Getaway names Victoria Falls one of Africa's best holiday destinations

2 May 2019

South Africa travel magazine, Getaway has named Victoria Falls, Great Zimbabwe and Mana Pools National Park among Africa's 30 Best Holidays in its April 2019 edition. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, took first place in Getaway's Best Natural Wonders category, while Great Zimbabwe took second place in the Best Historical Sites category, after the Pyramids of Giza, and Mana Pools came third in the Best Safari category after the Okavango Delta and Masai Mara.

Image Supplied: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls was described as a "gift from nature"; Mana Pools, as "manna from heaven for wildlife enthusiasts", and noted for its "wildness and splendour"; while Great Zimbabwe, "the largest ancient structure south of the Sahara", "displays architecture that is unparalleled elsewhere in Africa" and "exudes mystery".

Hospitality group Africa Albida Tourism (AAT), which operates hotels and lodges in the country’s premier tourist destination of Victoria Falls, had its busiest year ever last year, with its flagship property Victoria Falls Safari Lodge enjoying an 80-plus per cent occupancy for six consecutive months.

AAT chief executive Ross Kennedy said the interest in Zimbabwe as a destination was growing, reflecting what an amazing tourism experience and offering the country has.

"Following 2018 record arrivals in Victoria Falls, 2019 is showing a strong book after a slightly sluggish start on the back of lower arrivals into South Africa. However, 2020 demand is already 17% ahead of 2018 at the same point on 31 March 2019," said Kennedy.

Last year, three travel guides – Frommer’s, National Geographic Traveler and Lonely Planet - listed Zimbabwe as a top destination for 2019.

Meanwhile, UK newspaper, The Telegraph, named three AAT properties – Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls Safari Club and Ngoma Safari Lodge, in Chobe, Botswana – in their Best Hotels in Africa list.

Both Frommer’s and National Geographic Traveler listed Zimbabwe as one of the 19 must-see destinations in the world in 2019, with the latter placing it at number 9, the highest ranking for any African country.

Lonely Planet, another leading travel guide, listed Zimbabwe as the third destination of the top 10 countries in the Best of Travel 2019 list, stating: "Not only is it one of Africa’s safest destinations, it’s one blessed with ultra-friendly locals, big five-filled national parks, World Heritage-listed archaeological ruins, forested mountains and, of course, the mighty Victoria Falls".