Activity Description
The Boma- Place of Eating is a must do experience when visiting Victoria Falls. We have listed it with our activities because it is so much more than just food. Its authentic African Experience complete with a dance and drum show.
Embracing the vibrate culture of Zimbabwe, the Boma- Place of Eating transports you to new world of fun and entertainment. Your experience starts at the door where you are greeted and presented with a brightly colored toga and headband. Traditional dress for those about to partake in a feast and celebrations.
You are escorted through to a massive circular “Boma”. Immediately your nose enlightens you to the delicious foods you will be eating. The floors and walls are decorated top to bottom with traditional décor, you can’t help but become immersed in this world.
A traditional healer or “sangoma” in the local language (who is an actor by the way) does his round of the many tables of guests, entertaining them with his bone throwing and fortune telling. Face painters ensure that each guest has a unique pattern and design etched onto their faces. A symbol of the traditional war paint worn by warriors going into battle. Your battle being between your eyes and your stomach!
Then there is the food, rows upon rows of delicious, delectable food. Served in a buffet style and with an all you can eat policy. You are encouraged to be adventurous and try out some of the local delicacies such as sadza. A corn based pap the looks very similar to mashed potato. Very popular are the selection of game meats, ever changing, but often two or three different ones to try. Once you have had your fill on the savoury helpings remember to leave room for the sweets. The Boma – Place of Eating dessert table is legendary.
No trip to the Boma- Place of Eating is complete without taking on their in house challenges. This isn’t a competition to see who cant eat the most, or eat the fastest. This is a competition of mind over matter. A sort after delicacy in Zimbabwe is the Mopane Worm. Rest assured, its exactly how it sounds. The larva of a hawk moth, the Mopane Worm is a caterpillar roughly the size of your pinky finger. Sun dried and lightly fired is how they are served, with a slight crunch as you bite into them. Successfully eating a mopane worm earns you a coveted Boma- Place of Eating certificate. You get extra credit if you wash it down with a mouthful of the locally brewed beer known as “chibuku”. A concoction of fermented sorghum, millet and maize and certainly an acquired taste.
A drum and dance show tops off your evening. Not a show you just sit back and watch, but one you actively partake in. Each guest is handed a traditional drum and instructed what to do by the drum leader. Simple and easy to start, with one beat here and two beats there. But quickly evolving into a cacophony of out of beat drumming as the instructor shows off his skills whilst his audience tries to keep up. Culminating in a jovial dance to shed some of the vast quantities of food you have consumed.
As we said, an activity not to be missed, and fun for the whole family!
Boma Dinner Requirements
Age Limit: No age limit. Fun activity for the whole family.
Additional Information
Duration: The whole excursion from time of pickup to drop off at your hotel is approximately 3 hours.
Seasonal Activity: The Boma is not a seasonal activity and is done throughout the year.
What to wear: Clients are advised to wear comfortable clothing items. Warm clothing for the cooler months May to August.
What to bring: Clients are advised to bring mosquito repellent, camera and a huge appetite!
Can the Boma- Place of Eating cater to different diets?
Yes absolutely. Their standard spread caters for most of the more common dietary requirements. Their vegetarian and vegan options are delicious with just as much variety as there are meat options. Being a fully functioning restaurant, they are also able to cater for other dietary requirements.
It’s always best to advise beforehand of any special requirements so that they can be sure to cater for your needs. The same can be said for any allergies to certain foods.
What is the difference between the Boma- Place of Eating and any other Restaurant in Victoria Falls?
First and foremost, this experience is so much more than just eating. As mentioned above, this is a fully immersive experience, giving a guest an insight into traditional Zimbabwe. Complete with great food and entertainment.
Being such an experience, the Boma- Place of Eating is only a dinner time opportunity. Unlike other restaurants there are no breakfast or lunch options. Similarly this is not a restaurant that you can simply pitch up to and hope to be served. Bookings are essential.
We have already touched on the entertainment side of things, but this really is an element of the Boma- Place of Eating that separates it from other restaurants. From the constant wandering individuals telling your fortune or painting your faces, to the dramatic drumming and dancing to top off the evening.
Being such an experience, there is also a difference in prices. Traditional restaurants will have a menu with a variety of options priced based on their size and worth. This requires a calculation at the end of the evening with each individual likely to have spent a different amount of food. At the Boma- Place of Eating there is one fee, $50 per person covers all your food and entertainment. You only need to pay for your drinks at the end of the evening.
What’s Included
Included:
- 4 course traditional dinner.
- Interactive drum and dance show.
Excluded:
- Drinks
- Gratuity
- Hotel transfers(these can be arranged at an extra cost)
