By Grant Moyo
The last Friday of this April marks the return of Africa’s most invigorating music and adventure festival — The Victoria Falls Carnival — after a two-year hiatus in the midst of lockdowns and quarantine due to the upsurge of the Covid-19 global pandemic which has resulted in the demise of millions of people.
Having changed dates to permit festival-goers to witness Africa’s lofty setting — Victoria Falls — in all its glory after the Zimbabwean summer rainfall, the renowned music and lifestyle event which has always been taking place over the festive new year period since its inception in 2012, will in the adjacent phase of its progress commence from April 29 to May 1.
Chuffed by the gratifying news that all ports into Zimbabwe have been opened, the 10th edition of the Victoria Falls Carnival will be headlined by a power line up of multiple award winning artistes who have been garnering most of the esteemed African and global accolades in the past two years.
These include Zimbabwe-born singer-songwriter Sha Sha, DJ and record producer Kabza De Small (South Africa), musician and record producer Master KG (South Africa), as well as record producer, disc jockey and vocalist DJ Maphorisa (South Africa).
Following the stellar attainment of the past nine editions, the Victoria Falls Carnival has once more come up with the foremost means to spend three days over a long weekend at the holiday resort.
With the kick off of this year’s edition in a weeks’ time, the organisers just added South Africa’s first platinum female rapper Boity, Zimbabwean disc jockey and producer Tashinga, Afrotech pioneer Shimza, resident band Flying Bantu, progressive Afro producer Nitefreak, as well as Bulawayo’s fusion trio Djembe Monks — over new stand-alone dates. Besides an exclusive VIP getaway which is up for grabs in aid of the Vic Falls Wildlife Trust, local acts Nutty O, Gemma Griffiths and King Her, as well as Botswana’s Khoisan, DJ Colastraw and DJ La Timmy are expected to take centre stage and belt out well-polished energetic performances that will gratify a music-loving crowd — all mixed with local and international music-fans.
Pulling in over 5 000 party-spirited visitors who converge to celebrate Africa’s diverse cultures, arts, music and food every year, each edition of the Victoria Falls Carnival is always graced by umpteen globally celebrated musical artistes of African ancestry.
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Some of the fine spun acts who have already headlined this vivacious fete include Disc Jockey, record producer and songwriter Black Coffee, singer-songwriter Shekhinah, prolific musical duo Black Motion, Congolese-born singer-songwriter and music producer Tresor, Disc Jockey Prince Kaybee, house trio Mi Casa, as well as singer-songwriter Jeremy Loops.
Taking place in a stamping ground far-famed for having one of the seven natural wonders of the world ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ (the smoke that thunders), the Vic Falls Carnival is regarded as one of the top 10 music and adventure festivals in the world.
Not only is the festival bringing together Africa’s biggest artistes for a three-day music extravaganza, it is bolstered with bungee jumping, day trip safari to Chobe National Park, sunset cruise down the mighty Zambezi river, white river rafting, high tea at the Livingstone hotel, gorge swings, wildlife and helicopter flights. Conveying the tidings on the reformation of the iconic destination festivity, the festival director Craig Bright confirmed Elephant Hills Hotel as the official new home venue for the full festival period.
“The Vic Falls Carnival has decided to move the venue to Elephant Hills Hotel as it’s more suited to a music festival of our size. We have unfortunately outgrown the school venue — the fact that we can use the hotel as a base for all our artists and crew, as well as for beds for our festival fans — keeps everything in one place. There is also more space to accommodate the festival, and the venue is on the beautiful Zambezi river with incredible views. It is also close to the sunset cruise boats, and other incredible activities on offer in Victoria Falls. We see more room for growth at this venue and it’s a great way to start our new journey after the long break due to the pandemic, and celebrate our 10th year,” Bright said.
In the light of this, picking out a long weekend that offers festival-goers more competitive packages, a panoramic assortment of artists from around the African continent, and great weather conditions that permit the music-loving crowd to see the Victoria Falls in all its glory after the summertime rainfall, the carnival has an array of incredible transport options for Southern Africa.
Along with this encouragement conjures up a variety of VVIP, VIP, standard and budget travel picks. What is more, there is a package for everyone listing four star hotel options, self-drive glamping or cross-country overlanders to the carnival as well as budget camping, to top that.
- Grant Moyo is a prolific writer, innovative media personality, entrepreneur and a creative artist who is passionate about using his creative mind for the betterment of society. Follow him on Twitter: @TotemGrant
