March 2011 Newsletter

March 28, 2011

Greetings once again from the Victoria Falls!

First and foremost, our profound condolences and thoughts are with our Japanese friends at this difficult time! We have been inspired by their calmness and resilience through such unprecedented upheaval and turmoil. It certainly makes our own problems diminish in comparison.

It seems that Zimbabwe continues to “bumble” along politically, whilst its people strive to make good from a difficult scenario, this is particularly the case in our tourism industry where the participants continue to perform shedding off the heaviness of hyper inflation, and dealing now with real time and effect economics. Foreign investment remains extremely cautious and so interest rates are high, however, surprising as it may seem, there is investment throughout the ecomomy albeit muted.

We have seen companies in the tourism industry gather their resolve and use their extremely hard earned savings to begin substantial projects such as the one we see at Azambezi River Lodge (RTG) and the Elephant Camp (Wild Horizions) which was featured in our last News Letter. I think we can compare the Zimbabwean people in some way to the commendable resolve of the Japanese in the face of their disasters. Namely people that are quietly determined to get through the hard times.

Enjoy the news below which includes our opening of an office in Zimbabwe’s capital city Harare, in time with the launch of our exciting “Zimbabwe Revisited” program. There is a brief introduction to the SEVEN Hotels in Victoria Falls and pictures which were all taken this last Saturday 19th March 2011 by Jo and I.

May I wish you all peace and posterity, and for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, a welcome and bright Spring time ( hope it gives you a glimpse of the amazing weather we enjoy so much of down here… dig, dig!)

Kind regards,
Robin

P.S. Please note that our 43352 land line is currently out of order – full contact details can be found at our website www.cansaf.com



LATEST NEWS
Cansaf is proud to announce the opening of their new Harare office, Cansaf Zimbabwe
Cansaf Zimbabwe is a Destination Management Company that offers Corporate Solutions to local Conferencing, Incentive and Teambuilding Groups in various stunning locations countrywide.

Our new and innovative ideas for conferencing and incentive groups, including unique lunch and dinner venues, have been a breath of fresh air in the industry. Along with our ability to source and recommend specific key-note speakers, and structure creative options for ‘soft impact’, ‘mind and team energising’ and of course ‘physically energetic’ teambuilding programmes.

Beth Carpenter, who used to be an integral part of the company here in Victoria Falls now runs the Harare office, and will be happy to pay you a brief visit if you would like to know more details on Cansaf Zimbabwe, and of course the various options available countrywide.

Beth’s contact details are:
Beth Carpenter – Cell: 0777 605 028 – Send an email from : www.cansaf.co.zw

ZIMBABWE REVISITED!
Cansaf Zimbabwe is about to embark on an amazing adventure, and through photographs and experiences in our blog, we would like you to travel with us – on Cansaf’s mission ‘ZIMBABWE REVISITED’!

In order to discover “ZIMBABWE’S TOP TEN 2011″ We are embarking on ‘Phase One’ of our mission and would like to identify what YOU think are ZIMBABWE’S ‘TOP TWENTY’ venues.

To join the competition, you are required to email Beth (from www.cansaf.co.zw) with a list of your ‘TOP TWENTY’ Venues in Zimbabwe. Regardless of price, and whether you have stayed there or not; these can be the most exclusive of any Hotel, Lodge, Camp or B&B situated anywhere in the country!

Results must be in by 12h00 on Monday 4th April 2011. For each full list returned to us, the sender’s name will be added to a draw where there are some amazing getaway prizes and gifts to be won. ‘Phase Two’ of our mission to follow soon!

EVENTS
On Friday 25th March 2011, Cansaf Zimbabwe will be sponsoring the first green at Royal Harare Golf Club for the Old Georgians’ Golf Day. At the green, golf contestants will experience a fun taster of a typical creative teaming task used in Cansaf’s teambuilding programmes. This mini competition at green #1 has been supported by fantastic prizes from Wilderness Safaris and Bushman’s Rock Estates.

Details and winners of this event will follow in our next newsletter.

WHAT IS ON THE ACCOMMODATION MENU IN VICTORIA FALLS?
Did you know that we have 7 established Hotels on the Zim side? We went around on the 19th of March and took these pictures for you.

Ilala Lodge
With a new general manager, and a strong team of experienced staff, this hotel is our pick for the first quarter of 2011. This well run, family owned, Boutique Hotel extends it’s tender loving care through a great crew.

Enjoy an exciting new menu designed by Camilla, the enthusiastic and talented Head Chef. Well appointed rooms give this property its “boutique” status and the personal atmosphere builds on that reputation.

For more details on this hotel please click here and for a rates enquiry please send us a message.

Victoria Falls Hotel
This property continues to offer a great product at very competitive rates. Recently the views from the varandah have been astonishing, with clear skies heralding the beginning of our dry season. The plume of spray that rises out of the gorge beneath the Falls, heading some 3 kilometers into the air and sitting right in front of you is just amazing. This makes it easily the best lunch venue in Zimbabwe.

If you wake up early enough it’s also one of the worlds best sunrise venues… the staff will bring you a cup of Zimbabwe’s finest filter coffees whilst you eat a first class pastry by Michael (the Scottish Head Chef). Right in front of you an unlikely cloud of Zambezi mist filters the orange, pink and gold of the rising African sun!
For more details on this hotel please click here and for a rates enquiry please send us a message.

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
A special mention for a very reliable hotel this month. An elephant was spotted among the many that visit the lodge water hole, with a wire snare attached to his leg. The staff were onto it in a jiffy, they contacted VFAPU (Vic Falls Anti Poaching Unit) and the animal was tracked down the same day and darted by Roger Parry. Before sunset the snare had been removed and a full array of samples taken such as DNA, Foot and Mouth checks and so forth.

If you If you join the satisfied guests at the bar you may see all sorts of wildlife slaking their thirst at the waterhole – from a pack of wild dog, to the big cats that congregate with the elephant, buffalo and other animals.

For more details on this hotel please click here and for a rates enquiry please send us a message.

The Kingdom Hotel and Casino
The largest Hotel in the area with 294 rooms. The Kingdom hotel has offered good lower level four star accomodation to the series and leisure market, the service offered by Derek Kung and his team is excellent. Like the Vic Falls Hotel and Ilala Lodge the Kingdom enjoys being situated within an easy walk of the Falls rainforest.

For more details on this hotel please click here and for a rates enquiry please send us a message.

Elephant Hills
Not many people are aware that the Golf Course at Elephant Hills is in excellent condition with a lot of wildlife enjoying this Garden of Eden. The amazing display of indigenous trees along the edges of the fairways are something to behold. Not far from the River ( just some 200 meters in places ) one may be put off on your back-swing by the grunt of a hippo frolicking in the warm waters.

The Hotel is a good venue for your larger groups and offers great conference facilities, and the staff are very accommodating on specific group oriented requests.

For more details on this hotel please click here and for a rates enquiry please send us a message.

The Rainbow Hotel
One of our hidden secrets in town is the view from the verandah roof of this interesting property. I was there for sundowners late last month and can safely say this is the best view in town. The little three star property offers good cuisine and comfortable beds in air-conditioned rooms.

For more details on this hotel please click here and for a rates enquiry please send us a message.

Azambezi River Lodge
The property is closed for a complete upgrade at the moment. An exciting development that was initiated in the beginning of 2010. The owners are injecting substantial investment to get the property into 4-star shape. I recently had a complete tour of the developments and I was pleasantly surprised at the standard of the refurb.

This is the only Hotel on the Zimbabwean bank to enjoy actual river frontage and the upgrade will harness the 250 meters of it that the property enjoys. If you are worried that Zimbabwe was struggling to overcome its investment problems in the tourism industry than you should get a look at this.

For more details on this hotel please click here and for a rates enquiry please send us a message.

That’s all for our March newsletter. In our next one we will be focusing on the accommodation menu in Livingstone!

 

Posted in Accommodation, Anti Poaching, Events, Golf Holidays, Latest News, Political Situation, Specials, Victoria Falls Community, Victoria Falls Tourism, Wildlife Conservation, Zimbabwe