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Victoria Falls’ Ilala Lodge Hotel celebrates 30th anniversary

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BY OWN CORRESPONDENT

The renowned Ilala Lodge Hotel in Victoria Falls celebrated three decades in hospitality at a private event held with longstanding regional tourism partners on October 4.

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The family-run hotel hosted 60 regional partners, including travel agents, destination management companies (DMC’s) and industry partners who have supported the hotel in its successful history.

Guests travelled from Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Livingstone, Maun, Harare and Victoria Falls to join the celebrations.

The event took place within the hotels luxurious poolside lounge and commenced with a speech from the hotel owner Jim Brown, who shared his gratitude to industry partners for their support and their contribution to the on-going success and longevity of the establishment.

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Brown made particular reference to their loyalty in the past 18 months during Covid-19.

In addition to thanking industry partners, Brown gave his appreciation to committed staff members of Ilala Lodge Hotel.

“Our most important cog in the machinery of a successful hotel is its staff,” Brown said.

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“Hospitality is a people business, but the staff and management are by far the most essential ingredient in making for prosperous hotel.”

He also thanked two members of staff who have been with the company since 1991.

“Peter and Basil have been with us since the beginning and to them, and others who are nearing this milestone, we owe a big affirmation of gratitude for 30 years of loyalty.”

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Brown attributed the hotel’s accomplishments to remaining relevant, adaptable and flexible while applying a mindset of persistence and perseverance as the hotel steps forward into another chapter and many more years of hospitality success.

An evening of networking and reconnecting with fellow colleagues unfolded, and guests expressed their excitement to Ilala Lodge Hotel for providing the opportunity for industry partners be reunited after months of separation due to travel restrictions.

Ilala Lodge Hotel is ideally located only eight minutes from the Natural World Wonder, Victoria Falls, in Zimbabwe.

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The family-run hotel is equipped with 73 stylish and well-appointed rooms, offering the ultimate in comfort and luxury.

The hotel’s history dates back to 1991 where it first began as a boutique hotel with 16 rooms, owned by the Brown family.

In 1994 the hotel expanded to 32 rooms and in 2015 the hotel unveiled its new Deluxe wing bringing it to a total of 56 rooms.

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Further developments took place in 2018 with the expansion of the Deluxe wing, growing the hotel to a total of 73 rooms made up of standard and deluxe rooms and suites.

In 2019, Ilala unveiled its most luxurious suite, the Strathearn Suite, named after the hotel founder, Strathearn Brown.

Fashioned with modern and sophisticated décor, the suite is complete with a lounge, kitchen, en suite bathroom, and private balcony where guests can relax in a large spa bath while enjoying world-class views of the spray rising above the mighty Victoria Falls waterfall.

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The suite can also be transformed into a spacious family villa known as the ‘Strathearn Family Suite’ through interleading doors with an executive suite and deluxe room.

In March 2019, a new plunge pool was added, providing guest with the option of two swimming pools to relax in during their stay.

An elegant poolside lounge was also completed and decorated with hand-crafted furniture and wall prints representing palms and foliage.

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The lounge, in which Ilala’s 30th Celebrations took place, offers guests a calming space in which to relax.

In the last 18 months, the hotel has adapted to face Covid-19 travel restrictions by shifting focus to human resource development.

This enabled staff members to diversify their skill sets and learn new trades within the hospitality industry, for example, kitchen porters became gardeners and front of house personnel assisted with maintenance teams.

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The hotel plays a critical role in the growth and development of Victoria Falls community and its team of passionate staff are involved in multiple corporate social responsibility projects.

At the forefront of their efforts is the Ilala Lodge Hotel Green Team, a committee driven to bring about meaningful solutions for more environmentally conscious practices.

Established in 2019, the Green Team has implemented a sustainable waste management initiative presented to the Greenline Africa Trust and the Victoria Falls Recycling Project.

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The team continues to support and attend all local events which endeavour to better the future of green development within Victoria Falls.

Other initiatives include monthly town and rainforest clean-ups, community events, fundraisers for local charities and aiding the Pristine Victoria Falls Society – a new community programme to make Victoria Falls the most pristine city in Africa.

In October 2021, Ilala Lodge Hotel was awarded the ‘Environmental Stewardship and Social Impact Award’ by the Environmental Management Adency (EMA) and Corporate Social Responsibility Network Zimbabwe.

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The award recognises organisation that dedicate time and resources to the preserving the environment, waste recycling and wildlife conservation.

The hotel has been a Silver Member of the Green Tourism certification programme since 2016, which identifies the commitment of tourism businesses that actively work to become more sustainable.

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National

Tsholotsho to host national commemoration of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Zimbabwe will on Thursday, this week,  join the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDR), with national events set to take place at Tshino Primary School in Ward 5, Tsholotsho District, along the Tsholotsho–Sipepa road.

The global day, observed annually, aims to promote a culture of disaster risk awareness and highlight efforts to reduce vulnerability and build resilience in communities.

Speaking to VicFallsLive, Civil Protection Unit Director Nathan Nkomo said this year’s commemoration holds special significance for Tsholotsho, a district that has long struggled with recurrent flooding.

“The whole issue is to reduce, not to increase the occurrence of disasters. And by commemorating, that’s where we share ideas with other people,” Nkomo said.

He noted that Tsholotsho’s selection as the national host was deliberate, following the successful relocation of families who were affected by flooding at the confluence of the Gwai and Shashani rivers.

“It’s not by accident that we are commemorating in Tsholotsho. We have built 305 houses for people who were affected in the Spepa area, and we will be celebrating in style because we have managed to relocate them,” he said.

“Now we no longer hear of people being flooded in Tsholotsho because of that relocation. So, we will be celebrating in style for Tshini and Sawudweni.”

The relocations, carried out under government’s disaster recovery and housing programs, have been hailed as a success story in proactive disaster risk management.

Looking ahead to the cyclone season, Nkomo said funding remains the major challenge in preparedness and response.

“We cannot preempt to say there are challenges yet, but historically, since we’ve dealt with COVID-19 and Cyclone Idai, the issue of funds has always been critical,” he said.

“This year, we are dealing with cyclones at a time when even our development partners have dwindling resources. So, funding will take centre stage in our deliberations, to see how best we can respond with the little we have. The whole idea, when you go to war, is not the question of numbers, but of strategy and how to win.”

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed globally every October 13, but Zimbabwe’s national commemorations are being held later this year to align with local preparedness programs and community-based activities.

 

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ZimParks to host first-ever International Wildlife Conservation symposium

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) will hold its inaugural International Wildlife Conservation Symposium under the theme “Wildlife Conservation and Sustainable Development.”

The two-day event, scheduled for October 22 to 23, next week, will take place at the Management Training Bureau in Msasa, Harare. It will bring together conservationists, researchers, policymakers, and students to discuss key issues around wildlife protection and sustainable development.

The symposium will focus on eight sub-themes, namely Wildlife Conservation and Transboundary Management, Freshwater, Fisheries and Aquatic Management, Sustainable Tourism and Socio-Economic Development, Human-Wildlife Interactions, Environmental Health and Safety, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Community-Based Natural Resource Management, and Natural Resource Policy and Governance.

ZimParks says the symposium will provide a platform to exchange ideas and deepen understanding of the link between wildlife conservation and sustainable development. Members of the public, students, and professionals are encouraged to attend.

 

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591 rangers killed in Africa — New report warns of urgent need for Better Protection

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

At least 591 rangers were killed in Africa between 2006 and 2021, making the continent the deadliest place in the world for those on the frontline of protecting wildlife. This stark statistic was revealed by conservation charity Tusk in a press statement issued to mark World Ranger Day, warning that without urgent reforms, more lives will be lost — and Africa’s biodiversity will pay the price.

“Being a ranger extends far beyond conservation. You are educators, community leaders, researchers, mentors and protectors of cultural and historical heritage, yet this remains one of the most dangerous jobs on Earth,” said Prince William, Tusk’s Royal Patron, in a video message to rangers.

Despite their sacrifices, fewer than 40% of rangers worldwide have access to life insurance, and only 63% receive basic medical services. Many are still underpaid, under-equipped, and exposed to deadly risks from armed poachers, human-wildlife conflict, and hazardous terrain.

Nick Bubb, CEO of Tusk, said: “Too many rangers risk their lives without even the most basic protection. If we are serious about delivering the global biodiversity targets, we must further professionalise the ranger role – with insurance, fair pay, and recognition – so that it becomes a career young Africans aspire to join.”

The White Paper, Protecting Rangers to Protect Nature, stresses that Africa currently has just 65,000 active rangers — far short of the 345,000 needed to meet international biodiversity targets, including the 30×30 goal to protect 30% of land and seas by 2030.

Louise de Bruin, CEO of the Game Rangers Association of Africa, added: “Our priority is to stand with rangers on the ground and support the organisations that employ them. The RWSI gives us a practical way to listen to rangers, assess their needs, and work alongside partners to improve welfare standards.”

The statement calls for governments, donors, and conservation organisations to embed reforms through the Ranger Welfare and Standards Initiative, launched last year. Measures include affordable insurance, professional training, fair pay, and continent-wide emergency systems to ensure no ranger is left vulnerable.

Senior ranger Benson Kanyembo from Zambia captured the human cost: “Ranger recruitment is low because the job, as it stands, is not attractive enough. Rangers face extreme personal risk while their families live one accident or illness away from destitution. This is not acceptable.”

The report concludes that protecting rangers is inseparable from protecting nature. Without them, Africa risks losing not only its iconic elephants, rhinos, and lions — but also the ecosystems that provide food, water, and livelihoods for millions.

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