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.
Written by Colleen Ogilvie