Zimbabwe wasn’t on my 2025 holiday bucket list – until an opportunity came up to visit Zambezi National Park. As a certified member of the travel bug generation, my interest was piqued. Fast forward to now, and I’ve just spent the last week in Zimbabwe (humble brag), and it’s hard to believe I ever overlooked this country after the experience I had.
From the moment I arrived at Victoria Falls Safari Club, it epitomised everything I look for in a holiday: beauty, culture, adventure, and indulgence.
The hotel, perched on a plateau of Zambezi National Park, is just 4km from Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. On a windy day, you can feel the falls’ spray from the hotel’s airy terraces and it’s surrounded by nature at its most breathtaking.
Baby warthogs trotted past as I walked to breakfast. Herds of elephants gathered at the hotel’s protected waterhole, a scene I watched while dining on dishes crafted by chefs whose creativity rivals anything you’d find in London or Paris. Every aspect of the hotel felt carefully curated, blending luxury with authenticity in a way that felt effortless and unpretentious.
What stood out most was how seamlessly the hotel combined conservation and comfort. The property contributes to various conservation projects, including funding anti-poaching patrols and supporting the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust. Here, you can learn firsthand about the challenges of protecting the country’s unique biodiversity. The trust’s lab is one of southern Africa’s best, and its rehabilitation centre provides a sanctuary for animals that cannot return to the wild.
Seeing their work in action was humbling, especially hearing how tourism helps deter poaching. As one conservationist explained, “Having tourists on game drives or boat cruises is a positive presence. A poacher won’t shoot an animal if people are watching.”