13 April 2026
My first night was at Insika Lodge, about a 20 minute drive from the airport, and along the way I spotted deer, baboons, and waterhogs — a perfect, wildlife filled welcome to Zimbabwe
This is a small lodge with a boutique feel. 2 categories of room types – Signature Rooms & Luxury Rooms.
Both Rooms have similar features, with the Luxury ones being bigger in size – can accommodate 1 child below 11yrs in the room – BUT has an open walk-in bathroom (No privacy screen)
The Signature Rooms cannot accommodate any extra bed – but they do have interconnecting rooms as well.
They are working on building more rooms on the property – which will be ready by the end of 2026
Facilities – Spa, Gym, Restaurant, Swimming Pool, Sauna, Bar
Zambezi Vista Cruise. A small cruise with limited pax on it. Good Premium Drinks + Decent finger food. If informed prior different food requirements can be met.
The Zambezi Cruise is beautiful for a peaceful & quite 2.5hr sunset experience.
Animals spotted – Hippopotamus, Mango Monkeys, Birds
Other animals that can be spotted – Elephants, Crocodiles.
14 April 2026
What a fantastic day spent in Victoria Falls today…
Tour of the Falls — It is strongly recommended to wear shorts or slacks for this tour with water-proof comfy footwear. Rain ponchos are provided complimentary to all our pax at the entrance before heading in (which is a MUST as one gets drenched by the end of the tour)
There are 14 look-out points to cover, a few with steps & a few with slippery walkways, the tour takes 1.5-2hrs & covers approximately 3kms walking distance.
The water mist & rains were heavy today as Zimbabwe has received a lot of rain this year & the river was flooded. So, resulting in massive falls – making it breathtakingly & spectacular views – creating rainbows in multiple areas
I think it would be difficult for pax with mobility issues to do this tour even though it is flat walking paths
The Falls this year have touched maximum water levels due to the heavy rainfalls from all the surrounding areas. So, the view from the falls was mistier & this is the first time in years that the water spray can be seen from miles & miles away
Followed with lunch at the Look Out Café Restaurant, this is a def MUST-MUST try option for all pax visiting Vic Falls. The view is outstanding & the food is good too. You can easily spend hours just seeing the flowing river under you & watch the clear skies… I spent 1.5hrs myself all by myself & could have sat longer if I didn’t have appointments to head to.
15 April 2026
The day started super early but I think it was worth waking up in the dark…. I left the lodge at 5:15am – was picked up by the Bamba Bus & we met at the Train lines in the Vic town. After the briefing & details – the tour started by 6am. And what fantastic views… the tram rides its way slowly to the bridge and then stops there in the middle for a photo & Coffee/Tea break. They serve you some hot tea/coffee with cookies and give you ample time to collect data for your Instagram 😊 and then you walk up to the main viewing point from where you can click a picture of the complete bridge in the background. There is also a small train museum there showcasing the history of how the bridge was built and the dates & other important information. There are some news clippings to read from… dating way back to the early days & the end of the product.
It’s a beautiful way to start your day with Sunrise over The Victoria Falls Bridge overlooking the spray & river flowing below
16 April 2026
I started my day at 06:00 am, with a transfer for an Elephant Encounter Excursion– which is a part of the Willow Lodge & Elephant Camp Conservancy.
We started with some Coffee & Elephant Cookies and an orientation & introduction of this center & program, being run to save & take care of the Elephants in this area. They have a group of approximately 16 elephants which are broken into smaller groups. We were scheduled to meet a herd of 4 elephants, which consisted of 1 Bull, 2 Female Elephants & a 16yr old Elephant. They take you on a small game drive to where the elephants are located & you get to touch them and know a little more about how to get to be here & how they are released into the Nature once they are ready to go. Post that we are lead to a beautiful scenic river area, where there are feeding buckets ready with Elephant food pellets in them. The elephants line up for you & you get to feed them in 3 different styles… 1. Vacuum Pull – you fill your hand with the pellets & the elephant sucks it off your hand in vacuum style. 2. Trunk Up – the Elephant raises its trunk up in the air & opens its mouth & you are supposed to aim the food into its mouth. 3. Curl Up – the elephant curls its trunk in a bowl style upward direction & you are supposed to pour the pellets in their trunk & the put it in the mouth.
17 April 2026
After this exciting excursion… I headed to the Three Monkey Restaurant in town, to meet the group who was heading for the Zambezi Trader Cruise FAM Trip
We drove for around 3-3.5hrs & reached Msuna Island – a small fishing area with 3-4 small lodges combined together to accommodate the travellers who come down during the main fishing months.
The ride to Msuna Island is on bumpy roads & if pax are taking the cruise, a flight would be better which is 20mins away from the Msuna Island.
We stayed for a night on the island & next morning post breakfast headed to the pier, where a small trader boat awaited to take us to the Zambezi Trader Cruise Boat.
The boat ride was approx. 20-30mins – the Zambezi Trader was stationed further down the river as the river currents were really strong & water levels really high.
On arrival we had a brief introduction of the 10 different agents on board, UK, Namibia, South Africa, India being their home & having an expertise on Africa
We also did a site inspection of the Boat. Children above 12yrs are only allowed on this cruise, it can be a 2 or 3Nt package… with 3 different room categories… A level 3 Star. B level 3star Deluxe & C Level being the 4star … pax from deck A & B are not allowed up on Level C creating a more personalized space the pax above. The room categories are varied as well – providing a good selection of Cabins depending on your preference.
They are also working on having a Spa & Gym on board & work is in progress on that.
Post lunch, we headed to a small fishing Village on the smaller boat to see & meet the local living around these island.
We enjoyed some night fishing post dinner – and 1 agent caught a 30kg Catfish… which was a new & thrilling experience for most agents on board.
Next day, post breakfast – we headed to land again for a Nature Drive in a 4×4 – getting to view some beautiful birds enroute… we also visited the Chief Savva’s village & learned a little more about the local life & the tribe
This is an optional activity & took almost the whole day, we returned to the cruise for a late lunch (1500hrs) and then had relaxed evening with just a Sunset Cruise around the area.
20 April 2026
Next morning, we all had an early start & post breakfast headed back on our 4hr drive to VIC Falls .. ending our cruising experience
I was picked up at the Three Monkeys Restaurant & made my way to the Old Drift Lodge – which is a luxurious lodge in the Zambezi National Park
The Rooms offer a plunge pool, bathtub & outdoor shower on the deck of your personal tent. All tents are River Facing – with huge, big bedrooms offering sperate areas – Sitting space / Bedroom / Washroom
This is an all-inclusive property which will include all your meals, drinks, Game Drives, River Safaris.
A 02Night stay would be recommended if you wish to enjoy the activities & also wish to unwind & relax before heading back home.
Jayesh Ashar
www.konceptafrica.com
Pearl Tourism & Leisure Group.
info@ptlg.biz