With lockdown restrictions easing in Zimbabwe, hotels in the popular tourist destination, Victoria Falls, are slowly welcoming guests back.

Victoria Falls Safari Club in Zimbabwe has been reopened to domestic tourists while Victoria Falls Safari Lodge has implemented extensive health and safety protocols and will soon be ready to welcome guests.

The properties, both owned by Africa Albida Tourism, were featured during a webinar on Wednesday (July 21) detailing how the country’s hospitality sector was gearing up to accept guests.

Executive Chef of the Victoria Falls Safari Club, Simba Musiyiwa, said a small team had been reinstated at the hotel’s kitchen with all new safety procedures in place.

“All staff have been tested for COVID-19 and the process is ongoing,” said Musiyiwa. He added that all staff had their temperatures taken and sanitiser was available at the doors to the kitchen.

He said dining experiences at both properties would no longer consist of a buffet but rather à-la-carte style menus crafted through the chef’s engagement with guests.

Musiyiwa said once Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was open, “everything possible” would be done to maintain the quality of guests’ experience. “We are looking at ways of doing tailored family platters to order or even tailored menus to ensure guests still enjoy their experience.”

GM of Africa Albida properties, Anald Musonza, echoed this as he detailed the extensive procedures that had been implemented at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge to ensure the safety of guests and staff.

“We have introduced a new contactless payment system and reduced interaction between staff and guests as much as possible.” He explained that guests would have one staff member assigned to their room, and one waiter assigned to their table in the dining area to easily track contact between guests and staff.

“Should guests feel nervous about dining in the communal area, we encourage dining in their room. Each room has a balcony overlooking a watering hole and guests can view game with their dinner,” said Musonza.

He said that he was certain people would want to travel again soon and at Africa Albida’s Victoria Falls properties, everything would be done to ensure their safety and enjoyment.