Did I say that?  Well… I just did…

I spent three nights at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge to see for myself what all the buzz – and yes, the bustle – is about. I braced myself for peak season crowds, group transfers, and the general hum of one of the world’s most iconic destinations.

To put you in the picture…

Every time I meet Wendy Bourne from the Victoria Falls Safari Collection at travel industry shows, I’m slightly in awe of her unstoppable enthusiasm for these properties. Whether she’s talking about Safari Club, Safari Lodge, Safari Suites, or Lokuthula Lodges, there’s a level of passion that makes you think: ‘right, I clearly need to visit with an open mind.’

And so I did.

Victoria Falls is, by definition, busy. It’s one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – so expecting tranquility on demand is a bit like expecting a quiet corner at a concert. But here’s the surprise: it just works.

From the warm Zimbabwean welcome on arrival to the efficient (and very welcome) hourly shuttle service whisking guests to activities, everything runs with an ease that keeps the energy feeling lively rather than overwhelming.

And then there’s The Buffalo Bar – arguably one of the best “pause and watch the world” spots in the region. Cocktails in hand, overlooking endless stretches of bushveld that melt into the horizon, it feels a little like stepping into a scene from The Lion King. All that’s missing is the opening soundtrack and the distant possibility of spotting Timon and Pumba ambling past the waterhole.

Some of the activities I enjoyed was the Tour of the Falls from the Zimbabwean side, a helicopter flight over the falls and a sunset cruise on the Zambezi – all with Wild Horizons.  Great guides and service!

It’s busy, yes. But it’s also brilliantly orchestrated, unexpectedly charming, and dare I say it… gloriously alive.