Aha unveils new venue on the Zambezi
THE triangle of Livingstone,
Victoria Falls and Chobe
is the most powerful MICE
adventure destination in the
world, says Glen Byrom, md
of destination management
company, TWIICE. He was
speaking at the opening of the
new David Livingstone Safari
Lodge conference centre just
outside Livingstone, Zambia,
and added that the area
offered authentic Africa, set on
the banks of the Zambezi, with
great weather and an array of
activities.
Glen said the new
conference centre was a
multipurpose venue that
would widen the scope of the
destination and that current
expansion at the Victoria Falls
would be a game changer.
“Kazungula is the only place in
the world where four countries
meet in one spot.” He added
that the univisa currently
in place for Zimbabwe and
Zambia was likely to evolve
further and that there were not
enough beds on either side of
the Falls to accommodate the
tourists who would come to
the destination. “Many predict
that Victoria Falls will become
the new tourism hub of subSaharan
Africa.”
Esther Banda, Zambian
deputy minister of Tourism
and Arts, said tour operators
could promote the property
with confidence, adding that
it offered guests the unique
prospect of spotting passing
elephant while attending a
conference. “We can also see
here today the fruits of hard
work, vision, major ongoing
investment and commitment
to Zambia.”
The new conference
centre caters for small team
meetings as well as larger
team-building events and
international conferences as
an exclusive-use conference
venue in Livingstone. It is also
suitable as an exclusive-use
wedding reception venue or
for hosting small business
workshops or cocktail
functions.
The venue comprises 250
sqm flexible event space
overlooking the African bush
and a waterhole frequented
by elephant; a 140 sqm
outdoor patio area under a
Bedouin tent; a reception
area; and an open-air boma
and amphitheatre venue.
On-site accommodation at
David Livingstone Safari
Lodge & Spa consists of 72
en-suite luxury rooms and five
executive suites, all boasting
spectacular views of the
Zambezi River.
The conference centre has
capacity for 160 delegates
in schoolroom style or 250
delegates in cinema style. In
banquet style it caters for 180
guests without a dance floor or
150 guests with a dance floor.
Five conference add-ons
1. Sunset cruises on the
Zambezi
Guests at the David
Livingstone Safari Lodge
have the option of a sunset
cruise in the evenings.
Snacks and drinks are
served aboard the three-deck
Lady Livingstone and the
spacious vessel provides
ample room for passengers
to move around and watch
the sunset over the Zambezi.
Guests will more than likely
spot crocodiles, hippos
and elephant. The Lady
Livingstone has capacity
for 144 passengers and
the cruise lasts roughly two
hours.
2. White-river rafting
There are probably few
experiences that can match
the adrenalin rush of whiteriver
rafting on the Zambezi.
Guests do not need any
experience as qualified guides
will brief them on all safety
issues and lifejackets are
provided. Operator Safpar’s
team of guides are all
accredited by the International
Rafting Federation. Guests
can choose between half-day
excursions in the morning or
afternoon, or a full-day trip.
3.Canoeing safari
Guests who aren’t up for
white-river rafting can opt
for the tamer experience of
canoeing along the Upper
Zambezi. Here the waters
are generally peaceful with
only a few very small rapids,
classed as grade two. The
experience offers guests
unique game viewing at water
level, which also offers great
photo opportunities. Guests
can expect to see plenty of
crocodiles and hippos, while
waterbuck and elephant are
also likely sightings along with
numerous bird species.
4. Swimming in Devil’s Pool
Trips to Livingstone Island,
situated in the Zambezi
just above the Falls, can
be arranged. The trip offers
guests the opportunity to
swim in Devil’s Pool, a unique
experience. Devil’s Pool is a
natural rock pool right on the
edge of the Falls, providing
guests with the exhilarating
experience of viewing the
Falls from their very edge.
Guests meet at The Royal
Livingstone Hotel and take a
short boat trip to the island
before walking along the top
of the Falls to the rock pool.
Excursions include breakfast,
lunch and high tea and take
between one-and-a-half and
two hours. The activity is
only available during low
water season (from August
to March) and swimming
depends on water levels.
5. Elephant encounter
Zambezi Elephant Trails
offers guests the opportunity
to interact with a group of
rescued elephants. The
operator says the group
consists of animals that were
orphaned during elephant
culls or found in distress
during periods of drought.
Furthermore, according to
the operator, the elephants
have also been trained using
positive reinforcement.
During the encounter, guests
can feed and stroke the
animals.
