Zimparks introduces new packages for tourists

Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
THE Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has introduced new night packages for tourists in Victoria Falls meant to enhance product variety and widen revenue base.

The new packages include Rainforest night viewing, Livingstone statue night bush dinners, Zambezi National Park night game drives and Zambezi River drive picnic.

Operators and tourists immediately welcomed the development, which has loosened up previously tight schedules as they can now visit the Rainforest at night.

Over the years, the Rainforest would close at 6PM while no bush events were allowed inside the premises.

In the new development, tourists can tour the Rainforest until 10PM and can also have a bush dinner within the premises at the Livingstone statue.

“The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority in its effort to provide diversity has introduced four new tourism products in the Victoria Falls and Zambezi National Parks,” said Zimparks.

The new tourism products come with adjustment of opening and closing times, which are also subject to season.

During winter, the Rainforest will open at 6.30AM and close at 6PM with the evening session opening at 7PM and closing at 10PM.

During summer, the day session is between 6AM and 6PM while the evening times are 7PM to 10PM.

The Chamabondo area of Zambezi National Park will be open for night game drives. The changes are with effect from Friday last week.

However, Zimparks said operators will have to apply for separate night game drive and guiding permits for the activities.

To tour the Rainforest at night, adult international tourists will pay $40 while international children will part with $20.

For locals, adults will pay $10 while children pay $5 each per entry.

Charges and rates for the David Livingstone statue bush dinners will be provided upon request.

The new packages are likely to become popular especially with delegates who visit the resort town for conferences.

All along, organisers of conferences would be forced to cut on time or speed up presentations to allow delegates to tour the rainforest before 6PM.

A tourist from Tanzania, Mrs Victoria Bayo, who is attending a Pan-Africa Mosquito Control Association (Pamco) conference here, said: “The conference programme is too packed and we were wondering if we would have time to tour the Mighty Falls. We were happy when we were told that we can actually do so at night which is a relief.” – @ncubeleon

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