African Sun Takes Full Ownership of Iconic Victoria Falls Hotel in Landmark Zimbabwe Deal
In a move set to reshape Zimbabwe's premium hospitality landscape, African Sun, the country's largest hotel group, has taken full ownership of the legendary Victoria Falls Hotel after acquiring the remaining 50 percent stake previously held by Meikles Hospitality. The transaction ends a joint venture partnership that had endured since 1998 and hands complete operational and strategic control of one of Africa's most celebrated heritage properties to a single Zimbabwean operator.
Fondly known as the Grand Old Lady of the Falls, the hotel was built in 1904 and remains the oldest and most iconic resort in the Victoria Falls region. It proudly operates as a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, a distinction reserved for a select circle of luxury properties globally. The hotel is also unique for its private, 10-minute footpath that leads guests directly to the entrance of Victoria Falls, offering an experience that few destinations in the world can match. For African travel professionals selling luxury, heritage or bucket-list itineraries, this asset remains an essential centrepiece of any premium Zimbabwe offering.
In its formal statement, Meikles confirmed that although its board had originally decided to retain the operation, it later received and accepted an offer from its joint venture partner to acquire its share in the partnership. The decision represents a decisive strategic pivot for the historic Meikles group, which now intends to focus on retail, consumer operations, supermarkets and agricultural interests. Group management views the transaction as a clean simplification of its corporate structure, allowing the conglomerate to concentrate resources on its core commercial pillars.
For African Sun, the acquisition is a natural progression of its ongoing portfolio refinement. The hospitality group already manages a strong stable of Zimbabwe's leading hospitality assets, including the Elephant Hills Resort, Hwange Safari Lodge, Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga and the Holiday Inn hotels. In recent months, it disposed of the Great Zimbabwe Hotel, Monomotapa Hotel and Caribbea Bay Resort in a deliberate effort to free up capital and focus on strategically important properties. Full ownership of Victoria Falls Hotel now places the crown jewel of Zimbabwean hospitality firmly at the centre of that streamlined vision.
The timing of the deal is particularly significant for the wider region. Victoria Falls has been experiencing renewed international interest, and Dubai-based investors have also made notable moves into the destination in recent times. With growing competition for high-value travellers, African Sun's complete control of the Grand Old Lady is expected to pave the way for refurbishment programmes, international brand partnerships and elevated guest experiences. Industry sources indicate that the group is exploring collaborations with global hotel brands to manage select properties once ongoing renovations are completed, a development that could open fresh commercial opportunities for agencies across sub-Saharan Africa.
For the trade, the implications are substantial. Victoria Falls remains a pillar of the Southern African tourism circuit, drawing travellers from within the continent as well as from Europe, Asia and the Americas. A more focused ownership structure typically translates into quicker decision-making, more consistent product standards and stronger marketing investment, all of which benefit inbound tour operators, wholesalers and retail agencies packaging Zimbabwe alongside destinations such as Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. Agencies selling honeymoons, luxury safaris, rail journeys and multi-country adventures should watch closely as the property enters its next chapter.
The transaction also signals a broader trend within African hospitality, where local groups are asserting stronger control over marquee assets rather than ceding influence to foreign operators. As African Sun deepens its grip on high-value properties and Meikles sharpens its retail-led identity, both companies appear better positioned for the demands of a rapidly evolving market. For the region's travel industry, the coming years promise a more competitive, better-invested and more confidently African-led hospitality offering, with the Grand Old Lady of the Falls once again poised to shine at the heart of it all.
