With the demise of the tourism industry following haphazard land resettlement and disastrous economic policies from 2000 to 2009, Zimbabwe is on the brink of welcoming foreign tourists once more.The new coalition government has implemented duty reductions a catalyst in reviving tourism-based business and the outlook is positive, for the first time in many years. One such destination is the well-known Bumi Hills which has been closed for a number of years. Bumi Hills Safari Lodge is situated on top of a hill some 55km south west of Kariba town. With the Zambezi escarpment as its backdrop, the Lodge overlooks the foreshore below and the vastness of Lake Kariba.
Transfer to Bumi Hills is by light aircraft and takes approximately one hour from Victoria Falls. Africa Albida Tourism is the managing company and has invested money and resources into bringing the property back to its former glory and more. The re-opening has been set for July 22.
Each of the 20 bedrooms has a view of the lake and game can be seen grazing on the shoreline below. The public areas include a lounge, a snooker room a cocktail bar overlooking the lake and a dining room. Magnificent vistas of the lake can also be seen from the spa. All rooms (8 standard rooms, 2 deluxe room and 10 suites) have a bath /shower, overhead fan, air-conditioning and a balcony or verandah.
The Lodge offers a variety of activities – game viewing by open safari vehicle, on foot accompanied by a professional guide and by boat. The sunset cruise provides guests with wonderful photographic opportunities, especially of the famous Kariba sunsets. 
Some of the activities on offer:
Walking safaris with a fully licensed professional guide
Game viewing in open vehicles
Game viewing by boat
Bird watching trips
Viewing platform and viewing hide
Fishing (casual)
Cultural village tours
Fishing with a professional fishing guide
Flight over Kariba dam wall
Flight over Matusadona game reserve
Crocodile Farm Tour
The Ume River close by offers excellent Tiger Fishing and the area as a whole should start wooing back foreign tourists. While the floating hotel that was the Water Wilderness remains derelict, Tiger Bay lodge has already been open for over a year and is slowly building up clientele once more. Whether the influx of tourists will match pre-2000 numbers remains to be seen one thing is for certain an area so remote and unique will be appreciated by any foreigner who takes the plunge and visits. – Venues4Africa.com, www.venues4africa.com
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