Six Senses has announced that it will debut in Zimbabwe with a resort in Victoria Falls National Park, a UNESCO protected area. This will be the brand’s first sub-Saharan African project, which will front Princess Elizabeth Island on the approach to the largest waterfall in the world.
The resort, scheduled to open in 2025, is part of The House of Chinhara initiative to recover the majesty of Zimbabwean tourism by elevating the available accommodation count and quality for visitors to the Victoria Falls National Park, as well as providing host accommodation facilities and hospitality training opportunities. Victoria Falls comprises five individual falls, four of which are located in Zimbabwe.
With its ethos of conscious travel, Six Senses is working with the development team of Worth International, comprising SIP Project Managers, DSA Architects International, and CKR Consultant Engineers, on a modular scheme consisting of a series of stilted wooden structures. This will match the weightless aesthetic with mighty engineering innovation to ensure the lightest possible footprint while still withstanding a heavy knock from a passing elephant. Fabricated off-site to minimize construction impacts, the arrangement of lodges and villas will be connected by raised walkways and bridges.
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In addition to the 22 lodges with private terraces, there will be 15 deluxe lodges with suspended pools. Some of these lodges can be inter-connected. Plans are afoot for 17 individual pool villas, nine of which offer multi-bedroom accommodation. The seamless blurring of the interior and exterior design evokes reconnection to nature and moments of mindfulness to breathe in the savannah breezes and river mists to the rhythm of a chirruping cicada. The partially concealed, tree-level lodges at Six Senses Victoria Falls will be ecological, tactile, and understated to provide a bird’s eye platform for what’s most important, an authentic connection with the verdant nature and wildlife all around.
From the main welcome pavilion, guests will be transferred to the lounge lobby, where amenities will include a raised restaurant and lounge, specialty dining and braai bar, and sunset look-out bar. The Six Senses Spa and wellness facilities will include four treatment rooms, a gym, a yoga deck, outdoor hot pools, a panoramic sauna, and an integrated retail and concept store. The jungle gym is literal and therefore accompanied by a ranger.
The brief to the DSGN interior design consultancy team is to capture the eclectic and authentic spirit of Zimbabwe. The timber floors and natural finishes will serve as a canvas to showcase ceremonial and bespoke furnishings and artwork. The aim is to achieve timeless sophistication and comfort overlayed with colors, textures, and craftsmanship.
On-site signature experiences such as the Earth Lab, Alchemy Bar, and Grow With Six Senses children’s activities will be available at the resort.
Meanwhile, Six Senses, in April 2022, announced that it will open a fully off-grid and cad in neutral resort in Norway.
Featured image by Six Senses
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