Most Zimbabweans are notorious for leaving their vacation days on the table — partly because of work pressures, but also because they think they can’t afford trips. Here are a few vacation planning tips:
Set a realistic budget
Do enough research to figure out costs in advance, and then plug the trip in as a separate line item in your annual budget, so that you’re not scrambling to come up with cash just when you’re dying to get away.
From breakfasts to activities costs to special excursions, make sure you’re budgeting well beyond just hotel and dinner costs.
Bumi Hills safari lodge Lake Kariba Zimbabwe luxury safari lodge lake the culinary offering dessert food
Bumi Hills safari lodge Lake Kariba Zimbabwe luxury safari lodge lake the culinary offering delicious food
Bumi Hills safari lodge Lake Kariba Zimbabwe luxury safari lodge lake view dining breakfast deck
Save separately
To avoid diverting your travel funds to cover day-to-day costs, set up an automatic monthly transfer that will create a separate pot of money dedicated to your vacation.
Even if you’ve got big costs elsewhere, commit at least to a staycation. To make it special, treat it as you would an out-of-town vacation: Spend time at art gallery, museums or other tourist spots you might not otherwise have time for, don’t check work email, and avoid blowing that time off on ordinary errands and chores.
— Min of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Zimbabwe (@MOTHI_ZIMBABWE) May 3, 2018
Located merely 400m from the Victoria Falls, 100m from the epicenter of the Vic Falls town with its craft and curio markets, bohemian cafes and overlooking natural African bush panorama, the Explorers Village is the perfect “Base Camp”. Comprising of 5 bespoke Overland camping sites, modern ablution facilities and 42 private rooms,
CHALETS $60 PP (2 PEOPLE) SHARING A ROOM INCL. BREAKFAST $90 PP SINGLE INCL. BREAKFAST
the village represents budget accommodation at its finest – clean, cool, relaxing, elegant, excellent traditional food, ice cold drinks and exceptionally friendly hosts ready to welcome you and guide you through your Vic Falls experience.
Explorers Village Camp Dining_food
Explorers Village offers the modern pioneer a perfect haven from which to investigate Victoria Falls, widely recognized as the adventure capital of the African continent. The Village chalets are beautiful yet budget conscious. Each room is subtly scented the moment you enter – and perfectly air conditioned (pleasant throughout the whole year – but really desirable in Southern Hemisphere summer months).
CHALETS $60 PP (2 PEOPLE) SHARING A ROOM INCL. BREAKFAST $90 PP SINGLE INCL. BREAKFAST
Each chalet has a private bathroom. Crisp clean linen on wonderfully comfortable beds. A delightful boutique shower room. The chalets allow you to have style and elegance at really affordable prices, so you can access more of the ‘’once in a lifetime’’ activities available in Victoria Falls. You are adventurous enough to come to Africa – but allow yourself a little indulgence.
CHALETS $60 PP (2 PEOPLE) SHARING A ROOM INCL. BREAKFAST $90 PP SINGLE INCL. BREAKFAST
Shearwater has been developing and honing adventure, scenic and wildlife experiences in Zimbabwe for over 30 years and the Shearwater Explorers Village is the ideal melting pot for like-minded individuals to explore the wonders of Victoria Falls and launch themselves into some unforgettable adventures.
— Min of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Zimbabwe (@MOTHI_ZIMBABWE) May 3, 2018
Speaking to Chronicle newspaper Mr. Mukwasi the Public relations and Corporate Affairs Manager said the idea into venturing in accommodation provision was in response to the anticipated upsurge in arrivals in the resort town due to the major infrastructure development such as the New Victoria Falls International Airport
Explorers Village Camp_Bar
Tourism drivers have revealed that tourism industry in Victoria Falls is booming due to the upgrading of the Victoria Falls International Airport and last month’s hotel occupancy stood at 70%.
A girl I had a crash on was here two years ago. She was the first one of a bunch who told me about this place and said I would fall in love with it. And when someone you ‘drool’ for and adore tells you to go somewhere they know you will fall for, you have absolutely no choice but to go. (But I still wonder who she did go with.)
Anyway, looking for a place this Valentine’s Day, to go “off-the-grid” in a meditation retreat to a place that was created to bring people (especially lovers) back to the conscious womb, to nature, to balance, to simple living; nestled in a lush forest of Zimbabwe, in the Eastern Highlands this place is just for you and your sweet-heart.
Have you ever wondered how to travel to places around the world that has an affection significance, while as lovers being enriched beyond just being there? If so, the lovers nest offered here, is your answer. Going beyond “just a vacation,” hospitality offered by this hotel is devoted to helping those wishing to truly experience and learn the re-connection and spiritual side.
Inyanga has been billed as one of the most stunning areas of Zimbabwe, with its mountainous areas, rivers, waterfalls and fresh mountain air’, and any visitor who has experienced its appeasing, relaxing and soothing, from the jumble of the city of Harare, from the sophistication of Mutare, to the sunny laid back Eastern Highlands.
At the gateway to the spectacular of Inyanga lies a beautiful hotel, uniquely situated in a tranquil setting designed to provide any couple with the ultimate peace, relaxation and comfort. Rhodes Nyanga Hotel takes ‘hostage’ in the lush, pristine and natural environment, in the heart of the Nyanga National Park, the finest trout fishing locations in Zimbabwe.
Built as a holiday cottage in the 1800’s by Cecil John Rhodes, and converted into a hotel in 1933, the Rhodes Nyanga Hotel is a 24 roomed homestead that offers a truly out of Africa experience. Set in manicured gardens with breath-taking panoramic views from a veranda overlooking the lake, the hotel is furnished in true colonial fashion and boasts Rondevals which are westernized version of the traditional round African hut – a style popularized during the turn of the century.
African Modernized huts.
There is no Wi-Fi, only natural tweets from the eucalyptus trees. This is a time for technology (WhatsApp especially) detoxification and that you needed badly. Your minds will be already quieter by just being there, the center is so peaceful and the location couldn’t be any more perfect.
The central area of the hotel consists of two cosy lounges, a restaurant and a cocktail bar with an iconic barman, sekuru Aloise, once barman of the year in 1991 when Queen Elizabeth came for the Chogam Conference. The bar is the most stocked in Inyanga and the scarce Monis wine is only available at Rhodes.
The hotel has become well known for its tea and scones. Most folks travel a great distance to have the scones in the garden.
Authentic Turn of the Century Boutique Hotel. Spend the night in room 8 and use Cecil Rhodes original furniture. http://t.co/TDl23av6
In the famous “Historical Suite Number 8” you will be able to use some of the original furniture that belonged to Cecil John Rhodes. This idyllic haven is ideal for both holiday and business, and will provide you with some of the most memorable moments you will ever experience.
The famous Room 8
If you’re looking for beautiful and serene established hotel that will cater for both creation of memorable moments and gazing in your spouse’s eyes in perfect silence then Rhodes Nyanga hotel is the place you are looking for as you both watch the sun paint the world gold. (If you are fortunate, it’s always cloudy).
Accommodation
The Rhodes Nyanga Hotel has 24 rooms. The 8 rooms in the old original block of rooms all have a bath and a shower. The Rondevals and rooms 9 to 11 have showers. The Rondevals which are Westernised versions of the traditional round African Style hut were popular during the ‘turn of the century” and the Rondevals at Rhodes Nyanga Hotel give one the true “Out of Africa” experience;
The “Famous Room Number 8” has some of the original furniture that belonged to Cecil John Rhodes with a free standing Victorian bath and walk in shower;
The famous Victorian bath tub.
Refurbished bathrooms with new bathtubs with overhead showers in rooms 1 to 8 and rooms 24 and 21;
Rooms 10 to 20 have Separate walk in showers;
Amenities include shower gel hand soap and bath soap lotion and shampoo candles;
Feather-top beds with 200-thread-count and 100 % cotton bed linens;
Telephones;
21-inch televisions with 5 entertainment channels;
Tea and coffee making facilities in each room.
Facilities
Twice-daily housekeeping service;
16-hour in-room dining;
Daily laundry/valet service;
Room service is available from 06:30 hours until 22:30 hours every day. Please make arrangements with the hotel should you require this service outside of the designated times
Dining
The Rhodes Hotel Dining Room
Fruit Tree Restaurant;
The restaurant derived its name from that of the farms acquired by Cecil John Rhodes when he decided to build his cottage retreat. The restaurant is situated in the main foyer area of the hotel next to the reception. The Fruit Tree restaurant has a sitting capacity of 80;
Breakfast : 06:30 hrs to 09:30 hrs;
Lunch: 12:30 hrs to 14:30 hrs;
Dinner: 18:30 hrs to 22:30 hrs;
An all Day Menu is available for service from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm in the Gardens and terrace.
Activities
Visit the biggest Trout Fish hatchery.
The Rhodes Nyanga Hotel is situated within the Rhodes Nyanga National Park. There are a variety of activities that can be enjoyed in the Park. Please find listed below the various activities on offer:
Nyanga Trust Museum
Is next to the Rhodes Nyanga Hotel (It was Rhode’s old stable block). The Focus in the museum is on the local struggle after 1892 and the life of Cecil John Rhodes. Frustrated miners had to turn to agriculture so the BSAC sold large tracts of land in this area to settlers, who kept local people on as cheap labor, but a later deal kicked them off altogether, a state of affairs that continued well into the Smith regime. The hero in the museum is Chief Rekayi Tangwena, who led the struggle for reinstatement, which only came with independence in 1980. Well worth a visit.
16ft Ox wagon buit in 1935 by Kilngwilliamstown & bought by Mr. Steyn for pounds.
Nyangombe Natural Swimming Pool
This is a natural pool on the Nyamgombe River with sandy beach referred to locally as Brighton Beach. The fast running, cold water is bilharzia free and safe to bathe in. There is a picnic braai area, changing rooms and flush toilets.
Mount Nyangani
At 2,593 meters above sea level this is the highest point in Zimbabwe. The car park is located at 2 140 meters above sea level and it is considered as not a difficult hike to the top, but one must be reasonably fit. Allow two to three hours to the summit where, mist willing. You will have wonderful views. The summit is said to have its own resident spirit, which is why you won’t find many local people up there. It is considered dangerous to point at the sacred mountain.
Golf
Claremont Golf Course For the golf enthusiast, please take some time out and enjoy a round of golf at Claremont Golf Club. Located only about 9km by road from the hotel.
YeduLani (YOUR ZIMBABWE) magazine 