A big part of travel is experiencing new cultures- Victoria Falls is full of vibrate culture to experience!
The diversity of cultures around the world has fascinated people for generations. It is a huge part of what makes travel so addictive, exploring and experiencing new cultures and ways of life.
But emerging yourself into a cultural experience can be a daunting prospect! What if I don’t like it, what if I don’t agree with it and what if I offend someone?
Well that’s the beauty of cultural experiences, they are not there to be accepted or agreed with! Culture is simply a different way of life, normal to those who live it and intriguing to those foreign to the ways. The very best benefit of experiencing new cultures is that forces you to have an open mind and get out of your comfort zone.
Here we list our favorite cultural experiences to do for anyone wanting to embrace the way of life in Victoria Falls!
1. The Boma Place of Eating- Drum and Dance show
Ok, so a place of eating doesn’t sound like the cultural experience you may be looking for, but hear me out. It is one of the best places to taste local cuisine, served buffet style amongst a variety of other more well know dishes. On entry you are dress in cultural togas, with traditional face paint and your whole evening comes to a climax with cultural drumming and dancing. It’s really a fully immersive cultural experience all in one!
Besides the food, dress and dance, the entire restaurant is covered in cultural décor, all the staff wear traditional cloths and there is even a cultural witch doctor who, for a small fee, will go into great detail and “tell you your future”. But by far the most talked about event of an evening at the Boma Place of Eating is the testing of traditional delicacies! This includes the Mopane worm and a cultural brew called Chibuku!
The mopane worm is exactly that, a worm, named after the mopane tree on which its feeds. Culturally this is a sort after delicacy that is served dry and slightly seasoned. It really isn’t that bad once you can get over the mental block of eating a worm! Successful consuming of just one will earn you a certificate to brag to your friends back home about.
The Boma- Place of Eating is the perfect introduction to experiencing the culture and tradition of the Victoria Falls.
2. Cultural Village Tour
This has got to be the most authentic cultural experience there is to do in Victoria Falls!
We have partnered with several families living in traditional villages who have opened their homes to give you an insight into the local way of life. Full of culture and tradition this can often be a very humbling, eye opening experience.
The world you come from can be very materialistic, all about the latest phones, newest cars and fancy restaurants. Many of the families we work with don’t have electricity or running water. Very few have any mode of transport other than their feet and most certainly hardly any of these families would have eaten out at a fancy restaurant.
With that said, you will be blown away by the genuine happiness that these families have and their open willingness to share what little they have with complete strangers.
Not only is your visit the most real cultural experience you can have, but it is a huge source of income for the families who benefit from the funds you have paid.
Great for families, and the best appreciation lesson we can teach our kids, and some adults, especially those that perhaps take what they have in life for granted.
Culture and traditions can often be eye opening, and be prepared to be mesmerized by the way of life of these families. Cooking on open fires with wood gathered from the bush. Raising livestock to sell or eat, drinking water collected from the nearby river and tending tirelessly to fields of crops.
A true cultural experience not to be missed!
3. Cultural Market Tour
One thing that Africa is truly blessed with is exceptional artistic talent. Bought about by centuries of cultural and traditional practices. Be it wood carvings, stone sculptures, painting, drawing and just about every other form of art, the cultural market has it all.
With Victoria Falls being the hub for tourism in the country, many of these skilled craftsman practice their trade right here in town in the hope of selling their wares to the many international guests that visit the area. There is an entire market dedicated to these artists to showcase their skills and talents.
This cultural market tour is a fantastic mid-day activity when the sun is at its hottest. Conveniently located near a few restaurants it is a great way to kill some time after a meal. Take a stroll through the exquisite artwork on display and marvel at the extraordinary talent on display. From near life-size wooden giraffe, to intricately sculpted stone chess pieces and everything in between.
Being handmade, every single piece is different and unique. Meaning the piece you purchase is truly one of a kind, and your own little part of Zimbabwean culture.
If you are looking to purchase gifts and souvenirs of your trip, we highly recommend doing so at this market. Not only are you purchases unique, but the income generated by the artist is greatly needed and appreciated.
To really feel the cultural side of what Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe has to offer, a trip through the market is a must!
4. Guided Tour Of The Falls
Sure you can go and visit the magnificent Victoria Falls waterfall on your own, and you will truly be blown away. But why not make the most of your experience and tale a guided tour. With a guide you get so much more of an experience with a much deeper understanding of the culture, tradition and history of the Falls.
Long before Europeans first gazed upon the mighty falls, the indigenous people thrived off the ecosystem surrounding the Great River and Waterfall. Mosi “a” Tunya being the local name for Victoria Falls, and simply meaning “The Smoke that Thunders”.
The area is rich in culture and tradition, not something that can be fully appreciated without the input of expert guides. Besides the local stories, our guides are also exceptional in the more recent history, namely the famous explorer David Livingstone and his time spent exploring the area.
For anyone wanting a deep cultural experience, we highly recommend the guided tour of the Victoria Falls.
Closing Comments
One of the very best ways to truly experience the rich culture on offer in Victoria Falls is to just get on the ground and live the way of life whilst you are here. Get to know the locals around town by taking a stroll through the streets. Meet people and get to know them. Chat to your guides or lodge staff and find out about their way of life and what living in Victoria Falls means to them.
With a destination so rich and vibrant with culture and tradition, Victoria Falls has so much to offer for those looking to explore and immerse themselves into a different way of life.
If you want to find out more or have questions, then you can contact me here. I usually reply within 24 hours!