Victoria Falls Rest Camp

by donna
(england)

Firstly I am Zimbabwean, I love Zimbabwe and would reccomend that everyone go there - there is so much beauty and the people are usually lovely - we went back to zimbabwe for a holiday, travelling up from Harare, to Kariba and down to the Falls. We had booked a lovely self-catering/contained lodge so we could relax and enjoy the Falls without having to worry about carting cultery and crockery around the country. We really looked forward to it..

We booked into the Rest Camp through a travel agent in Harare. We asked for, and were assured that we were staying in a Self-Catering Lodge and did not need to take anything other than food because there would be utensils etc there. We arrived and were given a key to a Double Chalet - when we queryed the change we were told the amount we had paid was significantly different to the amount we had paid and if we wanted cultury it would cost us a deposit of US$20 for basic knives and forks. We spent the rest of the day trying to contact the travel agent and the managers who were conveniently unavailable, we finally were upgraded to a Lodge after a receptionist called the manageress on her cellphone. There were no utensils. After trying to source bowls and pots we eventually were given a dirty pot and 2 mugs, and a couple of knives from the housekeeper. The next day was spent trying again to get hold of the managers - unfortunately they were out at breakfast, and lunch and never actually at work. We left that evening.

The Lodge was dirty, the bath was stained. The lodge itself was increadibly insecure and I would recommend taking all valuables with you whenever leaving the property. There were no utensils. It seems the fault was with our travel agent - however I do not believe that the managers know how to do their job, especially as they never appeared or were available to talk to. We are Zimbabwean and were looking forward to visiting the Falls - after saving for a nice holiday away. If this is the quality of service and accomodation then I never want to return. I only hope that no one else ever has such a horrible experience. We tried to redeem our stay but even walking around the town is a nightmare - the number of touts trying to sell old Zimbabwean dollars, drugs and sex is ridiculous.

If I ever go back to the Falls - which is unlikely - I intend to stay on the Zambian side. A little courtesy would have been nice from the Rest Camp - or just being able to speak to those in charge would have made a huge difference.

In my opinion - go to the Falls but don't stay at the Rest Camp.