Zimbabwe lines up exclusive lodges plan for Victoria Falls airport

The Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe (FCZ) has placed a 300-hectare forest block adjacent to Victoria Falls International Airport on the market, inviting private investors to develop multimillion-dollar eco-lodges and conservancies in one of the country's most commercially strategic tourism zones.

Branded "Airport Lodges" in the commission's newly launched investment prospectus, the land lies about 20 kilometres from the world-famous Victoria Falls and falls within the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (Kaza), one of the largest transboundary conservation areas globally.

In its prospectus, FCZ describes the site as a rare opportunity for sustainable, high-end tourism investment. "Located immediately adjacent to Victoria Falls International Airport and only 20km from the world-famous Victoria Falls, this 300-hectare block of mature forest presents a rare opportunity for sustainable, high-end tourism and conservation development," the commission said. It added that the site, positioned inside the Kaza Transfrontier Wildlife Corridor and within a designated Special Economic Zone (SEZ), combines exceptional ecological value with premium access and favourable investment conditions.

The estate merges airport proximity with strong conservation credentials, placing it at the intersection of international tourism access and ecological stewardship. According to the Airports Company of Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls International Airport handled 463 848 passengers between January and September 2025, marking a 13,57% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The surge in passenger traffic significantly strengthens the commercial case for airport-proximate hospitality developments aimed at short-stay and high-spending international travellers.

Victoria Falls remains Zimbabwe's flagship tourism destination, accounting for roughly 60% of national park entries. In 2024, it recorded the country's highest hotel occupancy rate at 63%, underscoring its dominant contribution to annual tourism receipts that exceed US$1 billion.

The commission highlighted the estate's intact forest canopy, scenic diversity and natural buffer zones, positioning it as ideal for low-impact, high-yield development models. While FCZ has not disclosed a projected capital value, analysts say the scale, strategic location and infrastructure requirements point to a multimillion-dollar investment, particularly if developed as a luxury, low-density eco-tourism estate targeting premium global markets.

Being located within the Kaza corridor enhances the site's appeal for wildlife-based tourism and transboundary conservation partnerships. Its SEZ status also offers potential fiscal and regulatory incentives, further boosting its attractiveness to investors.

In addition to the Airport Lodges project, FCZ is marketing Fuller Forest, a 12 000-hectare estate also situated within the Kaza Transfrontier Wildlife Corridor and approximately 20 kilometres from Victoria Falls town. The commission said the estate's scale, conservation positioning and proximity to the airport make it suitable for high-value, conservation-led tourism and mixed-use investment, including luxury lodges, private conservancies, hospitality clusters integrated with wildlife management, and regulated hunting concessions aligned with conservation and community benefit frameworks.

The broader tourism recovery has been supported by rising international arrivals and improved connectivity. The number of airlines servicing Zimbabwe increased to 22 in 2025, further strengthening Victoria Falls' position as the anchor of the country's tourism economy and reinforcing its appeal as a magnet for global eco-tourism capital.