CHAPTER 3: FULL THROTTLE

Reading time: 5 minutes

The patriarch of our family clan, our beloved father, grandfather, husband and friend Mike McGeorge passed away on the 7th of April 2017, less than two weeks after our magical family reunion in Victoria Falls. Our lives were shattered, our hearts totally and utterly broken. We never dreamt that our next family gathering would be for the funeral of the person who held us all together. It was a deeply sad time for all of us.

There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone the light remains.

A wise man once said, “learn to pivot”. In aviation language, “divert” if there’s a storm cloud ahead. Life is full of choices isn’t it. How you choose to deal with the blows that come your way is up to you. The “what if’s” were no longer valid. Now was the time to engage full throttle and take off into the future, whatever it had in store for us. Blinking back the tears, we were more determined than ever to forge ahead with our plans for the lodge.

Plan A was mapped out on a scrappy piece of paper, with a very rough drawing of an open plan gazebo. We were motivated to get this building up quickly to make the most of the weather in Vic Falls, which is glorious throughout the year and lends itself to outdoor living and entertaining. Apart from the scorching heat of October/November, and a summer rainy season from November through to March, residents and visitors alike are promised blue skies and endless warm, sunny days. 

Click here to find out more about the best time of year to visit the Falls

One of our family mantras is “when in doubt, call in the experts.” Enter Phil Darby and his design team from PDI Design who are based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Phil D came and stayed with us for a few days, took loads of measurements, and drew up a proper Plan B for the gazebo. His advice at the time was invaluable, and we still have him on speed dial to this day!

The dapper and talented designer Phil Darby and his Plan B sketch for the gazebo.

With some modifications and useful suggestions, building began on the gazebo on 17 May 2017. It was an exciting time for us as piles of bricks and cement gradually morphed into a proper structure. 

Dreams begin with 50 bags of cement and 20 thousand bricks … one brick at a time.

One vivid memory of this time remains etched in my mind. Sylvester the tree cutter was called in to trim the overhanging branch of a teak tree which was going to impede the thatched roof of the gazebo. Fearless of heights and unimpaired by a safety harness (“what’s that?” he chuckled when he saw the look of horror on my face) he nimbly climbed up the tree, ax in hand, and began chopping away whilst balancing precariously on the same branch he was cutting.  Oh, did I mention Sylvester only has one eye… my shattered nerves.

 Tree cutting the Zimbabwean way.

We were working hard behind the scenes, formulating a business strategy for the lodge. This involved budget forecasts and endless lists of things we would potentially have to bring in from elsewhere in Zimbabwe, and even import from South Africa. We were learning quickly that Victoria Falls is a remote location – no Amazon online shopping available in our neck of the woods! 

Once your home turns into a construction site, you will find any excuse to escape the dust and noise. As luck would have it, we have many escape routes right on our doorstep. 

Just 7km away from us is the beautiful Zambezi National Park filled with a variety of wildlife. 

We often go into the park for a picnic by the river to clear our minds and find perspective.

Let nature direct your course. Let us help you book your day safari into the park.

Click here for activities in the park.

Coffee at the Look Out Café, with spectacular views looking out towards Victoria Falls bridge and gorge is always a treat, especially when we have visitors. 

Nothing beats a good view with friends.

Click here for adrenalin activities in the gorge.

Wonderful, wet, cool visits into the Victoria Falls Rainforest never cease to take our breath away. The Falls is organic, always changing with the seasons.

Poetry in motion. The reason we live here.

Click here to book your bucket list holiday today.

Dreamy, romantic sunset cruises on the Zambezi River conjure up precious family memories of not so long ago. 

Create your best sunset memories on the Zambezi River

Click here to book your sunset cruise with us

You will need plenty of time in Victoria Falls to experience all it has to offer. Two nights is never enough – trust us on this one!

Click here to visit our website and browse the many activities on offer in Victoria Falls. 

Still to come…

We were living life. We were living our dream. At last, we were in cruise mode.

One Response

Leave a Reply

ROOM 14 images

ROOM 3 images

ROOM 4 images

ROOM 5 images

ROOM 6 images

ROOM 8 images

ROOM 12 images

ROOM 15 images

ROOM FOURTEEN

Designed and priced with the solo traveler in mind, this room has a standard double bed.

Our pair of solo rooms are adjacent to each other in a freestanding cottage uniquely built around a teak tree between two wings of the main lodge.

This room is ideal for the solo traveler, and is compact yet comfortably furnished with modern finishes.  A curved wall in the room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture. Two windows let in plenty of light, and the ceiling with built in air conditioner provides modern comfort for the discerning guest.  

The ensuite bathroom is classically designed with a shower, shower seat, toilet and vanity. 

ROOM TWO

This modern, well appointed twin room is situated on a quiet wing overlooking manicured lawns and landscaped garden areas. Two large windows let in plenty of light and the ceiling with built in air conditioner provides modern comfort for the discerning guest.

The ensuite bathroom is attractively unusual with its curvy walls, and is tiled to perfection. A spacious shower with shower seat, toilet and mirrored vanity makes this a unique washroom experience.

ROOM THREE

This classic, well appointed twin ensuite overlooks the pool area which is surrounded by attractive landscaping and manicured lawns. Two large windows let in plenty of light and the ceiling with built in air conditioner provides modern comfort for the discerning guest.

The ensuite bathroom is attractively unusual with its curvy walls, and is tiled to perfection. A spacious shower with shower seat, toilet and mirrored vanity makes this a unique washroom experience.

ROOM FOUR

Situated at the end of a wing overlooking the pool area and surrounding landscaped gardens, this beautifully appointed family room is capable of sleeping 5. The main room has a kingsize bed. Upstairs, via a spiral loft ladder, are 3 single beds tucked cozily under the eaves of the thatched roof. This loft space is not suitable for children under 8.

The room provides a unique experience of sleeping under an elevated thatched roof, with a dorma window opening up to the night skies. A curved wall in the room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture, and plenty of windows make this room light and airy. Ceiling fans create an old colonial feel, and original photographic art work on the walls draws guests into a world of imagination and aviation dreams.

The en suite bathroom is classically modern with a spacious shower with shower seat, toilet and vanity.

ROOM FIVE

Situated on a wing behind the main lodge, this classic, well appointed Triple ensuite overlooks a central shady courtyard featuring an old teak tree and landscaped garden areas. The room can be configured with a King Bed plus single bed, or with three single beds. Two large windows let in plenty of light and the ceiling with built in air conditioner provides modern comfort for the discerning guest.

The ensuite bathroom is attractively unusual with its curvy walls, and is tiled to perfection. Complete with shower and shower seat, toilet and mirrored vanity, this bathroom is compact and unique.

ROOM SIX

This beautiful spacious twin ensuite is situated at the end of a wing behind the main lodge, overlooking a central shady courtyard featuring an old teak tree and landscaped garden areas. It provides a unique experience of sleeping under an elevated thatched roof, with a dorma window opening up to the night skies. A curved wall in the room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture, and plenty of windows make this room light and airy.

Ceiling fans create an old colonial feel, and original photographic art work on the walls draws guests into a world of imagination and aviation dreams.  

The ensuite bathroom is classically modern with a spacious shower and shower seat, toilet and vanity.  

ROOM SEVEN

Created for the romatics at heart, the king honeymoon suite is a freestanding luxury ensuite tucked away for optimum privacy.  The curved wall in the main room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture, and allows guests to have an authentic sleep experience under thatch with all the comforts of classic furniture and modern finishes.  The kingsize bed fits snugly in the rondavel part of the suite, which is tastefully decorated with old worldly charm and romantic aviation images.  

The ensuite bathroom is thoughtfully designed for two, with an elegant freestanding bath tub that sits under a large window, a double shower with twin shower heads and shower seat, toilet, and double vanity.  Beautiful black and white tiles finish off the classic yet modern look.  A glass paneled door leads off the bathroom onto an enclosed courtyard, where couples can enjoy an undisturbed early morning cup of coffee or romantic nightcap under the stars.

ROOM EIGHT

This king ensuite is situated behind the main lodge, overlooking a central shady courtyard and beautifully landscaped garden areas. The curved wall in the main room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture, and allows guests to have an authentic sleep experience under a thatched roof with dorma window opening up to the night skies. The room leads onto its own private patio area or “boma” through a large glass door.  Perfect for early morning coffee or a nightcap under the stars.

The ensuite bathroom has modern fittings with a shower, shower seat, toilet and vanity.  

ROOM NINE

This king ensuite is situated behind the main lodge, overlooking a central shady courtyard and beautifully landscaped garden areas. The main room has a ceiling with a built in air conditioner which provides modern comfort for the discerning guest.  A large sliding door opens up onto a private patio area or “boma”  which is perfect for early morning coffee or a nightcap under the stars. 

The ensuite bathroom has a shower and shower seat, as well as a small built in bath, toilet and vanity.  Beautiful black and white tiles and modern black taps and fittings finish off the classic look of this well appointed bathroom.

ROOM TEN

This king ensuite is situated behind the main lodge, overlooking a central shady courtyard and beautifully landscaped garden areas. The curved wall in the main room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture, and allows guests to have an authentic sleep experience under a thatched roof with dorma window opening up to the night skies. The room leads onto its own private patio area or “boma” through a large glass door.  Perfect for early morning coffee or a nightcap under the stars.

The en suite bathroom has modern fittings with a shower, shower seat, toilet and vanity.  

ROOM ELEVEN

Situated behind the main lodge, this modern, well appointed king ensuite is accessed via a central shady courtyard and beautifully landscaped areas.  Two large windows let in plenty of light and the ceiling with built in air conditioner provides modern comfort for the discerning guest.

The ensuite bathroom is attractively unusual with its curvy walls, and is tiled to perfection with classic black and white tiles.  Besides offering a spacious shower with shower seat, toilet and mirrored vanity, this bathroom also has an elegant freestanding bath tub, making this a unique washroom experience.

ROOM TWELVE

This beautiful spacious twin ensuite is situated at the end of a quiet wing behind the main lodge, with its  entrance accessed off a central shady courtyard and attractively landscaped garden areas.  It provides a unique experience of sleeping under an elevated thatched roof, with a dorma window opening up to the night skies. A curved wall in the room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture, and plenty of windows make this room light and airy.  Ceiling fans create an old colonial feel, and original photographic art work on the walls draws guests into a world of imagination and aviation dreams.  

The ensuite bathroom is classically modern with a spacious shower, shower seat, toilet and vanity.  

ROOM FIFTEEN

Designed and priced with the solo traveler in mind, this room has a standard double bed.

Our pair of solo rooms are adjacent to each other in a freestanding cottage uniquely built around a teak tree between two wings of the main lodge.

This room is ideal for the solo traveler, and is compact yet comfortably furnished with modern finishes.  A curved wall in the room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture. Two windows let in plenty of light, and the ceiling with built in air conditioner provides modern comfort for the discerning guest.  

The ensuite bathroom is classically designed with a shower, shower seat, toilet and vanity.  

ROOM 7 images

ROOM 9 images

ROOM 10 images

ROOM 11 images

ROOM one

Situated at the end of a quiet wing overlooking an attractive garden area, this beautifully appointed family room is capable of sleeping 5. The main room has a kingsize bed.

Upstairs, via a spiral loft ladder, are 3 single beds tucked cozily under the eaves of the thatched roof. This loft space is not suitable for children under 8. The room provides a unique experience of sleeping under an elevated thatched roof, with a dorma window opening up to the night skies. 

A curved wall in the room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture, and plenty of windows make this room light and airy. Ceiling fans create an old colonial feel, and original photographic art work on the walls draws guests into a world of imagination and aviation dreams.

The en suite bathroom is classically modern with a spacious shower with shower seat, toilet and vanity.