The Majestic Victoria Falls
By Dickson Bandera
Victoria Falls is enjoying a strong start to the year, with the iconic Rainforest recording a significant uptick in international tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2025.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) confirmed in a statement that 61,139 tourists visited the site between January and March, up from 59,718 during the same period in 2024.
The increase has been driven primarily by international visitors, who accounted for 47,633 of the total, marking a notable rise from the previous year. The boost is attributed to aggressive global marketing campaigns, improved air connectivity, and strategic partnerships with European tour operators.
Europe continues to dominate as a key source market, with the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany leading the way. Direct flights from Frankfurt to Victoria Falls, introduced recently, have made the destination more accessible to German travelers, further fueling demand.
Zimparks also noted that the introduction of the KAZA UniVisa — a regional travel document allowing seamless movement between Zimbabwe and Zambia — has also contributed to the rise in cross-border tourism.
However, domestic tourism saw a slight decline, with numbers falling from 15,608 in 2024 to 13,506 in the same quarter of 2025. Analysts suggest this may be linked to economic pressures or changing travel preferences among local tourists.
Regionally, South Africa remains the largest contributor of visitors, followed closely by Botswana. Together, these neighboring countries continue to play a crucial role in sustaining the regional tourism economy.
With Victoria Falls reaffirming its position as one of Africa’s most sought-after travel destinations, the outlook for 2025 remains optimistic.