Author: Lisa Rossiter

Embark on an unforgettable journey aboard the Bushtracks Express Steam Train in Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls is renowned for adventure and tourism, offering an array of exhilarating activities like white water rafting, bungee jumping, and helicopter flights. However, among these thrilling options, Bushtracks Express Steam Train stands out as a unique indulgence that takes you on a journey back in time to the romantic age of steamtrain travel.

Hop on board a fully renovated first-class steam train that transports you to over a century ago. With a 1952 14a Class Locomotive as the lead, the train comprises a beautifully refurbished Club, Dining, and Observation car, restored under Rohan Vos of Rovos Rail. Passengers revel in the exceptional service provided by the well-trained staff dressed in elegant attire while indulging in an exquisite dining experience. If you’re looking for a luxurious adventure with a touch of nostalgia, then this Steam Train Trip is an unbeatable way to experience Victoria Falls.

A Gourmet Experience on the Rails

Embark on a captivating journey aboard the enchanting sunset steam train, beginning with a visit to the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls Bridge. This remarkable historical monument, completed in 1905, stands as the second most visited landmark in the region.

Gather at the Victoria Falls Train Station, conveniently situated across from the majestic Victoria Falls Hotel. As you step onto the train’s crimson carpet, an atmosphere of opulence surrounds you, instantly making you feel like a distinguished guest.

Once all passengers are on board, the old steam locomotive will come to life, chugging along towards the Victoria Falls Bridge. Unwind in the luxurious and comfortable lounging car, feasting your senses on the picturesque African scenery and the melodious sounds that accompany the journey. Depending on wildlife sightings in the park, the train will arrive at the bridge before the sun dips below the horizon.

Pause and admire the bridge as the train halts, giving you the option to disembark and explore this historic marvel whenever you get a chance. The bridge deliberately positioned so that passengers aboard the train could experience the mist from the magnificent Victoria Falls caressing their faces. Alternatively, remain aboard and savour refreshing beverages and delectable snacks while revelling in the breathtaking panorama that unfolds before you.

After the unforgettable bridge excursion, rejoin the train for the next leg of the journey, taking you to Jafuta Siding.  Indulge in a tempting three-course meal and further libations, savouring every exquisite bite and sip. Following this delightful culinary experience, the train will transport you back to the Victoria Falls Train Station.

An activity not to be missed! Book Now

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VICTORIA FALLS MARATHON 

It’s that time of the year again for The Victoria Falls Marathon set on the 2nd of July 2023. Conquer the ultimate endurance test at the Victoria Falls Marathon, an internationally recognised event registered with World Athletics and AIMS. Run in partnership with the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe, where top runners worldwide can challenge themselves against the best! Please note that the Zimbabwe – Zambia border will be closed until 09:30 that morning. Please ensure any transfers or travel plans are scheduled after this time. The border will be busier than usual on the afternoon of the 1st, so expect some delays.

COURSE INFO

What can you expect to see on the courses? You will be crossing over the famous Victoria Falls Bridge and going around the Zambezi Drive, which offers breathtaking landscape views of the Zambezi River and Big Tree. The Zambezi Drive is renowned for sightings of elephants, impalas, baboons and buffalo, to name a few. Whilst these animals are beautiful, it’s important to remember that it is a National Park. For this reason National Parks and Vic Falls Anti-Poaching Unit armed rangers along this section for protection.

On all the routes, water and refreshments will be available approximately every 4km – 5km. Food and other drinks will be on sale at the finish.

FULL MARATHON – 42.195km

• Cross over the Vic Falls bridge to the Zambia border.
• Returning to Zimbabwe over the bridge
• Turn right along Zambezi Drive
• The Zambezi Drive then joins Park Way, heading toward the park.
• It finally routes into the suburbs
• Then through Victoria Falls Safari Lodge grounds via their back gate.

Note: This is a two-loop route (except the bridge).

HALF MARATHON – 21km

Similar to the full marathon. The only difference will be after the Zambezi Drive; you would turn left towards town and right at the Rainbow Hotel into the suburbs, then through the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge grounds via their back gate.

For more information click here 

Before Immigration, guests will present themselves to Port Health and show their vaccination certificate or negative PCR Test. Children below age 12 are exempt.

They will then present themselves at Immigration for photographs, passport scanning and other formalities.

Possible queues at Immigration and customs control, especially during the high tourist season (July to October) may cause delays.

A Few Things to Keep In Mind for Botswana

If you have E-Visa online, you will be asked for a hard copy of your visa receipt. Digital receipts will not be accepted, so you must bring a printed copy to present at the border.

Upon entering Botswana, before immigration formalities, you will be required by Port Health to show your vaccination certificate or negative PCR test and then step onto a treated mat for foot and mouth disease control. At this point, they will also be required to disinfect all shoes on this mat. With this in mind, we suggest that shoes are packed separately or carried as hand luggage in a separate bag for the border crossing.

When entering Botswana with a minor, parents must present an Unabridged Birth Certificate (Birth Certificate containing the particulars of a minor and those of their parent or parents).

You can download an outline of Botswana’s regulations when travelling with a minor from the button below. 

In an effort to broaden activities at tourist attraction centres countrywide, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) is introducing lions at Chinhoyi Caves, 129km from Harare, along the Beitbridge-Chirundu road.

Zimparks Public Relations Manager, Tinashe Farawo, says the authority wants to increase tourism activities at Chinhoyi Caves in addition to the traditional cave viewing, to attract more tourists to the site.

Farawo says two adult lions have since been relocated to Chinhoyi Caves from Antelope Park in Gweru. The other two lions will be relocated soon. “Zimparks is enhancing the destination by increasing activities. Tourist are no longer limited to one activity, but can now also do game drives,” he continues.

For now, Farawo says, Zimparks will only keep four lions at the caves, but the number is subject to review, depending on how the first phase of the project goes. He says options to bring other big wildlife species to the area are also being considered.

Prior to the introduction of the lions there were virtually no large animals, although monkeys, baboons, warthogs and rock hares were occasionally spotted.

The caves consist of a system of tunnels and caverns that are slowly collapsing due to time and erosion, leaving sinkholes and depressions in the surrounding area. The Wonder Hole, which is the main feature of the caves, is in fact a ‘swallow hole’, or a large cavern with a collapsed roof.

The Wonder Hole drops vertically for 46 metres to the Sleeping Pool, which is 80-90 metres deep depending on the rainfall patterns that particular season.

Thousands of tourists, both local and international, visit Chinhoyi Caves annually.

Vultures play a critical role in keeping the environment from crashing. However, these vital birds are under siege in Zimbabwe as poachers are killing elephants using poisons which are also killing vultures which fed on the poisoned carcasses.

Though elephant poisonings are well documented in Zimbabwe, many people in the country are oblivious to the threats poachers pose to vultures, or just how important these birds are to the environment. Even though efforts to save the country’s vultures are underway, experts are worried about the growing carnage and fear that these vultures face extinction not only in Zimbabwe but across southern Africa.

Against this backdrop, the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge has come up with an innovative way of protecting vultures. It has developed a ‘vulture restaurant’, providing leftover meat as safe food and attracting as many as 200 vultures at a time.

Visitors who come to see the spectacle of these birds swooping down to feed also learn about the threats vultures face and about their ecological importance. The tourists are encouraged to make a donation towards vulture conservation and research.

“Vultures are sentinels of the skies with eyesight to 100km, and therefore poachers have identified them as a threat or tell-tale for Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit scouts and National Parks scouts to know where poachers are operating, as they are attracted to the kill. Thus, poachers will kill an impala or kudu 5km away from their target elephant or rhino to distract surveillance.”

Whilst in Victoria Falls why not Visit the Vulture Restaurant at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.