family suite and 1 x 5-bedroom villa.
With magnificent views and sunsets over the national game park, this deluxe hotel offers An Ideal Combination Of World-class Service And Cuisine in an undisturbed bush environment. The welcoming atmosphere and friendly service are sure to make your stay memorable.
All of the guest rooms are comfortable and nicely equipped to give a feeling of relaxed luxury. The hotel features a variety of facilities and services that are sure to meet the needs of leisure luxury travellers.
The Hide Safari Camp
The Hide Safari Camp is sited in one of Hwange National Park’s prime wildlife areas where it was established nearly 20years ago. One visit and you will never think of the word tent in quite the same way again.
The level of luxury and comfort that has been created within the tents make it more like a magical palace conjured by Aladdin’s genie, rather than a safari camp. The Hide’s luxury tented suites are uniquely styled along classic lines with a contemporary twist, all are spacious and bathed in natural light. Life in the bush is not just about searching for big game. It is just as much about waking to the chorus of robins and hornbills as the rosy dawn light creeps across the bedspread.
It’s about sitting quietly on the verandah to watch the comings and goings of kudu, giraffe, elephant and many more at the waterhole. And, of course, at the end of a full day, there’s that long soak in a hot bath under the stars and the warm bed where you’ll curl up and listen to the sounds of the African night.
Voted the “Best Tented Safari Camp” in Zimbabwe on 13 occasions, The Hide Safari Camp deserves a slot at the top. — The Saturday Herald Lifestyle/hotel websites
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