Riversong sanctuary
Rapid’s View Villa evokes all of the romance of a luxury safari lodge, teetering over the banks of the river, within Zimbabwe’s Zambezi National Park, where you can watch the water and the wildlife drift by.
There is visceral kinship with the land that one discovers, when venturing into the wilderness of Zimbabwe. A primal connection to the soil, its wildlife, its water and untamed landscape. Whether you’ve visited before or not. It has a way of reacquainting you with a familiar intimacy, that only you and the fish eagles know.
A bond and bit of banter between you and the hippos, the hyenas and the warthogs. The elephants and their ilala palms and baobab trees. There’s a connection that pulses through your soul, like the meandering currents of the great Zambezi River. And it’s apparent that the family founders of Victoria Falls River Lodge set out to ensure your heart would be beating in rhythm with the river. And all of her inquisitive relatives.
When arriving at Rapid’s View Villa, hovering above the water – with all of the attributes of a luxury safari lodge within sight and grasp – your mood succumbs to the essence of your environment. Secluded from the main lodge entirely, Rapid’s View Villa lends itself as an exclusive space for small groups of friends or families to gather on the banks of the Zambezi National Park. Like a grand treehouse on stilts, the villa lets the water run its course during the rain’s high season, then stands above the rapid’s and rocky terrain when the river recedes.
An intimate communal space with two expansive family suites beneath the rattan roof. A private plunge pool teetering on the edge of each suite’s deck, ensuring complete seclusion, with no sight-lines to the neighbouring rooms. Indoor and outdoor showers, and plenty of lazy lounging areas to settle for hours on end. Reading the landscape or referencing the day’s spotting from the bird books. The sunsets are always spectacular, with the pacifying white noise of the rapid’s. In the drier months, they become a rugged charcoal spectacle.
The villa sits beside the notorious elephant highway – an ancient route-crossing of the river towards the neighbouring islands, and across to Zambia. When you’re not out on the river yourself, cruising in the warm breeze, sipping and snacking and spotting, you’ll get to witness this magnificent migration of the elephant from the comfort of the deck. Of course doing all of the mandatory sipping and snacking simultaneously. At times the resident warthogs will graze along the banks, too. Reminding you of that primal connection as you savour the high tea that’s being served.
Luxury, location and legacy
Prior to your first gathering around the tables, you’ll meet with the villa’s chef to co-create a bespoke dining journey, guided by the freshest seasonal produce sourced locally. The menu evolves daily, whatever floats your palates’ boats. Celebrating regional flavours through themed evenings of traditional boma nights or around a spread of innovative local dishes. Having access to the main lodge allows you the freedom to dine at different destinations, whether on the island or in the villa. The culinary approach embraces a tapas-style experience. Small plates designed for sharing, infused with diverse global influences, yet rooted in authentic African feasts.
As guests of the villa, you and your safari clan get to enjoy exclusive use of the dedicated guides, that are assigned to your team during your stay. Full of fun, information, and home-grown African wit. They’re committed to tailoring every activity in accordance with your bush clocks. When you’d like to go gallivanting in the vehicle, exploring the Victoria Falls National Park – a protected area that covers 56 000 hectares.
Or doing it by foot, wandering some of the most beautiful walks in the wilderness. When you’d like to experience all of the adrenaline sports that Victoria Falls has to offer. White water rafting, gorge swinging, and dipping into Devil’s Pool, right on the very edge of the falls. Plenty of sunrise and sunset cruises on the river. It will never, ever get old. For whatever activity is not included in your stay, your personal butler will gladly arrange.
It’s completely up to you as to how you wish for your soul to be reacquainted with its wild counterpart. Whether it be in the stillness of observation, in deep conversation with the Zimbabwean landscape. Or beating that internal drum in harmony with the mighty Victoria Falls. That’s smoking and thundering, a couple of kilometres downstream.
What we love!
- Spending time on the deck, watching the river’s life unfold. Enjoying the refreshing waters of your own plunge pool, mimicking the hippo bob up and down.
- The luxury experienced at the lodge is authentically stitched together with the essence of nature doing all of the talking. Accompanied by an earnest familiarity from the dedicated team of staff.
- Experiencing a full day exploring the river and the villa’s surroundings. Early mornings or late afternoons on the boat, bird and wildlife watching. Game drives and walks. Followed by relaxing spa treatments on the deck. Listening to the water flow below.
- The incredible food prepared by your own resident chef, tailored to your dietary requirements.
- High Tea in the afternoons…though you might not necessarily need any more treats, it’s ok to give way to decadence. And add a strawberry daiquiri for the other hand.
What you need to know…
- Rapid’s View Villa is a 30-minute drive from Victoria Falls Airport on the Zimbabwe side, and a 10-minute drive from town itself. It’s a 50-minute drive from Livingstone International Airport, subject to Zambian and Zimbabwean customs clearance. Both Airports receive multiple international and domestic flights daily, connecting visitors from around the globe.
- Guests can rely on their own butler for assistance with a wide range of activities and any necessary transfers that they may require. From white-water rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping (all of the adrenaline stuff) to game drives and helicopter flights.
- Your stay is fully-catered to, with an emphasis on your stay being tailored to your own itinerary wishes, meal plans and safari ideals.
- Children of all ages are welcome!
- If Rapid’s View Villa is not available on your dates, browse our full collection of exclusive-use holiday houses and lodges in Zimbabwe.
Written by Colleen Ogilvie