Japan lifts travel ban – Vic Falls leads the way

The Japanese government has excluded the Victoria Falls area from its travel warning to Zimbabwe.  Koichi Morita, the Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe made the recommendation after touring the country to ascertain its safety.

"I have visited some parts of the country, including Victoria Falls, and I have found them very safe and secure,” Mr Morita told Zimbabwe’s daily Herald.  “I recommended to my government that they remove travel warnings to our citizens and so far the government has eased the travel warnings to Victoria Falls," he said.

Vic Falls holds on to cholera-clear status

Victoria Falls continues to be a cholera-free zone.  No cases have been reported in the district, and vigilance remains high to maintain this status.

Vic Falls Marathon returns

Victoria Falls’ high profile international marathon is on!  Scheduled for 23 August 2009, the event is billed as one of the most thrilling races on the continent.

“Where else in the world do you have elephants at the water-points, and game on the race route, and the post-race party on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River?” said promoter John Addison of Wild Frontiers.  “And of course the options of many post-race activities in the Adventure Capital of the world!”

A few other reasons to join us in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in August:

1) The only race in the world that crosses an international border (the Vic Falls bridge to Zambia), and is run in a National Park and World Heritage Site.

2) Operated in 2006 and 2007, by a team of experienced logistics personnel, and to IAAF standards - becoming established in the world running community.

3) Full and half marathons, as well as a 5 km fun run.

4) Filmed and televised Africa-wide on Supersport and also in the USA.

5) Attracts runners from over 24 countries around the world.

6) Run in one of the most scenic places on the continent.

“We anticipate this race to grow into a large ‘must do’ event in Africa, maybe even rivalling some of the bigger South African events such as Two Oceans etc., but a lot better and more fun!” said Addision.

Themed "Come and Run in a New Zimbabwe", organisers plan to use the event to raise money for schools in the Victoria Falls township of Chinotimba.  Past events have supported such causes as AIDS orphans in the Falls.

Air Zim safety record soars

Air Zimbabwe’s recent passing of IATA’s operational safety audit and subsequent registration is confirmation that Air Zimbabwe adheres to stringent and rigorous maintenance and operational requirements, says the airline’s head, Peter Chikumba.

The audit is an internationally recognized evaluation system to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline’s safety programme. Air Zimbabwe becomes one of 18 sub-Saharan African airlines to be IOSA-registered. 

“The safety of our customers remains our top priority,” said Dr Chikumba.

A gotovictoriafalls champion, Air Zimbabwe has daily services between Victoria Falls and Harare. 

“Congratulations to Air Zimbabwe on this fine achievement.  Obviously this is welcome reassurance for the travel trade and the flying public,” said Gotovictoriafalls spokesman Ross Kennedy.

New hands on gotovicfalls deck

Fiona Dhana has joined gotovictoriafalls.com as co-ordinator in Victoria Falls, replacing Jayne Barlow who left towards the end of 2008.  A Vic Falls resident, and having worked on the busy tours desk at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Fiona is already familiar with many of the operators in Victoria Falls, and looks forward to increasing membership value. 

As the campaign’s ‘ground handler’ based at the Safari Lodge, Fiona is the go-between serving the gotovictoriafalls champions and the marketing team in Harare.

Contact Fiona at gtvf@saflodge.co.zw

Go2 at Indaba

Come and meet the Gotovictoriafalls team at Indaba 2009.  Our co-ordinator Bryony Acutt will be in attendance at Stand B037 at the Durban Exhibition Centre from 9 to 12 May.

How well do you know your Falls?

Check out the two statues of David Livingstone below.  Which one overlooks Zimbabwe’s 15 Victoria Falls vantage points?