CYA!

September 20 & 21, 2025 | Eat, Pray, Love: Africa Edition

Victoria Falls already stole my heart with Mosi-oa-Tunya… but after Day 2’s dinner and Day 3’s adventures, Zimbabwe might have it forever.

The Dusty Road 🍽️

First Impressions: Artsy, Homey, “Somebody’s Backyard But Make It Magical” 🥰

I pulled up to The Dusty Road, and immediately it was a VIBE.

When I walked in, there were two men softly playing “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” on the violin and guitar which really set the tone and ambiance for the evening. 

The Dusty Road is an outdoor restaurant, but not in a basic way. It felt warm and homey — like you were being welcomed into somebody’s creative sanctuary. Everywhere you looked, there was art made from recycled materials: an old truck with flowers flowing out of it, bottles turned into lamps, old furniture repurposed into decor, even a chopped-up bathtub turned into table seating!

Let Me Show You Around: The Tour Before The Meal 💁🏾‍♀️

Before you even eat, they take you on a little tour of the place — and it was honestly such a thoughtful touch. 

The owner Sarah greeted me first and took me over to a station where the hostess Charlotte explained the fresh ingredients and bush foods used in the meal: ingredients that were locally farmed, grown, produced, and raised.

After the welcome drink, I continued on my tour with my lovely waitress Chantel, who showed me the bar area, gift shop where of course I picked up some goodies after dinner, the kitchen area, where I saw and smelt the delicious food being prepared on an open wood fire in cast iron pots and ovens. 

We then went inside where there was a restroom and office area that was decorated like a traditional Zimbabwean kitchen and it had a chandelier-like light fixture made from tin mugs.

Y’all even the bathroom was artistic. They had plastic shrink labels turned into ceiling decor, and the mirror was lined with bottle caps. It was giving “one person’s trash is another person’s aesthetic.” I loved that.

If you’re into artsy, upcycled, creative spaces — this is your spot.

Best Meal Since Landing in Africa 🤤

Now let’s talk about the real reason we’re here.

This food was the best I’ve had since landing on the continent — and I am not exaggerating.

Then came the main course… and y’all — it was a buffet. All-you-can-eat. Go back as many times as you want.

I tasted everything and it all hit. Like every dish was seasoned with love.

Dessert? Finally, a dessert that satisfied my sweet tooth. It wasn’t overly sweet and surprisingly I enjoyed it. I was happy.

The Dusty Road is a must if you’re in Victoria Falls. 

I will be sharing a full POV video of The Dusty Road Township Experience on my YouTube channel here 👉🏾 www.youtube.com/@cya.abroad.

So subscribe so you don’t miss when that video drops!

The Next Day: It’s Time To Tour The Town
🚲 

This was my last day in Zimbabwe. I was debating going on another up-close elephant encounter experience with rescued, orphaned elephants. Similar to the one I had in Kenya (read here). Unfortunately I didn’t find one that I felt was ethical. I’m very particular when it comes to my elephants so even the smallest sign of an on command trick for a tourist… “yeah, it’s a no for me, dawg.” 

Rather than doing another big excursion, I wanted to take the time to explore Victoria Falls town itself. So I booked a Bamba Bike for an e-bike adventure with Bamba (IG: @bambavictoriafalls). They have options to just rent the bikes, but I chose the guided tour because I wanted someone to show me around to the best spots — and as a solo traveler, that felt like the right move. But honestly, Victoria Falls felt extremely safe! The people I encountered were all so nice and the area has a quiet, peaceful, laid back atmosphere. 

Thankfully they were able to fit me in last minute! 

📍Here’s all the places we went on the guided tour:

🌉 Victoria Falls Bridge: Two Countries at Once

We rode to the Victoria Falls Bridge, where you can find the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Who says you can’t be in two places at once? I’ll wait… 

So yes, once again, I had one foot in one country and one foot in the other 🇿🇼 👣 🇿🇲.  The last time I did that was Kenya and Tanzania in the Maasai Mara (read here).

And while we were there, I watched someone bungee jump off the bridge. Chile my stomach was in knots just watching. The jumper didn’t even scream. They were too calm for me — them and the people watching like it was casual.

While I like some adrenaline-fueled excursions, bungee jumping will never be on my bucket list. 

🌳The Baobab Tree 

We stopped by a huge baobab tree believed to be well over 1,000 years old — and it’s still producing fruit. Just standing near it felt like being in the presence of a living legend.

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🏞️ A Local Hangout Spot 

We also stopped at Rock Pool Riverview, which I learned is a local hangout spot where people have a braai (barbecue/cookout). You can bring your own meat to cook or purchase it there. It felt like a relaxed community vibe — the kind of spot you probably wouldn’t find unless someone local takes you.

🦅 Vulture Feeding  

The next stop was a vulture feeding experience at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. It was definitely different. Vulture conservation isn’t something you hear every day, but vultures really do play an important role in the ecosystem. 

And the best part… the Vulture Culture Experience is FREE.99 and happens daily around ~12:45pm. They do accept donations that go towards the preservation and rehabilitation of vultures.

It began with a briefing by a professional guide who shared the importance of these vital birds and the trouble they’re facing. 

🤓 I learned:

• All of the species of vultures found in Zimbabwe are either Endangered or Critically Endangered.
• The vulture population is declining due to malicious poisoning of wildlife, electrocution by power lines, and poaching for use of their body parts in traditional medicines.
• Vultures are the clean-up crews for disease, so the loss of vultures mean an increase in the spread of diseases such as rabies and anthrax which affects other wildlife. 
• While the feeding happens daily, it’s only a snack for them, so they don’t become reliant on the food but still contributes to their conservation. 

Then we were taken down a short pathway to a viewing platform to see the feeding. 

It was certainly a sight to see. Having a front row seat to hundreds of vultures swooping down and feeding on leftover meat scraps and bones from the on-site restaurants.😳

These huge Marabou storks were there too and they were… honestly terrifying looking. 😬

🛍️ Souvenir Shopping 

I asked if we could stop at one of the local markets so I could grab my souvenirs — magnets, bracelets and of course a Zimbabwe painting for my collection!

My guide was so gracious and nice, he had no problem doing so. While shopping I realized I should probably get a tote bag because my luggage situation was pushing it in the weight capacity department. 

I ended up buying an African-patterned bag that perfectly matched the bikes I was riding on, which felt like the cutest memento for this experience. Every time I see it, I’m going to think about this e-bike tour.

🚋 The Bamba Tram 

On the way back to my hotel, I requested one last stop. While riding through the town I saw a stationary vintage-style Bamba Tram that was screaming photo op! So we made a quick stop there to grab a few pictures. 

Shoutout to my guide. Tiene (IG: @tiene__m) was patient, kind, took all my pictures, and even helped me bargain at the market. He was also genuinely surprised at how quickly I was ready to ride at top speed on the bikes. 😜

Like sir… I came to ride. 🚴🏾‍♀️💨

Weaving past neighborhoods, stopping at cultural spots, and soaking in a different side of life beyond the Falls was such a fun, active, and refreshing way to see Victoria Falls town.

The Boma Dinner & Drum Show 🍽️🪘 

That night, I went to the Boma Drum & Dinner Show (reservation and transportation arranged in advance by the hotel). The Boma is actually located on the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, where I was earlier that day for the vulture feeding.

When I arrived, there was a slight line at the door which I found out was all for good reason. There were two tables that had piles of different colored and patterned sarongs that you get to choose from. Once I selected the one I wanted, they tied the chitenge (sarong) around me and welcomed me inside. It felt very ceremonious. As I walked in I was then welcomed by traditional dancers and even received a mini traditional face paint. I learned that the ladies’ face paint are dots on their faces to signify the beauty of African women, while men receive stripes signifying the warrior look of African men. It’s such a cute extra touch — like you’re not just attending, you’re participating.

Before going into the restaurant, some artwork caught my eye so of course I had to stop. And the artist was there painting in real time — we love a verified artist.

Once I was inside the main enclosure area all of my senses was activated by the sights, smells, sounds, and soon tastes of Africa. The feast was a buffet-style and scrumdiddlyumptious. 

🥗 Large Salad Bar
🥘 Traditional “Umzingeli” Hunter’s Stews (I tried the Buffalo stew)
🥩 Braai (barbeque) including borewors, impala, and pork, beef and chicken of course served with stir-fried veggies, roasted potato wedges, plain or peanut butter rice, sadza (a thick maize-meal porridge which is a local staple), bush vegetables (stewed greens) and a handful of sauces to choose from.
🐟 Local delicacies like kapenta fish and of course sautéed mopane worms. 🐛

And yes… I ate a mopane worm again. But this time I got a certificate for eating it! This time they were more chewy, which I wasn’t a fan of personally.

But the DESSERT?? 🥮

BABYYYY.

The number of options to choose from at the dessert bar was crazy. But it was one in particular! 

That “hot pudding,” and I swear it felt like a grandma’s hug. It was a warm vanilla cake drenched in custard. Fluffy. Warm. Sweet. Perfect.

For me a delicious warm dessert is top 2 and it’s not number 2.

I learned it was malva pudding but I have not found that exact dessert again since and it hurts. 😭

During dinner, we were entertained with mbira music and live performances — traditional singing, dancing… it was the perfect mix of cultural immersion and pure fun. Their performances are so lively and energetic. 

The energy in the room literally continued to build all night. After the drumming show, it turned into a dance party.

My belly was full, my spirit was high and my feet were sore. A time was definitely had!

Nighttime Safari Surprise 🐘🌛

After dinner, during the drive back to the hotel, my driver was telling me how at night you have to be careful because that’s when the animals are most active. And he wasn’t lying. Y’all they REALLY live among the animals.

He showed me a video of a Hungry Hungry Hippo casually in town at night. Literaly in TOWN TOWN, chomping on a bush near an ice cream shop I had been to the day before. Like… excuse me?

Then he gets a call that someone had just spotted either a hippo or rhino. We tried to track it down but no luck, but what we did catch was even better.

First, we saw an adult elephant and a baby elephant in the middle of the street rummaging through trash like it was a late-night snack run. We stopped and waited for them to move. I was so taken aback and excited I almost forgot to capture the moment. 

And then a few moments later…turning down the dead-end street where my lodge was and y’all my flabbers were gasted!

A whole FAMILY of elephants. Seven. All different sizes. Walking toward the car.

My heart nearly burst with joy. I could not believe my eyes.

The driver flashed his headlights to get them to veer slightly to the side. Meanwhile, I’m sitting there overjoyed and in awe and honestly still on a high from the last elephant encounter.

That made my entire night… shoot my entire trip. Whenever someone asks me which country in Africa was my favorite Zimbabwe is always at the top. Partially because of the food and the falls but more importantly because of this moment! 

I couldn’t shake the feeling that my mom, grandmas, ancestors, and God making sure I got the elephant encounter I’d been hoping for. 

It was like my Mama said, “Let me send my baby some elephants before she leaves Zimbabwe” 🥰

Not one, but two elephant encounters in one night. This has to mean I’m one of God’s favorites. 😇🤭

Thank you,  Mommy. Thank you. 🙏🏾

Wrap-Up 💜

I’m so happy I was able to see Victoria Falls beyond just The Falls and experience the art, culture, food of the town. It was riding e-bikes across a border, watching a bungee jumper risk it all, eating a mopane worm again, and then ending the trip with seeing elephants, my favorite animal, like that — wild, free, at night under the Zimbabwean sky — was surreal. I’ll never forget it.

The next day I had breakfast at the hotel, checked out, and headed to the airport. FYI — you don’t need to show up three hours early; they don’t even open the check-in counter that far in advance. Once I was finally able to check-in I chilled in the lounge (IYKYK) until my flight.

Next up: I’m headed to South Africa 🇿🇦. But Victoria Falls will always have a special place in my heart.

– CYA! ✌🏾