Lodges in Victoria Falls are seeing softer demand from the South Africa market, with the destination’s widespread use of US dollar-based pricing cited as a key factor.
According to Anald Musonza, Head of Sales and Marketing at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, South Africa has historically been the lodge’s largest regional source market, but arrivals from Kenya and Tanzania are now increasing.
Musonza encouraged agents to take advantage of off-peak seasons to help offset the impact of the rand-dollar exchange rate.
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge offers a two-tier seasonal rate structure, with low-season rates from January to June, and high-reason rates from July to December, complemented by a 20% discount for guests from SADC countries.
Improved regional accessibility is also strengthening Victoria Falls’ position as a multi-country gateway, supporting conferencing travel and making it easier for visitors to combine Zimbabwe with Zambia and Botswana itineraries.
Victoria Falls is strategically positioned within a one-hour drive from three international airports: Victoria Falls, Livingstone and Kasane, which Musonza dubs “the golden triangle”. He estimates that around 50% of visitors fly into Zambia and drive across the border into Zimbabwe as the 24-hour border now accommodates late-night arrivals and business travellers staying in one country but travelling for conferencing and events.
