Article Suzanne Elliot-Smith Images Pioneers Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is home to a majestic waterfall, incredible wildlife, tasty cuisine, a variety of activities, and now – the newest feather in her cap – a truly magical lodge that goes by the name Pioneers. This custom-built, owner-run lodge is found in a quiet suburb, a short distance from the city centre and Falls entrance. From the moment you walk through the gates, space, light, colour and comfort surround you. You feel like you have gone back to a time when life moved a little slower, and people had more time to enjoy the good things in life. A bygone era but with all the comforts of modern life and all at an affordable price. The main building houses the reception, a curio shop, the slightly more formal inside lounge area, and an elegant inside dining room. The attention to detail makes it all quite breath-taking and gives you something new to focus on every time you look around. Artwork from some very talented Victoria Falls artists can be seen on the walls, an antique gramophone peeping out from a corner, unique cushions scattered on the chairs, books, trunks and so the list goes on.
As you step outside the doors, you find yourself on the star feature of the main building: a beautiful wrap-around terrace. This is where you will find a very comfortable soft seating area, tables set up for alfresco dining and a custom-built bar and coffee area. The perfect spot to sit back and relax whilst enjoying a coffee, an ice-cold drink or a delicious meal from one of the varied menus. The terrace overlooks the gardens – a feature Pioneers is incredibly proud of. You could be mistaken for thinking you have entered the Garden of Eden. Rolling green lawns, well-established flower beds with pops of colour abound and stunning shady trees found in abundance. The quiet rumble of the Falls can be heard in the distance, only disrupted by the birds singing in the trees, making this space the perfect spot to relax when you are not exploring the sights and spaces the town has to offer. Alternatively, you could soak up the warm African sun at one of the two swimming pools on the property. A day spa and small tv room are just a few short steps from the main building and you are ensured of privacy and security because all the facilities are strictly for in-house guests only. A walk down the garden paths will take you to your room, one of fifty tucked in behind the gardens to offer seclusion. The spacious rooms follow one of three themes, namely jungle, elephant, or monkey, and the décor matches the feature wall beautifully. While you might feel like you have gone back in time from the moment you enter the property, the rooms offer all the modern conveniences you could desire. Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, mosquito nets, ceiling fans, tea/coffee stations, safes, hair-dryers, universal plug points and USB charging stations are all right at your fingertips. All the rooms are en-suite and offer a double vanity, toilet and shower.
Pioneers is a family-friendly lodge and the family rooms are every bit as lovely as the rest. From the main room, you walk through an interleading door into the children’s room. In a room that has been decorated with kids in mind, the bright colours and fun features will ensure that your children feel right at home, and they will love that they have their own special space. Breakfast is included and you can opt to enjoy it inside the dining room or out on the terrace. Lunch and dinner can be ordered from the menus that are designed to use as much home-grown locally sourced produce as possible. For those who are just looking for something small to nibble on, a snack menu is also available. There is a fabulous craft brewery in Vic Falls, and Pioneers offers the product ontap from the bar. Pioneers was also built with an environmentally conscious mindset. Throughout the property are discretely placed solar panels, visible only if pointed out, harnessing power from the wonderful sunshine experienced most of the year-round. The solar system can, for the most part, run the entire lodge with backup power options in place for those slightly less sunny days Pioneers prides itself in providing great service and going the extra mile to make sure you have the stay of a lifetime. The owners, management and staff are always available to take time to answer any questions you may have and help plan your stay. They also have an activities desk on site where you can plan and book your activities from the comfort of the lodge. Pioneers might be the “new kid on the block” but they do embrace good old-fashioned Zimbabwe hospitality and cannot wait to welcome you!